Insight: The Voice of
The American Council of the Blind of New York, Inc.
Summer 2011
President, Pratik Patel
email: President@acbny.org
Insight is available on cassette, e-mail or via the ACBNY website at www.acbny.org. If you wish to change your subscription, please let the Newsletter Editor know by sending an e-mail to editor@acbny.org; or call 800-522-3303.
The American Council of the Blind of New York is the largest consumer advocacy and support organization for blind and visually impaired persons in the state of New York. If you’d like to become a member, you can fill out a membership application on our website at www.acbny.org, or call 800-522-3303.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Editor’s Message by Satauna Howery
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING ACBNY EVENTS
THE ACBNY 2011 CONVENTION IS COMING UP! YOU’LL BE THERE, RIGHT? by Mike Godino
DINNER IN THE DARK by Nancy Murray
AN MJ SCHMIDT AWARD WINNER’S LEGISLATIVE WEEKEND EXPERIENCE by Rich Laine
KEEP ON CHUGGING: MY LEGISLATIVE WEEKEND ADVENTURE by Joan Lee
LOVE NOTES: THE VIEW FROM DOWN HERE by Puddles
NEWS FROM THE WESTERN FRONTIER by Ann Parsons
HAPPENINGS ON LONG ISLAND by Jenny Hwang
NEWS FROM THE CAPITAL DISTRICT by Frank Casey
RECIPES: SUMMER SALADS by Audrey Schading
by Satauna Howery
I could write a lengthy missive about something or other, but it’s summer! There is so much going on. Still, I hope you’ll take some time to read through a packed newsletter. There is info on the upcoming convention in Utica, three perspectives on last April’s Legislative Weekend, news from three of our state’s chapters and an article about the upcoming Dinner in the Dark event in Albany. Plus, check out the premiere of Audrey Schading’s recipe column! She’s featuring summer salads. I’ve only tried one of the two recipes so far and it was fabulous!
Thanks to Jean Mann and Joan Lee for donating enough cassettes to keep our cassette edition thriving! If you’ve got old tapes laying around, send a note to editor@acbny.org and let me know! They don’t have to be blank. They don’t have to be in cases. They can be shipped Free Matter. Really! Don’t you want to get them out of your living space?
Stay cool, everyone, and I hope to see all of you at the convention in September!
The following calendar lists the dates of upcoming ACBNY events. If your chapter is hosting a function you’d like others to know about, such as a fundraiser or workshop, send the info to editor@acbny.org for inclusion in the next newsletter. Please note the deadlines for submission listed below.
Sept. 16 – Sept. 18 ACBNY 2011 convention in Utica
October 1 Dinner In the Dark, the Capital District Chapter in Albany
October 1 Deadline for Insight fall issue newsletter submissions
November 1 Insight fall issue will appear in your inbox or mailbox
by Mike Godino
Greetings from the desk of the 2011 convention chair. The board and I agreed that I would get something into this newsletter as it would be the only opportunity to promote the convention in a public forum outside of our website. Up to now, the convention planning has been moving along rather slowly; however, it’s now time to kick the planning into high gear and make a convention for the members of the American Council of the Blind of New York.
The 2011 ACBNY convention is being hosted by the state organization. The board has decided to convene in the city of Utica at the Utica Holiday Inn. The address is 1777 Burrstone Road, New Hartford, NY 13413. The dates of the 2011 convention are Friday, September 16 through Sunday, September 18. All registration will be completed via electronic communications or by telephone. The electronic method will be made available on the ACBNY web page or by e mail. If you choose to register by phone, Mike Golfo will be taking calls when the registration becomes available.
Currently the convention committee is in discussions with the ACBNY President with regards to preconvention leadership training. Vendors will be in the exhibit area starting at noon on Friday, September 16. That evening, the Board of Directors will be hosting a reception for the employees of the Central Association for the Blind. Tickets will be available upon registration.
On Saturday, September 17, we are planning the annual business meeting followed by an afternoon of speakers. We will conclude Saturday evening with our annual banquet, with presentations of awards to be followed by ACBNY hospitality. The convention will conclude on Sunday, September 18, with the annual post-convention Board of Directors meeting.
Attendees should note this is an overview of the general convention activities and not a full convention agenda. The committee is working on a tour for Friday morning, breakfasts for Saturday and Sunday and plated lunch with speaker for Saturday, all of which will be available in the registration form.
We are busy planning and look forward to your attendance. The 2011 ACBNY convention looks like it’s going to be a good one and all of you should do your diligence to be present. I will be in attendance and looking for all of you! Please look for the registration materials to be on the ACBNY website at www.acbny.org by July 23rd. Remember, the return time will be short so register early and guarantee your room and event tickets before the cutoff. Those who register early and reserve their rooms through ACBNY will not be required to pay tax on their room.
Thanks for registering early; I look forward to seeing you at convention on September 16th through the 18th.
by Nancy Murray
On Saturday, October 1st, the Capital District chapter of ACBNY will be hosting our second "Dinner In The Dark" event. While this is a fundraiser for our chapter, the primary focus of the event is to create awareness. Sighted attendees experience what it might be like being visually impaired as they eat a meal in the dark.
Upon entering, the lights will be on so the guests can be seated. We will give pointers as to how to locate things on the table once the lights are turned off. The salad will be served. Once the salad plates are collected the lights will be turned off. The main course will be eaten in the dark, with the only light coming from the glow sticks carried by the wait staff while serving the meal.
Before desert and coffee are served, the lights will be turned on. The guests are then asked if they would like to share their experiences.
Dinner In the Dark will take place on Saturday, October 1, at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, 3 Watervliet Avenue Extension, in Albany. The cost is $50 per person, and the event will begin at 6:30 PM. For further information or to make a reservation, contact Kathy Casey at 518-462-9487, or e-mail her at KCasey03@nycap.rr.com or Nancy Murray Phone (518) 452-3500 or email at: nmurray02@earthlink.net .
by Rich Laine
I suppose for me, unfortunately no youngster, and the experience of winning a first-timers award is a bit surprising. After all, at 61 years of age, there aren't too many things I've always hoped to do that are left undone. There's always sky diving, or deep sea scuba diving, or Grand Prix auto racing... But I've never been brave enough for those things anyway, either when I was sighted or now in my nearly blind state. Winning an award is high speed enough for me.
Besides, far from the risky adventures that we all imagine we might try one day, I admit that being newly blind, the activities of daily living--and especially traveling long distances to unfamiliar places--are still at times unnerving. Attending the legislative weekend in Albany was more than an opportunity to become more familiar with ACBNY and to lobby our state representatives. For me, it was also a test of my traveling skills and acumen. The dread of the unknown unsettled me: The thought of a trip by train to Albany, and of finding one's way upon arrival at the Rensselaer train station; the anxiety around successfully navigating the hotel; and finally, my uncertainty as to how I would be able to trek purposefully around the corridors of the Legislative Office Building. All of these considerations posed new challenges to me. This was to be my own personal adventure - a minor one for most of my ACB colleagues; I'm sure, but a hurdle for me.
Adventure is not the point of the MJ Schmidt award. No, such an award is satisfying because it denotes some recognized merit, some achievements completed that denote future promise; a call from the organization to lend one's skills to the benefit of its members and its mission. For me, the MJ Schmidt award is especially gratifying because it is made by an organization which in a very short time I have come to respect and which has already provided me with a large amount of personal guidance. I've been significantly visually impaired for over 30 years but truly blind for only the past four. The world of disabilities and of the blind is new. For many years, even when legally blind, I passed in my professional world and in society at large as sighted. Few people realized I had a visual impairment, and I was virtually independent in all aspects of daily living. Only recently have I come to fully appreciate the hurdles and discrimination that blind people must overcome each day to maintain their independence while striving to accomplish their aspirations.
All of the imagined obstacles to a successful legislative weekend melted away with ease, except for a 20-minute period on Sunday, in which I couldn't find the entrance to the room where the afternoon programs were being held. A drag, since it meant I missed a large portion of the extremely interesting talk by Dr. Grace Ambrose-Zakan on the history of orientation and mobility and the importance of licensure. I did catch all of the remaining two presentations: Dr. Bernadette Caplin's recounting of the threatened defunding of the New York State schools for the blind, and Cliff Perez's presentation on how to write a legislative bill. Earlier that day, I had enjoyed Mike Godino's excellent review of the legislative issues on the ACBNY agenda. The previous day, I had sat in on my first full ACBNY Board meeting. As important as the educational and informational programs were, I also had the valuable opportunity to network with members from other New York state chapters. I learned quickly that a more dedicated and knowledgeable group would be hard to find.
Even Monday's visit to the Legislative Office Building turned out to be rewarding and--I hope--influential. Accompanied at various times by Audrey Schading, Meghan Schoeffling and John Jeavons, I received excellent hands-on instruction on how to approach our legislative representatives with tact yet insistence. I visited three legislative offices, and in each case felt we had registered a positive impact.
As I headed homeward on Amtrak that final afternoon, I had the satisfaction of knowing that the trip had been successful. I had discovered a stimulating group of new colleagues, many of whom have faced greater challenges in life than me; and--call me corny--are an inspiration to people like me who are unexpectedly facing the often frustrating trials of blindness. I have found in ACBNY not just an advocacy group, but a group of individuals who have the capacity to accomplish whatever they set their minds to. One might call that optimism. One might call that determination. Despite the lack of danger, I call it courage.
by Joan Lee
Getting there is part of the excitement of being the Rep at Legislative weekend. "Yes honey," I said to my husband, "All I need is a knapsack on my back, a carry all on my right arm and of course, on my left, by my side always, my guide dog, Iggy."
Iggy and I set out for a long weekend, traveling up to Albany from East Rockaway, New York via railroad. While we waited in the Amtrak area designated for those who need boarding assistance, I met a man with a white cane. I asked if he was going my way. "No," he said, "I'm going to Mass in Mass". He clarified that he was heading to Massachusetts and was indeed a blind Priest who had never had a consistent Parish. He works as an "itinerant Father", traveling all over the world to advise, inspire and share his religion. To be a traveling Priest with no home base is quite a challenge. To be a blind Priest traveling independently throughout the world for forty years with just a white cane and a great spirit is an amazing inspiration. He even took the time to bless me before we parted ways and went on our very different, but equally important journeys. Talk about Blind Faith! No one really knows the outcome of our pursuits; but when we believe in something worthwhile, we continue to move forward. And just like the train we stepped onto, we keep on chugging.
This year's Legislative Weekend was kind of like a double header. We had not one, but two legislative days at the capital building. On Monday, I spoke with Assemblymen and Senators on behalf of ACBNY. On Tuesday, I joined NYVRA on another lobby event to try to get the bill passed that ensures O&M and VRT professional licensure by the state of New York. This is an issue that I have been involved with since 2002. Despite talking with our representatives, joining forces with other advocacy and professional groups and continued support from the politicians involved, it is still not a law.
Regardless of the outcome, there were many positive points worth noting. For me, leaving the comfort zone of my familiar surroundings and "doing something proactive" was very worthwhile. Being with others who have similar interests and are willing to work toward common goals keeps me motivated to go on. As I welcome my fellow baby boomers to the world of vision loss, I feel motivated to stay involved in the licensure issue. From a personal perspective, as a lifelong visually impaired individual, I know the rocky road ahead. Quality mobility instruction and vision rehabilitation services need to be a priority in New York state. We must continue to work on the issues, regardless of the snail's pace at which change seems to occur.
So, my friends, please get involved and join us in 2012 for the opportunity to meet new people, reunite with old friends, and GET IT DONE.
by Puddles
dear first mommie,
hi! i miss you sooo much! new mommie is so nice to me, but you were first and best!
me and new mommie do so many fun things together. this week we went to something she called hotel with lots of other new mommies and new daddies and their guides like me. they had a pool there, but we weren’t allowed to swim in it. that’s too bad cuz i really like to swim.
oh, squirrel outside! no, wait, trainer said leave it to squirrels.
so at hotel we did lots of fun stuff. i got to sniff all kinds of new smells there. we were at something new mommie called leg weekend. sure, there were lots of legs there what with lots of new mommies and new daddies and all their guides, but i don’t get why they call it leg weekend. new mommie said it was so we could learn about how to talk to leg-islators and what to say to them. i still don’t know what leg-islators is. hmmm, maybe that’s why they call it leg weekend.
it was lots like last time we went to hotel, but they called that prezzy dent’s meeting. there were lots of legs there, too. i wonder what prezzy dent is. i wonder how he got dented. lots of people got up and talked about something they called “the atees and nine tees”. i guess they were a long time ago in my before time so they don’t really mean anything to me. most other guides felt the same way. lots of new mommies and new daddies seemed very bored when these atees and nine tees came up. woof to that! i wonder if these atees and nine tees are in their beforetimes, too.
some nice friendly lady talked about service animals and dogs and said we were going to be the only real service animals starting very soon. i guess there won’t be any more comfort cats now. what could be comforting about cats, anyway? that’s ok with me cuz i have to leave it cats just like squirrels, too. she said there could still be some service horses because of something she called reasonable modifications to policies, but there are only few of them anyway so i don’t have to worry about running into them. i probably have to leave it horses, too. we did have fun sniffing and finding our way around hotel full of atees there, just like at leg weekend.
so back to leg weekend. lots of people got up at leg weekend
thing and talked
a lot about all sorts of stuff. there were no trains to ride or curbs to stop
at and i couldn’t swim in pool so i didn’t pay it all any mind. they said it
was bored meeting and i can see why. i know i was bored. i kept busy
staying. staying can be very hard. i can keep busy staying for long time.
new mommy says i am very good staying. the bored members acted like it was
very important, though. at least they didn’t talk about atees or nine tees.
squirrel again! i know, i know leave it.
after that we took something they called shuttle. It sounds like what people ride into space, but we didn’t go to space,where ever space is. it looked like bus to me. we went to some place called new york capital instead. i wonder where old york capital is? what is capital, anyway? new york capital is really really big and all inside. every place you go looks like every other place. all inside. there isn’t any place to go outside for breaks unless you walk and walk and walk for long time. i love to walk, but when i gotta go it’s hard to keep from wiggling around. i wish they would let us out through all those doors we had to pass. maybe next time. no squirrels in there so it’s easy to work cuz i don’t have to worry about them. i didn’t see any cats, either. or horses. me and new mommie had fun riding train home after bored meeting and sniffing all those legs. i hope we do it again soon!
i really really really miss you! and like you always said to me, i wuv oo!
wags and kisses,
puddles
RACB, Rochester American Council of the Blind, is a small but vigorous chapter. We've had a productive year being involved in advocacy, fundraising and some unique plans for the future, as well as fellowship at our monthly dinner meetings.
During the fall and the late winter, RACB worked with Sue Cohen of Dominion Voting Systems on evaluating and improving Dominion's Ballot Marking Device (BMD). We took part in an extensive testing session at our October meeting where many of our members made recommendations for improvements to the manner in which the audio instructions are delivered and the functioning of the device. By the beginning of March, Ms. Cohen returned and asked us to evaluate the changes to the machine. She informed us that Dominion was preparing to have the improved machine recertified so that it can be used in New York State.
In mid April, RACB held its second annual brunch. This brunch brought in a thousand dollars. We look forward to next year's event which promises to be even bigger. In addition to our brunch, the funds from our chocolate sale add to our fundraising efforts.
Finally, RACB members have been gravely concerned about the braille literacy of young people. We feel that offering tutoring or remedial help to those students in the area who are studying Braille is a worthwhile project. This idea is in the initial stages, and we are confident that RACB will begin to act within the next year to provide students who are learning braille with the opportunity to work with mentors who use braille on a daily basis.
RACB is on the Western Frontier. We're awake and alive and appreciate sharing our successes with everyone!
by Jenny Hwang
At our June meeting, a budget was voted on and approved by all the members for the upcoming fiscal year. We also elected new officers. They are as follows:
President: Edward Molloy
Vice President: Marie Chiques
Treasurer: Mike Godino
Secretary: Lori Scharff
Board Members: Judy Wieber and Evelyn Larson
Good luck to all continuing and newly elected officials! We appreciate your valued service throughout your terms.
The departing officers gave their final reports. All members appreciated the current officers’ dedication and hard work to grow the organization. Special thanks to Former President John Jeavons for his many years of hard work and dedication to the Long island chapter.
In other news, LICB members are looking forward to our July picnic with great anticipation. We will be at Margie Post Park this year, which is a new location for us. The park promises its own place for barbecuing. In most years, we’ve had a great turnout for this event, however last year the extreme heat contributed to fewer members attending. This year, there will be a gazebo where everybody can sit comfortably in the shade!
In October, LICB will have another garage sale where we hope to bring in at least $1,500. Our PR committee will also be creating a press kit and brochures to be used at upcoming fall events, and to help us inform and educate the public about the blind community. Through outreach, education, and advocacy, LICB hopes to be more widely known on Long island, and to reach out to people in Suffolk and Nassau Counties.
by Frank Casey
The Capital District Chapter of the American Council Of The Blind continues its rich dedication to advocacy for the blind community. After participating in ACBNY's annual legislative weekend, some of our members, along with a good showing from our ACBNY neighbors around the state, lobbied in Albany's Legislative Office Building. One day later, on April 5th, our chapter had a good turnout at NYVRA's (New York Vision Rehabilitation Association) lobby day, which was also held at the Capital Building. ACBNY and NYVRA did a good job of driving home the point concerning the importance of licensure.
On May 16th, members of our chapter manned a table at New York State's annual Assembly Disabilities Awareness Day.
Occasionally, we do like to take a short break to have a little fun and relaxation. Bill and Nancy Murray will host our annual summer picnic at their home on July 23rd.
Then it's back to work in the fall. We've invited our ACBNY President, Pratik Patel, to join us at our September 9th business meeting. He'll give us an update concerning ACBNY's current status and future plans. Later in the fall, we'll be hearing about an effort by the Independent Living Center Of The Hudson Valley. They're assisting local police agencies with training police officers to better work with persons with disabilities.
On October 1st, we'll be hosting our second annual "Dinner In The Dark" event at the Ramada Plaza in Albany. (Editor's note: See the Dinner In the Dark article in this newsletter issue for more details.)
Finally, on a personal note, please allow me to sincerely thank my ACBNY family for the tremendous support you've afforded Kathy and me in my fight against pancreatic cancer. I am still undergoing treatments and am hoping for the best. While I will not be able to attend our ACB National conference in Reno, it is my goal to attend our annual ACBNY convention in Utica. So, as the words to that great oldie lament, "See you in September!"
by Audrey Schading
During an informal brainstorming at our last legislative weekend, Satauna and I came up with the idea of a recipe column for our newsletter. When she asked me if I would do the column, I thought it would be fun!
Many thanks to Rich Laine and Rene Latorre for sending in the following delicious summer salads. Enjoy!!
Rice Salad
Submitted by Rich Laine
This is a delicious salad for lunch or dinner on those hot summer days.
Ingredients:
2 or 3 hardboiled eggs, chopped
1 14-ounce can of red kidney beans, rinsed thoroughly
2 stalks celery, sliced into ½ inch pieces
1 green or red pepper, chopped into bite-sized pieces
¼ cup chopped pickles
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 pint-sized container of grape tomatoes
½ cup fresh chopped parsley (optional)
Salt & pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil (or corn oil)
1 tablespoon vinegar (or lemon juice)
¼ cup pickle juice (optional)
1 cup rice, cooked before mixing with the rest of the salad
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients except oil, vinegar, and tomatoes.
2. Add oil and toss gently. Add vinegar and tomatoes then mix gently.
3. Add cooked rice. Add pickle juice if desired. Mix everything gently but thoroughly.
4. Chill for at least one hour before serving. Serves 8.
Variations:
1. Substitute zucchini for green pepper, or use both.
2. Add 1 cup of ham or turkey, or both, cut into bite-sized pieces.
3. Substitute relish for pickles.
4. Blueberry Salad
5. Submitted by Rene Latorre
Rene's family's favorite!
Ingredients:
1 can (15 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
1 can (21 oz) Comstock blueberry pie filling
2 small boxes (3 oz each) blackberry Jell-o
Topping:
1 8oz package cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
Prepare Jell-o as directed using 2 cups hot water to both packages of the gelatin. Stir until Jell-o is completely dissolved. Don't add the cold water (or ice) as directed on the package. Instead add the pineapple and blueberry pie filling. Stir all ingredients in a large bowl and pour into a 13" X 9" X 2" glass pan. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
Topping: In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese and sugar together on high speed with a hand mixer. Slowly add sour cream and vanilla. Beat until smooth. When the gelatin is firm, spread topping over gelatin.
The cream cheese topping makes this recipe!
Articles published in “Insight: The Voice of ACBNY” 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 distribution of such articles in any other than a specialized format, is an infringement of copyright.