The PCB ADVOCATE is a quarterly news publication of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind. It is available in large print, braille, cassette, disk, and by email.
Please send change of address and other matters to the PCB office, 931 N Front St., Harrisburg, PA. 17102, or call 717-920-9999, or 1-877-617-7407. FAX 717-920-9988. Email address: pcb1@paonline.com Web site: pcb1.org
June M Horst, Editor
John A Horst, Ass't Editor
Send articles to: ADVOCATE, PCB Office, 931 N Front St., Harrisburg, PA. 17102. Email pcb1@paonline.com Articles can also be sent directly to the Editor at: jjkhor95@epix.net
To promote independence and opportunities for people with vision impairments.
To continue to be recognized as the leading advocacy organization for people with vision impairments in Pennsylvania. The aim of all of our efforts is to encourage and assist people in achieving their potential as valued members of society. PCB assistance, advocacy, and encouragement will be carried out in such areas as, but not limited to, all aspects of accessibility, transportation, education, and employment.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Articles in this publication reflect the views of the individual writers. They do not necessarily represent the views and policy of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind.
CONTRIBUTIONS: Contributions are tax deductible, and are always much needed. They can be sent to Anthony Evancic, Treasurer, at the PCB office address, at 931 N Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17102.
If you wish to remember a relative or friend by sharing in the Council's work, the PCB office will acknowledge contributions made by loved ones in memory of deceased persons. Anyone wishing to remember the PA Council of the Blind in his/her Last Will and Testament, may do so by including a paragraph for this purpose. If your wishes are complex, you may contact the PCB office.
SUBMITTING ARTICLES: If you wish to submit articles for consideration in the ADVOCATE, please do so. Deadlines for submission are:
March 15 July 15 November 15
PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN DATES FOR SUBMISSION OF ARTICLES. At the Spring 2009 PCB Board meeting, the Board voted to publish the ADVOCATE 3 times a year, instead of quarterly. This decision is to reduce costs. You may send articles in any format, either to the PCB office, or email them to: jjkhor95@epix.net. Your input is always welcome.
From the Editors: This Summer issue of the ADVOCATE updates the activities, functions, and critical concerns of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind. Major contributions to this issue have been made by committee chairs and chapter presidents, keeping in mind the due date for articles. We would like to hear from more chapter members as to what you are doing and what the issues are that you discuss at your meetings.
The submission date for articles for the Winter 2009 edition of the ADVOCATE is November 15, 2009.
| President's Report | 7 |
| From the Director's Desk | 9 |
| And the Winner is …… . | 13 |
| Employment | 14 |
| Fund Raising | 15 |
| Governmental Affairs | 18 |
| Long Range Planning | 19 |
| Membership | 20 |
| Nominating | 24 |
| Resolutions | 25 |
| Transportation | 26 |
| Cumberland Care & Share | 28 |
| Golden Triangle | 29 |
| Lancaster Red Rose | 32 |
| Lehigh Valley | 35 |
| Oil Valley | 35 |
| Philadelphia Regional | 36 |
| Regional Meetings | 39 |
| PCB 2009 State Convention | 48 |
| Student Reunion at Convention | 63 |
| APS for Lancaster City | 64 |
George Holliday, President
As you probably all know, Orlando, Florida was this year's host to the 48thAnnual ACB Convention. If you've ever attended a national convention, then you know how a person could lose themselves from early morning till late into the night at workshops designed to enlighten us about blindness-related issues, products and services, and to offer recreational experiences which may not otherwise be available to persons who are blind, or to those with low vision.
Let me begin my talk with you on ADVOCACY, by telling you that Pennsylvania was the most well represented affiliate at the two-hour Legislative Seminar, hosted by Eric Bridges, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs for ACB .
This brings me to the point of this article. Currently in Washington, DC, two initiatives are getting a lot of attention in Congress. They would be HR 734, the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, and its companion bill by the same name in the Senate -- S 841, as well as HR 3101, the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. According to Eric Bridges, HR 734 now has 127 sponsors. While that is really great news, there are still a number of representatives in Pennsylvania that have not signed on to this bill, and Senator Casey has not yet signed on to its companion bill, S 841. With regard to HR 3101, only introduced into Congress on June 25, 2009, much work is needed to gain sponsorship.
Why is this important to you and how can you help? It's important because the fact is that the passage of these two bills is essential to furthering independence for persons who are blind or with low vision, and for assuring safe travel for all visually impaired and blind pedestrians.
How can you help? According to Mr. Bridges, all of your representatives will be in their home offices for the month of August, providing us with an excellent opportunity to contact them. As you will recall, the Governmental Affairs Committee composed a Legislative Initiatives sheet for you to use when speaking with representatives and/or senators, outlining both HR 734 and what is now being called HR 3101. If you need any assistance whatsoever locating your representatives, printing the materials forwarded by the Governmental Affairs Committee, or fully understanding the legislation, PLEASE do not hesitate to contact myself or a member of the Governmental Affairs Committee.
So, while you are planning your August calendar of fun, pencil in a time for visiting, emailing, or calling your representatives to let them know that you would like them to become co-sponsors of these bills, or to thank them if they have already done so.
I AM URGING all of you as individuals or through your chapters to become involved! Have a voice--make Pennsylvania count!
What takes place in PCB during mid-summer? July is vacation time for many, but by August things become active again. 37 persons from Pennsylvania attended the ACB Convention in Orlando, Florida.
Perhaps most of these persons used this vacation time to further educate themselves about blindness issues and to also have some social time with friends who share mutual interests. Most of the PCB chapters do not meet in July, and it is great to use that free time to attend the national convention. Attending the national convention is a stimulating experience, and if you as a visually impaired person can find a way to attend, you will find it most rewarding and challenging.
We are pleased to report that ACB is doing well. It's advocacy program is strong and effective, and the organization has better financial resources that it has had at times in the past. The ACB National Convention in 2010 will be held in Phoenix, Arizona from July 10-17. Watch the BRAILLE FORUM for details.
A second group of PCB members who are actively working during the Spring and Summer months are the members of the Convention Planning Committee. Under the capable leadership of 1st Vice President of PCB, Tony Swartz, this committee has taken on the responsibility of planning and preparing for the state convention, and is doing an excellent job! As you will read in the detailed report on the convention in this ADVOCATE, a great convention is planned. The time is now to make your plans to attend. Don't let the fact that the location is somewhat unusual -- buses are being chartered by several chapters, so make plans now so that you will be ready to go come November. (Philadelphia Chapter and Golden Triangle Chapter are both planning for busses, so contact one of these for your planning). There are some special surprises planned for this convention that you will not want to miss!!!
Important legislative issues:
Some chapters and some individuals are very active in advocacy for legislative issues, but many are not. Folks, we desperately need your involvement, whether by letters, phone calls, emails, or visits to your federal legislators on these bills. These bills are described in this issue of the ADVOCATE.
The "Quiet Car" Bill: House Bill 734, the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act, and Senate Bill 841. The "Quiet Car" Act provides for a study by the US Department of Transportation to make recommendations to come up with solutions to solve this problem. At the latest count, the House Bill has 127 sponsors, including 8 from Pennsylvania. The Senate Bill, which has been introduced more recently, has only 4. We need to recruit the remaining 12 representatives from our state, including Senator Casey, to also become sponsors. (For a listing of those who have not yet signed on to become co-sponsors of this legislation, please contact the PCB office). This legislation is strongly supported by blindness-related agencies and organizations, and needs your support. Your chapter president has received information on this Bill, regarding who to contact, phone numbers, etc.
Access to Communication and Video Discription Act: Act HR 3101, the Twenty First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009 provides that:
As most of you know, our Executive Director, John Horst is now in his second year as President of CCLVI. During the recent ACB Convention in Orlando, John was kept extremely busy coordinating all the events which that group sponsored, each day making sure all was in place for each seminar or reception. By the end of the week when the ACB banquet rolled around, he was "dog tired", and after eating a sumptuous banquet meal, sat dozing in his chair while the awards were being announced. When it was time for the winner of the George Card Service Award, he was oblivious to what was being said at the podium. The name of the winner of this service award was kept secret until the banquet, but knowing that John was the winner, his wife, June, reached over and squeezed his leg, hoping to get his attention. He just kept dozing! At the mention of his name as winner, he was instantly alert, but had no idea what had been said about him! As his name was announced, June said, Get up there to the podium." He scrambled for words to say in response as he made his way to the platform, but did an excellent job in graciously accepting the award, and the audience had no idea what had preceded the announcement of his name as winner! Instead the entire room burst out with thunderous applause! Congratulations, John, it is well deserved. -- Editor
Challenges to Employment and Steps to Success
Are you searching for a realistic career goal? Do you need help identifying your transferable skills? Are you interested in learning some new valuable job search tips and strategies? Would you like to learn some effective ways of selling yourself when networking? Would you like to learn the best answers to those tricky questions?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions,
please join us for our 90-minute employment break-out session at the PCB State Convention. The title of this program will be "Challenges to Employment and Steps to Success." You will leave with useful information and handouts that will enable you to follow up on what you have learned. Hope to see you there.
With the fun, success, and surprise of our first auction, we knew we had to do it again!
This time, we are trying something new. The live auction will take place on November 7, following the Saturday night banquet at the Chateau Hotel and Resort in Tannersville, located in the beautiful Pocono mountains.
Individual members and chapters who gave the results of their artistic or baking talents, the generous companies who donated products, and of course, whose who purchased items, are the reasons last year's auction was a great success.
We're hoping to make this year's event even better, so we need your help. We are looking for items such as:
Often it just takes a phone call to get such items donated. Let's work together to make the 2009 Live Auction even more successful than the first.
If you want to add an item to the list or get more information, please contact this year's Auction Coordinator, Caroline McFarlan at: 570-629-0034, or by email: pcbauction@gmail.com
It's time to begin de-cluttering those bulging closets. Sort through those overflowing drawers and overcrowded shelves. The biggest challenge will be figuring out what to do with everything you have thrown onto the "give-away" pile. PCB can assist you with this problem.
Do you have music that you have not listened to in five years? Have you mastered the accessible computer game you purchased two years ago? Is there a movie video you've already watched a dozen times? Are you finished with those audio books you received at the holidays? If the answer is "yes", would you consider donating these unwanted items to PCB for its Used Media Sale. Ask your friends and family members if they have any of these items to donate.
Label each item in Braille so others will have an easier time reviewing the selections. Be sure the media is both complete and in working order. Box up all the items and send the material "FREE MATTER FOR THE BLIND" to the PCB office at 931 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102.
The media sale will take place at the 2009 statewide Convention at the Hotel Chateau in the Poconos. Look for the PCB Media table in the vendor area during Friday and Saturday exhibit hours. Volunteers are needed to "man" the table at the convention. If you would like to volunteer for this activity, or need additional information about the type of media we are collecting, please contact Sue Lichtenfels at 412-429-1727, or email at susan@lichtenfels.us
Thank you for helping to make this year's Used Media Sale a great success! -- Susan Lichtenfels
As issues of interest come before any level of our government, it is important for us to advocate for our views. While this committee could act for PCB in these matters, it is more effective when the chapters around the state take an active role in this process.
A representative will listen more to a local voter than a spokes person for a state organization. This is why it is very important that you get involved. It is important for you to get to know your local legislators.
The committee is in the process of preparing a program on how to advocate. At this year's state convention, you will learn how easy it is to become involved in your government. We hope that you will find this program informative and interesting. Get ready to learn. Get ready to get involved!
Cathy Long, Tom Burgunder, Helen Koshinsky, George, John, and I have been meeting almost monthly. Our ongoing ideas and suggestions involve: learning as much as we can about the functions and duties of our Executive Director, so that when it comes time for his replacement, we can do it based on solid knowledge; constant updating of office equipment with or without grants; the need for more grant writing to underwrite the costs for speakers, training programs, travel, etc.; further develop our endeavors to interest students and staff members in the field of vision education/rehab from neighboring educational settings, to begin attending program/activities portions of state conventions.
A name change for PCB might be necessary in order to try to interest those with low vision, the elderly who might be experiencing vision problems, etc. Perhaps it's only in the dream stage yet, but we are exploring possible ways of linking our name with a product in some similar way as the NFB has managed to do successfully. Our thread of potential right now is with Professor Anderson at Carnegie Mellon University, who is very interested in universal design and the benefits to disabled persons.
At the October 30, 2009 PCB Convention Board meeting, the first draft of a membership policy was presented by this committee. As a result, the committee is making recommendations for changes to the by-laws, and presenting the following Membership Policy for consideration of the PCB membership. At the 2009 convention, members will be asked to vote on the by-law changes and the acceptance of this policy.
Recommendations for Changes to the PCB By-Laws:
The Membership Committee of the PCB recommends the addition of a "corporate/for profit" category of membership, with dues being thrice the dues of agency membership. We further recommend that PCB provide such members the benefit of having a link to their business website on the PCB web site.
The Membership Committee further recommends that the "agency" category of membership be
changed to "agency/non-profit organization."
It is also recommended that the paid Life Membership be added to the by-laws to reflect reality.
Proposed PCB Membership Policy:
Membership and dues in the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind (PCB) are defined in the PCB by-laws, Article IV, Sections 1 through 5 as follows:
Any person eighteen years of age or older shall be eligible for membership in the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind, provided he/she subscribes to the objectives of this organization.
Persons under eighteen years of age who subscribe to the objectives of this organization are eligible to become junior members. Junior members may participate in discussion, but may not vote, nor hold office.
Any agency or non-profit organization which subscribes to the objectives of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind is eligible for agency membership, a non-voting membership.
The Board of Directors may confer an Honorary Life Membership upon any person who, in its judgment, has given outstanding service to and for people who are blind or visually impaired.
The annual membership dues for the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind shall be an amount recommended by the Board of Directors, and approved by the membership at a convention. Dues are payable in advance and credited to the first day of January of each year. Dues are payable by chapter members through their chapters, and by members-at-large directly to the Treasurer of PCB.
Dues for junior members shall be fifty (50) percent of dues paid by adult members.
Dues for agency/non-profit membership shall be thrice the dues paid for agency membership.
It is strongly recommended that chapters follow the same policy as PCB in allowing dues paid by a new member after September 1 to be credited towards the subsequent year.
Chapters shall be urged to get their membership renewal lists and dues to the PCB office by January 15 of each year. Chapters shall be encouraged to offer payment plans for dues to make it easier for members to join or renew.
After the January 15 deadline, the PCB Executive Director or other appropriate person will look at non-renewals on a case by case basis and contact chapters or members-at-large via letter or phone. Before July 1 of that year, a second letter will go out to members-at-large who have not renewed.
Chapters shall be expected to contact members to encourage renewal of membership.
If a member allows membership to lapse, that person is considered a new member after a lapse of two years or more. Otherwise, it is considered a renewal.
A member who has not renewed by January 15, and has not indicated a desire to terminate membership, shall receive the next Spring edition of the ADVOCATE newsletter, but subsequent issues will not be sent, unless dues are received in the office.
PCB informs ACB of lapses of membership as they become final.
End of policy.
The members of the 2009 Membership Committee are Michael Bryant, Harry Epstein, Mike Gravitt, Sue Lichtenfels, and Donna Williams.
It is time for elections once again. The offices of President, First and Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and four board positions are to be filled. If you are interested in running as a candidate for any of these offices or board positions, you may send me a short resume or biographical sketch of your qualifications. If nothing else, we would like to know the following:
To be considered for the slate, you must declare your candidacy no later than 30 days prior to the first day of the state convention, which in this case is October 7. To participate in the Candidates' Forum, I must be informed by Friday, October 30.
Members assisting me on the Nominating Committee are: Mary Ann Alexander, Janet Facemyer, Joseph Wassermann, Jacqueline Wissinger, and Ed Hersh. We hope to hear from many of you soon. My address is 4753 Brian Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050. Phone: 717-761-1920. Email: joleperry@comcast.net
Summer is passing much too quickly and Fall will be here before you know it! It's time for resolutions again--time for you to start working on the resolutions that you would like to have presented at the convention.
As you compose your resolutions, remember that the "WHEREAS" clauses generally state existing conditions and/or problems that need to be solved. On the other hand, the "RESOLVED" clauses suggest solutions to these problems, actions to be taken, who will take these actions, and perhaps to whom copies of the resolution should be sent.
Each resolution should deal with only one issue. Also, remember to make each clause, as well as the entire resolution, as clear and concise as possible. This will make your resolution easier for others to understand. Remember: Well-crafted resolutions are more likely to be passed.
The Resolutions Committee would like to have your resolutions as soon as possible so that we can complete work on most of them before the convention. If you have any questions or need help writing a resolution, please feel free to call me at 724-941-8184. Otherwise, you can send your resolutions in hard copy (Braille or tape preferred) to Carla Hayes, 230 Robinhood Lane, McMurry, PA 15217. Email address: lengual@verizon.net
Since my last report, there have been some interesting developments. First, we have had to change our meeting day to the first Thursday of the month, due to a conflict for one of our members with meeting on the fourth Thursday. All other members seem to be in agreement with the change.
PWD services (shared ride) is gradually expanding to all counties. Butler and Clarion are now providing service. Susquehanna will hopefully start in July. Westmoreland and Armstrong are the only counties in doubt.
About a month or so ago, a meeting was called by John Mica, a leading member of the House Transportation Committee. The American Council of the Blind was one of the five organizations represented, and the only one representing the blind. Eric Bridges, ACB Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, gave testimony on HR734 and its importance regarding the "quiet car" issue, and although there appears to be ample funds for capital improvements, he expressed concern regarding lack of funding for operation of transportation issues. The Pennsylvania legislature is currently working on the state budget, and it is hoped that there will be no cuts in present transportation funds. From what I can gather, local transit companies are meeting their goals. However, there are transportation gaps throughout the state, especially in rural areas. A committee has been formed within the transportation alliance to look into this problem.
On a brighter note, there are four counties which work together to provide 24-hour transportation services seven days a week. The committee plans to study how these counties are accomplishing this service.
HR734 is making good progress in terms of sponsorship. Since my last report, there have been 56 new sponsors added, making the total 127. There are nine representatives from Pennsylvania on that list. Since last reporting, Senate bill 841, a companion to HR734, was introduced by our own Senator Arlan Spector and Senator John Cairey. Currently, there are only four cosponsors to this bill. Unfortunately, Senator Bob Casey is not one of them. As you may be aware, HR734 and Senate bill 841 both address the "quiet car" issue. This is why it is so important that this legislation be passed!
Cumberland Care and Share: -- Tom Gumby opened our meeting with the pledge of allegiance to the flag, followed by prayer.
After a light lunch, we had roll call with 12 persons present. The Sunshine Box was passed for contributions toward lunch. The reports from the Secretary and Treasurer were read and approved. We had 21 prizes on our raffle tickets for our July drawing. No one from our group attended the Regional meeting in Millersville, due to the Memorial Day holiday. Birthdays celebrated were those of Kate Kingsbourgh and Bill Davis.
The picture of the Blessed Mother, which the Knights of Columbus donated as a memorial to Ruth Ann Gilbert, has been received and is ready for hanging in our meeting room. Door prizes were distributed. After our program, the meeting closed with the Lord's Prayer. -- Mary Ann Worthington, Secretary
id="xxix">Golden Triangle Chapter: This spring and summer have been a busy one for our chapter. One of our first priorities was to reserve a Greyhound bus charter to transport individuals from western Pennsylvania to the state convention in November. We encourage any at-large members, as well as those from the Erie, Oil City, Washington, Beaver, and Clearfield chapters to join us. Cost is $100 round trip. The bus will leave Thursday morning, November 5 and return Sunday evening, November 8. Reservations and payment are due by October 1. Please call Mike and Judy Zaken at 412-655-1234 to learn more. GTCB hosted the PCB Southwestern Regional meeting on April 18, 2009. Details of this event are included in a separate article.
There were 2 major fund raising events which turned out to be rather successful, due to the fine work of our Fund Raising Committee, chaired by Bonnie Newland. One was the bowl-a-thon on May 16. There were 16 bowlers, a number of sponsors, and a team from the Pleasant Hills Lions Club. The other fund raiser was our Drinks and Dogs sale, which we had at Sam's Club on July 17 through July 19. This project is somewhat labor-intensive since we spend 25 hours selling hot dogs and soda.
Our Advocacy and Governmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Joe Wassermann, was very busy. They are working with the Pittsburgh Department of Public Works, along with Richard Meritzer, ADA Coordinator, on accessible pedestrian signals that need to be installed in Pittsburgh. The priority list of locations for APS has been compiled and will be reviewed to determine what locations need immediate attention. When a new traffic light is installed, the city of Pittsburgh has agreed to include an accessible signal. Our committee has attended meetings of the Port Authority bus and rail system connect 09 projects. This will involve a number of bus route changes, and they have been made aware of our concerns. The various concepts of the proposed changes were explained, as well as how bus and rail service would be affected.
Members of our chapter attended a disability night, sponsored by the Pittsburgh Pirates, where we had a table and passed out GTCB brochures before the game. We also attended an ADA rally which celebrated 19 years since the establishment of the ADA law. This gave us an opportunity to talk about our organization and pass out brochures and fliers. There were 35 organizations in attendance. Our members purchased custom made GTCB T-shirts, which were designed by Sue Lichtenfels. The shirts have both Braille and raised print lettering.
Major efforts are going on to revise our by-laws, which have become out-dated and unclear. We are also in the process of creating our long range plan to determine goals and the direction in which we want our chapter to go.
There were some "lightening" speakers at our meetings. Dr. Eric Anderson of Carnegie Mellon University spoke on the topic of universal design of appliances. Dr. Anderson explained the project and how blind and visually impaired people have been involved in the project. Another speaker was Theresa Foley, who is working on a public art project. She is collecting ring tones from the general public, and hopes that when this project is completed, the general public can download these tones onto cell phones for free. She requested that people send their ideas, as well as share this information with others who would be interested in this project.
We have an aggressive membership drive going on, which is being led by our Membership Chairperson, Sue Lichtenfels. This consists of having a Vision Loss Discussion Group each quarter. The first meeting will be on August 15 at 11:00 AM at the Centre City Towers in Pittsburgh. Jill Gravitt will be the moderator, and the topics will be household chores, assistive technology, and family relationships. This will be followed by our annual membership pizza party, held from 12 noon until 1:00 PM. Also, we will be sponsoring a Low Vision Expo on Saturday, October 17 at Saint Paul's Cathedral Hall in Oakland. In addition to vendors and organization tables, there will be four presentations and a low vision simulator, along with vision screenings. The four presentations include: The Aging Eye (common age-related eye conditions and diagnosis), Accepting Diagnosis and Accessing Resources (Coping skills, agency resources, support groups, rehabilitation), Tips and Tricks for Making the Most of Your Vision (Lighting, Magnification lenses and technology), and Parade of Daily Living Products (Kitchen, writing, time keeping and housekeeping). -- Submitted by Michael Zaken
id="xxxii">Lancaster Red Rose Chapter: Two of our members and several other visually impaired persons attended an organizational meeting of the PA Cultural Access Project (PCAP) on February 26th. PCAP has been formed to help ensure access to cultural events for persons who are blind and have low vision, and other persons with disabilities. VSA Arts of PA, in partnership with the PA Council on the Arts (and with grant support from the PA Developmental Disabilities Council) is spearheading the multi-year project. In 2009, it will focus on the York-Lancaster region, bringing training in and equipment for audio description for persons who are blind or low-visioned (as well as captioning for the deaf and hard of hearing) in the area.
Hosted by the Fulton Theater in Lancaster representatives from arts/cultural organizations and disability service organizations in the York-Lancaster region, as well as community members with disabilities, attended the meeting. Organized by the Manager of the PCAP, Ermyn King (814-777-0669), the agenda included an explanation of the project's inception a number of years ago in the Philadelphia area. Audio description was discussed and an orientation to access planning and assessment tools was given. A book has been edited by Bill Patterson, called "Design for Accessibility: A Cultural Administrator's Handbook." Mr. Patterson is CEO of a company called Audio Description Solutions, http://www.audiodescriptionsolutions.com/
A York-Lancaster regional access coalition is also being formed this year, and in other parts of the state in future years. The first meeting of this vision access coalition was held in York on June 17th. In attendance were two members of the York chapter (Rodger and Roberta Simmons) and Ed Hersh from our Red Rose chapter. We were joined by two district Lions members, two PAB agency representatives and PCAP organizers. We discussed access to arts venues in the local community and audio description in particular as a means of access. PCAP is planning to host a training for audio describers, targeted for sometime in September. If you know anyone who would be interested in this project, please contact the Simmons or myself to obtain more information.
On June 13, an audio described performance of "Les Miserables" was held at the Fulton Theater in Lancaster. The performance was attended by about 12 PCB members. Audio described performances are regularly scheduled for the first Saturday matinee performance of each show appearing at the Fulton Theater. Tickets are provided on a pay-as-you-can basis. When you call to reserve a ticket, be sure to identify yourself as an attendee needing the audio description, and arrive about a half hour early for the performance to receive your headset and hear the description preliminaries. Invite a friend and enjoy a show!
id="xxxv">Lehigh Valley Chapter: We would like you to know Sherry Hancik, the President of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind. She was born in Bay City, Michigan. She attended Michigan School for the Blind, Mercy College of Detroit, and Western Michigan University. She married Rob Hancik on October 13, 1984, and considers him her "angel."
Sherry has served as Secretary, Vice President, and now is serving in her second year as President of the Lehigh Valley Council of the Blind. Among Sherry's other volunteer work was running a snack bar, college tutoring, and working as a call center, mainly disconnecting New Jersey telephones. Her husband, Rob, works at WRRS/Radprin, the Radio Reading Service for the Lehigh Valley, as its engineer.
Sherry's hobbies include reading, books, movies, old time radio, corresponding with friends, trivia, and collecting teddy bears. -- Jeanette Schmoyer
id="xxxv.v">Oil Valley Chapter: The Oil Valley Chapter of PCB is lining up events for the rest of the summer. Having purchased two CCTV's in the past nine months, the chapter is gearing up to raise more funds. The two CCTV's were donated to the Franklin and Oil City libraries, and we're told they are being put to good use by the community.
In June on "lucky Friday the 13th", our chapter hosted in Oil City, our annual "Thank You/Recognition" picnic for various groups and people we're worked with in the previous year. State Representative Scott Hutchinson and RSVP volunteer Bill Jones received awards. A Spring Regional with the Erie chapter also took place at Hasson Park that day.
Our spring pepperoni sale was a success, and we are now planning our "White Cane Walk" for September, along with our big fundraiser, Applefest, and our Chinese Auction which we have each fall.
We continue to work, along with Oil City and PennDot toward an audible pedestrian signal in Oil City, and in the future are exploring getting grant monies to fund other projects; including a scholarship for area students who will enter the field of working with the blind. -- Scott Roberts
id="xxxvi">Philadelphia Regional Chapter: A Tribute to Mary B Smith by Ethel Siegel
Mary B Smith, long time member of the Philadelphia Regional Chapter, passed away on Thursday, April 29th, 2009. She had been ill with cancer for sometime. Mary was 82. She would have celebrated her birthday on August 2nd. Born in Bridgeton, New Jersey, she later moved to Philadelphia, where she worked in stores, then obtained a nursing degree from the Philadelphia Board of Education. She worked in numerous hospitals and at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital until she retired during the late 60's.
She began to lose vision due to retinitis pigmentosa; but that did not stop Mary. She still remained active in her church and in her community, maintaining her home and enjoying cooking and catering as well.
She became involved in the organized blind movement, particularly the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind, during the 1970's, attending many state and national conventions until a few years ago when she became ill. She was President of the Mae Davidow chapter, which is now the Philadelphia Regional Chapter, from 1994 until 2000. She also served as chapter Vice President previous to that. She recruited sighted people for the chapter, including a few family members and friends. For many years, she also catered the Southeast Regional meetings and enlisted sighted volunteers to help with various chapter functions. Her home was open where she hosted many parties and dinners.
Mary B Smith was a very compassionate, warm- hearted person. She was not judgmental of anyone, but would listen carefully and give serious consideration before giving advice to the many persons who sought her opinion. She was someone who stuck to her convictions when she knew she was right. She gave advice to those who needed further assistance, pointing them to proper channels.
She had many ideas of how things should be accomplished. If she felt something was not being done correctly or properly, she was outspoken on how it should be changed. Mary was someone you couldn't say "no" to, and "can't" was not part of her vocabulary, for she would always find a way to get things done. She was a role model for all of us, for she was very patient, warmhearted, sincere, and conscientious. We miss her and will remember her for the person she was, and for a role model in following her example to continue the work that still needs to be done.
From the Editor If you want your chapter represented in current issues of the ADVOCATE, the information must come from your chapter. If your chapter is not represented in the "Chapter Reports" column, it is because we have not heard from you. Chapter reports come from YOU. Let the rest of our readers know what your group is doing.--- June Horst, Editor
Southeast Region: Host Chapter was the Philadelphia Regional chapter. Date: Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 9:15 AM at Associated Services for the Blind, 919 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA.
Approximately 45 people were in attendance. Following donuts and coffee for those who wanted them, we were made aware of the passing of long-time member, Mary B Smith on April 30th. Her funeral was the same day as our meeting. Her daughter, Sandra, assured us that she felt Mary would have wanted us to go on with the meeting.
After introductions, President Jim Saylor, gave a glowing tribute to Mary's life of service to family, friends, and the chapter. A moment of silence was observed in memory of those who need our prayers.
President Saylor entertained a motion that a donation from the Philadelphia Regional Chapter be made to the family of Mary Smith. It passed unanimously. A short amount of time was devoted to other chapter business, concluding with his president's report. He reviewed the activities of the past seven months in his report.
David Garnet, along with Stephanie Garnet and Christy Lynch, reported on the activities of the John F Kennedy chapter during the past year.
The program opened with Harry Epstein reporting on the American Council of the Blind 2009 Legislative Seminar, during which most of Pennsylvania's 19 representatives and both senators were visited during their trip to the Hill on February 24. The two main issues were: HR734, the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act, and the 21st Century Telecommunication and Video Accessibility Act.
Mimi Kenney Smith, Producing Artistic Director of Amaryllis Theater Company and Executive Director of VSA Arts spoke about her continuing efforts to make accessible theater available throughout the state. She suggested that involvement with theater and other forms of art goes beyond entertainment to forming friendships and acquiring skills sets. She pointed out that there is a place for persons with disabilities in the world of theater and other art forms. Philadelphia Theater Company offers at least one performance of each of their plays audio with description and captioning. Also covered in her presentation were other aspects of art accessibility and participation of disabled persons in theater and other forms of art.
George Holliday, PCB President, reported information concerning the 2009 PCB Convention, the increasing productivity of PCB committees, and our need to develop more effective strategies for contacting our local legislators statewide.
The morning's meeting concluded with the presentation of the two annual Philadelphia Regional Chapter awards by PRC President, Jim Saylor. The Francis Williams Volunteer Service Award went to PRC chapter member Lavera Diggins. Sister Meg Gleming, Principal of St. Lucy Day School for children with visual impairments, was chosen to receive the Mae Davidow Community Service Award. She was unable to attend the meeting, but will receive her award at the June PRC meeting.
Our first presenter of the afternoon was John Horst, Executive Director of PCB, who informed the group that due to the economic recession which has affected PCB's wellbeing, there will be only three issues of the PCB ADVOCATE this year. Rhonda, our office assistant has been dealing with health issues, which has caused her to miss more days of work than she would have liked. We were also informed about his training and acquisition of computer skills and brought us up to date on the overall status of the PCB office.
Bill Lockard, Executive Director of the Center on Hearing and Deafness Inc, located in West Chester, PA., gave an informative talk regarding the services of his agency, as well as enlightening us about many aspects of the different stages of hearing loss and how to cope with this complex disability. He described the growing field of assistive technology and how it can benefit people with hearing loss. He also dealt with the subject of the dual disability of both a hearing and vision loss. Services for persons who are deaf may be even less available than for those who are blind and visually impaired.
Ed Facemyer, the final presenter, gave a short demonstration of the NFB Newsline, which provides access to newspapers around the country via your telephone, to persons who are legally blind, at no cost. He covered two of the many features available to access local newspapers and use the recently added TV listings feature.
John Luttenberger, emcee, kept things in order and still had time to entertain us with humorous anecdotes, brought the meeting to a close on schedule. -- Ethel Siegel and Ed Facemyer
Southwestern Region: The meeting took place on April 18, 2009, at the United Cerebral Palsy Center in Pittsburgh, with 48 persons in attendance, from Beaver County, Golden Triangle, and Washington County chapters. We had coffee and doughnuts from 9:00 AM, with the program from 9:45 until 3:00 PM. Mike Zaken, President of GTCB welcomed everyone to the meeting then turned the meeting over to Vice President of GTCB, Bob Lichtenfels, who chaired the meeting.
Skip McCrea, a fireman from Pittsburgh, discussed fire safety, pointing out that every home should have a plan of escape in case of a fire; the need to keep fresh batteries in smoke alarms; and the need to keep all vents, fans above stoves, and chimneys clean. He then donned a fire fighter's suit, used when fighting a fire, and moved around the room for persons to feel it. Some fire fighting equipment was also demonstrated and fire safety literature distributed to the group.
A representative from the State Attorney General's office, Jacinta Bennett, spoke about scams of which we need to be aware, described self-protection techniques, and guarding against identity theft. We learned that knowledgeable representatives from the district offices of the Attorney General are available to speak at district meetings on these subjects.
We also heard from Jeannine Richardson, a fitness instructor/nutritionist, and from Joe Wassernann regarding transportation to the PCB State Convention in Tannersville in November. We will be chartering a bus, cost is $100 per person. Anyone interested in joining us should contact Judy Zaken at 412-655-1234 by October 1.
After lunch, there were chapter reports from their respective presidents, and an update from ACB , the PCB office and activities across the state from John Horst, Executive Director, PCB. Chapter reports were given by the three chapters present (Beaver, GTCB, and Washington). Darlene Barton, Bonnie Newland, and Bill Newland had a brief panel discussion about the recently held ACB Legislative Seminar in Washington, DC.
Meeting was chaired by Bill Newland and Bob Lichtenfels. -- Submitted by John Horst and Mike Zaken
Central Region: Host Chapter was Red Rose Council of the Blind. Date was Saturday, May 23, 2009. Location was Gordineer Dining Hall at Millersville University, Millersville, PA. at 10:00 AM. Welcome and roll call was led by Red Rose chapter President, Ed Hersh.
The first report came from PCB President, George Holliday, who capsized convention news: theme, Friday morning tour to a winery, nightly cost for the hotel, meal plan, live auction, and committee break-out sessions at the convention. PCB Reports are available through local chapter presidents or on the web site, along with the PCB state office. Advocacy and the need for chapter involvement was stressed, in light of current bills in Congress which affect the blind and visual impaired community.
John Horst thanked Ed and Stephanie for making arrangements for the regional and for their leadership in the Red Rose Chapter. He up-dated office news and made the group aware of the purposes of PCB (services established, advocacy). He spoke a little of the origin of PCB, which separated from NFB in 1978 because of their radical approach and idealogy. He also gave an overall view of the regionals, urged attendance at ACB National Convention in Orlando in July, and reviewed current legislative issues ("quiet cars", state budget, APS, and access for disabled to emergency announcements on TV). He thanked the group for their support of PCB.
Chapter reports followed from York, Capitol Cities, Carl Shoemaker, and Red Rose chapters.
Speakers included: James Klinge, from Polara Engineering Manufacturers, who makes APS's. He has 13 years experience in working with pedestrian safety and works with signal technology and traffic safety people. He also brought with him a demo of an APS, and was open for questions from the group.
Ermyne King, President of the Pennsylvania Curtural Access Project Program, described visual action to visually limited persons and passed out headphones to the group to demonstrate audio description. She is an audio description trainer and is currently involved with VSA Arts of Pennsylvania, making the arts available to all disabled persons. In 2004, her group secured a grant from Verizon to enlist four theaters, (Lancaster, State College, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh) in which audio description was available to the disabled. In 2009, their goal was to audio describe a performance at the Fulton Theater in Lancaster on June 13 (a performance at which several of us were present). Further goals are: regional training in audio description, monthly meetings beginning in June, to reach blind and visually impaired persons in the community, state-wide access to audio described performances in the local community.
Joel Snyder, ACB 's Director of Audio Description Project challenged us with practice in audio describing a short video, which had only sound and no visuals. We were asked to describe the main character. Needless to say, we missed many details, which he pointed out to us. He volunteered to read for Radio Reading Service in 1981 in Washington, DC. He is now under contract with ACB with their audio descriptive project, working with Kim Charlson, who chairs the committee. The new DVD "The Miracle Worker", the story of Helen Keller, which is audio described, provides ACB with part of the proceeds from sales. He closed with the reminder that the FCC is just now trying to figure out how to deal with audio description, and that closed caption was mandated by the federal government 20 years ago! -- Compiled by June Horst
More than 30 years ago I began my employment career, and before changing career paths to software application design in the early 1980's, I was first employed in the field of services for the blind. My first position involved the development and administration of a recreation program. I then moved on to a casework position, and when I left the field it was as a Director of Social Services. As a worker in the field of blindness services, I believed my blindness to be an asset, and sought to use it to my advantage. If nothing else, my independence and skills as a blind person could serve as an example, and, for instance, when feasible, I would travel independently to the homes of my new clients. I also believed that my presence among an otherwise sighted casework staff helped to deter the destructive and dehumanizing "us and them" kind of thinking, an attitude I would sometimes encounter at that time among local agencies serving the blind.
I would like to think that I was fairly effective in my first career. Over the years though, I have had to come to grips with one particular personal failing. There were times in my career, and a tendency I fight at times to this day, of being impatient with a person's inability to accept their loss of vision. It is, I realize, a terrible admission, but there are times when I wanted to say, to shout, "get over it; it's not that big of a deal." Now, while I don't subscribe to the notion that absolutely every individual who experiences vision loss must go through a predetermined set of stages of loss, most will, requiring the time to deal with loss, the acknowledgement of pain, and the opportunity to recapture identity. For most individuals, the psycho-social aspects of vision loss have a greater impact than the physical loss of sight.
I am convinced that in most instances, a person losing vision experiences the greatest sense of loss when their loss forces them to redefine themselves. In our culture, our identity is so often defined by what we do. Who we are changes when: "I am no longer the person who drives, rather I am now the person who must be driven." "I no longer can read, rather I am the person who must be read to." "I can no longer travel independently, rather I am the person who must be led." Of course, while we understand that development of blindness skills is the path to regaining that which was assumed to be lost, most individuals first losing vision do not have any idea that there might even be a path to follow.
I believe that we as an advocacy organization of the blind must devote greater effort towards welcoming those first experiencing vision loss and that our Low Vision Committee is best positioned to lead us in this effort. As a result, a number of presentations planned for our 2009 state convention and conference will focus on issues and concerns to those first losing vision. In particular, our Low Vision Committee has planned a rather extensive low vision exposition for Friday afternoon, which will include presentations from notable persons in the field of low vision, a panel discussion, and exhibits.
Come to the Poconos
Located in the northeastern corner of our state, the Pocono Mountain region is a mountainous region of about 24,000 square miles, with a population just over 300,000. The area is a popular recreational destination for local and regional visitors. In the last decade and a half, the eastern portion of the Poconos, particularly Monroe County, has experienced a significant growth in population, as vacationers from the New York City region have turned vacation homes into permanent residences. While the region lacks a major population center, small municipalities are scattered throughout the area, including Tannersville, the site of this year's convention and conference.
Are we going to the mountains? The highest summit of the Poconos, Elk Hills North Knob, with an elevation of 2,693 feet above sea level, would hardly qualify as a foot hill if placed in Colorado, but to us Pennsylvanians, the Poconos are mountains. Whether you consider the area to be one of hills or mountains, with the Delaware, Lehigh, and Lackawaxen rivers flowing through it, scenic forests, over 150 lakes, and the many waterfalls, especially those of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the region is an incredibly picturesque recreational state treasure.
Convention Tour
Nestled on a valley floor with the Applachian Trail running along the top of the ridge, Sorrenti's Cherry Valley Vineyards offers a setting of natural beauty and calm. This winery, one of the most award-winning wineries in Pennsylvania, produces more than thirty varieties of wine. Their sweet Cranberry Blush was recently awarded the "Double Gold," top honor at the Pennsylvania Wine Association's annual awards ceremony. Most famous for their fruit wines, which the winery claims "are made entirely from pressed, fermented fruit--no grape wine base, no flavorings, no corn syrup." Sorrenti's also produces tingly, bubble favorites, called spumantes from a number of their fruit wines, and out of their blush and white wines.
On Friday morning, we will have the opportunity to visit the Sorrenti's Cherry Valley Vineyards and Winery to tour their wine-producing facilities and to taste their wines. We will learn about the grape growing, wine production, and bottling process. We will discover why Pennsylvania is becoming known as a wine-producing area. Once the tour concludes, we will retire to their wine tasting room for cheese and crackers, and of course, an opportunity to taste their fine wines. A wide selection of their wines will be available for sale. Prices range from $9.40 to $25.00 per bottle. The tour is limited to 40 individuals. Reservations will be honored according to the order in which registration letters are returned to the PCB office.
Friday Events
For those who plan to forgo the tour, you may want to consider attending another sort of tour, a tour to the yesteryear's of old time radio. Travel back in time with Rob Hancik, an expert on the genre, and has collected more than two thousand radio programs of every variety. Rob will take you through an audio tour of the decades of old time radio, from its inception in the mid 1920's to its demise in the late 1950's. In addition to audio samples, you will hear some interesting stories of the people and events which shaped our nation's first broadcast medium.
Low Vision Exposition
Reaching out to the Pocono area population, our Low Vision Committee has planned a Low Vision Expo for Friday afternoon. The event will include seninars and workshops, discussing topics of interest to those individuals first experiencing vision loss. Areas addressed will include Tips, Tools, and Techniques to make effective use of remaining vision, the latest in treatment and research, and low vision rehabilitation. Vendors will be on site to display and demonstrate various products designed specifically for individuals with low vision. The Expo will open with a brief presentation from each of our exhibit hall vendors, allowing them the opportunity to showcase their wares.
For many of our guest attendees, it will serve as their first opportunity to network with others experiencing a similar vision loss. Well known practitioners in the field of low vision to address our audience will include Dr. Georgia Crozier, Dr. Richard L Brilliant, and Dr. Ronald Siwoff. In addition, a panel will discuss their own strategies for coping and adapting.
Concurrent with our Low Vision Expo, two of our state committees will hold consecutive workshops. At 1:45, the PCB Membership Committee will present a workshop entitled "Where is Your Membership?" The presentation will focus on chapter recruitment and retention and will deal with issues of who and how to recruit, making visitors welcome, building a younger membership, re-inventing your chapter's meeting, and how and why attending conventions can play an important role in the retention process.
At 3:40, the PCB Public Relations Committee will present a workshop entitled, "We Love to Tell Our Story!" The objective of the workshop will be to encourage and instruct local chapter members in the process of informing their communities of the mission, issues and activities of PCB and their local chapter. It will be very much a "Here's What, Why, and How to do it" kind of workshop. Because these sessions will focus on processes and tasks that all chapters should be carrying out, the leadership of each chapter needs to seriously consider appointing at least one representative to each workshop.
Saturday Morning Presentations
Our Braille Committee will be conducting a breakout session workshop later in the day to recruit interested participants. We will begin our morning with a brief "Case for Braille." If you are a member of PCB and you do not use Braille and never plan to, nevertheless, you should have an understanding of why we as an advocacy organization actively encourage the use and production of materials in Braille.
We members of the Convention Program Planning Committee always welcome program suggestions from the membership, so I was gratified to come home one evening to a suggestion left on my answering machine. "Tony, wouldn't it be interesting to have a presentation on hearing?" It was one of those "ah ha" moments for me; now, Ethel, why hadn't I thought of that? Here we are, an organization with a membership so dependent on our hearing. We have, therefore, invited Dr. Serena Ross, a certified audiologist to discuss protection and preservation of hearing, the signs of hearing loss, amplification alternatives, and the aging ear.
With independent travel being an important goal for most of us, our committee endeavors to seek out presentations related to some aspect of orientation and mobility. Several members of the committee expressed an interest in guide dog travel, while others expressed an interest in travel with the use of GPS. So, what's a committee to do?
Combine the interests, of course. To that end, the staff of the Seeing Eye has agreed to create a presentation for us, which will deal with the issues of the fundamentals of GPS and how GPS devices will be selected and recommended, and whether there are pitfalls with the use of GPS.
We are first and foremost an advocacy organization, with legislative advocacy a cornerstone of our efforts, but for too many of us the convolutions of the legislative process remain a mystery. There are local, state, and federal legislative bodies and bills. You may ask, "To whom do I talk? What do I talk about? How do I do it?" We will round out our morning with a presentation from our Governmental Affairs Committee, which will, in effect, provide a legislative primer, plainly answering these questions.
Our Saturday Afternoon
On Saturday afternoon, three of our state committees will hold concurrent 90-minute workshops. As mentioned previously, our Braille Committee will hold a workshop which will endeavor to teach the very rudiments of Braille reading and writing. What could they possible teach me within 90 minutes? If you can learn what an "m" and "w" feels like, then you will know enough to tell the difference between a men's and women's restroom sign. If you can learn one through nine and zero, it might be possible to take down a phone number. If nothing else, exposure to Braille might awaken an interest in you to a whole new world of literacy.
A second concurrent 90-minute breakout session will be presented by the Low Vision Committee. Jule Ann Lieberman, Executive Director of the EZ2C Foundation, will provide an overview of some practical low tech and high tech devices in helping to enhance the quality of life for persons living with vision loss. Anyone who has ever tried their hand at carpentry or plumbing knows that having the right tool or device can turn a seemingly impossible task into a manageable chore, so it's important to know the range of devices available.
A third 90-minute breakout session will be offered by the Employment Committee. Divided into three 30-minute segments, the workshop will deal with aspects of employment, including Identifying a Realistic Goal, Your own Personal Commercial, and Networking. All too often we tend to think of finding a job as a task; instead it is a process. If you don't understand that, or haven't an idea of the process, then you'd be served well by planning to attend.
An Expanded Meal Plan
While the Chateau Resort boasts a fine restaurant, because there are no eateries within walking distance of the hotel, we will offer an extensive meal plan. It will include seven meals: breakfast Friday through Sunday morning, lunch on Friday and Saturday, dinner on Friday evening, and of course, our Saturday evening banquet. You will have the opportunity to select from two meal choices for both the lunch and dinner meals. As with previous meal plans, attendees will have the option of purchasing a meal ticket for any combination of meals from one to seven. In addition to including the menu selections in the convention registration letter, specific details will be posted to our web site by mid August.
Lots More to Our Convention and Conference
At the conclusion of our Friday evening opening convention session, you'll have the opportunity to choose between relaxation and recreation. Two activities which proved so successful at last year's convention: the Lounge and the Game Room will be back. Sit back and relax with some soft music, good friends, and a beverage in the Lounge. This year, we are adding a bit of show to the Game Room. Question and answer games will be featured and we will see just which chapters have the smartest and/or funniest members. Lots of laughs are guaranteed.
At last year's convention we held our first live auction and it proved most successful. So, when the Fund Raising Committee finds something that works, it tries it again, right? Not our Fund Raising Committee! They seek to add and improve. This year, following our banquet, we will forgo speakers and the like, and instead hold our live auction, complete with entertainment. What entertainment? Ah well, life is best with a bit of mystery, isn't it?
In addition to the activities, events, and programs discussed above, there is much more to our convention and conference, including: a First-Timer's Pizza Party, chapter reports, a Candidates' Forum, presentation of the annual budget, introduction and consideration of resolutions, and our Sunday Morning breakfast business meeting. Remember, this being an odd year, we will be holding elections for the officers of our organization, and additionally, four seats on our Board of Directors.
Convention Details
The 2009 Convention and Conference of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind will take place from Friday, November 6ththrough Sunday, November 8that the Chateau Resort and Conference Center, 300 Camelback Road, in Tannersville, PA. Our room rate is $89.99, plus tax for up to 4 occupants. For reservations, the hotel may be reached at 1-800-245-5900 or 1-570-629-5900.
Within the third full week of September, members of PCB will receive a registration letter, including a registration form, listing the cost of all events and meals, a check list of attendee preferences, and a brief description of both the hotel and directions to the dog relief area. If you are not a member of PCB and wish to attend our convention, you may request a registration letter by calling our state office at 1-877-617-7407.
Hotel Specifics
I'm certain that you will find your stay at the Chateau Resort and Conference Center enjoyable and comfortable. For our convenience and ease of orientation, all our convention activities have been scheduled along a single hall of the hotel. Sleeping room amenities include: complimentary high speed wireless Internet access, voice mail accessibility, coffee makers, hair dryers, iron and ironing boards, and security safes. General hotel amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpool and sauna, and a fitness center.
I hope that you will share in our committee's excitement for the activities and topics planned for this year's convention. As you will have noticed, much of the content of this year's programming has been developed and will be presented by our state committees. Come to the Poconos to learn, to enjoy, sharing in the experience of being a member of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind. We, the members of the Convention Program Committee await your arrival in Tannersville.
Late Breaking News!!!!!
PCB Banquet Speaker and Live Auction --
Announcing Celebrity Auctioneer -- Submitted by Tom Reid
Most of you at one time or another have spent an intimate moment with our very special convention guest! Chances are you rode the bus or train, enjoyed a beautiful spring day on a park bench, or snuggled in bed with him as he read novels to you by authors like John Grisham, Michael Crichton, and others. Of course, I am referring to one of our very own NLS Talking Book narrators, L J Ganser!
A professional actor since 1986, L J began narrating audio books in 1991 at the Jewish Guild for the Blind. With the narration of his first book, Jurassic Park, the hook was set for good. In 1994, he began narrating for the Talking Books program at the American Foundation for the Blind, where he has completed close to 250 books. In 2005, L J won two book-of-the-year awards; the first being the Alexander Scourby Best Fiction Award from AFB for Edgar Rice Burroughs, "Under the Moons of Mars," and the second being the Audio Publisher's Association AUDIE award for "The Island at the Center of the World," as the best non-fiction title of the year. L J, a multiple Earphones Award winner from AudioFile magazine, has performed in television, film, and stage. He has done many TV commercials, both on camera and voice-over, as well as radio ads since the early nineties.
Come share an evening with Mr Ganser, who is our keynote speaker at our Saturday evening banquet, as he discussed his experiences as a talking book narrator. And that's just the beginning! The fun and excitement will continue immediately after the banquet as L J fills the role of auctioneer for our 2nd PCB Live auction!!!
If you enjoy talking books, you can't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet an award-winning narrator! Be sure to register early for this year's convention in order to save your place at the table. It all takes place Saturday, November 7, 2009, during the 74thAnnual PCB State Convention and Conference at the Chateau Resort and Conference Center in the Poconos.
For a variety of reasons, I would like to do a little celebrating! Many of my students attend the conventions, but I hardly get a chance to see most of them. Saturday morning, prior to the meeting's beginning, I would like to have breakfast with all my former students; and yes, please bring non-student spouses.
In order that I can have a count for the hotel, please RSVP by October 15 via 412-687-5166 or j.wassermann@verizon.net
See you at breakfast, and I hope you have your homework completed. -- Joe Wassermann
"SOUNDS OF LIGHT" is the title of a news article that appeared in the Lancaster Sunday paper, July 26, 2009. The news item states that APS will be installed in downtown Lancaster at four major intersections that include the public square and street crossings adjacent to the bus station and Susquehanna Services for the Blind. The news article also states that after a year-and-a-half of working with the city by the Red Rose Council of the Blind, this decision was made. It describes APS, their importance, and includes several quoted by Edward Hersh, President of the Red Rose Chapter.
I know that Ed and members of this chapter of PCB worked long and hard to achieve this goal. We congratulate them on their accomplishment. I am certain Ed is available for consultation by any PCB chapter or individual who may be working on having APS installed in their home area. In the near future, APS will also be installed on the Millersville University campus, and, hopefully, in downtown Millersville, a suburb of Lancaster.
Quite recently HR 1105, Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, was signed by President Obama. A hidden provision in this voluminous document seeks to deal with funding the Department of Transportation to study and make recommendations to Congress about quiet cars, and how they interface with blind pedestrians.
While this is a positive movement forward, ACB is urging Rep. Towns' office to convene a meeting with DOT and the blindness community to talk about this funding and what the agency believes it can reasonably expect to achieve during a very tight time frame. ACB supports HR 734, the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, and the lengthier time frame for study and report-back period contained within the bill. The explanatory language which is included calls for a report back to Congress by June 1 of this year and that leaves the agency with less than three months to conduct very specific and time-intensive work.
We are encouraged that this language made its way into the passed legislation, but want to make sure that our interests are not dropped after June 1, 2009.
Pedestrian, bicycle, and pupil transportation--The bill includes $1,653,000 for pedestrian, bicycle, and pupil transportation activities, which is $200,000 above the budget request, and $12,000 below the fiscal year 2008 enacted level, in order for NHTSA to continue to explore the emerging issue of blind pedestrian safety related to "quiet" vehicles, such as hybrids. Furthermore, NHTSA is directed to submit a report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations no later than June 1, 2009, describing specific passenger motor vehicle design and performance countermeasures that will reduce pedestrian crash deaths and injuries that are being adopted and implemented by international organizations and other countries, such as the Economic Commission for Europe and Japan.
The report should include recommendations on how and when the agency could implement pedestrian crashworthiness improvements.
In February, the US Senate passed HR 1, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by a vote of 61 to 37. Thanks to the vigilance of ACB members, funding for the Vocational Rehabilitation Program and IDEA remains in the newly passed bill.
The Senate and House will now proceed to negotiate the differences between each body's bill. It is expected that they will be finished with the new bill; it will then have to pass both the House and Senate again before President Obama signs it into law.
The American Council of the Blind annually conducts a national legislative seminar in Washington, DC. The purpose of the seminar is to provide a forum for members of the Council to visit with members of the House and Senate, familiarizing them with issues and national legislation vital to our interests.
Delegations of state affiliates from throughout the nation travel to our nation's capitol, customarily on the Presidential holiday weekend. During the first day and a half of the seminar, attendees are informed of the specifics of those issues and legislative initiatives ACB has determined to promote. On the final day of the seminar, members of each state delegation travel to the Hill, paying a personal visit to each of the legislators representing their state, appointments having been made in advance. In 2010, the ACB Legislative Seminar will be held during the third weekend of February, from the 21st through the 23rd.
Earlier this year, a member petitioned PCB's Board of Directors to review the process for selection of individuals to serve as delegates to the ACB Legislative Seminar. The Board took up the matter during the Spring meeting of the Board. After a lengthy review of all aspects of the selection process, an ad hoc committee was charged with the responsibility of creating a policy to govern the selection process. At the Summer meeting of the Board, the policy for selection was presented and affirmed. The policy is presented below. Please make note of all dates within the policy, and in particular, the deadline for the submission of resumes, November 15th.
Policy for the Selection of PCB Representatives to the ACB Annual Legislative Seminar:
-- Submitted by Tony Swartz
I have just returned from the ACB Convention, which took place from July 4-11, 2009, in Orlando, Florida. In all, it was a good convention. (The hotel was so B-I-G, that we surely got our daily exercise walking from one event to another). I learned a lot, met several interesting people, visited with old friends, and had a very good time. As Carla Ruschival pointed out in her convention report, there were many things that made this particular convention unique. In this article, I will highlight some of these and add to her list.
For the first time at an ACB Convention, there was a walk-a-thon, complete with trophies, medals, and even watermelon! On July 4 at 6:15 PM, the buses departed for the ACB /Track Shack Watermelon 5K Walk/Run, which included over 3,000 participants. This fundraiser was quite successful for ACB . Money is still being turned in for the walk, but as of this writing, over $23,000 has been raised. Dr. Ronald Milliman alone raised $2,300. Given the success of the walk-a-thong, you will probably see similar events at future ACB conventions.
On a less dramatic note, this was the first ACB Convention that I can remember in which there was no need for even a single roll call vote. All the officers ran uncontested and were elected by acclamation! They include: President Mitch Ponerantz from Pasadena, CA; First Vice President Kim Charlson from Watertown, MA; Second Vice President Brenda Dillon from Nashville, TN; Secretary Marlaina Lieberg from Burien, WA; and Treasurer Mike Godina from Malverne, NY (who by the way is planning to spend his vacation with us in November to attend our state convention). I am confident that this was ACB 's shortest election ever! It was completed in less than 30 minutes! Although there were indepth discussions on several bylaws and resolutions, none of them required standing or delegate votes. Consequently, the General Session ended much earlier on the last day. If only it could be like this every year!
This was also the first and only convention that I know of where we had a birthday party during the General Session. On Wednesday morning, Steven M Rothstein, President of the Perkins School for the Blind, helped us to recognize and honor Braille, since 2009 marks the 200thbirthday of its inventor, Louis Braille. (He was born on January 4, 1809). This program segment included a special tribute to Louis Braille and the playing of a song that was written to honor him. Finally, frosted shortbread cookies with a Braille message written on them were passed out to everyone and we all sang "Happy Birthday" to Louis Braille. This was truly one of the highlights of the entire convention. If you would like to hear the celebration, go to the Convention Archives for Wednesday, July 8 by visiting ACB.org. Also, the special tribute song for Louis Braille is available at www.terry-kelly.com
This was not the first time that a professional conference was held in conjunction with the ACB Convention, but it was the first convention that included events sponsored by the ACB Audio Description Project, headed by Joel Snyder. The ADP Conference took place the afternoons of July 6-8. Then, from Thursday, July 9 through Saturday, July 11, there was intensive ADP training in which participants could earn certification as professionally trained describers. I hope that ACB will continue to have professional conferences in conjunction with the national convention.
Speaking of audio description, this was the only convention thus far during which some of the attendees had the opportunity to test the audio description accommodations at a well-known theme park. On Thursday, July 8, several selected ACB er's were invited by Disney to travel to Epcot, where they evaluated the audio description of several of the exhibits. The feedback that they gave will be very helpful to Disney as they strive to provide audio description in their other exhibits and parks. Unfortunately, I was not chosen to be part of this focus group, but all the participants that I talked to thought it was a worthwhile experience, and had a very good time.
As you can see, there were many events that made the 2009 ACB Convention unique, As usual, there were also plenty of terrific tours, informative seminars, fascinating exhibits and enjoyable social events. I also had a few unique experiences of my own, such as spending an evening helping out in the Press Room, learning all about Biblical times on the Holy Land Experience tour and performing "Southern Jingle Bells", an original Christmas parody, in the Performing Arts Showcase on Tuesday evening. However, the most touching moment of the convention for me came on Friday, July 10that the ACB banquet, as I witnessed our own John A Horst receiving the George Card Award for his many years of dedication and distinguished service. As I listened to the many nice things that were said about him and his humble acceptance of the award, I felt so proud inside, and I'm sure you will all join me in congratulating him.
In case you are interested, next year's ACB Convention will take place in Phoenix, Arizona, from July 10-17. Room rates will be $89 per night. So, save your money and put it on the calendar. Hope to see you there!
Orlando, July 20, 2009 -- Building on an existing relationship, Walt Disney World Resort recently invited the American Council of the Blind to test its new audio-description device at Epcot when the organization was in Orlando for its national convention.
The Disney-patented technology delivers audio description of the visual images inside attractions for guests who are blind or have low vision. The device, slightly smaller than a TV remote and a bit wider, can be attached to a lanyard and worn around the neck.
Once at the park, approximately 36 ACB members divided into three work groups. Each group was accompanied by a Disney employee as they visited several attractions with descriptions in order to try the new device in a variety of settings. George Hale, Vice President of Worldwide Safety and Accessibility, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said, "We appreciate members of the American Council of the Blind taking the time to try our new device and look forward to working with the organization in the future."
Following the tour, the groups gathered in a conference room to talk about the device. Disney employees asked very specific questions and gave ACB participants ample opportunity to provide constructive feedback.
One participant remarked "I've been going to Walt Disney World since 1977. With attraction description, I was able to see from the audio description, details that I never knew were there. I've ridden the Haunted Mansion dozens of times, and I saw certain details that my wife never noticed. It was a very liberating feeling."
Robyn Walker, who visited the pavilions in Epcot during the conference added, "I travel extensively and I spend a lot of time looking for things like restaurants and restrooms. This device helped me find things quickly." -- Submitted by George Holliday
While the weather may seem to dispute the fact, the calendar says that the lazy days of summer have arrived. With that being the case, activities at MCCB (Monroe County Council of the Blind) have slowed down some and I was wondering what in the world I'd write about for the Summer issue of the ADVOCATE, when last minute I decided to attend the 48thannual ACB Convention in Orlando, Florida, albeit for just 4 days.
I remember very clearly my first time attending a PCB convention and how extraordinary I found that experience to be, and how I just wanted to write about it and encourage others to attend future conventions. So, here I am, a first-timer to the National Convention and yet again, I find myself hoping to write something that might encourage others to attend.
I'll begin by saying that above all, the National Convention is an opportunity to learn a little something about nearly every aspect of blindness that interests or concerns you. The workshops vary from demonstrations of technological advancements to information on diabetes and blindness to legislative issues and so much more. In addition, there are countless opportunities to engage in recreational events from Pilates and water arobics to instruction in belly dancing and performing in the performing arts showcase to game night with the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International. A person could find themselves busy from 8:00 AM until late into the night.
Perhaps the most wonderful aspect of attending any convention such as this is the opportunity just to be yourself. To stroll into a restaurant and to be offered a Braille menu; to be offered information in accessible format at each and every exhibitor's booth, to sit at a table and have others to converse with who have had like experiences to your own, and in general because there were over 2,000 blind and visually impaired persons present in that hotel, to be the majority rather than the minority! While the hotel was not the easiest to navigate, it was almost impossible to get lost because there were volunteers around every corner to assist should you even appear to be lost or on the verge of getting off track.
Now, having said all of that, and having now attended a few state conventions and my first national convention, I want to say that the PCB is doing a fabulous job in putting together our own annual state conventions. What we offer would make the folks at the national level proud of us as an affiliate.
In conclusion, I'd like to commend our own June Horst and John Horst, who worked tirelessly, June at ACB registration, and John with the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International. The two of them demonstrate what the PCB and ACB is all about!
id="lxxx">Editor's Note: From Earlene Hughes, ACB web master: The 2009 convention sessions are now available on www.acb.org
Select the Convention Information page, then the 2009 Convention Sessions link. There are two links for each audio file. One allows you to listen to the material online. The other allows you to download the file to your computer. Downloading the file will make it easier to skip through the file, using the commands build into your player of choice.
Editor's note: The issue of hazardous "quiet cars" has reached the level of Congress (HR734, the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act, and S841.) The Quiet Car Act provides for a study by the Federal Department of Transportation and a report to Congress on this issue. At present, this is critical proposed legislation that needs PCB's strong support. At this writing, the Act in the House has 127 co-sponsors, 4 in the Senate, of these 8 are from Pennsylvania's Congressional delegation. That leaves 12 from Pennsylvania who have not signed on. PCB members need to urge these 12 representatives to become sponsors. Names of those from Pennsylvania who have not yet signed on as co-sponsors, as well as their phone and fax numbers can be obtained from the PCB office. Your calls will make a difference in building support for this legislation.
Those who have already signed on from Pennsylvania are: Senator Spector, and Congresspersons Brady, Carney, Dahlkemper, Doyle, Fattah, Holden, Kanjorski, Platts, and Thompson.
When cars run on electric power, they not only save fuel and cut emissions, but they also operate more quietly. Ordinarily, people might welcome quieter cars on the roads, however, as the use of hybrid and electric vehicles grows, a new concern is growing too: Pedestrians and cyclists find it hard to hear them coming, especially when the cars are moving slowly through a busy town or maneuvering in a parking lot.
Some drivers say that when their cars are in electric mode, people are more likely to step out in front of them. The solution, many now believe, is to fit electric and hybrid cars with external sound systems.
A bill going through the US Congress wants to establish sound for vehicles that are not using an internal combustion engine, so that blind people and other pedestrians can hear them coming.
The bill's proponents also want that audible alert to be one that will help people judge the direction and speed of the vehicle. A similar idea is being explored by the European Commission.
Although there is little data on accidents, the latest research suggests there is cause for concern. Vehicles operating in electric mode can be particularly hard to hear below about 20 mph, according to experiments by Lawrence Rosenblum and his colleagues at the University of California, Riverside. Above that speed, the sound of the tires and of air flowing over the vehicle starts to make it more audible.
The researchers made sophisticated recordings of Toyota Prius hybrids running on electric power and gasoline-engined cars, approaching at 5 mph from different directions. These were played to a group of subjects wearing headphones. The subjects were asked to press one of two buttons to identify which way the vehicle was coming from as quickly and accurately as possible.
As expected, they could determine the direction of the gasoline-engined cars much faster. When natural background sounds, like the engine running of a parked car were added, the hybrids' direction sometimes could not be detected until they were perilously close. Both sighted and blind subjects gave similar results.
What sort of noise should electric-powered cars make? Beep, as some pedestrians crossings do? Buzz like a power tool? Having worked with blind subjects, Rosenblum is convinced of a different answer: "People want cars to sound like cars."That sound need not be very loud. Just slightly enhancing the noise of an oncoming vehicle, he says, would be enough to engage the auditory mechanisms that the brain uses to locate approaching sounds.
Systems to do this are already being developed. Lotus Engineering, the consultancy of a British sports carmaker, recently signed an agreement with Harman Becker, a producer of audio systems, to commercialize one.
Lotus has worked on a number of hybrid and electric vehicles, and it was while these were moving around its factory that the engineers thought they would be safer if they made a noise.
The system Lotus uses was originally developed for a different reason: to cancel out intrusive noises inside a car. Sound-canceling works by analyzing any unwanted frequencies and then producing counteracting ones.
The Lotus system was adapted so that it could also produce sounds that change with speed and use of the throttle, providing a familiar audible "feedback" to drivers of vehicles with a silent engine. Adding external speakers allows pedestrians to hear the noise too. It is possible to create a different sound within a car from the one that is heard outside, says Colin Peachey, a chief engineer with Lotus. Manufacturers could create their own sounds according to how they perceive their models.
Carmakers already take engine noises seriously enough to use acoustic engineers to tune exhaust pipes, especially for high performance cars. Drivers of electric cars might even be able to select different engine sounds, and maybe download them like ringtones. -- Contributed by Sharon Lovering, ACB National Office. Adapted from "The Economist"
What is Advocacy? Advocacy can be as basic as speaking on behalf of oneself or others to get something done. For example, when people with low vision do not have equal access to employment, information, media outlets, technology, safe pedestrian walkways, identifiable currency, privacy in voting, or public transportation, persons who are aware of the issues need to contend for change in perspectives and policies to move the status quo toward the access needed.
Why Should You Be an Advocate?: The most obvious reason to be an advocate for persons who are blind or vision impaired is that you care….It follows that you want to help ensure that local, state, and federal policy-makers adopt, implement and maintain important policies and programs that support people who are blind. In order to ensure that these policies and programs are maintained, it is critical to have a sustained, vocal and noticeable presence at all levels of policy-making.
What can you do as an Advocate?:
Be a responsible citizen and work with the governmental structure to forge change.
-- Summary from Gov. Affairs Document
Are you interested in finding a job? Are you a senior or recent graduate from high school or a senior or recent graduate from college? If your answer is "Yes" to these questions, we have a program for you that is being offered online, and it's free! We know that youth who are blind or visually impaired often have difficulty finding employment, and we want to help by providing a program that specifically focuses on identifying the right job for you and the steps to take to find that job. The program will last 8 weeks, beginning in the fall of 2009 or the winter of 2010, and it will cover the following topics:
The program will take place online, so you can be located anywhere in the US and participate. You can participate from home, school, or anywhere you have internet access. We can also help you obtain internet access in order to participate if this is a problem for you. Although this is an online program, it will involve interaction with others and will require completion of assignments. Two programs will be offered: one for seniors or recent graduates from high school, and one for seniors or recent graduates from college.
Specific Requirements for Participation include:
If you meet these requirements and are interested in participating in one of these free programs, or have questions, you may check out our web site at www2.blind.msstate.edu or contact Linda Goleman at 1-800--675-7782 or by email at lgoleman@colled.msstate.edu
PCB wishes to express our heartfelt thanks to the Allegheny Power and Light Company who is graciously underwriting this issue of the ADVOCATE.
www.alleghenypower.com
1-800-Allegheny (1-800-255-3443)
|
| George Holliday | President | 215-748-3556 |
| Anthony Swartz | 1st V President | 610-799-4565 |
| Wm Newland | 2nd V President | 412-487-4995 |
| Cathy Long | Secretary | 717-737-1979 |
| Anthony Evancic | Treasurer | 412-621-4046 |
| John A Horst | Executive Director | 717-367-6346 |
| Joe Perry | Past President | 717-761-1920 |
| Mary Ann Alexander | 570-807-1276 | |
| Joe Wassermann | 412-687-5166 | |
| Roberta Simmons | 717-747-1865 | |
| Jeanette Schmoyer | 215-703-4072 | |
| Edward Hersh | 717-872-1192 | |
| Bob Lichtenfels | 412-429-1727 | |
| Sue Lichtenfels | 412-429-1727 | |
| Thomas Reid | 570-421-2543 |
| Beaver County | Ken Sheets |
| Capitol City | Joseph Perry |
| Carl Shoemaker | Geraldine Zeigler |
| Clearfield-Jefferson County | Jackie Wissinger |
| Cumberland Care & Share | Catherine Kingsborough |
| Erie | Ernest Wright |
| Golden Triangle | Mike Zaken |
| J. F. Kennedy | David Shaw |
| Lackawanna County | Janice Hargick |
| Lancaster Red Rose | Ed Hersh |
| Lehigh Valley | Sherry Hancik |
| Luzerne County | Thomas Walsh |
| Monroe County | Mary Ann Alexander |
| Oil Valley | Scott Roberts |
| Philadelphia Region | James Saylor |
| Washington County | Carla Hayes |
| York County | Jim Marchiano |
Special Interest Group --
| Delaware Valley Council of Citizens with Low Vision | Jerry Weinger |
NAME:_______________PHONE:________
ADDRESS:__________________________
_______________________ZIP:________
INDICATE:___LARGE PRINT___BRAILLE
___CASSETTE___PC DISK___EMAIL
ADVOCATE FORMAT:______________
ADULT MEMBERSHIP DUES $10.00 ______
JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP DUES 5.00 ______
AGENCY MEMBERSHIP DUES 20.00 ______
CONTRIBUTIONS ______
TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED $ ______
Free Matter for the Blind
Or Handicapped
(Handle as 1st class mail)
Domestic Mail Manual Sec. 135.7)
RETURN TO:
PA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND
931 N FRONT STREET
HARRISBURG, PA 17102
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED: