* The below online The White Cane Bulletin includes a Table of Contents with live links leading to the start of each article. You may choose to use those links or read down the whole publication. You may also choose to download the following formats:
MS Word small print with live Table of Contents links
MS Word large print with live Table of Contents links
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The White Cane Bulletin May - June 2024
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:salbenjamin60@gmail.com.
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: salbenjamin60@gmail.com.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
President’s Message by Sheila Young
FCB 71st State Convention
FCB Officer Candidate for President by Mikey Wiseman
FCB Officer Candidate for First Vice President by Cassandra Jessie
FCB Officer Candidate for First Vice President by Janeen Flanigan
FCB Officer Candidate for Second Vice President by Shelley Sawyer
FCB Officer Candidate for Treasurer by Mark Lear
FCB Officer Candidate for Membership Secretary by Sally Benjamin
Book Corner Submitted by: Leslie Spoone
Jottings From Jacksonville By Paul Edwards
May-June 2024 GOCB Update
Recipe Corner
Tech Tips - by John Richards; for the Technology Committee
Poetry Corner Submitted by: Shelley Sawyer
FCB OFFICERS, 2020 – 2022
2022-2024 FCB Chapter & Special Affiliate Officer Liaisons
Handy Telephone Number References
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President’s Message by Sheila Young
Dear FCB members,
As we move toward our annual state convention, and I term out as your president, I find myself reflecting on the last six years, and our organization’s accomplishments during this time. I am proud to share with you some of the highlights of our yearly achievements.
For all six years, we had several chapters that participated in educating the public on the White Cane and Guide Dog Safety Day, and Blind Americans Equality Day, in spite of the challenges we experienced with the pandemic.
In 2018, we had representation at the ACB national convention in St. Louis, and three FCB members served on the national board. We participated in testing for the Accessible currency that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was working on, had representation at the meeting for the Florida Agencies Serving the Blind presenting a resolution on accessible voting machines and senior population issues, and participated in the Festival of Families in Orlando.
In 2019, our executive board members traveled and visited chapters and members across Florida. We had representation at the legislative and leadership seminar in Washington D.C. and had our state convention which featured two talking book narrators as speakers, and AIRA offered services to our members who attended. We also had representation at the ACB convention, and Dan Spoone ran for and was elected president. FCB was integral in finalizing an agreement with Charter supporting low vision and blind customers. We had representation at the Low Vision Expo that year as well, and I retired from my day job!
In 2020, we appointed a new editor for the White Cane Bulletin, we were the first state affiliate to hold a virtual state convention due to the pandemic, and we aired an FCB advertisement on ACB radio. We had representation at the virtual ACB convention and placed first in the Brenda Dillon Memorial Walk during the national convention. FCB won a lawsuit that allowed an accessible vote by mail pilot program in five counties of Florida, starting in November 2020. We also began monthly FCB virtual chats for members to connect and network. Our mid-year board meeting was virtual and in -person, our first hybrid meeting.
In 2021, we had representation at the first virtual leadership seminar sponsored by ACB. We were the first state to hold a hybrid state convention, and ongoing community calls amid the pandemic. We also had representation at the ACB convention, which was fully virtual, and Dan Spoone was re-elected as president and Cachet Wells was elected to the Board of Publications. The White Cane Bulletin won a Board of Publications award and Stasha Boyd won the award for audio description from ACB. We formed our FCB Member at Large chapter as well.
In 2022, we participated in the virtual and in-person leadership seminar sponsored by ACB, and our state convention and elections were a hybrid model with virtual and in-person options. The convention had a record number of first timers and streamed the sessions on ACB media with the help of a dedicated team. We were represented at the first hybrid ACB convention in Omaha where three FCB members (Gabriel Lopez-Kafati, Cachet Wells, and Rachel Shroeder) were elected to the ACB board and Board of Publications, and Anthony Corona won an award for his White Cane Bulletin article.
In 2023, our state convention was a hybrid model with virtual and in-person options, and we celebrated 70 years of this organization advocating for the blind. We also had representation at the virtual and in-person legislative and leadership seminar in Washington D.C., and the ACB national convention. Our fund-raising committee initiated the Chapter Revenue plan, and we had our last in-person mid-year meeting, making the decision for mid-year board meetings to be held virtually moving forward.
And lastly this year, in 2024, we will be hosting the national conference and convention of the American Council of the Blind in Jacksonville in July. We have hired a new web administrator to maintain our organizational website. FCB sent a group of representatives, including some new members, to the leadership seminar in Washington D.C. Additionally, in collaboration with other organizations and agencies, FCB members traveled to Tallahassee to distribute information to legislators about the resources and needs of the blind and low vision community in Florida. And our state convention is in May in Jacksonville this year. We will be holding elections and have diverse and interesting sessions for our members.
I am very proud of this organization and all that we have accomplished in my six years as president of FCB. I did not do any of this alone, it is with the passion, creativity, motivation and support of our members, our chapters, our leaders and in particular the Executive Committee consisting of Mikey Wiseman, Cassandra Jessie, Mary Tyson, Mark Lear, Sally Benjamin and Jim Kracht and our administrative assistant Kati Lear, that have tirelessly worked by my side and with each of you to create a safe and welcoming environment and have been integral in all we have accomplished.
Thank you for trusting me and giving me the opportunity to serve you for these last many years, I am forever humbled to have been elected by you, and forever grateful for this experience and the relationships we have developed.
Humbly,
Sheila Young
***
FCB 71st State Convention
by Kati Lear
May is FCB state convention month and it’s almost here. Our convention dates are Thursday, May 16 through noon on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Our convention hotel is the Southbank Riverwalk Hotel at 1515 Prudential Drive in Jacksonville. I trust that your hotel reservations are already made and that you are giving thought to packing your bags.
I hope that you have registered for the convention. You can attend virtually on Zoom or in the meeting rooms of the hotel. Online registration closes on Thursday, May 9 at 11:59 PM. Your mail in registration forms must also be postmarked on that date. You can register at the door for $35 via check or cash. To read the convention program or register online, go to www.fcb.org and select Convention from the Menu. If you need assistance registering, please call me.
On Friday and Saturday, there will be interesting workshops for you to attend. We will also have an exhibit hall which will be open on Friday and Saturday as well. Our evening activities include a pizza party at the hotel on Thursday evening where you can test your skill playing with an audible dart board. On Friday evening is the Awards and Scholarships Banquet and on Saturday evening is the FCB banquet with a keynote speaker and live auction items for bidding. Note that there will be a cash bar available for these three evening activities and you must pay cash for your beverages. No credit cards can be accepted.
The Convention Committee is looking forward to seeing everyone at the hotel and on the Zoom platform. We will all learn together and enjoy socializing. If you have questions or concerns, please call me at
386-763-3836. See you at the Southbank Riverwalk Hotel.
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FCB Officer Candidate for President by Mikey Wiseman
Looking forward while standing on the shoulders of Giants
by Mikey Wiseman
As we approach our upcoming annual state convention, we must recognize that the winds of change are blowing. It has been six years since we as members of the Florida Council Of The Blind have been approaching the ever familiar crossroads of officer elections. It is my personal belief that the forward-looking momentum of FCB is significantly affected by the past. As I contemplate my own worthiness to run for President of the Florida Council of the Blind, I cannot help thinking about FCB and my involvement in the organization. It's not just the past six years of my term as Vice President that I am considering, but the many years that the Florida Council of the Blind and its members have provided a place for me to grow as an individual. FCB has also been a place where I could find information resources and camaraderie.
It is my personal belief that my involvement at many different levels with and in the Florida Council of the Blind have helped me grow from a fledgling angry 20 something year-old adjusting to blindness to a now 45-year-old quasi-well-adjusted man who is blind. This experience has given me the skills and the willingness to lead the Florida Council of the Blind as President. While I do not pretend or expect to know everything, I am proud of the network of past and future leaders and members who I have used and will continue to use as a sounding board to gauge the necessary direction for future growth in the many important arteries that we utilize to continue the betterment of lives within the blindness and low vision community throughout the state of Florida and nationwide.
Now that my lengthy preamble has been written and you have had a peek behind the curtain of who I am, it is with the greatest expectation of camaraderie and readiness to serve that I announce my candidacy for the office of President of the Florida Council of the Blind. I kindly thank you all for reading this and for your consideration and support of my candidacy.
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FCB Officer Candidate for First Vice President by Cassandra Jessie
My name is Cassandra Jessie, and I currently serve as FCB’s Second Vice President. I am running for FCB’s First Vice President and I would like to tell you about my qualifications and experiences.
I am currently the President of the Halifax Council of the Blind in Daytona Beach. I am active in the community and have held several offices in the Halifax Council of the Blind, including 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents; and I have served on the following committees: Bylaws, Fundraising, as well as the White Cane Committee.
I currently Serve as an alternate on our Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board, as well as the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee. I hold an office on the Quality Assurance Committee and the Grievance Committee for riders needing mediation with paratransit. I am also the chair of the board of directors for Disability Solutions which is a Local Provider in Daytona Beach, FL.
Prior to moving to Daytona Beach, I held the office of 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents of the Tallahassee Council of the Blind. I served three years as president of ACCESS; an organization for disabled students at Florida State University. The role of ACCESS is to ensure accessibility for disabled students on the FSU campus.
For the past six years I have served as your Second Vice President of the Florida Council of the Blind. For the last few years in this position I have worked with the First Vice president, who is the hotel Coordinator, as well as collaborated with the President and fellow Board members to ensure that everyone is taking care of. I have also worked hard at insuring that everyone who attends the Convention or Board meeting never has to wait for long for any type of assistance.
I received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and a Minor in “Independent Living” from Florida State University in 2009. Additionally, I received an Associate of Arts Degree from St. John’s River Community College in St. Augustine, Florida in 2004. I am currently employed with the State of Florida’s Division of Blind Services where I hold the title of Senior Rehabilitation Specialist. In this position, I am the case Manager for all the students that are attending the Career, Technology, and Training Center. In this role, I partner with all the district counselors around the state to ensure that their consumers are receiving the necessary training to maintain a job or to prepare for college.
Additionally, I oversee the Consumers that express to become Independent or have lost their Sight later in life. I have collaborated with persons with disabilities for almost 30 years in various capacities, including Camp Counselor for the Florida Lions Camp and Senior Residential Instructor at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind. I have also worked as an Administrative Assistant for the Division of Blind Services, Teacher Aid for Leon County Schools, and as a Training Instructor for Leon County ARC program where I collaborated with people with various degrees of Disabilities to ensure that they were ready for work every day and could maintain their apartments.
I participate in my local church. My interests include recreational reading, horseback riding, listening to music, spending time with family, and advocating for people with disabilities.
In closing, I would appreciate your consideration for nomination for Florida Council of the Blind’s First Vice President. I will provide you with service and dedication to this office. It would be a pleasure to serve the visually impaired people of this state to collaborate about political, educational, social, and economic changes and raise awareness of accessibility issues.
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FCB Officer Candidate for First Vice President by Janeen Flanigan
Hey y'all!!
I'm Janeen Lea, and I would love your vote to be your first vice president of the Florida Council of the Blind, hereafter referred to as FCB. I have leadership experiences that y'all might not know about, and I like to lead with laughter and love. I have helped plan board game conventions throughout the United States, the most recent one being Escape Winter 2024 during Valentine's week. Also, in ACB Next Generation, I implemented a welcome wagon for new members and was the lead on Next Gen's first ever auction. I also was a member of the Orlando Fringe IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility) Committee, and helped to bring audio description to live theater. I helped build CALM (Chapter of At-Large Members) and currently serve as secretary. I created an email list for members only of CALM to engage. I want to take my experiences to help FCB to become a place of support and learning for our members. I feel that I can bring a much needed energy to the board. I also have the ability to put myself in the shoes of others, so I can help the board make the FCB experience the best for our membership. I also want to work with our Activities Committee to find ways to engage members that will foster friendship and growth.
I know in the past there has been some resistance to change and a tendency to move at a snail's pace. I'd like to encourage our affiliate to be more progressive and proactive with being the example of good leadership as well as continuing to be the first to try new things.
Thank you for your consideration; now go vote Janeen Lea for VP.
Smiles are free; give one away today.
XOXO Janeen
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FCB Officer Candidate for Second Vice President by Shelley Sawyer
Dear FCB Members and Friends:
My name is Shelley Sawyer. Many of you know me, but for those who do not, I currently live in Tallahassee. I am employed parttime as a medical transcriptionist. I am hereby announcing my intention to run for the office of 2nd vice president of FCB at this year’s State Convention in May.
I am a member of the Tallahassee Council of the Blind, (TCB). I have also previously been a member of Greater Orlando Council of the Blind, (GOCB). I have been a member of FCB since approximately 2000. During that time, I have held officer positions in my affiliate chapters with the exception of treasurer. I am currently 1st vice president of TCB.
I am currently the recording secretary for the Florida School for the Blind Alumni and have held this position for many years. My interests and hobbies include: attending church services, reading, listening to music, streaming TV shows and taking walks in my neighborhood.
I am well aware that our organization faces many challenges, as do most organizations these days. However, I am also aware that we have much room for growth, as well as members with tuns of talent. It is my true belief that if we all work together to grow the organization, and if we all work together and assist one another, we can and will grow and we can and will reach the goals we set for ourselves and our organization. I would welcome the opportunity to be a part of our Board of Directors and to work with them and our membership to face our challenges, reach our goals and realize the hopes and dreams we have for our organization. It is our; and as with everything we have that we treasure, it requires work and maintenance.
I would greatly appreciate your support and your vote at the FCB State Convention this year. Thank you for your time and patience in reading this, and thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Shelley Sawyer
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FCB Officer Candidate for Treasurer by Mark Lear
My name is Mark Lear. I am interested in serving as the Treasurer of the Florida Council of the Blind for another term. I have been FCB’s treasurer for the past six years and would like to continue serving you.
I have served as the treasurer for other local organizations. Currently I am the treasurer of the Daytona Beach Blind Bowlers and I have held this office since 1990. In December I stepped down from the office of Treasurer of the Halifax Council of the Blind where I served as Treasurer since 2008.
I have been married to my wife, the FCB executive assistant, Kati, for 42 years. We enjoy taking vacations together, and we are making plans to attend both FCB and ACB conventions in Jacksonville. My recreational interests include spending time on my computer looking up information, walking, bowling, swimming, listening to music, reading books and watching TV.
I would like to be your treasurer for another term. If elected, I will continue to perform the duties of this office to the best of my ability. If you have any questions, please contact me by phone at (386) 788-0463 or by email at learm52@icloud.com.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
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FCB Officer Candidate for Membership Secretary by Sally Benjamin
I want to let you know that I am running for Membership Secretary once again. I know it is a job but I do enjoy it, especially when all chapters get it all in on time and correct. I have learned a lot about people during this time and it has made me a better person.
My Contact Information is: salbenjamin60@gmail.com or 850-980-0205
I would appreciate your vote in May for Membership secretary!
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Book Corner Submitted by: Leslie Spoone
Hello FCB Family,
My niece, Jessica Laughlin has illustrated and designed all of the states in this book. This book would make a great gift for yourself or grand kids to learn about the states and what they offer. There are facts about each state and a place to remember your favorite things that you did in that state while you visited. Here is the link to the book https://www.amazon.com/50-States-Bucket-List-Ultimate/dp/0760388490
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Jottings From Jacksonville By Paul Edwards
Rehab and Other Training
It is ironic and perhaps a little disheartening that what prompted the creation of the beginnings of vocational rehabilitation was war. After the first world war and even more significantly after the second one, huge numbers of servicemen were returning to the states with permanent disabilities. The rudimentary rehab that began in the 1920s was nothing like what we have today! The first lighthouse in Florida was opened in 1926 or so in Miami and was supported entirely by private charity. The Lions Clubs were most responsible for the creation and expansion of specialized services for people who are blind in Florida as in so many other states. Helen Keller first came to Florida in 1929. She made an impassioned pitch for services to the blind and for blindness prevention and a bill was passed and signed which created an agency in Florida. Then came the Great Depression and, like so many other things, expectations proved illusory and by 1935 the bill that created services for people who were blind was repealed. Helen Keller came to Florida again in 1940 and, as a result of that visit, white cane laws and a state agency interested in serving the blind were created. Interestingly that entity was called the Florida Council which later led to some confusion about who bequests were for, us in FCB or the state agency. The first Director of the organization was R. Henry P. Johnson for whom an FCB award is named. The organization operated out of Tampa and was much like the commission that the NFB has for so long championed. It was as much concerned with blindness prevention as it was with delivering services to people who were blind. Very little money was allocated and the expectations for people who were blind were quite low. It is likely that our award came to be not only because Mr. Johnson was the first leader of services for people who are blind but also because he died in office in 1945. It is significant that, according to statistics presented at the second meeting of the Florida Council, Florida had the highest proportion of people with vision loss as a state. This was because there had been no serious attempt to deliver services or, more significantly, to prevent blindness. Two other elements of significance emerged early in the Council's history. Almost from the start the Council began working with the 1936 Federal legislation that set up the Randolph-Sheppard program for the creation and operation of vending stands. The very first stand to open in Florida was at the post office in Pensacola and, as far as I know, it is still operating. Second, the Council was granted virtually complete autonomy in terms of how it set up its programs. They had to be approved by the state Welfare Board but that organization was quite content to let the Council leaders do their thing.
It has become usual to condemn the blind workshop program but, whether we like it or not, it was a major part of our rehabilitation past. Schools for the Blind took workshops for granted and expected some, if not most of their students to work in one. Florida did not see the workshop movement develop as widely as it did in other states like Mississippi but there were several. Miami, Jacksonville and Tampa all had their workshops. The Javvitts Wagner Oday Act created a Federal system under which room was made for workshops and contracts could be procured by them to produce products bought by the Federal government. There is no question that some work shops took advantage of workers with disabilities but we should not forget that they represented a place where folks could go and do work they felt was useful and could earn a little money as well. There were periods in Florida's history where jobs were hard to find for everybody whether disabled or not. Workshops in my view fulfilled an important role in creating positive options for people who were blind that would not have existed without them.
I will have more to say about the blindness movement's origins in another article but it's important to recognize that the formation of the National Federation of the Blind in 1940 made a huge difference in the lives and employment of people who are blind. For the first time people who were blind began to see themselves through their own eyes rather than through the lenses of family, and agencies. Blind people went from being willing accepters of services as they were to folks who saw themselves as having value and the ability to choose who they wanted to become. It is worth noting in passing that the Council set up an advisory committee of people who were blind as early as 1952. It is also worth noting that during the late 50s the Council and the Florida Federation of the Blind were at odds with each other over events in Arkansas. Before that there was some question as to whether the Council would block the Federation's attempts to raise funds.
Most of the characteristics of modern rehabilitation and training evolved after the Second World War. Orientation and mobility emerged as a separate discipline. The profession of rehab teaching became a common spot to put competent blind people. Rehabilitation counseling developed a set of rules and values that would eventually make the profession what it is today. Eventually Florida became a state where the Division of Blind Services replaced the Florida Council and where the agency was moved to the Department of Education. Soon after the death of R. Henry P. Johnson in 1945 Robert Barnett took over in the top spot at the Council. He was blind and extremely capable. In fact, it is possible that he was over-qualified for the job. In 1949 he left Florida to become Executive Director of the American Foundation for the Blind.
There had been charitable entities serving blind folks in Florida since 1926 when the Miami Lighthouse was opened by Dolly Gamble. (There are some sources that claim the Lighthouse did not actually open till 1929.) While a few other "lighthouses" opened up notably in Tampa, West Palm Beach and Pinellas, until the 1980s most of the adjustment to blindness training was done either at the Rehabilitation Center for the Blind or by rehab teachers. These folks worked out of DBS offices and went to the homes of people losing their vision to help them learn the skills they needed to be able to function independently. A little mobility, a little low vision, some communication but, mostly, a lot of encouragement from one blind person to another. Most of the rehab teachers were blind or visually impaired and eventually Florida State University instituted a program to train rehab teachers.
Very early in the history of services to people who are blind in Florida the idea of a rehab center became central to their plans. Initially property was leased in Holly Hill which is in the Daytona Beach area but in 1946 the "Welch" properties became targeted for acquisition. These properties had been operated by the armed services in Daytona and eventually the Council was able to acquire forty-six acres and the buildings there. No money changed hands. The properties had to be used for training people who are blind but that has never been a problem. These properties became the site of the Rehab Center, the Talking Book Library, the DBS office and the Millard Conklin Center.
It is to the credit of the Council that it early recognized that it had a responsibility to provide services to the black population of Florida as well. by 1943 Jodi Jackson, a blind, black lady who used a guide dog, was hired and provided rehab teaching as she put it, "from Pensacola to the Florida Keys". While talking book library services have been available in Florida since 1936, the talking book library in Georgia distributed books until 1950 when the library in Daytona Beach was opened. Braille books were distributed from Georgia till 1974. Now our library is among the largest in the country.
After Robert Barnett left the next major figure to lead the Council was Harry Simmons. While he has a good reputation for expanding services, he found himself at the center of controversy all through the 60s and eventually was forced to step down in 1963 to be replaced by Murdoch Martin. The supervision of the Council went from the Welfare Board to the Governor's office in 1961; Murdoch Martin moved headquarters to Tallahassee in 1964 so and, by 1969, based on a decade for conflict and disagreement the Council went away.
In 1969 the Bureau of Blind Services was created as part of the Vocational Rehabilitation program in the department of Health and Rehabilitation Services. An advisory council of five persons was all that was left of independence. The early 70s were a period of transition and dissension and it was probably fortunate that Murdoch Martin was replaced as Bureau Chief in 1974 by Donald H. Wedewer. In 1976 Blind Services was moved to the Department of Education and in 1977 became the Division of Blind Services. I don't think there is a lot of question that the most effective and innovative director of the Division of Blind Services was Don Wedewer. He was blinded during World War Two and also lost a leg then. He had a gruff voice, a brusque tone and an attitude that wouldn't let legislators say no to him. He also had a vision of what service delivery should look like and set out to make it happen. He believed that a system that depended on individual rehab teachers throughout the state was just not going to cut it. More and more people were moving to Florida; they were living longer and, as a result, more and more of them were losing vision. He saw that the relatively small number of lighthouses constituted the beginnings of a network of agencies that he believed could provide local services more efficiently than the Division of Blind Services could. He encouraged the formation of groups in various areas that could utilize leftover Federal dollars or DBS dollars from their bequests fund or state dollars allocated for specific purposes by the legislature.
Today people who are blind in 66 counties of Florida receive adjustment to blindness training from 25 separate local agencies.
Today nearly 4,000 people a year are being served by the Division of Blind Services or the 25 agencies and well over seven hundred blind folks are closed each year as working! Florida has been fortunate to retain a separate agency serving people who are blind. In many states visually impaired folks are served by agencies that serve other disabilities as well. People who are blind require specialized training if we are to be successful and FCB believes those services are better administered by a separate agency. Florida is fortunate to have a separate agency and lots of local rehabilitation programs. It is also fortunate to have consumer organizations which continue to demand that all programs serving people who are blind encourage dialogue with us and demand that all service providers offer only the very best programs they can!
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May-June 2024 GOCB Update
by Martha James
GOCB had a Dine and Donate on March 11, at Tijuana Flats.
April 13 will be another trivia night. It will be at the VFW. There will be one free drink and a silent auction. It promises to be a fun night, with Asli Goncer performing.
May will be the state convention in Jacksonville. This year both the state and national conventions will be in Jacksonville.
On June 1 we will hold our annual awards and scholarship luncheon. It will be at Red Lobster from 11:00 to 2:00.
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Recipe Corner
Submitted by: Sheila Young
Dreamsicle Jell-O Salad
2 3 ounce instant vanilla pudding
1 3-ounce package orange Jell-O
1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 22 ounce can mandarin oranges with juice
1 16-ounce container Cool Whip
Combine the pudding, Jell-O and boiling water and dissolve completely
Add the mandarin oranges with juice
Fold in the Cool Whip
Refrigerate until ready to serve
***
Tech Tips - by John Richards; for the Technology Committee
What is a virtual private network? Why do we need one?
A virtual private network (VPN) is a service that creates a secure and encrypted connection between your device and the Internet. It works by tunneling your data traffic through a remote server operated by the VPN provider. This makes your online activity private and hides your IP address. For example, If you should find yourself having to use an open public network such as those available to guests in hotels, your personal data would be unprotected and open to Internet thieves. Owning a subscription to a VPN would be highly beneficial.
Hackers around the world are constantly searching for a way to get hold of your personal data such as usernames and passwords to bank accounts, credit card sites and any available facts that will allow them to gain access to your personal information.
Below is a link to vpnmentor; you can read for yourself their suggestions for some of the best VPN services for 2024. Although, these are not the only VPN services available to you, This will aid you in seeking out a plan that will work for you.
https://www.vpnmentor.com/in-usa-best-vpn/?keyword=Virtual%20Private%20N...
***
Poetry Corner Submitted by: Shelley Sawyer
Greetings Dear Reader:
I chose a poem by Emily Dickinson this time for no particular reason, other than I’ve wanted to submit a poem by her for quite some time. I had to make a quick choice for this issue, and this one just kind of popped out at me. I am not familiar with this one, having never read it before. Enjoy.
Success Is Counted Sweetest
By Emily Dickinson
Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne'er succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.
Not one of all the purple Host
Who took the Flag today
Can tell the definition
So clear of victory
As he defeated – dying –
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Burst agonized and clear
***
FCB OFFICERS, 2020 – 2022
President, Sheila Young
2304 Amherst Ave., Orlando, FL 32804
sheilayoung125@att.net (407) 425-9200
1st Vice-President, Mikey Wiseman
591 E. 15th St., Hialeah, FL 33010
wisemanmikey@gmail.com (305) 331-4870
2nd Vice President, Cassandra Jessie
408 White St., Daytona Beach, FL 32114
cassandrajessie@gmail.com (850) 980-0177
Treasurer, Mark Lear
P.O. BOX 214235
DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32121-4215 learm52@icloud.com (386) 788-0463
Membership Secretary, Sally Benjamin
1009 Concord Road, Apt. 116, Tallahassee, FL 32308
Salbenjamin60@gmail.com (850) 980-0205
Recording Secretary, Mary Tyson
291 Eddie Ave., Holly Hill, FL 32117
mtyson541@bellsouth.net (386) 212-9496
Immediate Past President, James Kracht
9901 SW 138th Street, Miami, FL 33176
jameskkracht@gmail.com (305) 251-6983 or (407) 378-3477
Editor of White Cane Bulletin, Sally Benjamin
1009 Concord Road, Apt. 116, Tallahassee, FL 32308
Salbenjamin60@gmail.com (850) 980-0205
FCB Administrative Assistant, Kati Lear
(800) 267-4448
(386) 763-3836
floridacouncil@comcast.net
***
2022-2024 FCB 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) Sheila Young
sheilayoung125@att.net
(407) 425-9200
Greater Orlando Council of the Blind: Mark Lear
learm52@icloud.com
(386) 788-0463
Halifax Council of the Blind: Sheila Young
sheilayoung125@att.net
(407) 425-9200
Jacksonville Council of the Blind: Cassandra Jessie
cassandrajessie@gmail.com
(850) 567-4288
Manatee County Council of the Blind: Sally Benjamin
Salbenjamin60@gmail.com
(850) 980-0205
Miami Beach Council of the Blind: Mikey Wiseman
wisemanmikey@gmail.com
(305) 331-4870
Miami Metro Council of the Blind: Mikey Wiseman
wisemanmikey@gmail.com
(305) 331-4870
Northwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Council of the Blind: Mikey Wiseman
wisemanmikey@gmail.com
(305) 331-4870
Palm Beach Council of the Blind: Sally Benjamin
Salbenjamin60@gmail.com
(850) 980-0205
Pinellas Council of the Blind: Sheila Young
sheilayoung125@att.net
(407) 425-9200
Sarasota Council of the Blind: Mary Tyson
mtyson541@bellsouth.net
(386) 212-9496
Southwest Florida Council of the Blind: Mikey Wiseman
wisemanmikey@gmail.com
(305) 331-4870
Tallahassee Council of the Blind: Sheila Young
sheilayoung125@att.net
(407) 425-9200
Tampa Council of the Blind
cassandrajessie@gmail.com
(850) 567-4288
Braille Revival League of Florida: Mary Tyson
mtyson541@bellsouth.net
(386) 212-9496
Coalition for the Concerns of the Totally Blind: Mark Lear
learm52@icloud.com
(386) 788-0463
Florida Council of Citizens with Low Vision: Cassandra Jessie
cassandrajessie@gmail.com
(850) 567-4288
Guide Dog Users of Florida: Mary Tyson
mtyson541@bellsouth.net
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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)