Vol. 30, No. 2
FEBRUARY 2005
THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE
A publication of Mid-Florida Council of the Blind
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MESSAGE FROM MFCB PRESIDENT RACHEL BADER
NEXT MFCB GENERAL MEETING
JANUARY GENERAL MEETING REVIEW
DECISION TIME FOR LYNX PROPOSED FARE INCREASE
OCLS OFFICIALLY INTRODUCES ASSISTIVE SERVICES
FCB HAS A DISCUSSION LIST!
MFCB ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
FCB RAFFLE TICKETS HELP MFCB
LONGTIME MFCB MEMBERS PASS AWAY
MEMBERSHIP - from Jay Bader
BIRTHDAY PEOPLE
MESSAGE FROM MFCB PRESIDENT RACHEL BADER
Hi friends. As 2005 comes into full swing, we have a lot of exciting things happening for MFCB. I was happy and enthused to see so
many of you at our January General Meeting. I was even more happy and more enthused to see so many of you ready and willing to take
on the continuing work that awaits us as an organization this year as well as participation in what are sure to be some fun activities and
fellowship together.
I feel optimistic about what 2005 has in store for MFCB and look forward to seeing you all in February. All the best till then.
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NEXT MFCB GENERAL MEETING
The next General Meeting of MFCB will be at Booth Towers, 633 Lake Dot Circle, Orlando, FL, 32801, on Saturday, February 5th, 2005,
from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. The phone number at Booth Towers is (407) 843-5533. It is highly recommended that if anyone uses
paratransit, please plan your rides accordingly.
The Guest Speaker for the February General Meeting will be Jaime Negron from the Social Security Administration. Jaime has visited
MFCB previously, and his talks are entertaining as well as informative. He will talk about changes taking place with Social Security,
including explaining the free prescription card now available to Medicare recipients.
He will also be available, as time permits, to answer any questions regarding Social Security and related benefits.
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JANUARY GENERAL MEETING REVIEW
31 members and guests attended the MFCB General Meeting on January 8th at Booth Towers in downtown Orlando. President Rachel
Bader began the Meeting by thanking Members new and old for their membership and hoped that all who attended enjoyed ringing in the
New Year. Then Members had the opportunity to tell what each did over the holidays.
After the Secretary's Reports for October, November and December and Treasurer's Report were read and approved, MFCB 1st Vice
President Patti Land discussed program activities that can be held during 2005. Arrangements have been made that allow MFCB to use
one or more MV Transportation vans when necessary to and from any activities. These trips would start and end at Booth Towers. MFCB
would pay MV for use of the vans.
Members were then given some choices for the kinds of activities in which to participate. Some of the more popular ones were a tour of a
local Orlando TV station, a trip to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, a tour of the Orlando Science Center, a trip to Old Town in Kissimmee
and even a gambling cruise; everyone unanimously agreed that the organization should go out to a Lunch. As far as days to hold these
activities, many Members did not have a preference of any day in particular but with many members having jobs during the day, evenings
were preferred.
Rachel then focused briefly on Committees. Patti Land will now chair the Activities Committee, replacing Betty Sparrow, who will focus
more on fundraising, and there will be a slight change in direction of the Refreshments Committee. Matt Roberts volunteered to be the
new Coordinator of that Committee with various Members providing refreshments each month at the General Meeting.
Transportation Committee chair Chuck Graham reminded everyone to give feedback to Lynx against the propose fare increases,
especially to the ADA fare outside the 3/4 of a mile fixed bus route. MFCB Members are also encouraged to attend the Lynx Board Meeting
on Thursday, January 27th, which begins at 1:30 PM (More on this later in this issue.).
Before the Meeting proceeded further, Rachel thanked everyone for their hard work. She wants to have Members enjoy themselves with
activities; however, Rachel does not want MFCB to lose focus on the issues we have all been working hard on accomplishing.
In New Business, a proposal was made to donate $100.00 to Booth Towers. This is an annual donation to the facility for their
graciousness in hosting MFCB General Meetings and was approved. Chuck told the Members in attendance about an upcoming garage
sale at the Center for Independent Living (CIL) in Winter Park. It will be on Saturday, February 5th, from 8:00 AM to 12 NOON with all
monies going to a special computer course CIL would offer during the summer for the visually-impaired. Chuck said that if anyone has
anything to donate, contact him at (407) 239-6875.
2nd Vice President Bill Freeman informed Members about a special medical test that is being conducted. It focuses on diabetics with
neuropathy. For more information about the test, call (407) 896-2626. Nicole Hugues talked about the Bahia Shrine Health and Wellness
Fair, being held at their location in Maitland on Sunday, April 3rd, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Breakfast will be served at $4.00 per person
before the beginning of the Fair. This is open to the public and they request that if any MFCB Members have resources available to
contact Matt Roberts on his cell at (321) 279-7060.
New MFCB Member Sheila Young asked about the upcoming Sight and Sole Walk. It will be held on Saturday, March 5th, the same day
as the Southeastern Guide Dogs Annual Walk-A-Thon. With that date in mind, a motion was made and seconded to have the March
MFCB General Meeting moved to the 2nd Saturday of that month, which would be March 12th. This was approved pending Jim Lamb
finding out if the Meeting Room at Booth Towers will be available then.
Rachel reminded Members that FCB Raffle Tickets are available (More on this later in this issue.). Suggestions for Guest Speakers at
MFCB General Meetings should be made to either Patti Land or Bill Freeman; they also will be glad to take any program suggestions.
Jackie Gideons and Patti volunteered to help with refreshments at the February General Meeting.
Before the meeting adjourned, the following Door Prizes were given out:
2 12-ounce Turquoise Tumblers - Matt Roberts
Body Scrubber - Nicole Hugues
Jovan White Musk Cologne - Patti Land
FCB Pin - Lisa Lawson
Ice Cream Scooper - Jay Bader
Congratulations to all the Door Prize winners!
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DECISION TIME FOR LYNX PROPOSED FARE INCREASE
The time has come for a decision by Lynx on whether or not to raise fares, especially those fares for Access Lynx, the paratransit
partnership with MV Transportation. Many MFCB Members have provided feedback to Lynx, expressing their disapproval of these
increases. As this issue goes to press, there is a possibility that these proposed fares will be approved by Lynx without any changes to
those proposals.
The next Lynx Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 27th, at 1:30 PM at Lynx Central Station, 455 N. Garland Avenue, Orlando,
FL 32801. The meeting will take place in the Board Room on the 2nd Floor. For more information about the Lynx Board Meeting, contact
Lynx at (407) 841-5969.
MFCB strongly encourages Members attend this important meeting and participate when appropriate. Results of this will be reported at
the February General Meeting as well as in the next issue of THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE.
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OCLS OFFICIALLY INTRODUCES ASSISTIVE SERVICES
In the January 2005 issue of THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE, there was information about the Orange County Library System (OCLS) offering
additional accessible services for the print-disabled. As a follow-up, here is a letter MFCB recently received from Ormilla Vengersammy,
Technology Training Manager at the Computer Resource Center in the OCLS Main Library in downtown Orlando. It is encouraging to all
print-disabled patrons:
"I would like to take this opportunity to introduce the type of services we provide for the visually-impaired patrons here at the Orange
County Library System. With great enthusiasm I’m hoping that your organization would be supportive in distributing and educating its
patrons of our services.
"The library is equipped with technology for the visually-impaired or for those who need reading assistance. Currently at the Main Library
there are two JAWS computers available. Our 13 branches are also equipped with at least one JAWS computer. Our Jaws computers
are designed to work with a speech synthesizer that assists the visually-impaired in maneuvering on the computer whether it’s on the
internet or typing a letter. Its voice capability guides the user with every mouse movement and keyboard entry.
"In addition to JAWS, OpenBook and MAGic are also loaded on these computers. With OpenBook a user can scan pages of a book and
with the speech synthesizer; the computer will read the scanned text. MAGic is great for those who would rather increase the
magnification of the text on the computer screen. Speech capability is also available.
"There’s also a CCTV Magnifier and VERA available at the main library. CCTVs are specially designed to enlarge printed material for
people who have low vision and can no longer comfortably use glasses or special lenses to read regular size print. It focuses on the
printed page and the print is then enlarged and displayed on a monitor. VERA is the perfect reading machine for blind or low vision
reader who needs to "keep it simple". Basically it scans text and reads it to the user. No computer experience is necessary with this
equipment.
"These services are free to the Orange County Library District card holders. Those out of district can purchase a PC pass which is
valid for seven consecutive days allowing them two sessions a day. Currently the Jaws/MAGic/OpenBook computers are available for
three hours per session. There’s no time limit on the VERA or CCTV Magnifier as of present.
"Visit our web site at
http://www.ocls.info/Locations/services_special_needs.asp
for more information on our assistive services at the library. I would be more than happy to further discuss these services.
"Thank you and I look forward to your response.
Respectfully,
Ormilla Vengersammy
Technology Training Manager
Computer Resource Center"
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FCB HAS A DISCUSSION LIST!
Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) is proud to have its members throughout the state participate in its E-mail Discussion List. The FCB
E-mail Discussion List is a way for members, locally and statewide, to express themselves freely on a variety of issues. These can range
from those on a local level to issues on a state or even national platform.
MFCB encourages all Members with E-mail and Internet access to sign up and participate in the various discussions as well as maybe even
starting a few. To sign up for the FCB E-mail Discussion List, and for more information about the List, go to the FCB website at
http://www.fcb.org and go to the link for “FCB E-mail Discussion List Information and Instructions.”
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MFCB ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
Mid-Florida Council of the Blind 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, especially the
newly-approved MFCB By-Laws, as well as current and some past issues of the MFCB Newsletter, both in the previous name of
MUMBLES and the newer name of THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE. 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. With your suggestions, changes can be made that will better what we
have on the Web.
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FCB RAFFLE TICKETS HELP MFCB
It's not too early to help raise money for the Florida Council of the Blind. FCB has made its raffle tickets available to its chapters
throughout the state. MFCB has many available and would like all Members help out in the sale of these tickets.
Every year, FCB holds a raffle during the Annual FCB Convention, with the 2005 Convention taking place at the Sheraton Ft. Lauderdale
Airport from May 12th through 15th. There are many prizes awarded during the raffle, from $1000.00 to gift certificates. In addition, there
are additional prizes made available that are not announced in advance, and the best part is anyone who purchases raffle tickets need
not be at the FCB Convention to win.
Each ticket is $1.00, with 65 percent of the monies raised by each chapter going back to that chapter. It is the biggest fundraiser every
year so if you would like raffle tickets to sell, they are available at the MFCB General Meeting, or if you cannot attend the General Meeting,
contact Jay and Rachel Bader at (407) 658-2479 and arrangements can be made to acquire them. Help FCB and, in turn, MFCB through
selling these raffle tickets.
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LONGTIME MFCB MEMBERS PASS AWAY
Two longtime Members of Mid-Florida Council of the Blind passed away recently. George Bachman died on January 6th at the age of 74.
Many members who attend MFCB General Meetings and Luncheons know that he is one of the first to arrive. Even though he was not
very jovial, George always listened to and respected all MFCB Members.
Not many Members knew George Bachman outside MFCB. But those who did knew that George cared deeply about those who were
visually-impaired. MFCB will miss the quiet but loyal George Bachman.
And just as this issue goes to press, word has been received that Paul Wolf lost a longtime battle with cancer. Paul passed away on
January 20th; he was 75. Being a member of both the National Federation of the Blind-Greater Orlando Chapter and MFCB, Paul brought
a sense of balance to the organization as well as a determination that none who knew him will forget.
Like George, Paul cared a lot about his fellow visually-impaired. Unlike George, if there was something that concerned him, Paul would
make his opinions known and would be respected for that. MFCB passes its condolences to Paul's widow, Alice, and to all his
family.
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MEMBERSHIP - from Jay Bader
Notes from Jay: Thanks to all Members who either joined MFCB for the first time or renew their membership in the organization. Even
though the total MFCB Members decreased to 59, it remains a strong chapter in the Orlando area.
The MFCB Phone Roster for 2005 has already been sent to Joyce Hull for braille embossing and print, cassette and e-mail versions will
be ready shortly. If all versions outside the e-mail one are not available at the February General Meeting, they will definitely be on hand in
March. If you are not able to attend either of these upcoming Meetings and are interested in a copy of the Phone Roster in any format,
please contact me by phone or e-mail so arrangements can be made.
Please welcome the following NEW MEMBERS:
MACHEL COOPER
162 Highland Av., Apt. 6
Holly Hill, FL 32117
(386) 295-8292
SHEILA YOUNG
3407 Fairway Ln.
Orlando, FL 32804
(407) 422-3589
And I always accept submissions to THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE. 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. You will be properly 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 February General
Meeting!
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BIRTHDAY PEOPLE
FEBRUARY
3 - Pat Spoone
3 - Anita Stone
12 - Matt Roberts
13 - Jim Huddle
20 - Elizabeth Bouyer
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