[IL-Talk] IL-Talk Digest, Vol 247, Issue 9

[Ben Prine]

I forgot what this mailing list is for.

On Sat, Nov 9, 2024 at 6:01 AM <il-talk-request at nfbnet.org> wrote:

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> Today's Topics:
>
>    1. Chicago Chapter Minutes, September 14, 2024, with one more
>       Correction (Deborah Kent Stein)
>    2. chicago fundraising meeting tuesday (datemeyer at sbcglobal.net)
>    3. chicago fundraising meeting tuesday (datemeyer at sbcglobal.net)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Fri, 8 Nov 2024 10:00:28 -0600
> From: "Deborah Kent Stein" <dkent5817 at att.net>
> To: "'NFB of Illinois Mailing List'" <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: "'Illinois Association of Blind Students List'"
>         <iabs-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [IL-Talk] Chicago Chapter Minutes, September 14, 2024, with
>         one more Correction
> Message-ID: <077101db31f7$55a2fe30$00e8fa90$@att.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>
> NFBI CHICAGO CHAPTER MINUTES
>
> September 14, 2024
>
> TGIFridays, 153 E. Erie St., Chicago
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/153+E.+Erie+St.,+Chicago?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
> 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 Par?, 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, Jes?s Garc?a, 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, Jes?s Garc?a, 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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>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Fri, 8 Nov 2024 11:05:10 -0600
> From: <datemeyer at sbcglobal.net>
> To: <IL-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [IL-Talk] chicago fundraising meeting tuesday
> Message-ID: <00d701db3200$5f363b20$1da2b160$@sbcglobal.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="us-ascii"
>
> Steve.hastalis at gmail.com <mailto:Steve.hastalis at gmail.com> ;
> marylougrunwald at gmail.com <mailto:marylougrunwald at gmail.com> ;
> ebirm18 at astound. <mailto:ebirm18 at astound.> net; marcogiannotti at me.com
> <mailto:marcogiannotti at me.com> ; imani3471 at aol.com
> <mailto:imani3471 at aol.com> ; davant1958 at gmail.com
> <mailto:davant1958 at gmail.com> ; president at nfbofillinois.org
> <mailto:president at nfbofillinois.org> ; michtlua at aol.com
> <mailto:michtlua at aol.com> , marilynvgreen at gmail.com
> <mailto:marilynvgreen at gmail.com> ; mayokunle447 at gmail.com
> <mailto:mayokunle447 at gmail.com>
> ; DEBBIEPITTMAN99 at GMAIL.COM
>
> Steve.hastalis at gmail.com <mailto:Steve.hastalis at gmail.com> ;
> marylougrunwald at gmail.com <mailto:marylougrunwald at gmail.com> ;
> ebirm18 at astound. <mailto:ebirm18 at astound.> net; marcogiannotti at me.com
> <mailto:marcogiannotti at me.com> ; imani3471 at aol.com
> <mailto:imani3471 at aol.com> ; davant1958 at gmail.com
> <mailto:davant1958 at gmail.com> ; president at nfbofillinois.org
> <mailto:president at nfbofillinois.org> ; michtlua at aol.com
> <mailto:michtlua at aol.com> , marilynvgreen at gmail.com
> <mailto:marilynvgreen at gmail.com> ; mayokunle447 at gmail.com
> <mailto:mayokunle447 at gmail.com>
> ; DEBBIEPITTMAN99 at GMAIL.COM
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2024 05:51:02 -0600
> From: <datemeyer at sbcglobal.net>
> To: <IL-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [IL-Talk] chicago fundraising meeting tuesday
> Message-ID: <002501db329d$a77b94f0$f672bed0$@sbcglobal.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="us-ascii"
>
> David Meyer is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
>
>
>
> Topic: Chicago chapter fundraising meeting
>
> Time: Nov 12, 2024 07:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
>
>
>
> Join Zoom Meeting
>
> https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7086067091?pwd=im1SflbLDWc9STvV24hssaNEfANSIN.1
> <
> https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7086067091?pwd=im1SflbLDWc9STvV24hssaNEfANSIN.1&o
> mn=86444289609
> <https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7086067091?pwd=im1SflbLDWc9STvV24hssaNEfANSIN.1&omn=86444289609>>
> &omn=86444289609
>
>
>
> Meeting ID: 708 606 7091
>
> Passcode: 7091
>
>
>
> ---
>
>
>
> One tap mobile
>
> +13126266799,,7086067091#,,,,*7091# US (Chicago)
>
> +13092053325,,7086067091#,,,,*7091# US
>
>
>
> ---
>
>
>
> Dial by your location
>
> . +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
>
> . +1 309 205 3325 US
>
> . +1 305 224 1968 US
>
> . +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
>
> . +1 646 931 3860 US
>
> . +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
>
> . +1 669 444 9171 US
>
> . +1 689 278 1000 US
>
> . +1 719 359 4580 US
>
> . +1 720 707 2699 US (Denver)
>
> . +1 253 205 0468 US
>
> . +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
>
> . +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
>
> . +1 360 209 5623 US
>
> . +1 386 347 5053 US
>
> . +1 507 473 4847 US
>
> . +1 564 217 2000 US
>
>
>
> Meeting ID: 708 606 7091
>
> Passcode: 7091
>
>
>
> Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kdaKWEjM07
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Subject: Digest Footer
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> ------------------------------
>
> End of IL-Talk Digest, Vol 247, Issue 9
> ***************************************
>