[IL-Talk] Chicago Chapter Minutes, September 14, 2024, with one more Correction

[Deborah Kent Stein]

NFBI CHICAGO CHAPTER MINUTES

September 14, 2024

TGIFridays, 153 E. Erie St., Chicago

CALL TO ORDER

Chicago Chapter President Denise Avant called the meeting to order at 1:04
PM. In person were Michelle Ault, Mary Lou Grunwald, Debbie Stein, Paul
Shepherdson, Pam Gillmore, Pam Provost, David Meyer, Eileen Truschke, Ken
Schad, Bruce Paul, Ken Borst, Jemal Powell, Sergio Gonzalez, Mary Ortega,
Arturo Almiraz, Dan Kukulka, Marilyn Green, Livingston Bennett, Erika
Randolph, Tanisia Bowman, Gabriel Simmons, Marco Giannotti, Dustin Cather,
Katrina Roberts, Gabriel Stillwater, Steve Hastalis, Debbie Pittman, and
George Lopez. On Zoom were Ed Birmingham, Glenn Moore, Greg Rosenberg,
Rachel Ng, Alicia Green, Mary Ann Lustgraff, Melissa Fuller, Dan Tevelde,
Chris Millsap, Kira O'Bradovitch, Robert Hansen, Patti Chang, Bob Lee, Bob
Widman, and Marge Lushene. Denise welcomed all of the first-time attendees
and invited them to become members by paying five dollars for dues. 

 

PROGRAM

 

Denise introduced Mike Milstein, Deputy Director of Equity and Engagement
with the Chicago Police Department. The police department is updating its
policies, including those pertaining to people with disabilities. Mr.
Milstein seeks the input of the blind community. The police department wants
to ensure that all people are treated with courtesy and dignity for the
preservation of life. 

 

A number of people at the meeting offered comments and suggestions, often
drawing upon their own experiences. Jemal pointed out that police sometimes
are not familiar with the Illinois White Cane law and the statutes
pertaining to service animals. Ken Borst pointed out that police officers
should identify themselves when approaching a blind person. Melissa Fuller
raised concerns about how blind crime victims can be taken seriously if we
cannot identify an attacker visually. Steve suggested that dispatchers
should have summaries of relevant laws pertaining to disability. Rachel Ng
noted that a person may have disabilities in addition to blindness that are
not  immediately obvious to a police officer. Patti suggested Be My Eyes and
the NFBs Courtesy of Blindness flier for basic information. Denise said an
officer allowed her to touch his badge so she could  know for sure who she
was talking to. She pointed out that blind people are having serious  issues
with rideshare drivers who refuse to pick us up, especially if we have guide
dogs. Bob Lee suggested we be allowed to hear an officer's radio as another
form of identification. Officers need to learn to communicate with  us
verbally, as we may not always be able to respond to an officer's orders to
go to a particular place or do a specific action.

 

Officer Milstein emphasized that this is not a one-time conversation, but
the beginning of an ongoing effort. We are welcome to reach out to him at
312-745-5900 or michael.milstein at chicagopolice.org. We also can contact
community at chicagopolice.org. Denise thanked Officer Milstein for coming in
person and for taking our concerns seriously.

 

TREASURER'S SUMMARY

 

Treasurer Kira O'Bradovitch gave a quick overview of the treasury. The
chapter raised about $980 with recent fundraisers. Currently we have
$2284.91 in the treasury, but we will have $2834.26 when all of the checks
come in. The board approved a donation to the affiliate of $1000 and $600
for assistance to state convention. Jemal moved and Ken Schad seconded that
the chapter make these donations. The motion passed.

 

Denise explained that the state board has adopted a scent-free policy in
keeping with our national policy. She proposed that we adopt a scent-free
policy at chapter meetings and other chapter events. Mary moved and Pam P.
seconded. This will be an advisory policy only, created to help people be
more mindful. The motion passed. Denise will send out occasional reminders.

 

PRESIDENTIAL RELEASE

 

Presidential Release 541 was recorded in Baltimore on September 3. NFB
President Mark Riccobono reported that the 96th leadership seminar was held
the previous weekend. On the weekend of September 19 the Federation will
host the new Teachers of Tomorrow cohort and the new Kenneth Jernigan
Leadership program. He encouraged all blind people to register and get out
to vote. Learn more about accessible voting options at nfb.org/vote. All
voters are urged to report their Voting experiences, good or bad, by
completing the Blind Voters Survey, which we have conducted since 2008. 

 

Presidential Release: The Presidential Realease has served as a monthly
forum since the early 1970s. We built a new format in April 2020, making the
release a live recorded event. The release will soon become a specific
recorded package to be presented at chapter meetings, available by the first
of each month and running fifteen minutes or less. President Riccobono asked
that all chapters play the release at their monthly meetings. It can be used
to spark discussions on issues and initiatives. 

 

Rideshare Issues: Both Lyft and Uber have failed to meet their obligations
to ensure that they do not discriminate against blind people, especially
people who use service dogs. On October 15 there will be a demonstration at
Lyft headquarters in San Francisco. We hope that every affiliate will send
participants. We ask that rideshare companies have a zero tolerance for
drivers who refuse passengers who use guide dogs. They must do a far better
job of training their drivers. The burden should not be on the person who is
discriminated against! We have tried long enough to negotiate with these
rideshare companies, and we have heard promises for years, but the problems
continue. 

 

Ability One: In June President  Riccobono sent a letter to Congress saying
that the government should not increase the number of contracts that go to
Ability One until significant reforms are made. Since 1940 we have been
calling for the elimination of Section 14C in the Fair Labor Standards Act.
There have been some reforms, but many more need to be made. Some National
Industries for the Blind agencies are threatening that individual jobs are
in jeopardy due to NFB activity. We never have advocated for the elimination
of blind people's jobs! There is no limit to the number of contracts
agencies can get from the government. Agency threats are simply intended to
intimidate. President Riccobono made it clear that the NFB will never do
anything to eliminate jobs for blind people, but we do want to make sure
that blind people have opportunities for competitive employment. If you are
working in a local NIB agency, let the Federation know.

 

Parents of Blind Children: The National Organization of Parents of Blind
Children (NOPBC) invites Federationists to join the Bay Bridge Run Team.
Everyone is invited to join Team NFB in person or virtually. Register for
the National Federation of the Blind Dreamers for $65 by November 1. Each
participant is encouraged to raise $300. 

 

Paralympics: Four thousand athletes with disabilities are taking part in the
Paralympics in Paris. NFB is proudly cheering for Team USA, where many of
our members are competing. Go to tusa.com for more information. 

 

NEW MEMBERS 

 

The Chicago Chapter was delighted to welcome four new members! Mary Ortega,
Gabriel Simmons, Tanesia Bowman, and Erika Randolph. They were unanimously
voted in and received enthusiastic applause. 

 

STATE REPORT

 

NFBI President Marilyn Green previewed our state convention, built around
the theme "Turning Obstacles into Opportunities." Convention will take place
October 18-20 at the Chicago Marriott Naperville Hotel. September 26 is the
deadline for reserving rooms in our block. Register online at
www.nfbofillinois.org/convention. The form is accessible with every known
access technology. We will have fun activities on Friday, including
sculpture with Ralph Cossentino and self defense with Miranda Wilson, as
well as Braille Is Beautiful and IABS Idol. On Saturday we will have
presentations about Rehab Services, student issues, employment, and much
more. Our national representative, John Paré, will give our banquet address,
and our scholarships will be presented. At breakfast on Sunday we will have
a discussion on Federation philosophy. 

 

WASHINGTON SEMINAR AND LEGISLATION

 

Dustin reported that applications for Washington Seminar will soon be
available. Washington Seminar will take place February 3 through February 6,
2025. Attendees will stay at the Holiday Inn Washington Capital. This is a
great opportunity for us to advocate on the Hill for our issues. 

 

The Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act, HR 1328, was introduced by
Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky. The bill has eighty-five cosponsors, including
Illinois reps Mike Quigley, Sean Casten, Jesús García, Danny Davis, Raja
Krishnamoorthi, Jonathan Jackson, and Robin Kelly. Altogether seventy-eight
Democrats and six Republicans have signed on. The Senate version is S. 3621,
with one cosponsor, a Republican.

 

The Website and Software Application Accessibility Act (S. 2984), introduced
by Sen. Tammy Duckworth, has six cosponsors, all of them Democrats. The
companion bill in the House, HR 5813, has thirty-six cosponsors. Those from
Illinois are Mike Quigley, Jan Schakowsky, Jesús García, Jonathan Jackson,
and Sean Casten. Thirty-five Democrats and four Republicans have signed on. 

 

HR 3702, the Access Technology Affordability Act, has ninety-eight
cosponsors. Mike Bost, Mike Quigley, Brad Schneider, Jan Schakowski, Raja
Krishnamoorthi, and Darrin LaHood are cosponsors from Illinois. Sixty
Democrats and thirty-five Republicans have signed on. There are eighteen
cosponsors in the Senate, eleven Democrats and seven Republicans.

 

HR 1263, the Transformation to Competitive and Integrated Employment Act,
has thirty-five cosponsors, including Robin Kelly and Mike Quigley from
Illinois. Thirty-three Democrats and two Republicans have signed on. The
Senate bill, S. 533, has three cosponsors, two Republicans and one Democrat.


 

The Autonomous Vehicle Accessibility Act, HR 7126, currently has four
cosponsors, all of them Democrats. 

 

The Blind Americans Return to Work Act, HR 8878, is our newest piece of
legislation, introduced on July 5. Currently it has five cosponsors in the
House, none of them from Illinois. 

 

NFBI SCHOLARSHIPS

 

Scholarship co-chair Dave Meyer reported that we have two scholarship
finalists. Nancy Obi is studying at Governors State University to become an
occupational therapist and Mayokunle Efunbote is studying finance at dePaul.
A convention scholarship has been offered to Daniel Bein.

 

SECRETARY'S MINUTES

 

Dave moved and Marilyn seconded approval of the August minutes. The
corrected minutes for August 2024 were approved. 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Advocacy: Michelle Ault reported that we have been advocating for Braille
signage on Chicago bus stops. Right now the Braille signs only say "Bus
Stop." We are asking for the same information that is available in print,
and for consistent placement of signs. We will hear more from Kira about our
efforts over IL-Talk. Everyone's letters to CTA are very much appreciated.

 

Fundraising: Dave Meyer thanked everyone who attended the bowling and Games
Day fundraisers. The bowling event was especially successful. We will hold
our annual Read-a-Thon in lieu of our October meeting. Admission will be $10
per participant, to be waived if you bring in money from sponsors. 

 

DOOR PRIZES: Michelle Ault urged people to donate door prizes for
convention. Cash or small gifts are highly welcome. Marilyn also let people
know that we will have several exhibitors at convention.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

IABS Idol: Denise invited people to nominate songs for the chapter
competition at IABS Idol. The theme this year is dreams. The chapter voted
to sing  "Dreaming of You" by Selina.

 

ADJOURNMENT 

 

The meeting adjourned at  3:10 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Debbie Stein, Secretary

 

  

 

  

 

 



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