Welcome to the
63rd Annual Convention of the
FLORIDACOUNCIL OF THE BLIND (FCB)
at the Lexington Hotel & Conference Center Jacksonville Riverwalk Hotel 1515 Prudential Drive Jacksonville, Florida 32207
Phone: 904-396-5100
May 12 – May 15, 2016
Dedicated to
More than twelve years of the devoted service and hard work our FCB and Project Insight Administrative assistant, retiring Mrs. Sally Benjamin. Her dedication,ongoing efforts, and tireless energy perseverance and hard work have greatly contributed to the success which we enjoy today.
2016 FCB Convention Sponsors
FCB incurs significant expenses each year in putting on the annual convention. Without the help of its sponsors FCB could not deliver the quality and thoroughness in its venue, programing and exhibitors that we strive for at our annual convention. We are very grateful for and appreciative of the dedication, commitment and sponsorship of the below listed sponsors. We thank each and every one of them for promoting our 63rd annual convention which promises to be the bestconvention ever.
Election Systems and Software (ES&S) Voting Gold Sponsor
Envision America Silver Sponsor
VandaPharmaceuticals Bronze Sponsor
Tallahassee chapter Bronze Sponsor
GOCB chapter Bronze Sponsor
CCTB chapter White Sponsor
FCB Officers 2014 – 2016
James Kracht, President
Miami, FL
Dan Spoone, First Vice-President
Orlando, FL
Doug Hall, Second Vice-President
Daytona Beach, FL
Linda Jacobson, Treasurer
Orange Park, FL
Debbie Drylie, Recording Secretary
Fleming Island, FL
Sally Benjamin, Membership Secretary
Tallahassee, FL
Paul Edwards, Immediate Past President
Miami, FL
Convention Registration Schedule
Thursday, May 12, 2016- 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
This registration is only for those who are attending the Thursday night barbecue event.
Room: Lobby
Friday, May 13th, 2016 - 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Room: Lobby
Saturday, May 14th, 2016 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Room: Lobby
Thursday, May 12th, 2016
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – BBQ
On Thursday evening, May 12, enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner consisting ofPulled Pork, BBQ Chicken — Bone in, Grilled Hot Dogs, Southern Style Macaroni and Cheese, Baked Beans, Creamy Homemade Cole Slaw, Banana Pudding, Iced Tea and Lemonade. Come and enjoy socializing with your friends and colleagues. After a complementary beer or glass of wine, there will be a cash bar. There will also be some entertainment by Clay (Clarence) Robinson. He's been a professional entertainer for many years. In the past he played trumpet with Aretha Franklin way.
Room: Anchor
Friday, May 13th, 2016
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Convention Registration
Room Lobby
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Guide Dog Users of Florida Meeting and Program
Travel these days can often be trying under the very best of circumstances. Sometimes, traveling with our guide dogs, those wonderful beings whose presence in our lives bring us enhanced mobility and freedom, can often be even more stressful for us and for them. Join GDUF for a panel presentation and audience driven discussion regarding traveling with a guide dog. Some of the issues that will be covered are: packing for the dog, where to put the dog when traveling, finding areas to relieve the dog, changes in water and eating, dealing with a different climate, moving about with more independence and less stress and uncertainty, dealing with the often intrusive and annoying reactions of others, as well as finding ways to make interactions with others more positive and important, and other travel issues that attendees wish to bring forward.
Room: Windward
9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. - Budget and Finance
FCB is your organization. Members from the Budget and Finance committee will be available to answer questions in order to insure a transparency in FCB'S budget process. This session is intended to share information about FCB's finances and the proposed budget. It is expected that this session will help expedite approval of the budget on Sunday morning.
Room: Dockside
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Exhibit Hall Open
A visit to the Exhibit Hall is a must for attendees as it presents lots of educational, challenging, fun, and new gadgets from technology devices, to jewelry, to apparel, and much more.
Room: Port
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Employment Workshop
The 2016 FCB Employment Workshop invites you to join us to hear the stories of a panel of visually impaired and blind employed individuals who have a variety of positions and will share with you their experiences from the beginning in searching for employment with all of its possible frustrations, overcoming barriers throughout the entire process of securing employment, what some needed to do to maintain their employment, and why the path they traveled was worth it all. You will hear from Daniel W. O'Connor, Sr. Rehabilitation Specialist, Division of Blind Services,April D. Ogden, Supervisor, Division of Blind Services, Cassandra Jessie, Sr. Rehabilitation Specialist, Rehabilitation Center, Emily K. Michael a professorofadjunct writing instructor at Florida State College at Jacksonville and the University of North Florida and Special guest Sara Conrad, current ACB Board Member American Council of the Blind and law student from the University of Wisconsin.
This panel will provide valuable information from the beginning to the completion of the journey to employment, highlights which may assist you in your search as well as pleasant and humorous events along the way.
Please come and join the panel for their unique experience and the encouragement and knowledge which will only take a little while, but will last a lifetime. Learn things not only that may help you, but things you may share with others who are striving to reach the wonderful goal of being employed!
Room: Windward
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – lunch on your own
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Convention Registration
Room: Lobby
1:30 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. - FCB Annual Legislative Seminar
Fridayafternoon come join us for the annual FCB Legislative Seminar, one of the most popular, interesting and informative annual events of the Convention!
The knowledgeable and dynamic 2016 FCB legislative team will share their Capitol Hill experiences, updating us on the crucially important imperatives brought before every member of the Florida Congressional Delegation. Topics under discussion include: web access, the coverage of low vision aids as durable medical equipment under Medicare, the opportunity to participate in multicountry digital and other alternative format materials and book sharing and ensuring that our children who are deaf, deaf-blind, blind and visually impaired receive comprehensive education that will equip them for their life journeys. During this event, attendees will receive a surprise visit from State Senator Audrey Gibsonas well asCarolyn Chatman, Director of Outreach, Office of Congresswoman Corine Brown.
Room: Windward
2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Constitution & Bylaws Committee
Debbie Drylie, Chairperson
Each chapter with a revision to their Constitution or Bylaws being considered by the committee MUST send a representative to this meeting.
Room: Commerce
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Credentials Committee
Sally Benjamin, Chairperson
Each affiliate MUST send a representative to this meeting. This is where each affiliate’s delegates will be determined and any questions may be answered regarding voting and seating etc.
Room: Dockside
3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. First-Timers Workshop
Is this your first convention? WELCOME! We are tickled to have you here and look forward to meeting you! We have a workshop especially for you hosted by long-timers Linda Jacobson FCB Treasurer andSally Benjamin, FCB Membership Secretary. This is your opportunity to learn who FCB is; its mission and history as well as get answers to your questions.All first timers who are being supported by their home chapter MUST attend with their chapter representative. ALL attending convention for the “first time” are encouraged to attend.
Room: Anchor
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Pre-Convention Board Meeting
This is a meeting of the FCB Board of Directors that all are invited to attend. Get ready for the business meeting by having a better idea of issues being considered by the board. All board representatives MUST attend this meeting.
Room: Starboard
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Awards and Scholarship Dinner
Join us on Friday evening to celebrate and recognize FCB leaders and deserving students at a special Dinner hosted in their honor by William Benjamin and Sheila Young. Select advocates and leaders will be recognized with prestigious awards and deserving students will be presented with valuable scholarships. The cost of this year's Awards Dinner is $35.00 or you may purchase the 3-meal package for $90.00.
Room:Windward
9:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. – Resolutions Committee
Paul Edwards, Chairperson
Room: Propeller
Saturday, May 14th, 2016
8:15 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. – 63rd Annual State Convention
Opening Ceremonies which will include a reading of proposed constitution and bylaw amendments that are to be voted upon at Sunday’s business meeting. Immediately thereafter.
Saturday morning's general session will focus on current and future issues and concerns with voting access in Florida. Panelist will include, blind advocates, supervisors of elections, representatives of the Florida Association of election supervisors, and vendor of accessible voting equipment Election Systems and Software.
Room: Windward
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. – Exhibit Hall Open
Room: Port
8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. – Convention Registration
Room: Lobby
10:00 a.m. – 12:00p.m. – Technology Workshop
Do you sometimes struggle to find help with personal banking tasks that need to get done? Are you able to pay your bills without assistance? Can you check the balance in your checking or savings accounts independently?
What about transferring money from one bank account to another?
You can learn how to do these very personal banking tasks easily, efficiently, and independently without any assistance, keeping your personal information private. In addition, there will be representatives present from two national banks that will talk about accessibility and answer any questions pertaining to online banking.
Room: Windward
10:00 a. m. – 10:50 a.m. –Disability in the Workplace
Kicking in and Keeping the Door Openfrom a management and scholarly perspective.This presentation will focus on disability research in the workplace. A review of the past research, current statistics, and practical implications will be examined. As part of a University of Memphis research study, attendees are encouraged to sign up for the opportunity of a 30 to 45-minute interview to discuss job search and socialization experiences. Please contact Christian Calderon o schedule an appointment.
Room:Commerce/Dockside
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. MembershipWorkshop
Sara Conrad, current ACB Board Member American Council of the Blind and law student from the University of Wisconsin, will share with us how to get new young members. Cassandra Jessie, President of Halifax Council of the Blind and FCB Membership Committee Chair will share how to keep new members. Come join these two ladies as they teach us how to grow our chapters.
Room: Anchor
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Vanda Pharmaceuticals
Learn About a Treatment Option for Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder, Presented By Vanda Pharmaceuticals
Attend a live event to learn about Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder and a treatment option, and have your questions answered by a medical expert, as well as someone living with Non-24.
Non-24, is a serious, chronic disorder that disrupts a person's circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms tell your body when to sleep and when to wake, among other things. Non-24 affects up to 70 percent of people who are blind, whether they were born blind or became blind later in life.
Room:Commerce/Dockside
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – En-Vision America
Amanda Tolson with En-Vision America will be demonstrating ScripTalk and the NEW I.D Mate Galaxy. Come learn more about who offers ScripTalk Talking prescriptions and how to participate in the free program. She will also be collecting names of those who want their pharmacy to provide ScripTalk but does not currently offer the service. Learn how you can join in the movement of making accessible prescriptions available at all pharmacies! If you have not had a chance to try the new I.D. Mate Galaxy this is it. Be one of the first to test out the most powerful bar code scanner En-Vision America has ever introduced.
Room: Anchor
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch on your own
1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Annual Town Hall Meeting
Saturday Afternoon will feature the FCB Town Hall Meeting
Which will include a presentation and discussion of the current status of the Division of Blind Services (DBS): with Jim Kracht and the Division's Director Robert Doyle.
Room: Windward
3:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Special Interest Affiliates’ Meetings
3:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. - Coalition for the Concerns of the Totally Blind
Coalition for the Concerns of the Totally BlindCCTB has a special program of two components that we think you will find interesting and fun.
A representative from the Temple Sisterhood Group will speak to us aboutthe Braille transcription service they offer, and the process by which someone may request something transcribed into braille.
The other component will be "What to do When You Meet a Sighted Person." We've all had our experiences with the sighted folks in one way or another, whether its talking to the empty chair when someone has moved without telling us, or talking to a third party about what we want for dinner when we are right there listening.
Either way, it's going to be a full program so be sure to join us on Saturday afternoon from 3:15 to 5 pm for what we know will be an interesting, fun filled, informative time.
Room: Windward
3:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. –FCCLV – Florida Council of Citizens With Low Vision
FCCLV'S program will feature a presentation by Heather who is the founder of Kailo Nutrition, which offers a variety of nutrition programs focused on helping people incorporate more plant-based foods into their day-to-day life. interactive hands-on cooking instruction, Food for Life cooking demonstration classes, nutrition education, label reading workshops, and guided grocery store tours are just a few of the programs Heather offers to community groups and corporate clients in Northeast Florida. Prior to Heather's nutrition adventures, she worked for various NASA contractors at Johnson Space Center as an Astronaut Trainer within the Medical Operations Division and as a Pediatric Product Manager for Medtronic ENT.
Room: Anchor
3:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. –RSVF - Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of Florida
Composed of blind and visually impaired vendors and those individuals who support the Randolph-Sheppard program, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of Florida offerspeer support and information for those seeking employment and business opportunities. Learn about programs that enhance the bottom line for those interested in financial independence.
Room: Propeller
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Silent Auction
Before and after the banquet, you will have a chance to bid on many wonderful items at our silent auction. Bring your money and sense of competition,while supporting FCB.
Ballroom Foyer
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.Pre Banquet Reception foyer
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. FCB Banquet
FCB'S Annual Banquet: hosted by FCB President James Kracht and FCB’s First Lady Pat Kracht. Special guest Sara Conrad, current ACB Board Member American Council of the Blind and law student from the University of Wisconsin, will share with us personal remarks and a message from her heart on how to bring in and retain new and young members. Of course the Spoones will once again keep the night's electricity flowing with the exciting and bargain filled 2016 FCB Silent Auction and the banquet will get the auction fever stimulated with the live auctioning of a couple of special items..
Room: Windward
9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Directly following the banquet, don’t miss tunes from the vast library of DJ extraordinaire, John Richards. Come dance, socialize, and enjoy while getting “revved”for the suspense and excitement of FCB’s annual raffle drawing for money and other exciting prizes as well as learning who the winners of the Silent Auction are! Sleep after all this? Are you kidding?
Room: Windward
10:00 p.m. – FCB’s Annual Raffle Drawing
Party time ain’t over yet! At approximating 10:00 pm we will hold our annual FCB raffle drawing for money and other exciting prizes. You don’t need to be present to win but what a fine nightcap!
Room: Windward
Sunday May 15th, 2016
7:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. BRLF Breakfast
Hello All,
Time has flown by, and we invite you to explore concepts of Braille which have been introduced during the past year. Now that the Unified English Braille code (UEB) has been implemented, questions about the simplicity or difficulty of the transition still abound. Join us at the BRLF Sunday breakfast to have your questions answered. Paul Edwards will provide a report on the implementation of UEB for students in Florida and will focus on some issues that are beginning to emerge nationally. He will also speak briefly about the Cogswell Macy Act and what we in Florida can do to insure its continuing consideration by Congress. In particular, he will focus on the provisions of the Act that speak directly to Braille. Come join us to participate in future use of Braille. "The BRAILLEF breakfast meeting and gathering will be in one portion of the hotel restaurant Sunday morning at 7 a.m. Attendees must bring their hotel furnished coupon to receive the hotel provided complimentary breakfast."
Room: Restaurant
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Annual Membership Business Meeting and Elections
On Sunday morning, claim your right and responsibility as an FCB member by participating in the organization's annual business meeting and election of officers. Hear from leaders about progress made and work yet needing to be done. Discover what important role you can play in advocacy and help make important decisions that affect us all.
Room: Windward
Meeting Outline
Call To Order: Jim Kracht, President
Invocation: Sally Benjamin
Pledge of Allegiance: Mike Ulrich
Roll Call: Sally Benjamin
Minutes: Debbie Drylie
Treasurer’s Report: Linda Jacobson
President’s Report: Jim Kracht
Awards Committee: Doug Hall