Skip to main content
California Council of the Blind
California Council of the Blind

Empowerment Through Advocacy

The Blind Californian, Fall 2019

Volume 63, No. 4

Published in Braille, Large Print, audio CD, Email (bc-subscribe@ccbnet.org), and Online in readable and downloadable text and audio media.

Judy Wilkinson, President 1550 Bancroft Avenue #113, San Leandro, CA 94577-5264 Cell: 510-388-5079 president@ccbnet.org

Executive Office California Council of the Blind 2143 Hurley Way Suite 250, Sacramento, CA 95825 916-441-2100 voice; 916-441-2188 fax Email: ccotb@ccbnet.org Website: www.ccbnet.org

Jeff Thom, Director Governmental Affairs Committee 800-221-6359 toll free; 916-995-3967 cell governmentalaffairs@ccbnet.org

Webmaster webmaster@ccbnet.org

Mike Keithley, Editor 191 East El Camino Real #150 Mountain View, CA 94040 650-386-6286 editor@ccbnet.org

Susan Glass, Associate Editor 408-257-1034 editor@ccbnet.org

The CALIFORNIA CONNECTION is a weekly news service provided: By phone: in English and Spanish at 800-221-6359 Monday through Friday after 5 PM and all day on weekends and holidays. By email subscription: send a blank message to connection-subscribe@ccbnet.org; Or on the web at www.ccbnet.org. Submissions for the California Connection can be emailed to ca.connection@ccbnet.org.

Non-members are requested and members are invited to pay a yearly subscription fee of $10 toward the production of THE BLIND CALIFORNIAN.

In accepting material for THE BLIND CALIFORNIAN, priority will be given to articles concerning the activities and policies of the California Council of the Blind and to the experiences and concerns of blind persons. Recommended length is 1800 words.

The deadline to submit material for the Winter 2020 issue of THE BLIND CALIFORNIAN is noon, November 15, 2019.

Shop at Amazon, donate to CCB. Access https://smile.amazon.com/, log into your account and select California Council of the Blind as your charity.

Please send all address changes to the Executive Office.

Table of Contents

Editor’s Corner

Mike Keithley

Welcome to the fall Blind Californian, the only bark heard in Virginia. “That’s true, and an echo was reported in Massachusetts near Perkins.” And I also heard about one heard in Washington, but it was an illegal immigrant!

The center pieces of this issue are reports on the CCB and ACB conference and conventions. The CCB report is written by Billy Eliot, editor of Forward, the Golden State Guide Dog Handlers Inc (GSGDHI) affiliate newsletter. Billy also served as alternate delegate for the affiliate and wrote a stellar convention report that all BC readers will appreciate. Thank you, Billy.

Look forward to a profile on CCB’s diabetics affiliate from Susan Glass and Maile George. Bonnie Rennie tells us about the new programs from the formal Seniors Without Walls. Plus we have a cute story from President Wilkinson about earning confidence.

A writers group, currently called the CCB-writers, has been established to help newbies write material for the BC and to aid in other Publication Committee projects. There is an email list for sharing information, and it’s called ccb-writers@groups.io. To subscribe, send a blank message to ccb-writers+subscribe@groups.io. There are frequent, though not formal, zoom conference meetings. Contact mlkeithley@comcast.net.

Not interested in writing? Well, imagine you’ve told a really good story to your friend, and the reaction was so cool! Now imagine telling it at your chapter meeting. Imagine a little more and write it on the computer. You’ve started: Go for it and join Ccb-writers!

So Enjoy–bark joyiously, swing that cane vigorously and be ….

President’s Report: June 7, 2019

Judy Wilkinson

My president’s message delivered on Friday, June 7, at the opening general session of our 85th birthday conference/convention, has been tidied up a bit and revised where original remarks are no longer relevant.

The famous actress Betty Davis said it best: “Getting old isn’t for sissies!”

I’d like to suggest the same could be said for organizations. The California Council of the Blind was born October 6, 1934: where? Right here in Fresno!

The childhood years saw growth and expansion. We fought for the most basic rights: the right to walk on public streets and sidewalks, resulting in The White Cane Law; rights for college students to have readers; fair housing and basic voting rights.

A lot more growth occurred during our middle years: at one time we had nearly 1,500 members and numerous chapters. Our advocacy and scholarship efforts blossomed. We had over a million dollars in the bank!

Alas, our elder years have seen increasing financial hardships. When I assumed the presidency, in 2016, we had about $250,000 in unencumbered funds.

Based on a recommendation in our original strategic plan, weeks after I assumed office, we hired a CEO who among other things, we hoped would bring in major funding. In a word, that didn’t happen.

Since I last reported to you at our 2018 conference/convention, our financial situation has deteriorated dramatically.

For starters, our financial records were in disarray, so we literally didn’t know how much money we had. Next, we embarked on a desperate, risky effort and hired a consulting firm to create a mechanism to contact large donors in the Sacramento area. We finally cancelled both the lunch where those donors would hopefully show up, and then the contract for the consultants. At the end of last year, we released our CEO.

Frankly financially-speaking, we hit bottom with only a few thousand dollars remaining. But remember, CCB ain’t no sissy! We are on the road to recovery!

Starting her term on July 1, 2018, our fabulous treasurer Lisa Thomas with her strong accounting background, has been wrestling with our tangled financial records. She and our office manager Nicole Pacheco are updating our QuickBooks system; where records need to be reconciled for the past 2 to 3 years. We have already saved hundreds in accounting costs because Lisa, fully aware of legal parameters, prepares our monthly and quarterly financial documents. We are planning for an audit this year at a cost far below the $10,000 we used to spend.

Just last night, (at its meeting of June 6) the board adopted a massively- trimmed down budget. Where we routinely had a budges of around $300,000 dollars with exaggerated calculations for income and distorted numbers for expenditures, this year’s budget scales back spending. As the saying goes, we are pinching pennies so hard you can hear them scream! We have projected little in terms of fundraising efforts: that way we should bring in more than we in fact plan for.

Last November, I proposed forming a committee to advise us on how CCB can move forward. Our 1st VP Gabe Griffith christened it with the name which has stuck: the Phoenix Committee: as like that mythical bird, we rise from the ashes. A kind of “think tank,” this committee has proved amazingly valuable to me personally and of course to the entire organization.

Thanks to those 9 members, we have created a resource manual so members can answer phones relieving Nicole of that responsibility. We began this process on May 1; while Nicole was on vacation, with Steve bauer, Andrea deKlotz and Christy Crespin answered phones. We plan to continue and expand this effort.

Because this year’s convention finished in the black and was deemed so successful, the Convention Planning Committee recommended and the board moved to hold our traditional in-person convention. As of this writing, I have signed a contract with the Doubletree Hotel in Fresno to hold our 2020 convention June 3-7. We may attempt linking to local facilities to allow others to participate.

Other cost-cutting measures have been adopted such as seeking an entity to sublease part of our office. Only our official legislative advocates are reimbursed for their costs if they so request”which they often don’t. And this year I am taking no reimbursement for my expenses.

For the first time, we sent out an appeal letter to our extended mailing list and raised several thousand dollars. We will expand this effort as well as pursuing other fundraising efforts including our telephonic auction.

For the past 2 years we have been in discussion with Patrick Netter founder of Onthemuv, creator of the mini seated-treadmill. We are on track to be their North American distributor of this device to the blindness community. A number of our members experienced the seated minitreadmill when Patrick demonstrated it in the Obbie Shoeman Exhibit Hall.

One of Paul Shane’s final efforts paid off in the form of a grant from Energy Upgrade California to inform folks about the time-of-use program. Our recently-hired community educator, James Collins, the replacement for Duane Poole who left us at the end of April is hard at work and has already increased our grant goal numbers. Welcome James! This grant helps defray some of our overhead costs this year.

We may not have a lot of money in the bank, but we are rich in people to thank. The danger here is leaving too many people out for which I apologize in advance. First, the amazing host committee, our Fresno Chapter under the leadership of that crazy blind lady, Sarah Harris! Your hard-working board of directors devotes hours to CCB giving of their time, talent and treasure. Nicole Pacheco is increasingly valuable as our Operations Manager; thanks so much Nicole! A special shout-out to our TOG for all its work especially Phill Obregon for his heroic efforts in so speedily getting all things convention on our website. All our committees work hard for CCB: we are rich because of your efforts. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank my husband Steve for his love and support.

No, getting old isn’t for sissies! CCB, in its old age, because of the adversities we’ve faced, will emerge stronger than ever! As Sarah Harris quoted Robert Schuler in her candidate’s statement:

“Problems are not stop signs; they are guidelines.”

So here we are at 85, old but not enfeebled. As we stabilize our finances and renew our organization, we are recommitting ourselves with vigor and purpose, to those efforts that have always been the hallmark of our existance: Advocacy in the legislature and the courts, service to our members in identifying and overcoming the barriers to equality and full participation in society. These have always been the core CCB values; these are the reasons we exist, and these are the reasons why, like the phoenix, we are rising.

Thank you.

New Name, Same Great Program

Bonnie Rennie

Some time ago, I wrote about a wonderful way to connect with other seniors, both visually impaired and sighted, by participating in interesting groups over the phone. That program was called Senior Center Without Walls. I continue to volunteer in this venue. But now it has another name.

senior center Without Walls is now known as Well Connected. Also re-branded is its parent entity, now called Covia. Yet the same diverse and fun activities still remain. Joining and calling in remains free. For anyone in the continental US who is over age sixty, Well connected is a fabulous way to learn new things and get to know others.

Well Connected offers all its groups over the phone, and some activities over Zoom on computer. Topics and interests range widely: armchair travel and bird watching, museum tours, book sharing, story reading aloud, trivia, brain teasers, poetry listening and reading, to name just some. There are currently three different groups for people with vision loss: one for low vision, a support group for the blind that I co-facilitate, and a third general vision loss group. These 45 minute to one hour long gatherings are facilitated, and are definitely not chat lines.

Perhaps the best offering of all is the daily Gratitude group. No matter what kind of mood one is in when first calling into the Gratitude group, he or she is bound to leave that day encouraged. Health experts tell us that active participation in mentally and socially stimulating pursuits is good for our bodies and brains, overcoming social isolation. Getting involved is especially helpful for those who find it difficult or costly to leave their homes, just to be in a social setting.

I have found my interactions in these phone groups to be both pleasurable and informative. Other CCB members have and are also volunteering as group facilitators or as guest presenters. For example, Ken and Pam Metz and I did a short series on self advocacy there two years ago.

You may feel that you are too busy or not currently disposed to join Well Connected. However it’s my hope that you’ll remember and share this resource with those you encounter who could benefit. You’ll be doing them a service!

Contact Info for Well Connected

To sign up, request a braille schedule, get a print or flash drive catalog, call the office at 877-797-7299. You may leave a message if no one answers, and they will return your call.

The website is www.covia.org

Note: Well Connected is just one of Cover’s programs, so one must search for Well Connected on the site.

See you on the phone!

Convention Report

William Eliot

First, I would like to thank you all for allowing me to be your Alternate Delegate to this year’s CCB Conference and Convention held at the Double Tree Hotel in Fresno California. I very much enjoyed working with Diane, our Primary Delegate, and Alice, our President.

Thursday June 6.

As I live in Fresno I did not stay at the hotel. I arrived early on both Thursday and Friday at 7 am. My wife gave my guide dog Leif and I a lift to the hotel on her way to work. Thursday we sat in the main lobby, enjoying a cup of coffee and listening to the sound of the waterfall decoration close to the dining area.

At about 9 AM we made our way to the Convention registration area. Leif introduced himself to Pam’s dog Franklin as we waited in line. I chatted to a few people in line around me, giving some tips on the best Indian Restaurant in town and things like that.

Diane was just ahead of me in line, so we met up immediately after registration so I could share my numbers with her regarding the voting preferences which I had received. Thanks to everyone who wrote to express their preferences on voting. Diane took into account your preferences and cast a vote in proportion to your wishes when appropriate. We chatted about what areas we were most interested in and set out a plan so that we could attend as many different events as possible, bearing in mind that we felt it important to attend the GSGDHI meetings on Saturday, June 8.

On Thursday afternoon I attended the Technology meeting. The theme was accessible gaming. Most people seemed to like driving games, though some preferred card and board game conversions. Also popular were Multi User Dungeons, or MUDS for short. These are similar to the old text dungeon problem solving text games of the first home computers back in the 1980’s. Do you remember those? I do. Even used to try and created them myself using a dungeon builder. Some of the companies discussed were:

Blindfold Games: A designer of some good Voice over compatible games.

RS Games design interactive multi-player games. Some variations of Scrabble, Some card games.

A popular multiplayer game was “Crofting Kingdom”. The aim of the game is to build a farm using some initial resources, buying items that improve your small plot, selling produce and buying more improvements. A popular resource for gamers who use the Apple Operating System is Applevis.com. This website allows Apple users to look for Voice Over compatible software and apps. It is also useful for finding everyday use apps not just entertainment software.

Thursday Evening Board Meeting and Dinner.

In the evening I attended the board meeting and dinner. At the board meeting the Board was introduced, and the treasurers short report and proposed budget was discussed. The Board had proposed to begin drawing on the corpus funds of the Newell Perry Endowment Fund. The corpus fund is the initial endowment given to CCB in the 1950’s. So far, all proceeds from investments have been withdrawn in recent years. The Board decided to only take from the corpus fund a limited amount for the next fiscal year if the budget can be followed member income and reduced expenses together with sub-letting CCB office property in Sacramento should allow the balancing of the accounts.

Friday 7th June, 2019.

In the morning I attended part of the transportation discussion and then went on to the Library Users meeting. At the transportation meeting I was particularly looking forward to hearing more about Autonomous Vehicles. The first hour covered this topic, and our speaker was from Cruise Automations Inc. Cruise Automations Inc. is a joint venture between Honda Motors and GM. Several months ago GM decided that autonomous vehicle technology departments should be placed in a separate entity from the main GM company. It then created Cruise Automation with the Japanese motor car manufacturer, Honda. Cruise has four vehicles that it is working on at the moment. Each has a different purpose in exploring the technology required to build autonomous or self-driving vehicles. The company is not looking towards individual ownership of the vehicles, they see the future as being in mass fleet sales to companies like Uber and Lyft or delivery systems for the likes of amazon and McDonalds or Burger King. Every year 40,000 Americans die on our roads and interstates. 94% of all these accidents is caused by human error. The aim of autonomous vehicle research is to reduce these figures. Many of those present were not happy about computers being able to control vehicles safely, given the recent record of computerized flight systems in Boeing aircrafts.

Personally I am interested in the idea of autonomous vehicles. So I asked that the representative of Cruise take back the idea of making the interior of the vehicle easily convertible to allow us to transport our dogs safely on the floor of the cabin, rather than having fixed seating which may lead to dangerous travelling conditions for anyone with a guide dog or assistance dog. He expressed interest in the suggestion and said he would take back the idea to the design team.

Following the transportation program, I ,went on to the Library Users of California (Clua) meeting. First there was the business meeting and elections: Bonnie Rennie was re-elected for a second term as President. There was some general talk about ways that we listen to audio books. Special Note: If you have a tape reader from your NLS library, you should contact them to upgrade your reader. The tape recordings are being phased out, and soon books on tape will no longer be available. Many members of CLUA now use smart speakers like the Echo (Alexa) from amazon or Google Home to read their books. Many are also happy to use the BARD system to borrow books by download from the internet.

There was a lively discussion as members chatted about favorite authors and book recommendations. I would advise anyone interested in books to take a look at CLUA. Membership is $20 per year, July 1 until June 30. They have an active recommendations list and lots of ideas for some good reads.

Friday afternoon General Session 1

The first General Session was supposed to have a talk by the representative from Cruise Automation Inc. but he was unavailable due to being called away.

The board called on those present to give a thank you to the hotel staff and management for their work helping create a good atmosphere for the convention. Many of us found the staff very helpful. One member of staff, Paul from the security section at the hotel was given a special thank you at the final session on Sunday.

Shannon Muhall – the Fresno ADA coordinator spoke about her work and thanked the CCB for choosing Fresno as the site of this year’s convention.

Michael Dune, an attorney in the field of disability rights for 28 years, spoke about the issues surrounding accessibility to self-service checkout kiosks such as those found in McDonalds. Action is being taken to have McDonalds and other fast food restaurants comply with the ADA regulations in this area. At the moment, these kiosks are not all accessible for blind users. He also addressed the issue of scooters and bicycles that are now being made available in major cities for short distance hire. The main issue has to do with the fact that they are parked on sidewalks and causing obstructions. Also, many vendors are operating without licenses and his firm is working with cities to enforce laws that would address this issue. They are also looking into issues regarding liability if a scooter or bike is left on the sidewalk and a blind person falls over it.

There was also a moving tribute to former president Cathie Skivers

Friday evening, I attended the “Birthday Dinner” for CCB and enjoyed a good meal and reminiscences from people about what CCB has meant to them through the years.

After dinner, the second general session was ,held. The elections were held after six names were put forward. Five of those were elected by acclamation with the sixth being contested. A nomination was put forward from the floor and an election was held with the nomination committee nominee elected after a close vote. Congratulations to those GSGDHI members being elected to the CCB board.

Saturday, June 8th

The first session I attended was the GSGDHI business meeting. The meeting minutes passed and the treasurer’s report was accepted and have already been published on the GSGDHI list. Elections were held and Alice Turner was elected president by acclamation. Vivian Younger was elected as Secretary and Diane Deutch was elected to the board, both by acclamation. A special thank you was extended to Pam Metz for her service.

The Advocacy committee reported that SB260 was due to pass.

The guide dog lounge telephone meetings have proven very successful.

Fundraising efforts continue with a 50/50 raffle at the convention

The new logo of Forward together was officially accepted

After a short break, we moved into the rest of the program. We had room introductions with our guest of honor Doctor Waterhouse of the Waterhouse veterinary clinic. She spoke on various issues that come up regarding our guide dogs such as movement in young adult dogs, dog allergies, and lumps and bumps. She stressed the need to brush your dogs’ teeth daily and recommends a full yearly examination as she sees a lot of dogs with teeth problems.

Dr. Waterhouse also discussed pain treatments such as cold laser and acupuncture to help with injury and arthritis pain issues.

A lively discussion came up about dog food as Dr. Waterhouse sees a lot of “boutique” and specialty foods where the labels they have on the packaging do not necessarily reflect what is actually in the food. Alice Turner suggested that this could be a potential area of advocacy in the future to push for “truth in labeling” laws for dog food.

Dr. Waterhouse also answered many questions asked by audience members regarding issues surrounding guide dogs.

We then adjourned to lunch and enjoyed round table discussions about self-advocacy and mentorship.

General Session – 3rd session

A report was given regarding the Department of Rehabilitation. There is a large monetary gap in money allocated and services rendered. The state seems to be operating under the idea that, in this relatively good time in our economy, more funds must be kept back to prepare for when budget cuts are imposed when the economic downturn occurs. It was suggested that more education be provided to youth to help them prepare for work. Also, it was agreed that we needed to address the issue of “low expectations” for the blind and low vision community and that greater preparation for work be encouraged at all levels. Finally, it was agreed that we look forward, and not dwell on past failures in this area.

A lengthy discussion occurred during the board session regarding a call for members of the board to donate funds to CCB as part of their service. The main reason given for this was that many grant applications and those that give grants are looking for whether board members have “skin in the game”. Board members suggested that even a donation of $1 would be considered acceptable as the amount was not important but that they could truthfully state on application that they contributed financially. The concern on the floor was that those who could pay the most would get seats on the board. There were three vocal votes and on the third vote the amendment to the bylaws was passed and now the rule will say that board will give of their time, their skill and their treasure.

Following the session, we enjoyed the food and fellowship at the CCB banquet and two scholarships were awarded.

Sunday June 9th: Fourth, and Final, Session

This session was devoted to committee resolutions and bylaws. Resolutions and recommendations regarding autonomous vehicles, asking Trader Joe’s to use standard bar codes, making playgrounds and parks accessible, encouraging people to complete the upcoming Census and a sincere thank you to all the volunteers passed by acclamation.

The treasurer, Lisa Thomas, gave her report with the final total standing at $460,000 in the bank, cash and investments. There was a discussion about the dwindling funds in the Newell Perry trust and the trustees issued a warning that the trust is now in danger of being liquidated. This will mean that the CCB will no longer be able to rely on income from the fund. The board elected to not take all of the remaining funds in the trust but to limit their withdrawal to $37,000 in the fiscal year 2019/2020.

The 2019 CCB Convention was declared closed.

Diversity and Community in Action: A Profile of the CCB Diabetics Group , Susan Glass and Maile George

History

As some may remember, during the 2018 CCB Conference and Convention, at one of the concluding sessions, our beloved Ken Metz announced his desire to start a special interest affiliate especially for CCB members living with diabetes, and asked if there was any interest, and he discovered that many expressed their wholehearted interest and support. Not long thereafter, Ken passed away, but those who had expressed their interest decided that his wish for the group should become a reality. Accordingly, they publicized the idea for the group on what was then known as the California Connection, now the Happenings, as well as on various leadership lists. They held their first telephonic meeting in October, 2018. It was facilitated by Northern California member Dave Jackson, and met with an enthusiastic response. CCB President, Judy Wilkinson said a few words of welcome and Dee Clayton from ACB Diabetics in Action applauded the launch of a CCB Diabetes Group. During the first meeting, Pam Metz outlined Ken’s vision for the group, saying that He hoped for a space where blind people who also were living with diabetes could share experiences and knowledge, lifestyle suggestions, and ways to advocate. The group decided to wait a while before affiliating so that they could gain a feel for who they were, what they wanted, and what their goals might be.

The Present

The CCB Diabetics group now meets via phone and zoom from 7 to 8 PM on the second Monday of every month. The topic for discussion is always posted in the CCB Happenings and on both the Diabetics Group and ACB Diabetics in Action email lists. Topics have included suggestions for making healthy food choices during the holidays, quick and easy snack ideas, evaluating alternative health therapies, and occasionally, those involved in the group invite guest speakers. Sugar Lopez posts healthful recipes to the group’s email list every Tuesday! (Sugar’s Recipe Corner)

“Our group is wonderfully diverse,” says northern California CCB member Maile George. “The age range is from maybe 30 to 90, and the participants are from southern, central and northern California, and beyond! We embrace our diversity and have fun together. We’re people who happen to have diabetes, a disease we acknowledge, but we also try to make good choices so we can live long and live well by learning from and supporting one another. CCB member from Fresno, Veronica Hernandez helped to raise awareness about the Diabetes Group at the recent 2019 CCB conference and convention by making lavender scented soaps. She partnered with Guillermo Robles by creating large print and Braille cards that introduced the group, featuring the group’s mission statement, and the cards were to be included in each registration bag. The Diabetic Group is already turning its attention toward the 2020 CCB convention, to be held again at the Double Tree Hotel in Fresno. The group plans to work with the convention committee and the hotel concession staff to insure that healthful choices are offered to all convention attendees.

“This can be some advocacy work for us,” says Maile. “It could warm us up for bigger advocacy projects ahead, such as influencing positive change with regard to accessible medical equipment. We are in a unique position. Not only are we blind, we are also diabetic. Many, if not all insulin pumps currently on the market are not accessible to people who are blind. This is because we are a small piece of the market, and many manufacturers don’t view us as valuable customers. We need to advocate. We need to make them aware of our health needs- the incidence of diabetes is rising globally, – not shrinking.”

The CCB Diabetes Group meetings/conference calls take place on the second Monday of each month from 7 to 8 PM. Those who are interested are welcome to join new friends and old on a future call using Zoom at 408–638-0968 ID: 158236260. Smartphone or online access through Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/158236260. To join the Diabetes Group email list, please send your name, first and last, your email address and a brief statement on how you heard about the CCB Diabetes Group to Maile George at maileg921@gmail.com.

The mission of the CCB Diabetes Group is to empower people who are blind and diabetic and their families through education and community support.

Let’s Talk Low Vision Conference Schedule

Dr. Bill and the CCLVI Let’s Talk Low Vision Team

Each month the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI) provides a forum addressing topics of interest to people with low vision titled “Let’s Talk Low Vision.” We are fortunate to have Dr. Bill Takeshita as the moderator and master of ceremonies for these presentations.

The presentations occur on the third Tuesday of each month and start at 5:30 PM Pacific, 8:30 PM Eastern.

To be part of the conversation please call 712-432-3447 and enter ID code: 145330#

Tuesday September 17, 2019 Dr. Bill: New advances in medical research for eye conditions.

Tuesday October 15, 2019 Richard Rueda: Careers, Employment and Resources

The October LTLV show will discuss strategies for finding that choice career while surviving the job hunt and remaining positive. Presenters will discuss strategies, best practices and provide feedback for the career seeker and Goal getter in each of us.

Tuesday November 19, 2019 What Is New In Low vision Aids

This lecture will describe the latest in magnifiers, sunglasses, and technology for people with low vision.

Tuesday December 17, 2019 Dr. Bill: Glare and Lighting

The NuEyes E2 Glasses

Ray Riehle

Roland Halley has retinopathy and macular edema as a result of diabetes. He stopped driving in 2010 and after several years of steroid injections and laser treatments his diminished vision (worse than 20/400) has stabilized. He is very accomplished with a variety of technologies including magnifiers, cell phone apps, computer software, and devices that allow him to live an independent life. He has added the NuEyes e2 to arsenal of weapons to make his low vision manageable. In his testimonial about the device he said:

“I have used them (the e2) in a variety of situations. In my home to see details that I have not been able to see before, simple things like looking at the smoke detector to figure out how it worked and how to replace a battery.

“I invited my daughter over and was able to see her face, A face I have not seen for many years. We went to a movie together where I use headphones to provide an audio description of what was happening on the screen. With the e2 I was able to see more of the actual movie and really follow the action.

“I took them with me to a “Concert In The Park.” I was able to see the band, people dancing at the stage, my friends, and the trees that were all around me. These are the enjoyable parts of life that people take for granted until vision fails. The e2 brings a quality of life into my world that I have longed for for many years. Bravo Rieleyes and the NuEyes e2 for bringing some joy into my daily routine.”

The NuEyes e2 is a head-worn digital magnifier for the visually impaired. Rieleyes, LLC is a distributor of the device.

With a high resolution auto focus camera, the wearer has a 101 degree field of view and magnification of up to 18 times. For basic use you press one button to power up the device, adjust the focus by finding the proper position on your face, and press a second button to zoom in on the world around you. With a 4 hour battery capacity the e2 offers a chance to spend time just looking at the world. There is a wand/pointer that may be paired to the device for ease of adjusting magnification or stepping into and out of the Virtual Reality side of the device.

A good rule of thumb to determine if the e2 is right for someone is to ask: “Does a handheld lens allows you see?” If the answer is “yes” it is worth taking the time to evaluate the e2. If the person’s vision is very blurry and cannot be cleared with a lens, the e2 will only provide magnification of blurry vision.

The list of visual impairments that may be helped is long. Every case is different but the e2 may help with:

  • Macular Degeneration
  • Diabetic Retinopathy
  • Ocular Albinism
  • Optic Atrophy
  • Cone-Rod Dystrophy
  • Forms of Glaucoma
  • Stargardt’s Disease
  • Optic Nerve Hypoplasia
  • Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy
  • Nystagmus
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity
  • Forms of Retinitis Pigmentosa
  • Other low vision conditions that may be helped by lenses.

A goal for every device is to help people get back into the workforce. With the e2, it is possible for someone with a visual impairment to keep working. Frank Wilcox tells his story:

“I used the NuEyes e2 while I was an intern at the Computer Technology and Resource Center, in Novato. My duties were to refurbish desktop computers. The e2 worked great. Using the e2 I was able to read the BIOS/CMOS menus. This allowed me to easily perform the BIOS/CMOS setup. Before I had the e2 I used a handheld electronic magnifier to read the BIOS/CMOS menus. (magnification software programs do not work on the BIOS/CMOS menus). I also used the e2 when working on the inside of the computer. The e2 allowed me to see the writing on the motherboard so I could determine which DIMM slots to put the memory sticks in. Other tasks where I used the e2 were: inspecting the inside of a computer, changing the BIOS/CMOS battery, and reading the whiteboard on the shop wall.

“Without the e2 all of the above tasks were very difficult to perform. The e2 has made working on computers practical for me.

“For someone with a visual impairment, I would highly recommend that they have a NuEyes e2.”

In addition to the visual component, the e2 offers access to the virtual world with most of the capabilities of a tablet. When connected to WIFI, with the touch of a button, the user has access to a full web browser, movies, TV shows, and games. It is possible to download information to the headset from a computer (with Vysor software) or with a memory card. There are countless uses on the virtual reality side of the e2.

Ray & Ed Riehle RielEyes LLC 6830 Antelope Road Ste. H Citrus Heights CA 95621 www.rieleyes.com Ed Riehle ed@rieleyes.com 520 220-9837 Ray Riehle ray@rieleyes.com 916 217-7162

Dispatch From Rochester N Y and The ACB Conference and Convention

Susan Glass

Innovative technology is always prominent at ACB National conferences and conventions. This year, our Crown Jewel sponsor Aira Corporation made itself known as soon as we landed at the Rochester Airport. Aira utilizes an I phone app or a dedicated phone and accompanying glasses to give blind and visually impaired people live feedback on their surroundings, and assist them to complete tasks within those surroundings. Specially trained Aira agents use their computers, GPS software, cameras, and maps to zero in on a blind person’s location and help with tasks that range from way finding, to reading signage, to locating a nearby transportation service. There is a monthly fee for regular Aira subscription, but Aira made all service free for ACB convention attendees, and the free service started as soon as we landed at the Rochester Airport, and remained available throughout convention week at all Rochester locations. This was great, since one of the first things that I needed to do upon landing was find a restroom. I was also prepared to use Aira to locate baggage claim and the hotel shuttle, but bumped into some ACB convention volunteers, and so gladly went with them to find the shuttle.

Convention attendees were housed in two hotels this year, and my husband John and I stayed at the older of the two, the Riverside, aptly named since it is located on the Genesee River. The layout was simple, with the restaurant just off the hotel lobby, and a lovely grass relieving area for guide dogs immediately out the front doors, to the right, and across a small parking lot. There was only one elevator bank, and the lobby was quiet. These details probably wouldn’t interest a sighted hotel guest, but they are as essential to blind convention goers as is the convention itself. Easy way finding means easier access to events, less stress, and a more enriching convention experience.

The Riverside Hotel was connected to the Convention Center and Hyatt Hotel, our other guest facility, by an indoor skywalk. Personally, I found navigating the skywalk and convention center fairly easy, but I got turned around in the Hyatt, where several convention events were held, and where several friends were staying. My mobility skills are good, so I’m guessing that I was experiencing the normal “learn it all and learn it fast” imperative of every convention: You know the most about your environment on the day you leave for home. Happily, our New York host committee and convention planning chair Janet Dickelman did a superb job recruiting sighted volunteers. Most were from the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization, and all had been briefed on sighted guide techniques. The volunteers even stayed around for evening activities, which in my experience is not the norm, but which certainly makes one more willing to extend one’s day. Attending personnel from guide dog schools also provided dog handlers with scheduled hotel orientations, and Braille Revival League wizard Ralph Smitherman implemented his customary Braille Orienteering Game to help braille readers learn hotel and convention center lay-outs. Once Aira agents received appropriate internal maps of the two hotels, skywalk, and convention center, they also served as expert guides. I speak from experience, having myself become an Aira explorer this summer. Initially, the hotel orientation help they offered was a little bumpy, but to be fair, I was still getting used to my equipment and the app. Once we all got our sea legs, I was surprised at how easy it became to find an empty seat in the general session meeting room, or locate a particular table in the exhibit hall.

The food at the hotel restaurants was lack luster. Menus were severely limited, and I don’t think that the braille menus published everything that was available. The ACB Cafe helped quite a bit (they had great Caesar salads) and nearby restaurants were within walking, cab, Uber, or Lyft distance.

Friday, July 5, 3 of my friends from the American Association of Blind Teachers and I played hooky. This is to say that we created our own tour. We took Lyft to an equicenter located some 9 miles outside of Rochester. An equicenter is a horseback riding facility dedicated to providing therapeutic riding and other horse related activities to people with disabilities. My friend Suzanne Ament and I are active horse women, but our two friends Leslie Spoone and Tabitha Brecke were new to the experience. We spent from 10 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon riding the horses in an arena, grooming them, and learning all about tacking up (saddling and unsaddling). The day started with sunlight, but before leaving, we were treated to a New York downpour complete with thunder boomers. On the Lyft ride back to the hotel, we breezed through a fast food joint because we were ravenous. It was a day of kick-up-your-heels independence, and a big dose of the outdoors before a week of air conditioned indoor intensity.

One of my favorite parts of convention week is attending general session. It’s a congressional body where I feel that I actually do have both a direct and a represented voice. Granted, general sessions are long, running 3 to 4 hours at a stretch. But by the end of convention week, I can feel CCB’s and my own chapter’s connections to ACB, and to a larger, integrated map of blindness concerns. Here are a few General Session highlights. You can read a day by day accounting in the October Braille Forum.

From Saturday, July 6, opening General Session.

President Kim Charlson delivered her 6th and final convention report. She acknowledged and celebrated the following milestones achieved during her 6-year term:

* the hiring of Eric Bridges as ACB’s Executive Director

* The hiring of Clark Rachfal to succeed Tony Stephens as Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs

* The hiring in early 2018, of Claire Stanley, ACB Advocacy and Outreach Specialist. ACB members can now listen to a weekly Legislative and Advocacy podcast delivered by Clark and Claire.

President Charlson welcomed Cindy Vanwinkle to the Minneapolis Office. Cindy is now ACB’s full-time Membership Director.

In the arena of streaming media platforms and accessibility, President Charlson reported that in 2018, HooLoo, negotiating with the Bay State Council of the Blind, was the first streaming service to commit to providing audio description tracks for as many of their programs as possible. ACB’s Audio Description Project Media Task force continues to reach out to other media services in hopes that they will also provide audio described programming.

TURNING to the ongoing concern of braille literacy, our assembly acknowledged that the United States has finally ratified the Marrakesh Treaty, which makes the world-wide exchange of braille books an attainable reality. The United States was the 50th nation to sign the treaty.

With regard to ACB’s financial health, President Charlson reported that we recently received a substantial bequest that boosted our endowment fund. She reminded members that the MMS Program, the ACB auction, and the ACB walk are all means by which each of us can contribute to ACB’s financial health. In addition, ACB members logged 18502 volunteer hours in 2018 alone. This fact can be significant when ACB applies for grant money, since each volunteer hour if paid, translates to $20.

Thursday July 11. The most significant general session activity was the election of ACB’s new officers. Here is the slate:

President: Dan Spoone, Orlando, FL

Dan is retired; he formerly worked as a senior project manager for Siemens.

First Vice President: Mark Richert, Arlington, VA

Mark is the Director of Public Policy for the National Disability Institute and the founding President of Excelsis, LLC, a public policy consultancy.

Second Vice President: Ray Campbell, Glen Ellyn, IL

Ray is a Senior Accessibility Analyst for United Airlines.

Secretary: Denise Colley, Lacey, WA

Denise is a retired Disability Program Coordinator for the state of Washington. She serves as president of the Washington Council of the Blind.

Treasurer: David Trott, Talladega, AL

David is retired; he formerly worked for Alabama Industries for the Blind, dealing with contracts, budgets, employees, and supervising daily operations of various programs in his area of responsibility.

Board Member: Donna Brown, Romney, WV

Donna is a Technology Integration Specialist at the West Virginia School for the Blind.

Board of Publications Member: Zelda Gebhard, Edgeley, ND

Zelda is an administrative assistant at Wright Insurance Agency. She also serves as president of the North Dakota Association of the Blind.

There were, of course, scores of special affiliate meetings and programs, more than any individual could possibly attend. I enjoyed a presentation sponsored by the American Association of Blind Teachers that addressed the question of knowing which braille note taker on the market would be best for a given person or purpose. I also attended a presentation given by Amazon’s Peter Korn, on technologically smart houses, and I spent lots of time at the National Parks booth with folks from the UNID Description Project. For recreation, I managed one work-out in the hotel gym, one walk along the Genesee River with my sister Jo Lynn, and two espresso coffees in her room to jump start especially sleepy mornings and afternoons. This was my 14th consecutive ACB convention, and it was a good one. I’m now glad to be back home.

Buggy

Judy Wilkinson

I read this piece to our Women’s Breakfast group at a CCB convention. Vita Zavoli recently reminded me of it; I was so touched that she vividly remembers these several years later. So let me take you back to July 3, 1950 when I was six years old.

I have on my blue dress. I know it because it has a nice feel to it. It is dotted Swiss: dots like braille, but the dots on my dress are too far from each other to say anything.

I get to wear my nice dress because it’s Denny’s birthday today; I’m six but he’s only three, and we get two sparklers each a day before the fourth of July because it’s his birthday.

I’m taking Diane for a walk in her buggy. Mommy says I’m a big help keeping the baby quiet while she bakes Dennie’s cake. I go very carefully down our steep driveway. At the bottom but before the steep part that goes into the street, I turn left down 11th Ave. I go very slowly so that if we hit something it’s very gentle and doesn’t wake Di up.

At the corner we turn left down 28th Street. The sidewalk is smooth but the edge is rough. So I keep on the smooth and if I feel the wheels on rough I move back left a little. Donna calls hello as I pass her house. She’s our friend. We met her when Dennie cracked donna’s little girl Heidi in the head with his bat. Donna is funny. She says “Deeny” not “Denny” like we do.

At the corner I turn left again. Of course I’m never going to cross a street with baby Di. I know just to walk around and around our block. I don’t like this part of the block. It’s where the lady grabbed me and shook me and yelled in my face that mommy was irresponsible for letting a blind child out alone with a baby! I cried all the way home. Mommy said lots of people don’t know what blind children can do. She said she knows all the things I can do and that I show people all the time. She laughed and said, “Besides Donna makes sure to tell all the neighbors “that Judy Girl really knows how to take that baby for a walk.” She said she would find that lady and talk to her. I’m still a friend when I walk on this block.

Now another left turn and a really nice smooth sidewalk. We can go a little faster here because it’s so wide. There’s lots of grass on the right so I know when the buggy needs to go left.

Back to 11th ave. our very steep street. I have to pull hard on the buggy’s handle to keep it from running away. There is a little flat place, then our house. Di is still asleep. She is too little for sparklers. Maybe Daddy will let Den and me have her 2 sparklers for Den’s birthday.

An Open Letter: A Heartfelt Request

Andre Green, andregreen473@gmail.com

To Readers of the Blind Californian,

I am a graduate student at Cal State University, Dominguez Hills. I have been a part of the Learning Ally College Success Program mentorship for over two years. This organization paired me with a mentor, James Boehm. James and I have talked over the phone for the duration of our course work. At the end of each year we talked about what we will be doing during the summer. One of the things that caught my attention was his foundation, “You Cane Give Initiative.”

Mr. Boehm told me he was “going to Kenya to distribute some canes to blind citizens.” I was excited he was willing to spend time giving back to what is so freely given to us in the United States. Here we can easily obtain a white cane for the blind. During our conversations I told him I am a member of the Glendale-Burbank Area chapter of the California Council of the Blind (CCB). I said I would like to inform them about his cause.

Therefore, I am writing to bring attention of blind people in another country. They do not have our benefits and need our help. They do not have the means to obtain a cane and need our support.

I am asking our blind community to join the cause by assisting the You Cane Give Initiative by giving back to our community, the blind community, no matter how far away.

My heartfelt request to you is that you look deep into your hearts and give back to what is so freely given to us. Please donate your used, broken or disregarded cane (s). They can be fixed and used for a greater cause.

For more information on the You Cane Give Initiative, please access youcanegive.org. Please send donated canes to:

You Cane Give Initiative c/o James Boehm 7303 Althorp Way Nashville, TN 37211

Canes can be sent free of charge. The package must be open for Postal inspection. In the upper right corner where postage normally goes please print:

FREE MATTER FOR THE BLIND OR HANDICAPPED

For more information on sending free matter through the United States Postal system, access about.usps.com/publications/pub347/pub347_v03_revision_102015.htm

CCB Board minutes Summaries

February through June 2019

President Judy Wilkinson opened the meeting and Ardis Bazyn called the role. Rob Turner was absent, and 19 guests were present. A motion was approved to accept the January executive session minutes. The preliminary 2018 treasurer’s report was accepted. A motion was approved for the president and treasurer to alert the Board of the current status of the CCB insurance policies within twenty-four hours.

Gabe Griffith and Jeff Thom shared some ideas the proposed by the Phoenix Committee. The committee developed a volunteer packet and resource guide. They discussed the possibility of moving away from an office set-up. The committee’s unanimous consensus was on keeping the focus on the key mission of CCB. A dues increase was discussed. A fall remote auction is planned. A motion was approved to accept the Phoenix Committee report.

A notice was given for the California Energy Upgrade grant to be cancelled in liew of the PG&E bankruptcy. It may be reinstated, but we don’t know yet. Jeff gave a Governmental Affairs update on bills and a resolution coming forward. Jeff asked participants to attend the conference and convention to celebrate CCB’s 85th anniversary.

A motion passed for all expenses over $50 to be approved by Judy or Lisa. Paul Shane compiled a grant kit for CCB.

March 14, 2019, Approved April 11

President Wilkinson called the meeting to order and called the roll. Ardis Bazyn, Sarah Harris, and Sharlene Ornelas were absent, and 24 guests were present. A motion was approved to accept the February, 2018 minutes. A motion was approved to accept the December, 2018 minutes.

Judy discussed the Energy Upgrade California grant. We will be getting funding.

We’re still needing some chapter rosters. The Board is working on an updated CCB brochure. Judy also mentioned subleasing the CCB office space, the ACB leadership meetings and a CCB auction.

The latest Blind Californian is on the website. The CCB credentials form is also online. A motion was approved to accept the Treasurer’s report.

Some concerns were expressed about a second year in Fresno for the conference and convention: the higher room cost, only nine months between conventions, and the cost of a convention when we have limited funds. There would be no cost for not signing this contract. A motion was approved to rescind the previous approval to sign a contract for a 2020 convention with the Fresno Double tree hotel.

There was a lengthy discussion on the concept of holding a 1-day convention in multiple locations. Concerns included how special interest affiliates would be able to fulfill their constitutional requirements for meetings, the social aspect and accommodations for anyone needing to travel. Some convention committees would need to meet in advance. Exhibits, awards and lunches/dinners would have to be handled differently. A motion was approved to accept the concept of a one-day state-wide convention in multiple locations and that the date and locations be submitted to the Board for approval no later than the June Board meeting.

A motion was approved to request the Newel Perry Trustees to pay in three installments the remaining money in the trust down to the corpus to meet staffing and other ongoing expenses. As part of this agreement, the Board will forward monthly treasurers reports to the trustees.

Vivian Younger announced the membership focus call on “positivity in CCB” on April 10. We have two e-books on our web site, one for seniors and one on tax savings. We have had one chapter so far donate to help scholarship winners attend the convention. There will be a call for award nominees and Board candidates mentioned in this week’s Happenings. The California Colossals will be walking again this year at the ACB convention.

The meeting adjourned.

April 11, 2019, Approved June 6

Judy called the meeting to order and roll call was taken. Ardis, Lisa and Paul were absent. Twenty-four members of the public were present at the beginning of the call.

A motion was approved to accept the March Board meeting minutes. Judy stated the landlord approved CCB subleasing part of the office so this should occur soon. Nicole has certified CCB membership with ACB. Our current membership number is under 600.

Greater Lakewood CCB chapter asked to be taken off the list of chapters. Several chapters have not submitted a list of members this year.

Volunteers will start answering phones on a part-time basis starting May 1. The EUC grant is moving forward. CCB will have braille and large print materials available at the convention.

Judy mentioned the need for more candidates for Board and officer positions. Ardis, Karen and Vivian are not running this year. A motion passed for the candidates’ forum to take place on June 2. The candidates’ statements are due April 26.

Judy announced the current sponsor list for the convention: Vanda for $5000, Sprint and Cruise automation for $3000, and RBG associates for $1000. Energy Upgrade CA will cover the cost of the programs. Announcements are complete and will be on the website soon. Printing is being done in house and they will be sent shortly.

The convention program is pretty much set. An Elvis impersonator will perform at the banquet. CCB is more than halfway with the needed room reservations. Jeff urged folks to make reservations.

After some concerns were expressed, Judy will appoint a subcommittee to discuss a membership privacy policy to recommend to the Board. Christie Crespin reminded participants of the May 15 deadline for scholarship applications. Karen Shrawder said the membership focus call was very positive. She will provide notes and Rob Turner will provide a link to the recording.

Judy reminded attendees of the credentials report deadline on May 6. She also said the first meeting of the CCB Auction Committee will be April 15.

The meeting adjourned.

May 9, 2019, Approved June 6

Judy opened the meeting and called the roll. Ardis and Paul Patche JR were absent, and 29 guests were present. Judy mentioned that she and Steve Mendelssohn attended a meeting about MediCal accessible formats. Mediation will continue, but CCB entered into a legal action with Disability Right California (DRC). The department wants to tackle giving formatted documents to IHHS recipients first.

James Collins has taken Duane Pool’s place working on the EUC grant. He’ll be at convention. Judy also mentioned that the executive committee met with the Newel Perry Foundation Board chair. Mitch Pomerantz asked for a budget and also if CCB could get by with less than the full almost $80,000 left before the corpus. CCB will finalize a budget before the donation is made.

Nicole will be gone for a week later in May, but she’ll respond to messages about registrations when she returns. People can register online. Volunteers are handling the phones while Nicole is gone. Linda was the first to test answering the phone remotely.

Copies of the preliminary budget were sent to the Board. Expenses are listed as $170,274 and the revenue is placed at $193,427. This leaves a net of $23,153. The revenue includes $40,000 from the Newell Perry Trust. CCB office expenses are 22 percent of the budget and staff is 47 percent of the budget. Income also includes $10,500 from rent and utilities paid by a renter.

Lisa is projecting a $18,000 net for the convention. She went over a possible 2020 budget as well. It was felt perhaps an eighteen month budget might work better. She said if the office lease was terminated and office staff changed to part-time, the budget would drastically change for the positive. A motion was approved to accept the preliminary budget and treasurer’s report.

Jeff gave a convention update. CCB is finalizing the program and asks for all info to be sent in by Monday. Members were urged to make reservations in the next two weeks since the room count is not what is needed to be to eliminate the $2800 meeting room expense. Jeff mentioned next year’s convention will be a one day convention held simultaneously in three places. It will be on May 2. Locations have not been confirmed yet. Voting will take place at the three locations and a Zoom meeting will take place so those not attending can listen to proceedings, but cannot vote.

Gabe will hold a phone bylaws meeting on May 21. The audio version is on the phone and online versions are also available.

Judy appointed a work group to recommend a policy regarding the handling of member’s information. She appointed Ardis, Steve M., and Vita Zavoli. The work group will be meeting soon.

Olivia asked who was in charge of the devotional service at the convention. Jeff said no one had volunteered yet so Olivia said she would handle it. Gail Crossan volunteered to assist her.

The meeting adjourned to executive session. A motion passed to authorize the President to expend funds for advertising the lease of office space. Legal matters were also discussed.

June 6, 2019, Approved August 9

When Judy opened the meeting and Ardis called the roll, all board members were present. After Judy read the proposed agenda, a motion was passed to accept it as read. A motion passed to accept the April 11 minutes. A motion to accept the May 9 executive meeting minutes. A motion passed to authorize the President to expend funds for advertising the lease of the office space.

Judy thanked those who worked on the CCB program. She said several CCB members answered phones while Nicole was gone. Judy said CCB was using Net Lupe to advertise the office. CCB did have one person who checked the office space for rent.

She said soon CCB would be able to sell the treadmill. There will be two versions to demonstrate – a manual version and an automated version.

Lisa reported the June 30 total cash on hand was $19,571. A motion passed to accept the treasurer’s report.

Lisa read the proposed budget. The total expenses projected for 2019 are $181,039. The total revenue projected for 2019 is $203,120. If expenses and revenue are as projected, the net income would be $22,081. A motion passed to accept the budget and finance committee proposed budget. CCB will only request money as needed from the Newell Perry Trust fund.

The Membership Policy working group recommended the following policy:

“Each chapter or affiliate shall include in its bylaws an official policy statement governing the sharing of members’ contact information with other CCB members. The policy should make clear that the chapter or affiliate is required to share roster and contact information with CCB, but that the chapter or affiliate is otherwise free, subject only to legal requirements if any, to adopt whatever policy it chooses for responding to requests for member contact information.”

A motion was approved to accept the policy.

The proposed 1 day convention will take place on May 2, 2020 in several linked locations. The total number of persons needed for a quorum is 50 plus one third of the affiliate and chapter delegates. Special interest affiliates meetings may be held at their choice of locations or by conference call. Gabe will be the link between the convention committee and special interest groups. {See below.}

Judy outlined the case on MediCal giving specialized formats. DRC, DRA and DREDF are working on legal action and mediation. Airbnb has agreed to report on monitoring how they accept those with guide dogs and mobility issues. CCB is working with RBGG (Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld, LLP) on this issue. Michael Nunoz is working on the restaurant kiosk problem.

Gabe and Linda Porelle will give chapters and affiliate leaders a liaison Board member. Frank Welte, Credentials chair, will check the last several years of convention reports and send them to the Membership Committee. Judy may appoint a task force to check into this as well.

Gabe thanked Jake and Sammy for helping with audio set-up along with Gabe and Dave Jackson.

Judy thanked Board members retiring June 30: Ardis as secretary, and directors Karen and Vivian. She appreciates their continuing committee work. Linda said the BC is available online, in email, and audio on Newsline.

The meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM.

Executive Session June 27, 2019

When Judy opened the meeting and Ardis called the roll, Sharlene and Karen were absent. The new board members were present. A motion was passed for CCB to start mediation or structured negotiation to resolve the issue with the State Parks website. Discussion included making a recommendation for testers with screen readers, enlargement software, iPhone and android for usability and accessibility. The motion passed.

A motion was approved to hold the 2020 annual convention from June 3-6 at the Doubletree in Fresno. Since no proposal for a sublease was received by July 1, a motion was passed for the the president to enter into negotiation for a lease modification. The executive session ended at 8:27 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Ardis Bazyn, CCB Secretary California Council of the Blind

California Council of the Blind Officers and Directors as of July 1, 2019

Officers

President: Judy Wilkinson (2018-2020, 2nd term), San Leandro, 510-388-5079 C, judy.wilkinson@ccbnet.org

1st Vice President: Gabe Griffith (2018-2020, 1st term), Concord, 925-768-8195 C, gabe.griffith@ccbnet.org

2nd Vice President: Sarah Harris (2019-2021, 1st term), Fresno, 559-816-1507 C, Sarah.harris@ccbnet.org

Secretary: Linda Porelle (2019-2021, 1st term), San Francisco, 415-577-8437 C, linda.porelle@ccbnet.org

Treasurer: Lisa Presley-Thomas (2018-2020, 1st term), Fresno, 559-250-6760 c, Lisa.thomas@ccbnet.org

Immediate Past President: Jeff Thom (2016-), Sacramento, 916-9953967c, jeff.thom@ccbnet.org

Directors

Steve Bauer (2019-2021, 1st term), Los Angeles, 310-738-2853 C, steve.bauer@ccbnet.org

Christy Crespin (2019-2021, 1st term), Highland, 909-800-7189 C, Christy.crespin@ccbnet.org

Nelly Emerson (2019-2021, 1st term), Santa Maria, 951-237-2960 C, nelly.emerson@ccbnet.org

Pamela Metz (2019-2021, 3rd term), Chatsworth, 818-882-3610 h, pamela.metz@ccbnet.org

Sharlene Ornelas (2018-2020, 2nd term), Oceanside, 619-339-6043 c, sharlene.ornelas@ccbnet.org

Paul Patche, Jr (2018-2020, 3rd term), Sacramento, 916-662-0861 c, paul.patche@ccbnet.org

Rob Turner (2018-2020, 2nd term), Sunnyvale, 408-203-9300 c, rob.turner@ccbnet.org

Penny Valdovinos (2019-2021, 1st term), Bakersfield, 661-378-8282 C, penny.valdovinos@ccbnet.org

Frank Welte (2018-2020, 1st term), San Leandro, 510-541-1442 c, frank.welte@ccbnet.org

Publications Committee

Linda Porelle, Chair San Francisco 415-577-8437 cell linda.porelle@ccbnet.org

Mike Keithley, Editor Mountain View 650-386-6286 home mike.keithley@ccbnet.org

Susan Glass, Associate Editor

Gabe Griffith Sarah Harris Lynne Nishihara Roger Petersen Bonnie Rennie

Donations

If you or a friend would like to remember the California Council of the Blind in your Will, you can do so by employing the following language:

“I give, devise, and bequeath unto the California Council of the Blind, a nonprofit charitable organization in California, the sum of $____ (or ____) to be used for its worthy purposes on behalf of blind persons.”

If your wishes are more complex, you may have your attorney communicate with the Executive Office for other suggested forms. Thank you.

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015