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The White Cane Bulletin November - December 2025
Articles for the White Cane Bulletin must be submitted to Sally Benjamin no later than the 15th of the month before it is published. Sally’s email is: editor@fcb.org.
If you do not have access to a computer and email, please find someone in your chapter to help you. We want to hear from anyone who wants to contribute to our newsletter, so if you cannot find a way to submit your article, call Sally and she will be glad to assist you.
Articles published in The White Cane Bulletin are in compliance with Public Law No. 104197, Copyright Law Amendment of 1996. This law allows authorized entities to distribute copies of previously published non-dramatic literary works in specialized formats, including Braille, audio or digital text that are exclusively for use by Blind people or those with disabilities. Any further distributing of such articles in another than a specialized format is an infringement of copyright.
Those much-needed contributions, which are Tax-deductible, can be sent to the Florida Council of the Blind Treasurer, Mark Lear, at ***
P.O. BOX 214235
DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32121.
To remember the Florida Council of the Blind in your Last Will and Testament, you may include a special paragraph for that purpose in your Will or Trust. If your wishes are complex, please contact the FCB at
800-267-4448.
The FCB is a 501(c)(3) organization.
For other ways to support the Florida Council of the Blind, visit our Fundraising page found at www.fcb.org.
ARE YOU MOVING? – Sally Benjamin
If you are moving, please notify me of your new address so you will continue to receive your White Cane Bulletin. Also, if you know of anyone interested in joining FCB and who would like to receive the White Cane Bulletin and the Braille Forum, please contact me at: (850) 980-0205 or E-mail: membership@fcb.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FCB 73rd Annual Convention in Orlando by Kati Lear
Activities At A Glance! by Cachet Wells
Lights, Camera, Audio Description! Get Ready for the Awards Gala!
Book Corner submitted by Sheila Young
In The Spotlight by Alicia Eidson
On the Road Activities by Greg Lindberg
The Florida Council of the Blind 2026 State, Chapter, & Special Interest Affiliate Awards
My 2025 ACB Convention Experience by Greg Lindberg
Recipe Corner Submitted by Sheila Young
Jottings From Jacksonville by Paul Edwards
USTA Florida Hosts Innovative Blind-Visually Impaired Tennis Workshop by Greg Lindberg
Tech Tips by John Richards: for the Technology Committee
Chapter News
GOCB November-December Update by Martha James
Poetry Corner Submitted by Shelley Sawyer
FCB OFFICERS, 2024 – 2026
2024-2026 Chapter & Special Affiliate Officer Liaisons
Handy Telephone Number References
***
FCB 73rd Annual Convention in Orlando by Kati Lear
Make plans to attend our FCB 73rd convention in Orlando, Florida Thursday, May 14 through Sunday, May 17, 2026. Our convention hotel is the Four Points by Sheraton at 5905 International Drive in Orlando, near Universal Studios. The room rates are $122 per night plus tax. The room block is not open yet and we will let you know when it is.
On Thursday evening, the Activities Committee plans to host a talent show. The FCB banquet will move from Saturday night to Friday night at seven PM. The Education, Leadership and Scholarships Committee will present scholarships to deserving students. Our speaker will be Ted Henter and the FCB live auction will be open to bid on items. On Saturday there will be an Awards Luncheon for presentation of state and chapter awards. There will not be a banquet Saturday night. This will give you a chance to mingle and socialize with friends. The Activities Committee is planning a Dine Around Dinner. Stay tuned for more details for these evening activities.
It is early yet and the convention program is in its beginning planning stages. Debbie Grubb plans to moderate the Legislative Seminar and the opening ceremony. Affiliates and committees please meet with your members and discuss ideas for your workshops. Program write ups are due on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2026. The Convention Committee is looking forward to reading your write ups discussing your program plans. Please send them to me at floridacouncil@comcast.net.
We hope you plan to attend the 73rd FCB Convention. Information will be sent out on the FCB-L List group and in the January February White Cane Bulletin.
***
Activities At A Glance! by Cachet Wells
As the summer ends, the hot days fade away and fall slowly blows in. While remembering the fun times from convention, park days, beach days and all the ways of cooking outside gaze on by.
We look to the onset of Fall leaves, cool nights and of course all things pumpkin, why not. Patiently awaiting musical theater, outside concerts and fall festivals with much to enjoy along the way.
The Activities Committee asks that you mark your calendars for the following dates:
* November 23rd
- Game Night 7pm; Are you smarter than a 5th grader; Deadline is November 15th
* December 7th
- Holiday Extravaganza 7pm; Deadline is November 30th
** December 13th at 10am
- A Charlie Brown Christmas at Daytona Beach College (Audio Described)
Participation on a documentary, along with Taylor who is filming the whole day to highlight a day and a life of our community which others may be chosen to also participate in. You will have to give your permission to be used in the documentary, but that is not required if you choose not to. The cost of the show is, only $10 per adults. There is a restaurant across the street from the college that you could all enjoy each other's company at after the show. Contact: Brian Smith
407.414.4375
Bk.smith2612@gmail.com
** April 26, 2026 at 2pm
- Carrie: The Musical at the Annie Russell Theatre at Rollins College. (Audio Description from John Palmer of the Central Florida Audio Description Initiative)
Contact: Chelsea Hilend (407) 646-2253 for Tickets.
We encourage Chapters & Special Interest Affiliates to start getting your teams and your talents together. We look forward to having a wonderful time gathering for some fantastic events.
Chapter & Special Interest Events:
We want to help you by supporting and promoting your efforts to raise awareness about what you're doing and maximize participation.
What's Needed:
- A detailed summary of the event (who, what, when, where, and cost)
- Contact information for the event (contact person’s name, phone number and/or email address)
The deadline to submit your event information is the 5th of each month by sending to activities@fcb.org.
See you soon and we look forward to helping support your activities!
FCB Activities Committee
***
Lights, Camera, Audio Description! Get Ready for the Awards Gala!
Get ready to celebrate the wonderful art of audio description at the upcoming virtual Audio Description Awards Gala on Thursday, November 13th at 7:30 PM EST! Since its inception in 2021, this event has been shining a spotlight on outstanding achievements in making entertainment and educational media accessible to individuals who are blind or low vision.
Each year, it features an array of celebrity guests and distinguished presenters, including past participants like Kathy Bates, Stevie Wonder, Ewan McGregor, Camryn Manheim, Jason Momoa, and Ahmed Fareed. The virtual evening is filled with engaging film clips showcasing exemplary audio description, the excitement of award announcements across more than a dozen categories, and stories of those who champion accessibility in media.
Ensuring everyone can partake in this celebration of inclusivity, the broadcast of the virtual Gala will be fully accessible, including captions, audio description, and a simultaneous Spanish translation. Tune in on the ACB YouTube channel or stream it on Peacock.
Your Voice Matters: The People's Choice Award
While voting for the 2025 Audio Description People’s Choice Award is now closed, it's never too early to start preparing for next year! This award puts the power in the hands of viewers, and your participation is key. As you watch movies and shows with audio description enabled, make note of your favorites. By doing so, you'll be ready to cast your vote for the 2026 People's Choice Award when the time comes, directly recognizing the audio describers and productions that provide an exceptional viewing experience.
For updates on how to watch the virtual event, please visit the Audio Description Project website at adp.acb.org. Network, streaming, and movie theater listings of audio described content are also available on this same website.
We look forward to seeing you at the virtual Gala on November 13th!
***
Book Corner submitted by Sheila Young
The Officer’s Wives
Thomas Flemming
Narrated by Yvonne Fair Tessler
Reading time: 27 hours
DB15830
Human Relations
Two decades in the lives of three army couples who marry at West Point on graduation day in 1950. Tanks are being positioned in Korea as they cut the wedding cakes, and army life grows more complex in the next twenty years than any of the idealistic newlyweds can imagine, making a few and breaking the rest. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 1981.
***
In The Spotlight by Alicia Eidson
Each issue of the White Cane Bulletin will feature a special “In The Spotlight” segment, highlighting someone of interest from within our community. Since this is my very first submission, I decided to start right at the top—with none other than our very own FCB President, Mr. Michael Wiseman.
You probably know him simply as Mikey. From the moment our conversation began, I could tell this would be a ride full of honesty, humor, and heart. I had such a great time with him—and I know you’ll enjoy hearing it all, straight from the top.
A Journey Rooted in Family
Born in South Florida, in a part of Miami, Mikey’s life began right where he still lives today—in the very same house he was born in. His family moved around quite a bit, spending time in both Mexico City and Arkansas, where his father’s roots lie. His mother, proudly Cuban, added even more cultural richness to his upbringing.
At 47 years old, Mikey has certainly lived a full life. At birth, he was fully sighted and grew up with vivid memories of colors, nature, and even driving a car. But at age 18—just as he was preparing to ship off to the Marines—his life took a sharp turn.
“I was in Parris Island, South Carolina,” he said. It was there that the Marine Corps diagnosed him with Stargardt’s disease and medically disqualified him from service.
Mikey recalled, “I got my diagnosis in a very kirk military non and holding form when they told me I was medically disqualified ‘because you’re going to go blind.’”
When I asked if he was shocked, he admitted, “Yeah.” At that time, Mikey had no visual issues whatsoever and no idea that anything was wrong.
His parents sought out every specialist they could find until they landed at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, where the leading expert on Stargardt’s disease was based. “I still have the actual big folders of the x-rays from that time,” Mikey told me with a laugh.
From Denial to Determination
In the beginning, Mikey admits he was in denial. “I really just ignored it,” he said with a chuckle. Though he and his family understood the diagnosis, he could still see—so he simply went back to school, college, and worked as though nothing had changed.
Then life intervened in a dramatic way.
“Well, then a tree fell on my head, and I lost my right eye!” he told me.
Yes, a mango tree! During that accident, he was already noticing some vision loss, but this left him completely without sight in one eye and legally blind in the other. “It was a lot of craziness!” Mikey said.
After a difficult recovery in the hospital, he was referred to the Division of Blind Services and later to The Lighthouse. “You know, it was what it was,” he said softly.
But things got harder before they got better. “I ended up getting even more depressed in rehab than I was in the hospital, losing my sight.”
He explained, “I was a spry 20-something-year-old, and I wasn’t seeing a lot of potential or hope for a person that was blind or visually impaired.” Someone suggested he take a technology class at a local college, and that simple suggestion changed the course of his life.
“I wasn’t doing anything else with my time so I might as well do something that will engage my mind, so I took a few political science classes,” he said. Though still adjusting to blindness, he threw himself into school and found both challenge and purpose.
Enter Paul Edwards—A Pivotal Encounter
Mikey recalled one political science class in particular that got heated. “He pushed back and we got into it,” Mikey said about his professor. Frustrated and angry, he found himself pacing around the disability services center in flip-flops when the director—none other than Paul Edwards—called out, “What is going on?”
Mikey vented, “It sucks to be blind.” He told Paul about the situation and how he needed to find the exact wording of the Second Amendment. “I’m blind, how am I going to do that?”
Paul reached under his desk, pulled out what looked and felt like a pile of cardboard, and began reading the Second Amendment to him—from a Braille copy of the U.S. Constitution he kept under his desk!
That moment changed everything. Paul invited Mikey to a meeting at the Elks’ Lodge in Miami, which turned out to be his first introduction to blindness advocacy and the local chapter of FCB.
“I was a very angry blind man,” Mikey reflected, “and that is why to this day I am a strong advocate for those who age into blindness or have an accident that leads into blindness.”
Turning Pain Into Purpose
Mikey went through therapy and faced the challenge of moving back home with his parents. “Living with mommy and daddy’s rules was difficult,” he admitted. Determined to live independently again, he sought subsidized housing but was denied.
Knowing his rights under the ADA, Mikey filed a discrimination claim against HUD—and won. “That was an eye-opening experience,” he said. The case led to a settlement, advocacy awards, and eventually, his invitation to his very first ACB conference in Orlando at the Rosen Hotel.
Meeting so many other blind professionals living engaged, successful lives became a turning point. “It was a huge step for me in my mental rehab journey,” he said.
He also learned later that Paul Edwards—his mentor and friend—had been the President of ACB all along! “Now, after all these years, Paul is one of my very best friends,” Mikey said warmly.
The Man Behind the Title
When I asked about his favorites, Mikey didn’t hesitate. His favorite colors are blues, greens, and grays. He loves good food and admits, “My dirty little secret? I love a cheeseburger from McDonald’s with only ketchup and onions.”
Music-wise, his taste is wide-ranging—from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and early 2000s to Spanish ballads, which he calls his “comfort music.” He’s a big fan of Cher (and yes, he’s seen her in concert).
When it comes to books, “Wizards, unicorns, witches, elves, magic—I really like that genre,” Mikey said. “It takes me far enough away from reality. It’s almost a cathartic and therapeutic experience.”
He enjoys gardening, fashion, shopping for bargains, and cooking when time allows. His favorite travel destination? The Canary Islands—“eclectic and breathtaking,” he described them, with deserts, rainforests, and mountains all in one place.
Though he misses traveling, Mikey enjoys his time at home caring for his mother. Together, they watch Matlock with audio description.
Leading with Heart
Mikey’s leadership journey began when he was asked to serve as hotel coordinator for an FCB conference—a role that opened doors to community building and organizational insight. From there, leadership became a calling.
When I asked about the hardest part of being President of FCB, he shared candidly:
“Organizationally, I am blessed with a team that fully supports me. But making tough decisions and dealing with individuals who may have the best of intensions in their mind, right, they may have a different approach to what eutopia looks like... So, balancing it all, work, home, FCB and ACB is challenging. It’s doable but challenging.”
Through it all, Mikey remains grateful for his executive committee’s support and friendship, saying, “I did not come into the presidency perfect and completely ready... but having an honest conversation where I know I fall short was really easy and asking for help is really easy.”
Proud Moments and What’s Next
One of Mikey’s proudest moments came when he reached out to FCB members for help with children at the Blind and Deaf School in Florida. The outpouring of support deeply moved him. “So many wanted to give back, and I was a very proud President in this regard,” he said.
As for the future, his bucket list is as ambitious as his spirit. “I want to travel to Singapore,” he shared, complete with hotel and airline points ready to go. “I want to do the Orient Express, the train. Also, the Canada train... and Argentina.”
For now, Mikey is content staying put and caring for his mom—but when the time is right, he says, “There is still so much life to live.”
If you have suggestions of someone for our future interviews, write Alicia at:
Prof.alicia.eidson@gmail.com
***
On the Road Activities by Greg Lindberg
With so many great things happening around the Sunshine State, we don’t want you to miss out on any of them. No matter if it's to celebrate a special cause, gather to honor White Cane Day, or a fundraising event, we want to help provide an avenue to advertise to a wider audience of members to increase engagement in your planned events.
The Florida Council of the Blind Activities Committee invites you to share your upcoming Chapter and Special Interest Affiliate events with us that are being held throughout the month. This allows members to review and plan ahead to attend other local area events. We want to help you by supporting and promoting your efforts to raise awareness about what you're doing and maximize participation.
For each event, please provide the following:
- A detailed summary of the event (who, what, when, where, and cost)
- Contact information for the event (contact person’s name, phone number and/or email address)
The deadline to submit this information is the 5th of each month by sending to Activities@fcb.org to have it included in the FCB Activities Committee communications channels.
Thank you, and we look forward to helping support your activities!
The FCB Activities Committee
***
The Florida Council of the Blind 2026 State, Chapter, & Special Interest Affiliate Awards
By Cachet Wells
The FCB Awards Committee is excited to honor our members who truly are deserving of recognition for their unwavering devotion to improving and impacting the lives of the blind and visually impaired community. As always, the Florida Council of the Blind is honored to receive your nominations for our State, Chapter, and Special Interest Affiliate Awards. This is an exemplary opportunity for you to recognize those individuals who make a lasting impact in our community!
Our committee is dedicated to ensuring that all submissions are confidential, and the recipients will be announced at our state convention in Orlando, Florida. The deadline to submit nominations for ALL FCB Awards is Monday, March 2, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
The State Awards are as follows: R. Henry P. Johnson, Dolly Gamble, W. A. Ouzts, William (Bill) Ferrell (Just Bill), Legislative, President’s Award, Outstanding High School Senior, and Mobility Award which can be viewed at Fcb.org for the full criteria.
Chapters and Special Interest Affiliates wishing to recognize a member, must send that person’s name to the Awards Committee with a nomination letter by March 2, 2026.
R. HENRY P. JOHNSON AWARD
The person that this award was named after trained as a lawyer. He had very little formal training when it was necessary for him to adjust to substantial visual impairment. Nevertheless, he remained active in his community and constantly sought to extend the boundaries of activities that he and other blind persons could become involved in.
DOLLY GAMBLE AWARD
This award was named for a lady who, by her actions and example, was able to establish a climate in which the Miami Lighthouse could be started. Throughout her adult life, Ms. Gamble worked tirelessly to promote the betterment of blind people in her community, state, and the nation.
WILLIAM ALFRED OUZTS AWARD
William Alfred Ouzts, known as W. A., was a member of FCB from 1971 until the time of his death in 1992. He held state office for 20 of those years, including 12 as treasurer and 4 years as president. For many years, he had the White Cane Bulletin printed, prepared and mailed. whatever his official status, W. A. was always quietly working and networking with other members behind the scenes. Officer, consultant, advisor, supporter, worker, whatever his role, W. A. never sought recognition for what he did.
WILLIAM (BILL) FERRELL "JUST BILL" HUMANITARIAN AWARD
Bill Ferrell worked at the Tennessee Agency for the Blind for many years. He was first employed there as a counselor, and proceeded up the ladder to hold the position of Director.
Retiring did not mean stopping for Bill. He helped to organize the Brevard chapter in 1981. Although he was a simple man in his estimation, he had a huge impact on the forming and continuation of FCB.
Bill was involved in visual impairment issues for much of his life. He was a Project Insight peer advisor since that program's inception. He worked endlessly both locally, in Brevard County and at the state level, serving as a member of several vital FCB committees and representing his chapter on the FCB Board of Directors for many years.
Bill was a calm, introspective man, yet nothing got by him without thorough examination. If the need arose, he would give his view of an issue with an informed politeness and in a politically correct manner.
When addressed as Mr. Ferrell, he would invariably respond, "I'm just Bill." So, Bill, our tribute to you is to try to be more like you. "We will communicate, educate, facilitate and update to ensure equality, independence and dignity for all! Bill, we will always love and respect you!"
LEGISLATIVE AWARD
The purpose of this award is to honor a Florida elected official who through his/her statewide and/or federal legislative efforts must have made a significant and positive impact on the welfare of blind and visually-impaired people in Florida.
COOK CHAPTER PRESIDENT'S AWARD
Each chapter may nominate a chapter president from the previous year to receive this award.
The following accomplishments will be considered when selecting a recipient for this award: regularity of meetings, effective programs, increases in membership, cooperation in local and state projects, participation in community organizations.
Overall leadership skills, including innovation and cooperation with neighboring chapters, as well as the state organization will be considered when assessing the performance of a nominee.
OUTSTANDING HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR AWARD
This award is intended to honor a legally blind high school senior in Florida, who in academics, school and community has performed better than all his/her peers. The award may consist of a plaque. At the time of graduation, the student will be presented the plaque. Should the student choose to attend FCB's Annual Convention FCB will offer to pay the student's transportation expenses.
MOBILITY AWARD
This award is intended to honor a high school senior at the Florida School for the Deaf & Blind who has demonstrated the most improvement in orientation and mobility while at the school. Two nominations will be solicited from the head of the mobility department.
The FCB Awards Committee will make the final selection. The award consists of a plaque to be presented to the student at graduation. FCB shall pay the student's transportation expenses if the student chooses to attend FCB's Annual Convention.
CHAPTER/SPECIAL INTEREST AFFILIATE AWARD
Each chapter or special interest affiliate may submit the name(s) of local recipient(s) they wish to honor for a maximum of four (4). The criteria for the selection is up to the chapter/special interest affiliate. All that is required by FCB's Awards Committee is the name of the recipient, as the chapter/special interest affiliate wishes it to be printed, and the name of the chapter/special interest affiliate submitting the name. Each chapter/special interest affiliate shall pay for each plaque they desire to present by March 31, 2026 to the FCB Treasurer.
Information regarding the current price of plaques, for ordering plaques, will be sent to each chapter/special interest affiliate.
Review our awards listed on the fcb.org web site, and consider a submission honoring those in the community who bless your life with their outstanding service to us.
All awards will be presented during our 73rd FCB Convention in Orlando, Florida in a special Awards Ceremony that will take place at one of those designated days.
For additional questions or for assistance in submitting any nomination(s), please contact Cachet Wells, Awards Chairperson at: Jbillray2@aol.com or by Phone: (904) 764-4573
***
My 2025 ACB Convention Experience by Greg Lindberg
The 2025 ACB Conference and Convention in Dallas was a wonderful and empowering experience for me once again this year. During the virtual portion in June, I tuned in to several sessions. This included lots of discussion and debate on resolutions, particularly with a big focus on the resolution to do away with the affiliate vote. I went back and forth on this a lot, but after listening to arguments from both sides and taking everything into consideration, I ultimately felt we should maintain it as it continues to give our affiliates a “formal” voice within the organization.
I also enjoyed ACB Next Generation’s virtual Leadership Link-Up session where I got to connect with several ACB leaders, including Deb Cook Lewis, Scott Thornhill, Ardis Bazyn, and Michael Garrett. I learned a lot from hearing their perspectives on leadership. Another interesting session was on audio description in sports, something that has become a passion of mine. I enjoyed hearing from several stakeholders in this area, including our own Stasha Boyd of the Audio Description Initiative and a woman from the UK to learn about their services across the pond.
In Dallas, I attended several of the leadership-focus sessions. One was on mediation. We got to roleplay where I acted as a mediator for our group, and two of the ladies acted as people who were not getting along about technology and its use within a local chapter. Then in the ABCs of Advocacy, we also got to roleplay where Claire Stanley acted as a Congresswoman, and others had to act as if they were visually impaired citizens visiting her office to advocate for some of ACB’s imperatives. To me, roleplaying is so much more impactful than simply listening to a speaker talk about a certain topic. It definitely gave me more confidence on how to effectively present myself in certain scenarios and the importance of clearly explaining our issues and challenges in the blind community to those outside of it.
The general sessions were informative as usual. Hearing from Scott Thornhill a few times made me feel confident in the future of ACB. I like how he is developing so many partnerships with organizations in the disability community and those outside of it as well. It was great hearing from the scholarship winners too. Many are pursuing degrees I’ve never even heard of in some cases. To me, it’s encouraging to learn what areas of study and industries are starting to include blind and visually impaired people.
This year was my first time serving on the DKM Fund Committee. It was so rewarding getting to interview and select the recipients of our awards. During the JP Morgan Chase Leadership Fellows reception in Dallas, the recipients talked about their leadership journeys as well as their future goals. It made me reflect on my own experience in ACB and some other avenues I would consider pursuing.
I also got to take a tour of AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys) and Globe Life Field (home of the Texas Rangers). It was pretty neat getting to explore these massive facilities. The Cowboys’ stadium, also known as Jerry’s World in reference to their owner (Jerry Jones), was incredibly elaborate in certain parts of the building. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to stand on an NFL field, and it was pretty cool seeing the $9,000 lockers for the players. As always, I know our group got a far more accessible and inclusive experience on these tours than we otherwise would.
Finally, I briefly visited the exhibit hall where I got to scratch my adaptive sports itch for a bit. I checked out the blind hockey booth where they had a makeshift rink with a net, blind hockey puck (which has ball bearings inside of it), and a few sticks to use. I scored two goals, although it was an empty net, so does that really count? Plus, I visited the blind tennis booth and reconnected with Murray Elbourn who is now the president of the U.S. Blind Tennis Association. I’m hoping to get some momentum going regarding blind tennis opportunities in Central Florida. I do hope to see more adaptive sports featured in the exhibit hall in the future. I’d even be willing to do a session on them should I get the chance.
I am very grateful to the Florida Council of the Blind for providing me with financial support to attend this year’s convention. I always go home feeling more informed and empowered, and I can definitely say the same applied to this year. I can’t wait for St. Louis in 2026!
***
Recipe Corner Submitted by Sheila Young
Butterscotch Haystacks
1 package butterscotch morsels
¾ cup peanut butter
1 can 8.5 Chow Mein noodles
3 ½ cup mini marshmallows
Melt morsels, add peanut butter, add rest of ingredients
Drop on tray with wax paper and refrigerate until set
Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
One can cream cheese frosting, any brand
1 18-ounce jar creamy peanut butter, any brand
Place these two ingredients in a microwavable bowl. They will be hard to mix, so do the best you can. Microwave on high for two minutes. Stir well. Return to the microwave, and cook for an additional two minutes on high. Stir mixture again. Return to the microwave, and cook two minutes more. Remove from the microwave, stir again, and pour into a buttered 8 by 8-inch pan. Refrigerate to cool, then cut into squares.
No one will believe you when you tell them it’s only two ingredients.
***
Jottings From Jacksonville by Paul Edwards
Hybrid Heaven
There was a time, a very short time, when I thought I was a pretty competent technology person. That was right at the beginning of access tech when there were Apple 2 e computers and the original Versabraille and optacons and DOS and dinosaurs! Once Windows came along and I got involved in jobs and volunteer work that took more and more of my spare time, I fell further and further behind. GUI (graphical user interface) which was at the heart of Windows did me in. Obviously I still used computers but I never felt as in control as I had felt with plain old DOS (disc operating system).
Over the last forty years since Windows ruined my confidence, there have been all kinds of access technology products and I have been lucky enough to play with many of them. Over the past two or three years technology has taken a turn that deserves to be noticed that has substantially altered the tech environment. This new development can best be described as the arrival of "hybrid" devices. This article will not attempt to talk about all of the new hybrid devices but I will certainly mention a few. I am more interested in highlighting a couple of truths that people need to take very seriously. The first of these is that we have more choices than we have ever had where technology is concerned. The second is that, amazing though it is to say it, the cost of access technology is going down. The third truth is that it is far more important now than it has ever been before that people interested in buying something decide what they want the device to do and how they wish the device to do it! The fourth truth is that anybody who has a smart phone actually has a device that can do virtually anything you want it to do and, by adding elements to the phone, you can make doing those things very comfortable. The free braille display you can get from the library, for instance, can connect to your smart phone and become a keyboard that can enter text on the phone. Your free braille device can allow you to do email, surf the web, play games, or listen to music once you learn how to make your display control your phone. In a very real sense that is the whole point of this article. More and more of the devices that are coming onto the market have found innovative ways to make mainstream devices more accessible or more easily used by people who are blind. A good example of this reality are two keyboards for the iPhone: the Orbit Writer and the Hable One. (The Hable 1 now has another option called the Hable Easy!) Either of these devices will allow a blind person to use contracted braille on their phone to write emails or the great American novel. You can keep your phone in your pocket or purse and use only these tiny keyboards.
One of the truths that these devices tell is that many of us are just not comfortable with the interface that sighted people love on smart phones. Even though we can input braille using just the iPhone, lots of us don't even find that very friendly! There are at least three specially designed smart phones available now that have gone back to using buttons rather than a flat screen because many of us just prefer to use buttons instead of learning complicated gestures. By far the most popular of these "button" phones, is the Blind Shell Phone, is quickly becoming almost as much of a "Swiss army knife" as is the iPhone by including AIRA, book reading, media player, radio tuner and lots of other elements that go far beyond what an old phone would do! There is a new version of this phone that allegedly has even more to offer! Again please note that the shell phone is much more than a device for calling and it uses speech and large print to do lots of things!
Forty years ago a tiny family-owned company challenged the "big guys" by releasing a device that took the blindness community by storm. The device was called the Braille 'n Speak and, suddenly, blind people had a tiny device they could carry around with them and write notes in grade two braille that they could store and transfer. As time went on more options were added and around 1988, I think, the Braille Lite came along which was the first reasonably affordable device that could allow a person to read braille. Life came along and Blazie Engineering was sold and their flagship devices went away. The same folks who love the shell phone were overjoyed when the Blazie family popped up less than two years ago as Blazie Technologies and announced they were going to create the BT-Speak, a device that, right from the start, would do more than their earlier devices could dream of. This device uses a braille keyboard and speech and, for less than $1,400, a tiny device can do most of the things you use a computer to do. Another small company Orbit Research has a similar product that doesn't have as many bells and whistles but is less expensive and allows you to do podcasts, listen to internet radio, read bookshare books, edit files in braille and much more! Both devices have alarm clocks, voice recorders and calculators.
The point that I am making with this whole article is that there are many products to choose from with a range of options that simply were not there till the cost of computer chips fell to the point where lots of functions could be supported in very small devices.
I have talked about devices that do lots of things. This year is the year of the "glasses". By the time you read this article there will be three different pairs of glasses that will let you ask them questions about your surroundings or packages you want read. All of these "glasses" aren't a lot more expensive than high class designer sun glasses!
Next year will probably be the year of electronic mobility devices! All of us have to find ways to keep up with all the changes that continue to revolutionize access to technology! We are lucky in Florida to have our technology committee which does training every convention. ACB also has lots of training on its Community and in podcasts that are free. There are ways to keep up and ways to find the device that will change your life by creating capacity and competence and confidence!
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USTA Florida Hosts Innovative Blind-Visually Impaired Tennis Workshop by Greg Lindberg
USTA Florida hosted its first Blind-Visually Impaired (BVI) Tennis Workshop, marking a major step toward expanding adaptive tennis opportunities across the state. The training, held at the USTA National Campus on October 4, focused on preparing coaches and tennis leaders in the community to deliver inclusive tennis experiences for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
BVI tennis is a modified version of the sport that relies on sound and feel. Key adaptations include a larger, softer ball embedded with bells or rattles, allowing athletes to hear where the ball is coming from. It also includes smaller courts with tactile lines, and a variable number of allowed bounces depending on the player’s visual classification. These adjustments make tennis accessible to players across a wide range of visual abilities, from totally blind (B1) to partially sighted (B4).
The workshop was led by USTA Florida Adaptive & Wheelchair Play Coordinator John Russo, who emphasized the importance of building community through sport. “I feel that the BVI community is looking for sports and events that can create a community for them,” he said. “My goal with the BVI workshop was to get people trained. This will allow us to offer community coach trainings so we can start having providers host clinics in the near future.”
Currently, Florida does not have any active BVI tennis clinics or providers, but the hope is that will change very soon. USTA Florida plans to launch its first BVI tennis program in Orlando, with the goal of expanding to other regions in the future.
The training brought together a diverse group of participants, including five individuals with visual impairments who traveled from across the state, four certified coaches, and seven USTA Florida staff members. Russo credited Greg Lindberg for helping bring the workshop to Florida and for connecting him with Dana Costa as well as David Dilettuso, advocates and trainers for adaptive tennis.
This marks a giant step in building a statewide BVI tennis network. By training coaches and raising awareness, USTA Florida is working to ensure that tennis is truly a sport for all, regardless of ability or background. To learn more about USTA Florida’s adaptive tennis programs, visit ustaflorida.com/adaptive.
Note: This article was originally published on the USTA Florida website by Jaret Kappelman.
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Tech Tips by John Richards: for the Technology Committee
Is AI Killing Our Brains? Are we depriving our brain of the challenge of performing important functions, steadily leading to cognitive decline.
Experts warn, an increasing dependency on AI could diminish critical-thinking skills and alter fundamental cognitive processes. Relying more on Ai tools such as ChatGPT to compose essays, write e-mails and compose entire reports. Is this causing our brains to become lazy? Are we depriving the brain from performing those vital exercises. challenging your brain with writing, problem-solving, and creating keeps neural circuits strong.
Several recent studies indicate, when we let AI do the work instead of using our brains for critical thinking ability, individuals tended to score lower on cognitive function tests. A recent article in The Nutrition Watchdog states, "The Brain is Like a Muscle, Critical thinking, memory recall, organizing ideas, and putting thoughts into words are essential brain processes. "Just like lifting weights strengthens muscles, challenging your brain with writing, problem-solving, and creating keeps neural circuits strong."
Several issues ago, I used AI to generate an entire Tech Tips article. I checked it for accuracy, discarded information I didn't need and switched around a few sentences. Overall, it was quite good. However, I prefer to use AI as a tool and not a crutch.
Portions of this article are referenced from, The Nutrition Watchdog and an article entitled "AI’s cognitive implications: the decline of our thinking skills?"
https://www.ie.edu/center-for-health-and-well-being/blog/ais-cognitive-i...
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Chapter News
GOCB November-December Update by Martha James
The See's Candies fund raiser has begun and will continue until December.
In November, we will hold elections for officers for the next year. The nominating committee has put forward the following slate: Sheila Young for president, Alicia Eidson for first vice president, Dan Spoone for second vice president, Martha James for recording secretary, Asli Goncer for membership secretary, and Rick Eidson for treasurer.
In December, we will have a short meeting and we will have our holiday party January 17, at the home of Alicia and Rick.
GOCB wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
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Poetry Corner Submitted by Shelley Sawyer
Greetings, Faithful Reader:
Without belaboring the point too much, I do believe I can say that for one reason or another, this has been, at best, a challenging year for most, if not all of us. I’d like to take this moment to say farewell to this year. Frankly, I won’t weep to see it gone. Hopefully, the coming year will bring us more … More of the things we think we need, more of the things we truly need and just a little of what we want or think we want. In the meantime, before that happens, here’s a little something that might give us a smile and a little comfort. It’s familiar. We’ve all heard it before; we’ve probably all sung it at some point. It’s my favorite song from The Sound of Music. Happy Holidays to all.
FAVORITE THINGS
By Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens,
Brown paper packages tied up with strings,
These are a few of my favorite things.
Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels,
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles,
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings,
These are a few of my favorite things.
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes,
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes,
Silver-white winters that melt into springs,
These are a few of my favorite things.
When the dog bites,
When the bee stings,
When I'm feeling sad;
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.
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FCB OFFICERS, 2024 – 2026
President, Mikey Wiseman
Miami, president@fcb.org (305) 331-4870
1st Vice-President, Cassandra Jessie
Tallahassee, vp1@fcb.org (850) 567-4288
2nd Vice President, Shelley Sawyer
Tallahassee, vp2@fcb.org (407) 403-2099
Treasurer, Mark Lear
P.O. BOX 214235
DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32121
treasurer@fcb.org (386) 788-0463
Membership Secretary, and White Cane Bulletin Editor, Sally Benjamin
Tallahassee, (850) 980-0205
Membership Email: membership@fcb.org
White Cane Bulletin Email: editor@fcb.org
Recording Secretary, Elizabeth Bowden
Tallahassee, recordingsec@fcb.org (850) 345-0822
Immediate Past President, Sheila Young
Orlando, sheilayoung125@att.net (407) 425-9200
FCB Administrative Assistant, Kati Lear
(800) 267-4448 (386) 763-3836 floridacouncil@comcast.net
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2024-2026 Chapter & Special Affiliate Officer Liaisons
Please contact your officer liaison if we can be of assistance or if you need anything from the Executive Committee.
CALM (Chapter At Large Members): Mikey Wiseman
president@fcb.org
(305) 331-4870
Greater Orlando Council of the Blind: Mark Lear
treasurer@fcb.org
(386) 788-0463
Halifax Council of the Blind: Sheila Young
sheilayoung125@att.net
(407) 425-9200
Jacksonville Council of the Blind: Cassandra Jessie
vp1@fcb.org
(850) 567-4288
Manatee County Council of the Blind: Sally Benjamin
membership@fcb.org
(850) 980-0205
Miami Metro Council of the Blind: Mikey Wiseman
president@fcb.org
(305) 331-4870
Northwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Council of the Blind: Elizabeth Bowden
recordingsec@fcb.org
(850) 345-0822
Palm Beach Council of the Blind: Cassandra Jesse
vp1@fcb.org
(850) 567-4288
Pinellas Council of the Blind: Sheila Young
sheilayoung125@att.net
(407) 425-9200
Sarasota Council of the Blind: Shelley Sawyer
vp2@fcb.org
(407) 403-2099
Southwest Florida Council of the Blind: Elizabeth Bowden
recordingsec@fcb.org
(850) 345-0822
Tallahassee Council of the Blind: Sheila Young
sheilayoung125@att.net
(407) 425-9200
Tampa Council of the Blind: Cassandra Jessie
vp1@fcb.org
(850) 567-4288
Braille Revival League of Florida: Shelley Sawyer
vp2@fcb.org
(407) 403-2099
Coalition for the Concerns of the Totally Blind: Elizabeth Bowden
recordingsec@fcb.org
(850) 345-0822
Florida Council of Citizens with Low Vision: Cassandra Jessie
vp1@fcb.org
(850) 567-4288
Guide Dog Users of Florida: Shelley Sawyer
vp2@fcb.org
(407) 403-2099
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Handy Telephone Number References
Project Insight: (800) 267-4448
Bureau of Braille & Talking Book Library: (800) 226-6075
Division of Blind Services, State Office: (800) 342-1828
American Council of The Blind: (800) 424-8666
(Available 3:00 to 5:30 P.M. EST Monday-Friday only)
ACB Legislative Hotline: (800) 424-8666
(Available evenings 8:00 P.M. to 12:00 Midnight EST and weekends 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. only)
AT&T Disability Services: (800) 872-3883
Press 00 and speak with your long-distance carrier, or Florida only: (800)982-2891
BellSouth Disability Services: (800) 982-2891
(From anywhere)
Social Security: (800) 772-1213
(24-hour voice and touch tone accessible)