THE WHITE CANE BULLETIN



Florida Council of The Blind, Inc.
September-October, 2001

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:
PDavis@concentric.net

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

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.

Editors' Note: With this issue, we complete our 6th year of putting together the White Cane Bulletin. It has been an interesting and, sometimes, exciting project for us. We hope all of you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoy editing and publishing it.



PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
By Robert Miller

I hope everyone had a great summer. It was certainly a busy and productive one for the visually impaired community of Florida.
I will be writing about the events I have attended throughout the past couple of months and what it could mean to you.

First of all, during the national ACB convention there was a change made to the constitution that will raise national dues from $3.00 to $5.00. This change will take effect in 2003. I mention this so that local chapters can make necessary changes to their Constitution. There were several changes made to the ACB Constitution and bylaws but I am sure you will be able to read all about them in the Braille Forum.

On August 15, John Richards and myself attended the Division of Blind Services Working Group on assistive technology. Our goal is to develop a list of products the agency will provide training on, set a curriculum for the training and determine how the services will be delivered to clients. We met as a group and then broke out into two groups. The breakout groups were vocational and ILAP, (Services for the Elderly Blind.) The first meeting was very productive and we will meet again in October.

I left the meeting in Daytona and went to the Vendors Seminar in Orlando to assist in the reorganization of RSVF. As many of you know, Betty Barlow (former President) moved to Chicago which left the presidency of RSVF open. I am pleased to announce that Kathy Warth was elected as their new president. RSVF also picked up 15 new members at this meeting.

Debbie Grubb and I were appointed as representatives of FCB to the task force for developing the accessible voting rule for the state of Florida. Jim Kracht was also appointed as the AAPD, (American Association of People with Disabilities) representative. On August 16 the Division of Elections certified ES&S, as the first accessible voting system in Florida.

Now, for my usual housekeeping. Our next Board Meeting will be held on November 30 at the St. Petersburg Hilton and will run through December 2. I am asking all members of the Executive Committee to come down on November 29 so we can finalize our Office Animation and procedures. We plan to present this document to the board for approval. We will meet Friday morning at 9:00 A.M. in the President's Suite. I would also like to remind all Board Members of our Leadership Development Seminar which will be held Sunday morning from 8:30 to 10:30 A.M. All Board members are required to attend, so please remember this when making your travel arrangements. Until next time, take care and remember: "Advocacy is not just a word, it's a full time job for all of us!"

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BREAKING NEWS FLASH!
FLORIDA DIVISION OF ELECTIONS CERTIFIES ACCESSIBLE VOTING EQUIPMENT Submitted By James K. Kracht

ES&S patented iVotronicTM voting system is the first touch screen voting device ever certified in Florida. ES&S is the only vendor with both an optical scan and touch screen voting solution certified in Florida. iVotronic’s Audio Ballot feature for visually impaired is the only one of its kind officially accepted in state.

Omaha, Neb., August 20, 2001 â€" Election Systems & Software (ES&S), the world’s largest election management company, announced today that the State of Florida Division of Elections has officially certified the acceptance of ES &S fully integrated suite of election equipment and software. ES&S is the first and only election management vendor to have a touch screen voting device certified in Florida.In that Florida law requires state testing and certification prior to election equipment purchase, Florida’s formal acceptance overcomes the final hurdle for the selection of ES&S election solutions by election officials in the state’s 67 counties.

Our official certification by the Florida Division of Elections coupled with the recent endorsement of ES&S by the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) are momentous milestones for Election Systems & Software as we strive to support Florida’s election supervisors in modernizing their election environment," stated Aldo Tesi, ES&S president and CEO. "We definitely have the proven experience, innovative products, and full support services to transition the election systems of Florida and other jurisdictions throughout the world easily, safely, and smartly into the future."

The Florida Division of Elections rigorously tested and officially certified the ES&S Model 100 precinct counter, Model 150 and 550 central counters, the iVotronic's touch screen voting system, and the Unitytm election management software---a fully integrated suite of solutions that can seamlessly support both paper-based and touch screen voting options. ES&S is the only vendor to have both an optical scan counter and touch screen voting device officially certified in Florida.

The ES&S Model 100 with its advanced digital scanning technology has proven to be a reliable mainstay for jurisdictions of all sizes utilizing precinct voting and tabulation, and over 12,000 units are now installed worldwide. Weighing only 9 pounds and approximately one foot square in size, the ES&S iVotronic with its patented touch screen technology is portable, wireless, and has an Audio Ballot option. On-screen ballots are graphically displayed in multiple colors, and the iVotronic can support a second textual language in addition to English. ES&S touch screen systems are now in use in seven states and in Toronto, Canada. Both the Model 100 and iVotronic ensure voter intent and ballot correctness. The Model 100 warns voters of overvoted races or unvoted ballots. The iVotronic prevents the voter from overvoting and alerts the voter of undervoted races.

The patented iVotronic is the first touch screen voting device to ever be certified in Florida, and its Audio Ballot feature for the visually impaired is the only one of its kind to be officially accepted in Florida. "I look forward to the day when Florida’s almost 300,000 blind or visually impaired voters witness extension to them of the fundamental basic civil right of voting," stated James Kracht, assistant county attorney for Miami-Dade County and member of the Florida Council of the Blind who is visually impaired and personally tested the iVotronic. "The ES&S iVotronic voting device with its Audio Ballot feature, simple four-button operation, and logically organized structure is a very good solution for blind or visually impaired voters. The iVotronic’s innovative audio ballot presentation with individually worn headsets maximizes the essential requirements of voter privacy, independence, and verifiability of selections made during the voting process."

Election Systems & Software (ES&S) is the world’s largest election management company. For additional information about this machine, call 1-800-247-8683.

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AWARD NOMINATIONS DUE NOVEMBER 15
By June Kinard, Awards Chairperson

Because of the change in date of FCB's Winter Board Meeting where the Award Committee reviews and selects award winners, award nominations must be received no later than November 15,2001, if they are to be considered for the 2002 convention awards ceremony.

We are seeking nominations for the following awards:
and your chapter awards.

Criteria for each of these awards begins on page 58 of the FCB Policy Manual (Appendix E). Remember, also, that nominations are accepted from either your chapter or individuals.

This is your opportunity to honor someone who has shown exemplary interest and has worked for the benefit of the blindness community to show our appreciation and gratitude for their efforts. These awards also honor those for whom they are named who in the past did so much for FCB and the community as a whole. Please send your nominations in any format to:

Ms. June Kinard
2909 St. Johns Avenue, Apt. 15B
Jacksonville, FL 32205
Telephone: (904) 389-3266

We'll be looking forward to receiving nominations from many members not later than November 15.

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ACTION ALERT
By Debbie Grubb

There are too many unsupervised pets being given free run of the streets of our towns in Florida. Whether this is true because pet owners do not want to be responsible for the animals that they adopted and, therefore, have a moral and legal obligation to care for, or whether it is because they have a misguided view of what the word "freedom" means to a pet, this state of affairs is not only dangerous to the pets but it is drastically impeding the access of guide and service dog users to the streets of our communities, access that we are granted by both State and Federal Law.

As a result of this growing problem, a group of guide dog users living in Florida have decided that too many people have temporarily or permanently lost the use of their guides, a team relationship that has taken the love, dedication, funding and skill of many people to bring into being. The necessity for Scanner, a guide dog belonging to Joel Pincus of Fort Myers to return to Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. for training and the tragic death of Marigold, a wonderful guide from The Seeing Eye, Inc. belonging to Clearwater resident Rosie Morline, were the results of being attacked by loose pet dogs. These needless and devastating events have galvanized this group of dedicated guide dog users into action.

The language of the proposed legislation is based on Layla's Law, the Guide Dog Protection Law recently passed into law in Washington State.

If you would like to learn more about this initiative and how you can help make Florida the next state to have such a law, please contact:
Joel Pincus, (941) 656-1511
5964 Sonnet Court
North Fort Myers, FL 33903
or by E-Mail at:
jfpinky@olsusa.com

Together we can make this happen. Please lend your hands and voices and hearts to this most necessary initiative.jfpinky@olsusa.comjfpinky@olsusa.com THE LAW PROTECTS BLIND PEDESTRIANS
Violation of the White Cane Safety Law is a Punishable Offence

There is little doubt that the American intersection is becoming more and more hazardous to blind pedestrians. In one recent week alone, there were five incidents of persons struck by motor vehicles resulting in one being killed and the other four being seriously injured. With ever-increasing traffic volume everywhere, hearing about a person who is blind becoming a traffic victim somewhere in the U.S. is almost a daily occurrence.

As a countermeasure, many states have adopted legislation designed to protect this vulnerable group who must cross busy streets to conduct their daily activities. Florida Statute 413.07 is named Traffic Regulations To Assist Blind Persons and states:

1. It is unlawful for any person, unless totally or partially blind, or otherwise incapacitated, while on any public street or highway, to carry in a raised or extended position a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white tipped with red.

2. Whenever a pedestrian is crossing or attempting to cross a public street or highway, guided by a dog guide or carrying in a raised or extended position a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white tipped with red, the driver of every vehicle approaching the intersection or place where such pedestrian is attempting to cross shall bring his vehicle to a full stop before arriving at such intersection or place of crossing and before proceeding shall take such precautions as may be necessary to avoid injuring such pedestrian.

3. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to deprive any totally or partially blind or otherwise incapacitated person not carrying such a cane or walking stick, or not being guided by a dog, of the rights and privileges conferred by law upon pedestrians crossing streets or highways; nor shall the failure of such totally or partially blind or otherwise incapacitated person to carry a cane or walking stick, or to be guided by a guide dog upon the streets, highways, or sidewalks of this state, be held to constitute, or be evidence of, contributory negligence.

4. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in section 775.082, section 775.083, and section 775.084.

Since there seems to be little public awareness that violating the legal rights of blind pedestrians is a punishable offence, we urge that every driver in Florida, both residents and visitors, at least learn and observe this law. If it would enhance their sensitivity to mentally place themselves in the role of the unsighted, they might imagine being blindfolded and told to "Now, cross the street." Would a careless or reckless driver have a clearer insight into the plight of the blind and observe safety?

October 15 is traditionally designated as National White Cane Safety Day.In Florida, Governor Jeb Bush has signed a proclamation to this effect for the state of Florida and declares: "Whereas, everyday, Floridians who are blind and visually impaired demonstrate personal courage and determining as they pursue an active life, and; Whereas, the White Cane Law and other state laws ensure the right to travel independently using a white cane or guide dog wherever a person who is blind or visually impaired chooses to go, and; Whereas, the public awareness and perception of the White Can Law is the key to implementation and understanding of this State Statute and its objectives, and; Whereas, The Florida Council of The Blind endeavors throughout the year to heighten public awareness of the White Cane Law by way of special activities held throughout the state on October 15. Now, therefore, Jeb Bush, Governor of the state of Florida, does hereby extend greetings and best wishes to all observing White Cane Safety Day, October 15, 1999." Signed asnd sealed by Governor Jeb Bush on September 17, 1999, in Tallahassee, Florida.

We, the members of the Florida Council of the Blind challenge Florida's drivers to observe the rights of blind pedestrians by making a special effort, at least on October 15, and preferably every day, to take into account the lives of these courageous pedestrians and respect those who carry a white cane or are lead by a guide dog. We hope they will contemplate "What if it were me or someone I love?" It just someday might be!"

Overheard being said by a senior citizen:"I'm the life of the party...even when it lasts 'til 8:00 P.M."

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Can I or Can't I Cross Now?
By Debbie Grubb

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 childrens' 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 pretimed 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, 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!

Overheard: "I'm not grouchy, I just don't like traffic, waiting, children and politicians."

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GENE THERAPY USED TO RESTORE BLIND PUPPIES' VISION... PEOPLE NEXT
By Will Dunham (May 29, 2001)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Doctors said on Friday they used gene therapy to restore the sight of blind dogs by injecting a virus carrying normal genes into the eye, and the technique soon could be used to make blind people see.

Giving new meaning to the idea of a seeing-eye dog, doctors at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center's Scheie Eye Institute brought sight to three blind Briard puppies that were born with a variation of the human disease Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). This severe form of degeneration of the retina renders human infants blind.

Dr. Jean Bennett, who led the study, said she hoped that the first human clinical trial involving the technique would begin in about two years. She said she was ``very optimistic'' that gene therapy could restore the sight of babies with LCA.

"This is really the first demonstration that functional vision can be restored to an animal,'' Bennett said in an interview. ``It's the first time that any kind of rescue of retinal degeneration has been demonstrated in a large animal with an eye anatomically similar to that of a human. It's really a big leap forward."

University of Florida and Cornell University experts helped in the research appearing in the journal Nature Genetics.

LCA is a rare, hereditary disease caused by mutations in a gene important for eye function. About 2,000 people in the United States suffer from LCA, which currently is untreatable and results in blindness from birth or shortly thereafter.

Normally, a protein transports a Vitamin A-like compound to the retina -- the structure in the back of the eye composed of layers of light-sensitive nerve cells onto which light is focused -- that is necessary for sight.

In some cases of animal and human LCA, the protein (called wild-type RPE65 gene) that transports the Vitamin A-like compound is missing, which results in blindness. Researchers earlier had established that an apparently harmless virus could be used to carry healthy copies of the RPE65 gene into the cells of the retina.

The mutated RPE65 gene causes an estimated 15 percent of LCA cases, with the rest attributed to other mutations.

The researchers nine months ago used a single injection to introduce thousands of copies of the corrective gene into the right eyes of the three young Briards. Their left eyes were untreated to test the success of the therapy. The researchers called the results astonishing. They found that the function of the treated eye was similar to that of a sighted dog's eyes. The treated dogs were able to navigate through a maze, even when the lighting was dim. The treated dogs avoided collisions with objects in front and to the right (the side injected), but collided with objects to the left. ``My God, It's Seeing Something." said the University of Pennsylvania's Dr. Albert Maguire, a co-author of the study and Bennett's husband. ``The ones that don't get treated just sit in the corner ... because they don't want to walk into the wall. They're not dumb animals. They just sort of quietly sit there. The ones that are treated will actually get up and explore the room. They'll look at things. They'll look at you.'

***Overheard: "I'm having trouble remembering simple words like...uh.." ***

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GOVERNOR BUSH SIGNS BILL BENEFITTING THE DISABLED

Legislation eases the standard for property tax exemptions available to the totally and permanently disabled.

TALLAHASSEE---Governor Jeb Bush today signed Senate Bill #1642 into law. The law will require only one physician's certification in order for the disabled to be eligible for a $500 property tax exemption. Currently, a person is required to be certified "totally and permanently disabled" by two physicians to receive the exemption. The new law will take effect January 1, 2002.

"We must continue in our efforts to ease the burden on Florida's disabled residents," said Governor Bush. "This legislation will reduce costs to individuals by not requiring them to attain a second certification by a physician, as well as enabling more people to qualify for the $500 exemption." Senate Bill #1642, sponsored by Sen. Jack Latvala (Palm Harbor) and Rep. Ken Littlefield (Dade City), also closes an existing loophole in the current law through which property owners had been receiving property tax exemptions in both Florida and other states.

"I'm realizing that aging is not for sissies."

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PROJECT INSIGHT UPDATE
By Rosanna M. Lippen, Project Insight Chairperson

Again, I would like to thank everyone involved in Project Insight for his or her help and commitment to this wonderful project. I hope those who were able to attend the training session held in conjunction with FCB's convention in Fort Lauderdale learned the procedures and enjoyed the camaraderie. And for those of you who could not be with us, you were missed, but not forgotten. As stated in the July/August issue of the White Cane Bulletin, we have recordings of the session as well as the updated manuals in the media format of your choice.

As those who were present in Fort Lauderdale recall, a gentleman from the Gainesville chapter fell ill and I was assisting in his well being until the paramedics arrived. Unfortunately, I was not in the business meeting at the time for my committee report because of the concern for this individual member in crisis.

Project Insight is alive and well and growing. We stressed the need to get the word out that we have this wonderful and unique program in Florida and how viable a tool it is to anyone suffering from vision loss. Currently, we are trying to work in conjunction with the Publication Committee to produce public service announcements in both English and Spanish. Until we hit the airwaves, we are in the process of mailing all peer counselors, alternates,and committee members our informational brochure so they can get them out in each local area throughout the state. Anyone interested in obtaining some of these brochures and helping as a caring member of FCB, please call Nancy Folsom on the Insight line at:
1 800 26 SIGHT (1 800 267-4448)
and she will get some out to you for distribution.

I thank each of you who are able to help spread the word about Project Insight. Remembering our motto: "You have lost your sight, not your vision."

*** "I'm positive I did housework correctly before the Internet." ***

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LAMENT OF A FOOTBALL WIDOW
Contributed by Jean Knutsen

On Saturdays he can't cut the grass, Lest he should miss a forward pass.
On Sundays when we go to pray, I ask the Father "Why all day?
If I should ever interrupt a down, he'll wrinkle his brow, In fact, frown!
And forbid it please, if I should raise his hackles By blocking the screen when someone tackles.
Each time that he is called to dine, Someone is on the ten-yard line.
When it's time to go to bed, He watches overtime instead.
My memory can scarcely recall his image, He's been so long at the line of scrimmage.
How I would like to meet the blathering skunk Who scheduled football on Monday night, And why does he deem it necessary to drag football, way into January?

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YOU ARE INVITED TO SPORTSABILITY JACKSONVILLE
By Margy Lang

Sportsability Jacksonville, a two-day sports and recreation event for disabled persons, caregivers and family and medical community will be held on September 28 and 29, 2001 in Jacksonville at two sites: FCCJ-South and Victory Lake.

This is an opportunity for you to experience the joys of recreation and leisure in a non-competitive yet inclusive setting. Come and sample jet skiing, pontoon boat rides, fishing using adaptive equipment, sailing using the specially designed Access Dinghy from Australia, swimming, goal ball and much, much more.

Sportsability Jacksonville is being presented to all persons through the generosity of the Brooks Health Foundation and the City of Jacksonville Disabled Services Division. It is hosted in several cities across the state by the Florida Disabled Outdoors Association based in Tallahassee.

Sportsability Jacksonville is totally free and open to the public. Free T-shirts are given away to the first 250 participants each day. Lunch is served to all participants each day.

For further information and a flyer, call Margy Lang at Sportsability Jacksonville at:
(904) 262-1722.
See you on September 28 and 29 for fun, recreation and sport!

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Remembering Rosemary Chmiel
By Sharon K. Youngs

When Bobbie asked me to write an "In Memory" type column, I thought about it for several days. I thought about what I could say about Rosemary’s statistics. You know, the ones that usually start an obituary such as date of birth and death. Well, sure I guess that information is important too. So I will give some of that but what I think Rosemary would have wanted was to be remembered for the lives she had touched and the help she gave to people. She was born May 11, 1930, in Massachusetts. She died after a lengthy illness on July 9, 2001. Two children, three grandchildren and one great-grandson and siblings survive her. Rosemary is also survived by a multitude of friends.

Since she was born at the beginning of the "Great Depression" and since her family already had quite a few children, Rosemary went to live in the convent and assist the nuns when she was very young. This may be where she learned her amazing organizational skills. But the nuns decided that they needed her in the convent and so she was not sent to formal school like most children. The one area of her life that bothered Rosemary all of her life was her lack of formal education.

When I first met her, she was already legally blind from a couple of different eye conditions. Possibly some of her vision could have been saved if she had seen medical attention earlier. But she was too busy taking care of an ailing husband to take care of herself too. That is probably the one attribute that sums up Rosemary-her selflessness. She was wise in the practical areas and always put others first.

She was a star pupil of Southeastern Guide Dogs and, after her training, gave talks all over our county about guide dogs-even after she was too ill to actively use her dog, "Roxy". She had just been installed as president of her Lions club for the second term at the time of her death. She had been the vice president for our chapter. She also organized and ran a bowling league for blind people in our community. If I were to list all of her accomplishments, it would fill a book. And if I did, she would be embarrassed. So I won’t.

Some of us were talking the other evening and one said of the thunder that was happening, "Gee, it sounds like God is moving furniture." Which prompted someone else to say, "No, that’s just Rosemary and her bowling league having fun again." I think I love that line and I think that every time I hear thunder I'll think of Rosemary and I'll smile!

Rosemary collected angels and now she is one! Rosemary you are loved and missed by all.

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CONVENTION THOUGHTS, Monday, July 09, 2001
By Jesus Garcia

I am writing this brief commentary the first Monday after returning from Des Moine, Iowa, and our ACB 2001 national convention. This years was my eighth convention I have attended. In terms of numbers, this was also the smallest convention since I started attending national conventions. However, it was very interesting and a well run convention. Des Moine, Iowa, has to be one of the friendliest, most civilized places in which to spend a week, I have ever been in this country.

The Florida delegation was very much in evidence and every one did a wonderful job. Besides our president and his lovely lady, Rosanna and I attended. I am certain I will leave out some one, but here are those I met at some point during the convention, usually at general session. Mr. Stallworth, Don and Jeanne Sanders, Paul Edwards, Gayle Krause, Barbara Brown, Robert Jones, June Kinard, Cathy Cipolla, Lillian Riley, Freddie Witlock, Richard Giombetti, James Kracht, and Debbie Grub. Again, I apologize if I leave anyone out. We missed those who were not able to attend -- this is one of my only conventions without Mr. Carl McCoy, the Warth’s or someone from the Mid-Florida chapter. Hope next year, we will all be together.

Elections were held this year, which makes our own Mr. Paul Edwards Immediate Past President. And Mr. Chris Gray from California our new President and a new Executive Committee, new Board Members were also elected. Besides all the election campaigning we had the usual workshops, exhibits, and general session programs. For those of you who have access to a computer, and connection to the Internet, you can listen to much of the convention from ACB Radio or scout it out on www.ACB.org. The convention general sessions were streamed live and the Florida Council of the Blind can take pride in knowing we helped fund ACB radio with our $5,000 (Five Thousand Dollar) contribution.

Other workshops were conducted regarding communications, accessible voting, and we heard from Mr. Gordon Dinkle the leader of our Canadian affiliate. I think in the future ACB will definitely have a much larger presence to the north. One of the most interesting technology items I used at the convention was the Bank of America Automatic Teller Machine (ATM). This machine was situated in the lobby of the Marriott Hotel the main convention hotel. Bank of America had a table with headphones the small ear bud type in prepackaged bags that the customer plugged in to the machine. I found the machine extremely easy to use, and for the first time in quite a number of years went through the process of withdrawing my money in less than forty-five seconds. Not only did I withdraw my money, but also I did this with out having to get any explanation from the two very nice Bank of America employees manning the demonstration table. I feel confident that anyone walking up to such a machine can easily use it to conduct any banking transaction they wish. The speech the machine uses is quite comprehensible, it sounds like a variation of the Dectalk Access 32 software synthesizer. The control of the machine is all managed from the ten keypad and the enter key located immediately to the right of the number nine key. Thus if you can use a touch telephone and follow very simple instructions, you should have no problem greater than how to slide your card through the card slot.

In closing, I will say that following what I stated above regarding Iowa and its civilized people, this is one of the few states left in this country where out of state banks cannot charge for the use of an ATM. Thus what a concept I got my money without having to pay a fee.

As an ending to this brief article, I would again like to thank those who were in attendance and I hope next year many more FCB members can gather in Houston.

*** "I'm positive I did housework correctly before the Internet." ***

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PROJECT INSIGHT OFFERS LOTS!
By Rosanna M. Lippen

As chairperson of the Project Insight committee, I take the mission very seriously. But that does not mean Project Insight cannot lead to fun. Several of the Insight calls I have received over the past year have been dealing with people who are working age and visually impaired. The Broward chapter meets during normal working hours, which does not help in getting these individuals to join. So, I arranged a social outing of several people in the area: members and callers of the Broward Area. We are now trying to meet at least once a month as a social support group. Maybe this will lead to a new chapter being developed or a change in the meeting schedule for the local chapter. In the meantime, we are enjoying each other's company and sharing ideas and experiences.

*** "I'm wondering, if you're only as old as you feel, how could I be alive at 150?" ***

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TELECOMMUNICATION: WHAT YOU SHOULD BE GETTING

Telecommunications: What You Should Be Getting -
Before you go to the mall to buy that new telephone, or before you sign for that great-sounding new phone service plan, read "Telecommunications: What You Should Be Getting" Section 255 for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired. The American Foundation for The Blind (AFB) prepared this brief explanation of access requirements to help you through the process of selecting a phone with accessible features by telling you what questions to ask and filing an effective complaint if you can't find one. "What You Should Be Getting" is available on our web site at:
http://www.afb.org/section 255.asp
and from AFB's Information Center
AFBInfo@AFB.net
or 800-232-5463) in print and a full range of accessible formats.

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

(From Words From Washington, July 18, 2001)

Congress is considering Medicare reimbursement for vision rehabilitation services. A bill, H.R. 2484, that would allow payment for vision-related rehabilitation services for Medicare beneficiaries, has now been introduced by Representative Michael E. Capuano (D-MA-8). It is the successor to legislation (H.R. 2870) introduced in the last Congress by Mr. Capuano. The bill, which amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on Ways and Means. Original cosponsors of the bill are Mark Foley (R-FL-16) and Jim McDermott (D-WA-7), both members of the Committee on Ways and Means; Edolphus Towns (D-NY-10) and Steve Buyer (R-IN-5), both members of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and Dave Weldon (R-FL-15) who serves on the Committee on Financial Services with Mr. Capuano. For further information, consult:
http://www.medicarenow.org

Advocates/Publishers Reach Agreement on National Textbook Access Legislation.

Electronic textbooks: The blindness field and the textbook publishing industry have reached final agreement on language for landmark legislation which will dramatically improve access to elementary and secondary school instructional materials. On Wednesday, June 27, principal representatives of the Association of American Publishers (AAP)
American Council of the Blind (ACB)
Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER)
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
American Printing House for the Blind (APH)
National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D)
the Texas Education Agency (TEA), and other organizations participating in the AFB Solutions Forum agreed both on the text of the proposed legislation to bring to Capitol Hill and to work collaboratively to achieve its enactment.

The legislation, the Instructional Materials Accessibility Act of 2001 will, among other things, ensure that students who are blind or visually impaired, or who have other print disabilities, have access to instructional materials in formats they can use at the same time such materials are provided to students without disabilities by requiring states to develop and implement state-wide plans designed to meet this objective. The bill also provides for the establishment of a single national electronic file format to be used by publishers in the preparation of files corresponding to texts they publish to facilitate substantially more timely and efficient conversion of such files into braille, large print, digital audio and other specialized formats. The receipt, cataloging, storage and distribution of the publisher-provided electronic files would be the responsibility of a national electronic file repository to be established under the legislation.

Thanks to all who have given of their time, expertise and patience to reach this milestone on the long road toward ensuring equal educational opportunity for students who are blind or visually impaired. For questions concerning provisions of the legislation, contact Mark Richert Governmental Relations Representative, AFB, (202) 408-8170 or:
mrichert@afb.net

What Is the Department of Education, OSERS? The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), headed by an Assistant Secretary who is nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate, administers disability programs under the jurisdiction of the Department of Education.

OSERS consists of three units, each with its own jurisdiction. The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has primary responsibility for IDEA. OSEP is headed by a director. As of this writing, the President has not yet submitted a nomination for the post. The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), headed by a commissioner, oversees vocational rehabilitation and related services programs that help individuals with physical or mental disabilities to obtain employment. RSA is the home of the Blind and Visually Impaired Division which administers the Randolph-Sheppard Act. Joanne M. Wilson of Louisiana has been nominated as commissioner of RSA. The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) funds research projects related to the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. NIDRR is headed by a director. The President has not yet submitted a nominee for the post. Visit:
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/
To find out more about OSERS and its three units.

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LAUGHTER -- YOU CAN'T BEAT IT
By Mark Twain

We all know that laughter is the best medicine. But it's a lot more than just that. Studies show that people with a good sense of humor live longer than those without one. Amazing isn't it? So is a lot more stuff about laughter.

Read on.
For instance, it's been found that when a person laughs, the level of insulin in the body goes up. This is a fantastic breakthrough in the field of research for diabetes. Accordingly then, over years, a good sense of humor may just help do away with diabetes. We all know that we have a funny bone in our body. The general perception is that when we hit our elbow against a wall, table or any hard object, we feel a jingle all the way up our arm and that, for us is our funny bone. Wait ! there's much more to it. There is a bone in the human body known as the funny bone and it's connected to the spinal cord with a nerve called the 'vernalize'. This nerve is more active in people who have a developed sense of humor and almost inactive in those who hardly laugh. When a person laughs, this nerve, sort of, sends a message to the bone which increases the absorption of calcium in the body, which over time eliminates the risk of bone cancer. Research shows that laughing is extremely beneficial for eyesight, arthritis, muscle pains and coneys and malaria and kidney failure and.......CAUGHT YOU ! Didn't I ? What ? Are you nuts or something. Laughter has nothing to do with insulin, eyes, calcium, your teeth, your toenails or your cat's fur. For all you know you might be in deep trouble if your laugh has religious or racial undertones and chances are that your professor will throw you out if you chose to experiment with laughter in the middle of a lecture. If you're a nine year old laughing while your mom is scolding you, well sonny.....there's surely a spanking coming your way. Well coneys, bones and teeth may not be, BUT SERIOUSLY, laughter is known to affect the mind if not the body.

When our mind encounters what it perceives as humorous, it's psychological reaction is to laugh. Research on laughter, though limited because it produces only intangible results, indicates that there are physiological benefits from laughter including an increase in certain antibodies, a reduction of specific stress hormones, and an increased tolerance to pain.

For an Israeli study, published in the November 1995 issue of the Journal of Pain, 20 people each watched either a funny, repulsive, or neutral flick. Before and during the films, each underwent a standard test for pain tolerance - they had to keep one arm submerged in a tank of icy water and rate the discomfort caused. People watching the humorous flick showed a marked increase in tolerance levels. By developing a keen sense of humor, we stimulate our own, and possibly other's, wit and laughter. Our physical and mental stress levels decrease and our level of overall well being increases as we incorporate humor into our lifestyles. Indeed, humor may be the best medicine to keep us emotionally, mentally, and physically fit.

So do remember to laugh at everything you find funny. It would definitely put you in a positive frame of mind and help you deal better with what comes your way.

The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter. Mark Twain, Author (1835-1910)

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ITEMS FOR SALE

We now have a variety of used video magnifiers available from Telesensory and Optelec. If interested, please e-mail or call for pricing and availability as these are available on a first come-first served basis. Color and black/white units are available. Thomas Blom, O.D. Low Vision Specialist
(941) 925-3937
E-mail:
siesta2020@aol.com

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

BNS 2000 FOR SALE
I am offering someone a good deal on a BNS 2000. It is one year old, and has a July 2001 update which improves the voice quality some and adds a few extra features. It will have a paid-up updated service contract on it, which is transferable, and good until August of 2002, and can be renewed each year for about $98 per year. Special price is only $750 which includes that one-year service contract. The carrying case is like new and very practical. It comes with the usual connecting cable and battery charger. The single strand earphone is from Radio Shack and has a better sound than the original one. The important operating files are on a disk. The braille manual is okay for the basics but is somewhat out of date for recent innovations. The ASCII disk contains all that. I'll send my braille manuals, if desired.

Instructions on transferring files to and from a computer will be included. The HELP MENU is easy to read and gives all the key strokes necessary for the wide variety of functions. I'll toss in my own Instruction sheet to get you started.
Bill Lewis
(316) 681-7443 Wichita, Kansas - blewis@southwind.net

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THANKS FOR THE CONTRIBUTION, TERRY AMATO
By Sila Miller

Our sincere appreciation goes to Theresa (Terry) Amoto of Orange Park for her generosity in sharing her winnings at the FCB raffle with us. Terry was the winner of the $500 cash prize this year and was gracious enough to send a check for $50.00 as her donation to FCB.

Thanks from all of us, Terry! And may you have continuing good luck.

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CHAPTER NEWS

Brevard Council of The Blind, Bill J. Pearson

The chapter held its June meeting at Kate’s Barbecue in West Cocoa on Saturday, June 23. Attendance was down as the Melbourne bus driver was not available, so the members from the southern part of Brevard were not able to attend.

The vice president, Jeff Landers, conducted the meeting in the president’s absence. There was a report on the state convention and Bill Ferrell updated members on the status of transferring the chapter’s van account to another bank.

After the old and new business were completed, Bill Pearson presented Ann Pusar with an award for her outstanding services chapter. Ann, who has been a devoted secretary for many years, and also has been a mover in all the chapter’s projects. Ann had no idea that she was about to receive this award . Bill Ferrell had plotted, with Ann's husband, that he would take her to the convention and to visit his mother during the Awards Dinner . The plot failed when Ann was unable to visit her mother-in-law because of other commitments. Ann was quite thrilled with her well-deserved award.

Volunteers are needed to drive the van for the Leisure of the Blind and the Brevard Council of The Blind. Drivers are fully insured by Leisure of the Blind and the Brevard Council of The Blind. Interested persons should contact:
Pat at (321) 723-6900
or
Bill Ferrell at (321) 254-8973.

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Jacksonville Chapter, Bobbie Probst

The chapter held an Awards Luncheon to honor our chapter three FCB recipients on June 16 at Sweet Tomatoes. There were around 15 members and guests in attendance.

Barbara Brown received the Henry P. Johnson Award for outstanding service to FCB, the Clay County Council and the Jacksonville Council for many years. Her husband David was given an chapter award in appreciation. For all the work he does, usually behind the scene and not recognized . The third winner, who received a chapter award, was Anna (Anita) Kelly. Mrs. Kelly is our oldest member at 87 with Sine (Sam Darlow running a close second. She has been a member of JCB for many years and has contributed and inspired us.

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NOTABLE QUOTES

"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles that one has overcome while trying to succeed.
--Booker T. Washington

"A good name, like good will, is got by many actions and lost by one."
-- Lord Jeffrey

"And how, you ask, are we to walk the spiritual path? We answer: say little, and love much, give all, judge no man, aspire to all that is pure and good."
--White Eagle

"Nature has given us two ears, two eyes, and but one tongue - to the end that we should hear and see more than we speak."
--Socrates ~ (BC 469-399,Greek Philosopher)

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FCB CHAPTER LIAISONS

Liaison Chapters
Patti Davis: Mid-Florida, Tampa, RSVF (407) 767-8616
Carl McCoy: Brevard, Palm Beach County, Polk (850) 553-9490
Bobbie Probst: Clay, Alachua, Halifax, PSLCB (904) 641-0709
Robert Miller: Tallahassee, Pinellas County (850) 942-9821
Lee Stallworth: Pensacola, Port Charlotte, FABS (850) 433-5663
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 (352) 686-9300

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