Vol. 28, No. 9
NOVEMBER 2003
MUMBLES
A publication of the Mid-Florida Council of the Blind
CORRECTION
A correction from information in the October
issue of MUMBLES...
In the early version, especially on cassette, the date of the MFCB White Cane
Safety Event was incorrect. It was to take place on Saturday, October 18th,
not October 13th.
We apologize for the error.
MESSAGE FROM MFCB PRESIDENT RACHEL BADER
Hello Friends.
I'd like to thank all of you who in one way or another made our White Cane Safety
Event possible. Although we weren't able to reach quite as many people as we
hoped, there were many people we did get the opportunity to speak with and provide
information to from our table set up at Fashion Square Mall as well as on some
local bus routes. However, if our efforts as an organization to raise the awareness
of issues important to the blind and vision-impaired pedestrian, allow even
one individual to more safely travel in our community, then our event was a
great success and well worth the effort of all who participated. A job well
done by all of you. Thank you.
I look forward to seeing many of you at our next meeting on November 1st as
well as at the FCB Board Meeting the weekend of November 7th, 8th and 9th.
NEXT GENERAL MEETING
The next General Meeting of MFCB will be at
Booth Towers, 633 Lake Dot Circle, Orlando, FL, 32801, on Saturday, November
1st, 2003, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. It is highly recommended that if anyone
uses paratransit, please plan your rides accordingly.
President Rachel Bader will call a Board Meeting at 12:30 PM.
There will be no guest speaker for this meeting as we will be having a "Game
Day" at the Meeting as well as electing Officers for 2003-2004.
OCTOBER MEETING REVIEW
At the October 4th General Meeting, 22 members
were present to buy items at the Bake Sale that would take place during the
Meeting just outside the Meeting Room at Booth Towers. After Jay Bader read
the Secretary's Report on behalf of Shelley Justice, he announced that he is
now assisting with the FCB website and MFCB has information on the site. (More
information about this is mentioned later in this issue.)
Leslie Spoone talked about the MFCB White Cane Safety Event being held Saturday,
October 18th, at Fashion Square Mall. MFCB would have a table located between
Burdines and Dillard's. Leslie also mentioned the restrictions we had in having
the table, which included not having posters or making loud noise and no tape
recorders were permitted inside Fashion Square. Brochures and pins were acceptable.
People were then given the chance to select 2-hour shifts to man the table.
It was decided that at least 2-3 people would have to be there per shift. Jim
Lamb announced that he would look into acquiring White Cane pins from the Lions
Club.
New MFCB Flyers would be handed out at the White Cane Safety Event. And Rachel
would work on having copies of ACB's Pedestrian Safety Handbook to distribute
at the table. It was decided to have copies of both MFCB Flyers as well as the
Florida White Cane Statute at the Event.
Jackie Gideons suggested that MFCB invite an Orientation & Mobility Instructor
from CITE to the White Cane Safety Event. The Orlando DBS office also offered
new brochures to hand out at the table. It was decided that MFCB invite anyone
on the DBS staff to help at the Event.
It was also suggested at the Meeting to have FCB information available at the
White Cane Safety Event as well as Talking Book Flyers. Braille cards would
also be at the table and a Brailler would be brought to the Event so people
could see how Braille is made. Matt Roberts offered his assistance with the
Braille.
Craig Marquis would draw up a Press Release for the White Cane Safety Event.
In addition, Nicole Hugues, Scott Larson and friend Machel, who was a guest
at the Meeting, would distribute MFCB Flyers and copies of the Florida White
Cane Statute on Lynx fixed bus routes. Special thanks were made to Lillian at
Lynx for her assistance with this.
Nicole Hugues, on behalf of Shelley Justice, announced the Nomination Committee
recommendations for Officers to elect at the November General Meeting. Here
are those that were recommended:
President - Rachel Bader
1st Vice President - Betty Sparrow
2nd Vice President - Jackie Gideons
Secretary - Shelley Justice
Treasurer - Dan Spoone
Membership Secretary - Jay Bader
After there was a break so those who wanted to buy items at the Bake Sale could
do so, Door Prizes were then awarded:
1st Prize - Salt Snowflake Ornament - Alice Wolf
2nd Prize - Delta Travel Bag - Bob Snyder
3rd Prize - Delta Travel Bag - Rachel Bader
4th Prize - Starburst Candy - Arline Graham
5th Prize - Halloween Plush - Kathy Moe (Guest at the Meeting)
Chuck Graham then reported on the Christmas Luncheon committee and its results
from the places visited for consideration to host the Luncheon. After much discussion,
it was decided that Betty Sparrow and Jackie Gideons would make the final decision
on where MFCB would have its Christmas Luncheon this year. The announcement
would be made at the November General Meeting.
Chuck also gave the Transportation report. Survey cards have been mailed to
Access Lynx riders, asking what format they wish to receive its publications.
Chuck stressed that these need to be filled out and mailed back. He added that
extra surveys would be requested to be handed out at the November General Meeting;
he would attend the Lynx Transportation Meeting on October 15th to acquire these
extra surveys.
Chuck continued by saying that MV Transportation has been meeting with local
dialysis centers. They would have extra drivers placed at those centers to accommodate
those patients.
The problem with the system itself, he said, is that Lynx needs to get scheduling
information to MV a lot quicker. Chuck recommended MFCB members who use Access
Lynx not contact them by e-mail or fax as those processes are not working efficiently.
Nicole Hugues offered to call members who have Low Vision or could read Braille
to help.
Rachel also brought some other topics. A contest would be held to change the
name of the MFCB Newsletter, with a prize to be determined. Members were asked
to submit suggestions by e-mail, phone or bring them to the November General
Meeting. (More on this later in this issue.)
Matt Roberts announced that the American Red Cross can prepare a book for people
with disabilities. It is available in various formats. If anyone is interested,
they can contact Matt at 407-679-1898 or e-mail at blindbiker@pobox.com.
Scott Larson then reported on his, Nicole Hugues' and friend Machel's experience
with MoPix at AMC Altamonte Mall 18 in Altamonte Springs, which was noted in
the October 2003 MUMBLES. He said overall that it was a good experience but
they recommended that people contact AMC Altamonte Mall 18 beforehand to make
sure as not every MoPix movie shown weekly in the theatre would be in DVS Theatrical
format.
Leslie announced that the Bake Sale raised $30.00. Thanks to Betty Sparrow,
Elizabeth Bouyer and her husband for their help with the Bake Sale! Rachel closed
the Meeting by letting the membership in attendance know that during the November
General Meeting there would be a "Game Day." Members could bring games
like Bingo, Dominoes, and so forth but no refreshments would be served. Everyone
would have to bring their own to the Meeting.
WHITE CANE SAFETY EVENT RECAP
sOn Saturday, October 18th, 2003, MFCB held
a White Cane Safety Event. This event would be in 2 places: the main part was
at Orlando Fashion Square, the other part on one of the regular Lynx fixed bus
routes to West Oaks Mall in Ocoee.
The table at Orlando Fashion Square was set up with many brochures, including
a long-overdue new MFCB Flyer, but only a handful of people stopped by to see
what we were all about. However, those who did picked up useful information
and learned of the importance of both the White Cane Law itself and Mid-Florida
Council of the Blind in our community. Everyone who manned the table throughout
the day had a great attitude that spread from shift to shift. It was felt by
all involved that we made at least one person more aware of what protects the
visually-impaired when walking the streets in our community and how MFCB can
help those same people in the smallest of ways.
The day on the Lynx fixed bus route would turn out to be just a bit different,
according to Nicole Hugues, who organized that part of the White Cane Event.
Her account of this event follows.
"Scott Larson, his taxi driver and I rode the regular fixed route, passing
out information about the White Cane Law and about Mid-Florida Council of the
Blind. We took Route 30 from Herndon Plaza near Orlando Fashion Square to the
University of Central Florida. Once we boarded Route 30 again, going to the
West Oaks Mall in Ocoee, we handed out the flyers. We then took Route 54 from
the West Oaks Mall to the downtown Orlando bus station, where we transferred
to Route 28 to get back to where we started at Herndon Plaza.
While riding the routes, we ran in to a few people who were visually-impaired
who did not know where to go for help. I was asked by one of the Lynx supervisors
if I would do this. The supervisor is also disabled and works at the downtown
bus station. (Due to the success of our Event), I have been asked to do even
more White Cane awareness on the buses. The supervisor would like to see more
members of MFCB riding various buses and making people aware of the laws."
Thanks to all who participated in what can hopefully be an Annual MFCB White
Cane Event! Special thanks to Bill Parkison at Sound & Visual Concepts for
a tremendous job with the new MFCB Flyer and the White Cane Florida Statutes.
MFCB ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
Mid-Florida Council of the Blind now has a presence on the
World Wide Web. Through the Florida Council of the Blind web site,
http://www.fcb.org, there is information available on the Internet about MFCB as well as
current as some past issues of MUMBLES. This is only the beginning as another option has been
made available for people to find out what is going on with our organization.
To specifically get to the MFCB section of the FCB website, go to
http://www.fcb.org/mfcb.htm. Feedback is strongly
encouraged as to the accessibility and content of the website, so if you have any questions
or suggestions, e-mail webmaster@fcb.org.
FCB BOARD MEETING IN MFCB COUNTRY
The Annual Florida Council of the Blind Board Meeting will
be held at the Sheraton Safari Hotel, 12205 Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32836. The
hotel's phone number is 407-239-0444. It will be taking place during the weekend of November
7th, 8th and 9th, 2003, the weekend after the next MFCB General Meeting.
This is the second consecutive year that FCB has held the Board Meeting at this hotel. For
those of you who have never attended an FCB Board Meeting, this is your chance to see what
happens as all members throughout the state are invited to attend. We hope as many members as
possible can attend the various Committee Meetings as well as the General Business Meeting on
Saturday, the 8th.
If you are interested in attending, please plan your rides accordingly, as the Committee
Meetings are between 9:00 AM and 12:00 NOON and the General Business Meeting is scheduled to
run from 2:00 PM to around 7:30 PM. Since MFCB is again the host FCB Chapter for the Board
Meeting, it would be great to have as much of the membership as possible attend that Saturday.
If you are interested in attending any Committee Meetings on Friday, November 7th, or the
Special Leadership Seminar on Sunday morning, the 9th, please contact Rachel Bader at
407-658-2479 or e-mail mfcbinfo@bellsouth.net for more
information.
Again, please plan your rides accordingly. We hope to see many of you at the Annual FCB Board
Meeting at the Sheraton Safari in Orlando!
MUMBLES FOR NOT MUCH LONGER
As MFCB has become a more recognizable voice in the local
blindness community, MUMBLES does not accurately represent the name of this newsletter. So we
wanted you, the MFCB members, to have the opportunity to choose the new name of our newsletter.
What better way to do it than have a contest?
Here's all that has to be done: submit your entry by phone at 407-658-2479, e-mail at
mfcb@bellsouth.net, or bring your suggestions to the
November General Meeting on November 1st. The more suggestions you have, the more chances you
get to re-name this MFCB Newsletter. If you submit your entry by phone or e-mail, the deadline
is November 15th, 2003.
The winning name and winner will be announced at the MFCB December Luncheon on Saturday,
December 6th, 2003. The prize will be determined shortly and officially announced at the
November General Meeting. Good luck and hopefully you will be the lucky one who re-names the
MFCB Newsletter!
MEMBERSHIP
Notes from Jay: The MFCB Annual Membership Drive is more than
halfway done. The response is quieting down as the holidays approach. A reminder that in
addition, we are asking you, the current members, that if you know anyone who would be
interested in becoming a member of MFCB, have them contact me at 407-658-2479 or e-mail
mfcbinfo@bellsouth.net and I will follow-up with what
information is needed to become a part of MFCB.
We also continue to take renewals on current memberships. Remember, the cost for MFCB
Membership continues to be $10.00 for the year. You can renew at the General Meeting and
pay by cash, check or money order. If you cannot attend the General Meeting, please only
pay by check or money order. Make that check or money order payable to MFCB. The deadline
for new and renewal memberships is getting closer on January 7th, 2004.
Please make a note of the following members' ADDRESS CHANGES:
GEORGE BACHMAN
Westminster Care
29th St.
Orlando, FL 32825
(407) 843-3230
PATTI DAVIS
6933 Alpert Dr.
Orlando, FL 32810
(407) 521-9047
And just a reminder that I am accepting any submissions to MUMBLES. All submissions must
arrive by regular mail or e-mail to me by the 15th of the month as issues are prepared
shortly after that. I will make sure you are credited with the submission. If you have any
further questions, please call me at 407-658-2479 or e-mail at
mfcbinfo@bellsouth.net.
Looking forward to seeing many of you at the November General Meeting as you
make your vote count in choosing MFCB Officers for the next year and have a
some fun at "Game Day!"
BIRTHDAY PEOPLE
NOVEMBER
12 - Craig Marquis
24 - Lisa Ericson
26 - Chuck Graham
27 - Edmund Senk
27 - Ida Williams
28 - Nelson Tullar