Vol. 32, No. 2
FEBRUARY 2007
THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE
A publication of Mid-Florida Council of the Blind
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MESSAGE FROM MFCB PRESIDENT SHELLEY JUSTICE
NEXT MFCB GENERAL MEETING
MFCB JANUARY GENERAL MEETING REVIEW
NEW ACCESS PANEL HAS A NAME AND PURPOSE
ACCESSIBLE PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS PLANNED FOR ANOTHER CITY IN FLORIDA
BOWL-A-THON AROUND THE CORNER
FCB TECH TALK
FCB E-MAIL DISCUSSION LIST AND VOICE CHAT ROOMS
MFCB ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
SPECIAL PROGRAMS AT OCLS
SOUTHEASTERN GUIDE DOGS WALK-A-THON
PASSINGS OF LONGTIME AND FORMER MFCB MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP - from Jay Bader
BIRTHDAY PEOPLE
MESSAGE FROM MFCB PRESIDENT SHELLEY JUSTICE
Hello MFCB Members and Friends,
One of the things I hope to do in my President's Reports is to bring back information to the general Chapter Membership from the
Presidents' Meetings with FCB, held via telephone each month. Therefore, it is important for each of us to read this newsletter when it
comes out. The Presidents' Meetings will usually be shortly after our MFCB Chapter Meetings.
At this past Presidents' Meeting, we discussed the proposed bus transportation to State Convention this year. Hopefully, I will have more
information to bring to the February General Meeting. Much of the meeting focused on the phone conference held between State
President Debbie Grubb, 1st Vice President Robert Miller, 2nd Vice President John Richards, and State House of Representatives
member Dennis Baxley. Mr. Baxley is a member of the Vision Caucus. I am pleased to report that our local area is well represented on
the Vision Caucus from the State House of Representatives, as there are several local House members on the caucus. I have no doubt
that we will be hearing much more about the Vision Caucus in the coming days and months.
It isn't too early to start thinking and planning for the 2007 FCB State Convention. I plan to start making plans at the February General
Meeting; so come prepared to participate. See you then.
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
NEXT MFCB GENERAL MEETING
The next General Meeting of MFCB will be at William Booth Tower, 633 Lake Dot Circle, Orlando, FL, 32801, on Saturday, February 3rd,
2007, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The phone number at William Booth Tower 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 is going to be Adrienne Cantine. She attended our Meeting for the first time in
January and as it turned out, she has an area of expertise. Adrienne's topic will be "The Dynamics of Domestic Violence: An
Overview."
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
MFCB JANUARY GENERAL MEETING REVIEW
27 Members and Guests attended the MFCB January General Meeting held on Saturday, January 6th, at William Booth Tower in
downtown Orlando. After the Pledge of Allegiance, President Shelley Justice asked those in attendance to introduce themselves and
mention what they did for the Holidays.
After the Secretary's Report for the Annual Holiday Luncheon was read and approved, and one for the November General Meeting was
approved to be filed, and Treasurer's Report was read and approved, Shelley updated the Membership in attendance on the situation
regarding the Print version of THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE. As a result of what was discussed at the MFCB Executive Board Meeting the
Wednesday night before this General Meeting, Treasurer Dan Spoone announced that an Administrative Assistant at his workplace,
Laura Braun, would be sent each Newsletter via e-mail and will take it to a local Kinko's for printing and he would make sure those
issues are mailed out. The cost per issue would be $20.25. A copy of what the issue would look like in Print was circulated during the
Meeting, with Shelley saying that she appreciated Dan's effort in dealing with the Print issue, and the Membership in attendance
accepting what has been done.
The focus of the Meeting then turned to the Committees. Shelley went over the list of current MFCB Committees and each Chair, with the
following results from discussion:
Activities - Jack Jordan
Awards & Scholarship - Patti Land, with Leslie Spoone assisting
Budget & Finance - Dan Spoone
By-Laws - Jay Bader, with Shelley Justice, Larry Turnbull and Scott Larson assisting
Door Prizes - Bill and Pat Spoone
Fundraising - Leslie Spoone, with Betty Sparrow assisting
Membership/Telephone - Jay Bader and Elizabeth Bouyer, with Bill Freeman and Matti Hickson assisting
Public Education - Jim Lamb, with Nicole Hugues assisting
(At this time, Jay expressed his concern with contacts with elected officials. Jim told him to let himself and Nicole know of those
concerns.)
Publicity and Publications - Jay Bader, with Sheila Young and Paul Hutsko assisting
Refreshments - Jackie Gideons as Coordinator
(At this time, Jackie asked for volunteers for the February General Meeting, with Shelley, Sheila and Leslie offering. Jackie said she will
be in touch with them and added that refreshments will not be elaborate.)
Sunshine - Nicole Hugues
Transportation - Nicole Hugues, with Bill Freeman assisting
(Nicole reminded Members in attendance if there are any transportation concerns to let her know.)
With No Old Business to discuss, Shelley opened the floor for New Business. Patti Land announced as a follow-up to the Love Offering
collected at the Annual Holiday Luncheon that the entire amount given to Linda Kelley, the blind mother of a 5-year-old, of $112.00 was in
the form of a Wal-Mart Gift Card.
Shelley then announced that a charter bus was being considered for Members of the Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) to use to attend
the 2007 FCB Convention in Tallahassee, which will be from May 17th through 20th. She wanted to know if MFCB should participate in
using the charter bus, mentioning that the cost would be similar or less expensive to purchasing a Greyhound bus ticket in advance,
which currently runs about $77.00. Immediate Past President Rachel Bader added the bus would be available statewide and also for
that entire weekend; however, Members would have to leave for the bus on Thursday the 17th. If agreed, there would be a point in our
area for pick-up and return and Members would be taken to the hotel door in Tallahassee. Shelley also said the driver's expenses
would be included in the amount, but added that she herself would not be able to use that bus as she would be leaving earlier to attend
the Project Insight seminar scheduled before Convention. Jim Lamb expressed his concern with costs for an added day of Thursday to
attend Convention, with Dan mentioning that day is scheduled as a Entertainment Day and have been that way for about the last 5-6
years. Rachel then said FCB just needs to know if MFCB would be interested in participating, so Shelley then requested a show of
hands of those who would use the charter bus. Since it was counted that 5 Members would be interested, Shelley said that at the next
FCB President's Meeting for January, she will report that MFCB would be interested in use of the charter bus for the 2007 FCB
Convention.
Talk then turned to accessibility of the bus, as Nicole was especially concerned about that, with a consensus that it should be. Betty
Sparrow wanted to know also about the room rates for Convention. Nicole said the cost should run $63.00 per day for an outside room
and about $83.00 for inside.
Patti then asked about a possible time change for General Meetings at William Booth Tower, possibly from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Shelley
expressed concern about room availability; however, Jim Lamb said the room is reserved for 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Leslie then said that
if the meeting time would be moved back, she may be late for future meetings. After some brief discussion, Shelley then called for a vote
on moving the MFCB General Meeting time at William Booth Tower to 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, which should be effective with the February
General Meeting, which was approved.
1st Vice President Jack Jordan asked if, as in previous years, the March General Meeting would take place on the second Saturday. Patti
said that the Sight and Sole Walk is scheduled this year on the last Saturday in March and Shelley added that the Southeastern Guide
Dogs' Walk-A-Thon would be the last Saturday in February, so the March General Meeting would be held the first Saturday in March.
Betty then asked if a card could be sent to the family of Louis Williams, a longtime Member of MFCB who passed away before Christmas
2006. Nicole said that could be done, as part of the Sunshine Committee. Betty said she will get the needed information to Nicole so
that could be done.
After the Business portion of the General Meeting adjourned, the following Door Prizes were awarded:
Red Cinnamon Apple-Scented Candle - Rachel Bader
Ice Cream Scoop - Jim Lamb
Vegetable Peeler - Nicole Hugues
Old-Fashioned Hard Candies - Lois Huddle
Congratulations to all the Door Prize Winners!
1st Vice President Jack Jordan then began a discussion of what MFCB has done well and can do better. After setting the ground rules
for this discussion, Members had the opportunity to express themselves on such things as outreach (especially being more visible in
our area), spending time with peers and greeting Guests and New Members to meetings and special activities, and making sure those
without Internet access can be kept aware of what is happening with our organization. There was also talk about what programs could
be scheduled for future General Meetings, as well as any special activities to plan during 2007.
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
NEW ACCESS PANEL HAS A NAME AND PURPOSE
As was mentioned in an earlier issue of THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE, there is a new access panel with foundation in the Greater Orlando
area, which includes participation for organizations including MFCB and the National Federation of the Blind-Greater Orlando Chapter
(NFB-GOC). This panel has had a couple of meetings to establish its purpose and goals and as a result of its most recent meeting on
January 16th, 2007 at Lighthouse Central Florida, it now has a name: Central Florida Advocates for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way.
And its Mission Statement reads as follows:
"(The committee) represents the concerns of all citizens who use public rights-of-way regardless of age or disability and assists
communities with developing and maintaining safer, more negotiable public environments through the implementation of
nationally-accepted guidelines."
The first issue being dealt with by Central Florida Advocates for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way is that of what intersections will be
recommended for installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) in the city of Orlando. The panel came up with a list of over a
dozen intersections, which will be reviewed at or before its next meeting on February 19th, and a final list of recommendations would
then be presented to those who will make the decisions as soon as the city has secured funding for this important project.
MFCB looks forward to continued work as part of this panel, whether it be from Immediate Past President Rachel Bader and
Membership Secretary Jay Bader, who have attended 2 of the first 3 meetings, 2nd Vice President Bill Freeman, who attended the
second meeting in December 2006, or anyone the organization selects to participate. There will definitely be more about the Central
Florida Advocates for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way to be read in future issues of THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE.
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
ACCESSIBLE PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS PLANNED FOR ANOTHER CITY IN FLORIDA
One of the commitments of MFCB in 2007 is beginning the process of installing Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) at traffic
intersections in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties with walk signals. With the problems regarding pedestrian safety, APS would
only benefit those with visual impairments in knowing when it is possible to cross the intersection, and while it may not be the "end-all"
solution, APS is now being considered in future requirements for traffic intersections with walk signals.
The city of Jacksonville is one of the latest in Florida to accept those pedestrian concerns and is prepared to take steps to have APS in at
least its downtown area. This was documented in an article FCB President Debbie Grubb found in late December 2006 for the FCB
Membership to be made aware of, with FCB especially focusing on pedestrian safety concerns this year. It is reprinted with permission
from the January-February 2007 issue of the Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) Newsletter,
The White Cane Bulletin:
First Coast News, Florida USA
Thursday, December 21st, 2006
Downtown Gets an Upgrade to Help Visually Impaired
By Angela Williams, First Coast News
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- A simple thing like crossing the street isn't always an easy task, especially when you can't see what is out
there.
"I had to change my whole mind set and learn how to do things differently," says Dan O'Connor, president of Jacksonville Council for
the Blind.
Dan has been legally blind since his early twenties. He gets around fine with his cane, but soon there may be an extra voice of help for
him and others that are visually impaired.
The city is working on a new pilot project to install automated pedestrian crossings at downtown intersections.
"It helps people that have vision impairment to be able to navigate and be able to get around more independently like anyone else
would," O'Connor says.
Right now, there are only four automated crosswalks in the city. The new systems would replace regular push-button crosswalks.
When pressed, you would hear a series of beeps that warn you not to cross. When the way is clear the automated voice says the name
of the street and will let you know it's okay to cross; for example, "State Street walk sign is on to cross State Street."
"That message is continually repeated as long as the walk signal is showing. When the walk signal goes off then that message goes
off," says Rick Ball with the city's traffic engineering department.
Once traffic begins to move again a series of beeps would sound to caution the pedestrian from crossing. A raised arrow on the push
button also points in the direction of the crosswalk.
Six intersections near the Hemming Plaza area would receive the first installments.
"It's not going to be something that's going to solve all the traffic issues that someone with a vision impairment has but it can be an
added tool," O'Connor says.
Each intersection would cost around $5,000-$6,000 for the equipment. The automated systems will be installed around the end of
February and beginning of March.
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
BOWL-A-THON AROUND THE CORNER
On March 3rd, 2007, the Carter Family Blind Bowling League is having their Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser from 6 PM to 8:30 PM. It will be held
at Carter Family Bowling, 715 S Dillard St., Winter Garden, FL 34787.
As many of you may remember last year, MFCB formed a team to bowl against the local NFB-Greater Orlando Chapter. It was a great
time had by all who participated, and we hope to be able to form a team and challenge an NFB team again this year. The cost is $15 per
person and proceeds benefit the blind bowlers in their effort to attend the American Blind Bowling Association Tournament being held in
Denver, Colorado this spring.
So please consider coming out and supporting this great cause. For further information, contact Chuck Graham at (407) 654-6199.
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
FCB TECH TALK
Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) invites all Members throughout the state of Florida to participate in Tech Talk, a monthly get-together
for anyone who needs help with their computer and respective applications. John Richards, FCB 2nd Vice President and Chair of the
FCB Technology Committee, who organized this voice chat, says, "Please take advantage of this free tech support session. Have you
paid for tech support lately? If so, then you're aware of the cost."
Tech Talk takes place on the first Monday night of every month at 8 PM. To be a part of Tech Talk, grab a headset and microphone and
head to the FCB General Chat Room at the following link:
http://www.fcb.org/FCBGenRSigIn.htm. From there, just sign in and hit the Enter key
on your keyboard.
There are some Members of MFCB that are part of the FCB Technology Committee and they may even be able to help you. So if you
need help with your computer, join in on Tech Talk. And keep the change in your pocket.
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
FCB E-MAIL DISCUSSION LIST AND VOICE CHAT ROOMS
Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) is proud to have its members throughout the state participate in a couple of ways on the Internet. 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."
And FCB has 2 voice chat rooms for members of the organization. One of these is for General chat, the other is for the FCB Board and its
respective committees to meet. Everyone is invited to sit in on these chats, especially to participate with those in the General chat
room.
For more information about these FCB chat rooms, especially if you want to know how you can join in on the chats, click on the link
"Voice Chat for FCB" at http://www.fcb.org.
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
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 website,
http://www.fcb.org, there is information available on the Internet about MFCB, especially the MFCB
By-Laws, as well as current and past issues of the MFCB Newsletter, both in the previous name of MUMBLES and the newer name of
THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE. MFCB is proud to have people find out what is going on with our organization in this global
manner.
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 better what we have
on the Web.
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
SPECIAL PROGRAMS AT OCLS
The Orange County Library System (OCLS) will have many interesting events during the month of February.
February is Black History Month, and with popular author Zora Neale Hurston residing in Central Florida, OCLS has planned some
events with that in mind:
On Monday, February 5th, at 7 PM, "Zora Family Fun Night!" will take place at the West Oaks Branch Library, 1821 E. Silver Star Rd.,
Ocoee, FL 34761. Enjoy storytelling, refreshments and crafts at this Black History Month program celebrating the writing of Zora Neale
Hurston! This event is part of "The Big Read," an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of
Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.
And on Saturday, February 10th, from 2 PM to 3:30 PM, "Zora: the Woman Behind the Writing" will take place at the Orlando Public Library,
Albertson Room, 101 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, FL 32801. Spend an afternoon discussing the fascinating life and writing of Zora Neale
Hurston.
"Paws to Read" returns to the following OCLS libraries in February:
Saturday, February 10th, 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
North Orange Branch Library, 1211 E. Semoran Blvd., Apopka, FL 32703
Saturday, February 24th, 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Orlando Public Library, Children’s Library, 1st Floor
101 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, FL 32801
West Oaks Branch Library
1821 E. Silver Star Rd., Ocoee, FL 34761
Alafaya Branch Library
12000 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL 32826
Sign up to practice your reading skills by reading aloud to a lovable, furry listener. Be An Angel Therapy Dogs Ministry presents this
reading program for children with certified therapy dogs. Seating is limited; call today to reserve your spot at (407) 835-7323.
For more information about these events, contact OCLS at (407) 835-7323.
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
SOUTHEASTERN GUIDE DOGS WALK-A-THON
There is a benefit taking place in Florida that is very important to those who work with guide dogs: the Southeastern Guide Dogs (SEGD)
"Walk-A-Thon," which raises money for the guide dog center. This year it takes place on Saturday, February 27th, 2007, in Palmetto,
Florida, and it will start and finish at the Manatee River Fair Association and IMC Arena.
Registration for the SEGD "Walk-A-Thon" will be between 7:30 AM and 10 AM with the walk itself beginning at 8 AM. Entertainment &
lunch will be available between 10 AM and 1 PM. Raffle drawings and closing ceremonies begin shortly after the Walk. T-shirts and
lunch will be given free to all walkers who raise $75.00 or more.
MFCB Members who will be going to this "Walk-A-Thon" will be arriving a day early to pre-register at the Holiday Inn Riverview in
Bradenton, Florida, which is just a few minutes from the Walk. Southeastern Guide Dogs is another organization that is very close to
many MFCB Members. There are many Members, including President Shelley Justice, Immediate Past President Rachel Bader and
New Member Bill Dennis, currently working with guide dogs from SEGD.
If you would like more information on the Southeastern Guide Dogs "Walk-A-Thon," please contact SEGD Projects Coordinator Michelle
Bass at (941) 729-5665 or on the Web, visit http://www.guidedogs.org. All the best to SEGD
and MFCB hopes that this year, just like last year, will raise a record-breaking amount for the school!
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
PASSINGS OF LONGTIME AND FORMER MFCB MEMBERS
2 people that have been a part of MFCB, either for quite some time or made an impact in a short time of Membership, have recently
passed away: Louis Williams and Margaret Briggs. Louis Williams died before Christmas 2006 and had been a longtime Member of
MFCB. While Louis did not say much at MFCB General Meetings, he attended them for many years and stayed committed to what MFCB
has stood for and worked on to benefit the visually-impaired in our area.
Margaret passed away on January 18th, 2007. She was a former student at CITE/Lighthouse Central Florida and was a member of
MFCB, NFB-Greater Orlando Chapter, and the Ocoee Lions Club in days of better health. Margaret may not have been a Member for very
long in 2005 but was one who worked tirelessly in her efforts to further the causes of MFCB before health problems forced her to not
renew her Membership.
Both Louis Williams and Margaret Briggs will be sadly missed. MFCB passes its condolences to their families during these trying
times.
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
MEMBERSHIP - from Jay Bader
Notes from Jay: The MFCB Telephone Roster is in the process of being updated, and the 2007 version should be available no later than
the March General Meeting in Large Print and Braille, with E-mail and Cassette versions being distributed to those on the respective
MID-FLORIDA VOICE mailing lists accordingly.
Please welcome the following NEW MEMBERS of MFCB:
BILL DENNIS
(for the Online Archive of this Newsletter, this Member has requested his contact information be removed)
MARY CATHERINE SCHWABLE
631 Trailwood Dr.
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
(407) 774-5763
And I always accept submissions to THE MID-FLORIDA VOICE. All submissions for the March 2007 issue must arrive by regular mail or
e-mail to me by the 15th of February as it will be 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 MFCB General
Meeting in February!
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
Back to MFCB Main Page
BIRTHDAY PEOPLE
FEBRUARY
3 - Pat Spoone
3 - Anita Stone
12 - Matt Roberts
13 - Jim Huddle
14 - Rose Hanna
14 - Mary Van Pala
Back to Table of Contents
Back to MFCB Newsletters
MFCB Main Page
FCB Home Page