The PCB Advocate

Published by the

Pennsylvania

Council of the

Blind

Summer Edition 2008

The PCB ADVOCATE is a quarterly news publication of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind. It is available in large print, braille, cassette, disk, and by email.

Please send change of address and other matters to the PCB office, 931 N Front St., Harrisburg, PA. 17102, or call 717-920-9999, or 1-877-617-7407. FAX 717-920-9988. Email address: pcb1@paonline.com Web site: pcb1.org

June M Horst, Editor

John A Horst, Ass't Editor

Send articles to: ADVOCATE, PCB Office, 931 N Front St., Harrisburg, PA. 17102. Email pcb1@paonline.com Articles can also be sent directly to the Editor at: jjkhor95@epix.net

MISSION

To promote independence and opportunities for people with vision impairments.

VISION

To continue to be recognized as the leading advocacy organization for people with vision impairments in Pennsylvania. The aim of all of our efforts is to encourage and assist people in achieving their potential as valued members of society. PCB assistance, advocacy, and encouragement will be carried out in such areas as, but not limited to, all aspects of accessibility, transportation, education, and employment.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Articles in this publication reflect the views of the individual writers. They do not necessarily represent the views and policy of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind.

CONTRIBUTIONS: Contributions are tax deductible, and are always much needed. They can be sent to Anthony Evancic, Treasurer, at the PCB office address, at 931 N Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17102.

If you wish to remember a relative or friend by sharing in the Council's work, the PCB office will acknowledge contributions made by loved ones in memory of deceased persons. Anyone wishing to remember the PA Council of the Blind in his/her Last Will and Testament, may do so by including a paragraph for this purpose. If your wishes are complex, you may contact the PCB office.

SUBMITTING ARTICLES: If you wish to submit articles for consideration in the ADVOCATE, please do so. Deadlines for submission are:

March 1 June 1

September 1 December 1

You may send them in any format, either to the PCB office, or email them to: jjkhor95@epix.net. Your input is always welcome.

From the Editors: This Summer issue of the ADVOCATE updates the activities, functions, and critical concerns of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind. Major contributions to this issue have been made by committee chairs and chapter presidents, keeping in mind the due date for articles. We would like to hear from more chapter members as to what you are doing and what the issues are that you discuss at your meetings. Are you using the PCB Reports' tapes? Do you hear them broadcast on your local radio reading service? Do you know the day and time of these broadcasts?

The submission date for articles for the Fall edition of the ADVOCATE is September 1, 2008.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

President's Report 7

From the Director's Desk 9

Committee Reports:

Employment 12

Fundraising 16

Governmental Affairs 21

Long Range Planning 21

Low Vision 23

Membership 26

Nominating 27

Publicity 28

Transportation 30

Chapter News:

Carl Shoemaker 33

Clearfield-Jefferson County 34

Golden Triangle 36

Lancaster Red Rose 38

Lehigh Valley 39

Monroe County 41

Oil Valley 43

Philadelphia Regional 44

2008 Regional Meetings

Central Region 45

Southeastern 47

Southwestern 52

Northwestern 53

Northeastern 53

State News:

PCB Reports for June 61

An Invitation to Empowerment 62

Audible Darts of Pittsburgh 72

BBVS Office in Pittsburgh Moving 74

Voter Identification at Polls 74

National News:

Personnel Note 75

Additional Legislative Issues 77

Accessible Communication & Video

Accessibility Act 79

ACB Convention News 81

Major League Baseball Press Notes 82

Protections for Air Travel for Persons

With Disabilities 83

Board of Directors 86 Chapter Presidents 86

Membership Application 87

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

George Holliday, President

PCB Chapter President's Meeting: On Tuesday, May 27, 2008, the chapter presidents of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind, along with John Horst, Executive Director, and I met via conference call to begin a series of meetings to network and brainstorm about pertinent issues and challenges being worked on in our state chapters. Our meetings offer a forum to assist and support your chapter presidents as they work with you in resolving those issues which impede chapter development and growth. It is very possible one chapter has dealt with a situation in the past successfully. There is no need for a chapter to try to recreate the wheel.

I requested that the monthly chapter minutes be sent to the state office and to me. There are a number of great ideas being worked on within chapters which could be used by other chapters. In most cases, minutes are being taken monthly and distributed to members electronically, by cassette, and in large print. I stressed the importance of all chapter members being kept informed of all activities. As we all know, chapter meetings don't get 100% attendance.

Every member of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind is an advocate! For that reason, I urge all chapter presidents and our members to talk up the importance of continuing our advocacy efforts by putting articles in the ADVOCATE newsletter about your chapter. The ADVOCATE is one of the best newsletters in the country that speaks to blindness issues. Get familiar with important advocacy issues in your communities, and compile your individual contact information for local, state, and national politicians. By having this contact information, you will be ready to contact any individual politician on a moment's notice. I encourage all chapter members to subscribe to the low-traffic PCB-L email list to keep more informed of state and national issues.

It was pointed out that most chapters have had a decline in membership. Because of HIPA, it is increasingly difficult to get agencies, organizations and physicians to share information about people who could benefit from joining PCB and becoming more informed. This will be addressed more at the Membership and the next chapter president's committee meetings.

As you can see, the chapter presidents are starting to network together more. This is an important step for the increasing of membership locally and statewide, working in numbers on advocacy issues, fundraising, and getting the name of your chapter and the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind known more with our neighbors and friends. They will be meeting again in July after the National Convention. To all members, keep up the good work and continue to lend support to your chapter president. If you ever want to discuss any issue, feel free to contact me. Phone: 215-748-3556. Email: george.holliday1@verizon.net

FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK

John A Horst, Executive Director

Right now, the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind is dealing with a number of issues that are of vital interest to people who are blind and/or visually impaired. This issue of the ADVOCATE reports on these issues, so we hope you will keep reading and stay tuned.

ACB and PCB received more publicity during the month of May, due to the accessible money issue. Many of us were contacted by the media, which resulted in quite a few interviews across the state: reported on television, radio interviews, and write-ups in local newspapers. There were also national reports. One thing is certain--ACB and its state affiliates are making their mark on civil rights issues that concern blind people!

At this point, by the end of May, four of the five scheduled regionals have taken place. I, along with the Editor of this magazine were able to attend three, and we are looking forward to the one in Oil Valley on June 13. These were all great regionals as you will see reported in this edition of the ADVOCATE. If you did not attend the one in your area, it was your loss. Our congratulations and thanks to the chapters who planned and hosted these meetings.

Our next great opportunity to be challenged and learn more is the ACB National Convention, to take place July 5 to 12 in Louisville, KY, and our own PCB convention starts October 31 to November 2 in Johnstown, PA. All PCB members should have received ACB's convention packet of registration materials. If you did not, call the ACB national office at 800-424-8666 and request one. The PCB convention is described in detail in this ADVOCATE.

PCB is coordinating with the "Friends of the Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped" and the National Federation of the Blind of PA in a campaign to secure more state funding for these libraries. While the Library of Congress provides the books and magazines in alternate format and the US Postal Service covers the delivery costs (Free Matter for the Blind), the state provides funds for operation of these libraries. There has been no increase in this state funding for the past seven years. May and June are state budget time, and we are working to have this increase for our valuable two libraries included in this year's budget. On June 2, about 50 people representing the three groups mentioned, spent the day dealing with this issue by visiting state legislators at the Capitol in Harrisburg. The response was positive and we are hoping for success. Our "thanks" to the 20 PCB members who came to join action on Capitol Hill.

Enjoy reading this edition of the ADVOCATE, and as always, if you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, be free to call or write the office.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE

Carla Hayes, Chair

For the past 9 years, the National Statler Center for careers in hospitality service has been training people who are blind or visually impaired and those with various other disabilities to work in the hospitality and customer service industries. 80% of their students have found successful employment. Now, the Statler Center announces a new training program called STEP. Many companies need good entry-level workers for their customer contact centers, and they want to hire people with disabilities. M and T Bank has developed a course with Statler to train people with visual and physical disabilities in telephone banking. Training topics include: Business Math, Oral, written, and telephone communications; computers and technology, and company specific information. Statler is developing training for other companies and expects to announce new training opportunities soon. For more information, contact Mary Ellen Nest at 716-882-5690, Ext. 232, or mnest@statlercenter.org

You can also visit them on the web at www.statlercenter.org

jobenable.com is a web site where employers

may post jobs for people who are disabled and disabled job seekers may search for employment. Job seekers are able to post resumes, search the database of job openings, and apply for jobs. For more information, visit www.jobenable.com

For those of you who are attending the ACB National Convention, there will be plenty of opportunities to learn about employment issues. If you are interested in self-employment, come and browse the IVIE Business Expo on Tuesday, July 8 from 4-7 PM, where blind and visually impaired business owners will showcase their products and services, and answer your questions. You may also want to attend the IVIE Entrepreneurs' Cyber School and Lunch on Wednesday, July 9 at 12:30 PM, where you can learn about internet marketing techniques and access technology products which will help you to start and grow your business. That same afternoon at 1:30 PM, there is an Employment Committee Seminar. Part 1. "Make Your Dream Job a Reality," focuses on strategies to help you land a job. Immediately following this program at 2:45 will be Part 2. "Working from Home as a Professional," which is co-sponsored by NABS and IVIE. You may also want to attend the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) breakfast and program on Tuesday at 7:00 AM. Finally, be sure to allow plenty of time to visit the Exhibit Hall and don't forget to bring several copies of your resume to the convention. For more details about the convention, visit www.acb.org

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is pleased to announce exciting improvements to the Ticket to Work Program. These changes were published in the National Register on May 20, 2008, and will go into effect on July 21, 2008. All disability beneficiaries ages 18 through 64 are now eligible to receive Tickets. Under the previous regulations, any beneficiary categorized as "medical improvement expected" was not eligible to receive a Ticket until a medical Continuing Disability Review (CDR) was conducted and his/her continuing eligibility for disability benefits was determined. Employment Networks (ENS) can now earn Milestone payments earlier, more often and at higher rates. For the first time, SSA can pay Milestone payments to ENS when beneficiaries have earnings consistent with part-time work; Milestone payments will be based on gross earnings, encouraging the use of various beneficial work incentives. Total payments available on behalf of beneficiaries under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSI) programs are now almost equal. Payments to ENS State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies can now be paid for, providing sequential services for the same beneficiary. Check out all the new regulations at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-10879.pdf

Hire Disability Solutions has partnered with a number of banking and finance companies to help place people in jobs, such as Administrative Assistant, Bilingual Customer Service Telephone Agent, Collector, Credit Specialist, Customer Service Representative, Clerical, Data Entry, Executive and Administrative Assistant, and Staff Accountant. Job descriptions and instructions for how to register are at: http://www.esight.org/view.cfm?x=2002

Career Connect is teaming up with the National Industries for the Blind to create NIB Career Net, an easy to use web site designed to match job seekers with jobs at one of the 80-plus associated agencies of NIB across the United States. Visitors to the site are able to search for jobs by category or job listing. The site also uses the Careerconnect Resume Builder and offers a streamlined process for job seekers to submit their resumes to employers. Visit www.afb.org/careerconnect/careernet.asp

FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE

Thomas Reid, Chair

Putting the "Live" in live auction:

This year's PCB Fundraising team is holding a live auction at the state convention. That's right, live! Like the well-known auction houses, such as Christie's, you will have the opportunity to bid on the items you want to purchase.

Now, this is where we need your assistance in making this auction another success. We are asking members, friends, chapters, businesses, vendors, and organizations to donate items for the auction.

We are looking for: gift certificates which can be used throughout the state, descriptive videos, DVD's, music, CD's, gift cheer baskets, assistive technology (including hardware and software), radios, and more.

If you are not sure that your item is appropriate, contact: Janet Facemyer at 610-647-3365. Her email address is: efacem@comcast.netmailto:efacem@comcast.net

Support the PCB Used Media Sale:

Do you have music CD's that you haven't listened to in five years? Have you mastered the accessible computer game you purchased two years ago? Is there a movie video that you have already watched a dozen times? Are you finished with those audio books you received during the holidays? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, perhaps you will consider donating these used items to PCB for its Used Media sale. You could also ask your friends and family members if they have any of these items to donate.

So, grab one of those empty boxes and toss in all of those unwanted media items. If you can, label each item in Braille so others will have an easier time reviewing the selection. Please be sure the media item is both complete and in working order. Send the package "Free Matter for the Blind" to the PCB office at 931 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA. 17102.

The Media sale will take place at the 2008 Statewide Conference and Convention in Johnstown in October 31-November 2. Additional details regarding the hours and specific location will be published in the FALL edition of the ADVOCATE. Volunteers are needed to man the table at the convention. If you would like to volunteer for this activity, or need additional information about the type of media we are collecting, please contact Sue Lichtenfels at 412-429-1727 or email susan@lichtenfels.us

Thank you for making this year's Used Media sale a great success.

Search, Shop, and Support:

The Fundraising committee has been hard at work trying to implement new creative ways to raise funds for PCB. We think we have found something with unlimited potential.

What if PCB earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you make online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!

GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations pile up!

While the numbers may seem insignificant (about 1 cent per search) if we can effectively get the word out, I am confident we can provide some funding for PCB without spending. If you have ever done searches online, it usually requires refining your criteria in order to pinpoint the sought-after result.

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores, including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, eBay, Macy's, and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop, and every time you place an order, you will be supporting PCB.

You can access this from the link titled "Shopping" off the GoodSearch page. To access either GoodSearch or GoodShop, visit http://pcb1.org/ and select the link labeled "Search." This will take you to the GoodSearch page where you can immediately begin using the site. You can also use the site by going directly to http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=874885 or http://goodsearch.com/ Look for the edit box reading "Enter your charity here." Enter Pennsylvania Council of the Blind. Hit "enter" on the button reading "Verify Button." Once you choose this option, and as long as your browser has cookies enabled, PCB will default as the chosen charity. Feel free to send the direct link or the instructions above to friends and family. And, of course, don't forget to add this to your "Favorites." Any questions, contact Tom Reid (information listed below).

The Fundraising committee thanks you in advance for your assistance and support.

Committee members:

Thomas Reid, Chair 570-421-2543

treid@ptd.net

Janet Facemyer 610-647-3365

EFACEM@COMCAST.NET

John Freiss 610-759-676

jmfreiss@verizon.net

Mike Gravitt 412-344-2313

mgravitt2@comcast.net

Bernard Joyce 724-495-7524

baj6090@hotmail.com

Sue Lichtenfels 412-429-1727

susan@lichtenfels.us

Caroline McFarlane 570-629-0034

luv2create4u@yahoo.com

Meg Miller 717-230-9331

megmiller@earthlink.net

Jeanette Schmoyer 610-797-5870

jmschmoyer@gmail.com

GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Rodger Simmons, Chair

Once again, this committee is very busy dealing with concerns about voting. Some material will be sent to chapters with information about this issue.

We have the following concerns: Are poll workers instructed in how to prepare the voting machine for us to use? Are they aware that we can use them? How informed are the blind and visually impaired about the ballots in their areas? What can the chapters do to solve these problems. By getting involved and dealing with these issues now is the only way to address them. Unfortunately, one of the biggest problems we may have is getting our members to vote!

LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE

Joe Wassermann, Chair

Some of the Long Range Planning committee have been hard at work during these past few months. We are making slow progress on a couple of fronts.

The Braille embosser is in place, secured from BVRS. Thanks go to Mike Zaken, who is on their Board of Directors.

The proposal is still under way to procure the necessary equipment for our convention streaming.

Progress is being made in terms of contacting colleges/universities in the area in order that we might encourage blind and vision impaired students to access whatever part of our Johnstown convention interests them. Hopefully, we can introduce a good group of new people to what PCB is all about, as well as making them acquainted with some of the agencies, activities, etc. of which they might avail themselves.

If all goes as planned, we will have an intern in the state office in September to assist with the work of PCB. The Publicity committee has definitely decided on a video to tell the story of PCB.

Efforts are still alive to study other investment

institutions. It is very easy to dream about long range goals. The realistic matter is that those goals MUST BE ATTAINABLE, given our particular circumstances. We'll keep on trying.

LOW VISION COMMITTEE

Ed Hersh & Ed Facemyer, Co-Chairs

Many of you may recall that a low vision breakout session was held at the 2005 Pennsylvania Council of the Blind (PCB) state convention, held in Pittsburgh. At the following year's state convention, held at the Brunswick Hotel in Lancaster, a low vision seminar took place on Friday afternoon, and a low vision specialist, named Jennifer Galbraith, gave a most informative presentation on Saturday morning as part of the convention program.

Since that convention, the Low Vision committee has been in a state of hibernation. That is until April 2^nd of this year, when the committee held its first meeting in almost two years. Just three days later at the PCB Board meeting on April 5^th, Tony Swartz, chair of the convention program committee, challenged our committee to come up with a presentation at this year's PCB convention, to be held from Friday, October 31^st through Sunday, November 2^nd in Johnstown, PA. The session we are preparing will be of interest to all. It will focus on adjusting our sights to look beyond vision loss and make the most of the resources available to keep us healthy in body, mind, and spirit.

During our second meeting which was held on May 14^th, we reviewed our previous accomplishments and discussed plans and goals for the future. However, the main topic was to plan the presentation which we are calling "Lower Vision, Higher View." You will undoubtedly hear more about this program from Tony as he and his committee continue the process of planning the convention agenda. One point we would like to make is that the bottom line is our committee in no way feels we are in competition with anyone who is totally blind. All of us, whether we are blind, low vision or fully sighted, are equal partners in the American Council of the Blind and its affiliates. In our organization, it is believed that it is respectable to be blind and equally respectable to be partially sighted.

Many ideas for future projects were considered during our first two meetings. We would like to share just one of them for now. During the breakout session previously mentioned, one of the things we did was to ask anyone present who was interested in the area of low vision to provide contact information, including the chapter to which they belong, so we could form a liaison with individual chapters. This approach would enable statewide interaction among chapters to share ideas and resources relating to low vision, as well as attract new members. Unfortunately, we did not follow through with that project. We see this endeavor as one of the most important goals as we begin a new journey in dealing with the many aspects of what some folks call low vision. You will hear more about details regarding opportunities for you to get involved.

In 2005, another major event occurred. The Delaware Valley Council of Citizens with Low Vision (DVCCLV), an affiliate of the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI), became a special interest affiliate of the PCB. Several of the members of this committee are members of DVCCLV, and we are excited about the possibility of collaborating with them on dealing with low vision issues.

We encourage suggestions, comments, and support from all who read this article. The members of the Low Vision committee are: Co-chairs Ed Hersh and Ed Facemyer, Sarita Holliday, Julie Chappell, Jerry Weinger, and Ross Wasielke. Contact the PCB office toll free at 877-617-7407 for information on how to contact members of the committee.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Jeanette Schmoyer, Chair

Our committee has been studying the ACB "Focus Group Report" on the use of publicity to recruit members. One of the items in the ACB report is the following paragraph:

"Visit senior centers, rehabilitation centers, centers for the blind and visually impaired, talking book centers, Independent living centers, doctors and medical centers, colleges and universities, churches, radio reading services, civic centers or organizations, and other appropriate organizations and agencies, and give seminars on low vision. Have a booth with your materials and products for them to read. Provide tables on White Cane Safety Day, Braille Literacy month or day, or at the same time as a low vision fair or health fair is being held. Participate in general disability fairs or legislative days at your state capitol."

Just this one item in the long report gives us a challenge. If each chapter would take this paragraph as a mission, a goal to reach, we could make life better for many people with low vision who are struggling, trying to cope with vision loss. The PCB Long Range Committee has challenged us to reach a 5% increase in our chapter memberships. This will only happen if we actively reach out to the community.

How will your chapter work at this goal? Let us know how you reach the community. We eagerly look forward to reading each chapter report in the ADVOCATE, and will especially be interested in how your chapter uses publicity to recruit members.

The Membership Committee will again sponsor the "First Timer's" event at the state convention. Invite your friends and relatives to attend the convention with you to learn about this organization to which you are committed. Be sure any person attending the convention for the first time, registers for the "First Timer's" event. Please note this on their registration form.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Joe Perry, Chair

It's time to be thinking about the upcoming elections at our state convention, taking place from October 31 to November 2. There are four (4) Board positions to be decided upon, which are currently occupied by Sandy Marsiglia, Ed Hersh, Ed Facemyer, and Michael Zaken. Both Ed Facemyer and Mike Zaken are filling out their second consecutive terms and are not eligible to run again until a year has passed.

I am looking forward to hearing from many of you, expressing your interest in serving on the PCB Board of Directors. You may contact me at 4753 Brian Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050. Phone: 717-761-1920. Email: joleperry @ comcast.net

You may sent any pertinent information about yourself that you deem necessary. If you wish to contact one of the other Nominating Committee members instead, they are: Ernie Wright, Janet Facemyer, and Mary Ann Alexander. You may acquire their contact information from the PCB central office. We hope to hear from many of you soon!

PUBLICITY COMMITTEE

Ed Facemyer and Bill Newland, Co-chairs

If you listen quietly, you can almost hear the clicking of the keyboard and the shuffling of papers as the PCB chapters across the state work on completing their resource/referral lists, which were due on May 30^th.

As a reminder, last year the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind offered a challenge to all chapters: to produce a list of resources respective to their areas, to which they can refer a blind or visually challenged person for assistance.

Judging from the responses, questions, comments, and opinions from chapter representatives, I am proud to say that all of us have taken this project to task, and are working diligently to complete this work.

A great result of team efforts is that a couple of chapters, whom we don't hear much about, but toil quietly in their areas, have agreed to share their stories in the ADVOCATE. Look for the chapters reports in this edition.

As you are reading this, our projects are filtering in to the PCB office. Keep in mind that as we work with our respective chapters to promote the work of PCB, the results of this effort by the chapters eventually will be available statewide.

Let's continue to promote our chapters and the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind in our efforts, both statewide and nationally, to make a difference in the lives of the visually challenged. -- Submitted by Helen Koshensky, Project Outreach Coordinator

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

Joe Perry, Chair

I trust you are all ready for summer. Many have had to revise their plans because of the fuel situation. The rising cost of gasoline has caused many to ride public transportation to and from work. Rising fuel prices have resulted in the raising of fares or the possibility thereof.

Governor Rendell is pushing hard for the privatization of the PA Turnpike.