20220604-2 Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) 20220604-2 Townhall Meeting Welcome to the 69th Annual Convention of the FLORIDA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND (FCB).  We are FCB STRONG AND WE BELIEVE IN EMPOWERMENT!!! FCB Annual Town Hall Meeting Participants attended this exciting and informative meeting moderated by President Sheila Young.  Attendees heard from the Director of the Division of Blind Services, (DBS) Robert Doyle, regarding the status of the goals and mission of the agency including specific news that he wished to bring to us.  After Mr. Doyle’s formal presentation, questions were entertained by the audience. Coalition for the Concerns of the Totally Blind (CCTB) Program Andy Burstein from Accessible Pharmacy Services for the Blind described their services: drug labels in accessible formats, coordination with the doctor to make sure the patient has the correct drugs, assist in locating a pharmacy if the patient is out of town and needs prescriptions, provide information about diabetes, cancer and other conditions to the patient and their families, and podcasts are available for medical information.  He answered our questions and introduced us to our Florida Representative Maryann Grignon.

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20220604-1 Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) 20220604-1 Opening Ceremonies Welcome to the 69th Annual Convention of the FLORIDA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND (FCB).  We are FCB STRONG AND WE BELIEVE IN EMPOWERMENT!!! 69th Annual State Convention Opening Ceremony Empowerment, the path to power and progress: a necessary life journey that we each must take in our own unique way, stepping out in faith in the truth that we matter that leads us to the liberating assurance that sears into our very souls the absolute certainty that we matter and that we each have the ability to make a difference where we are using the knowledge and gifts that we each have, joining with others and adding our voices to theirs as we strive for true inclusion, recognition of diversity and joining the cause of equal opportunity for all. Presenters: Pam Shaw, Certified Life Coach, and  Joy Restoration Specialist Cheryl Cumings, Chair, ACB Multicultural Affairs Committee Cachet Wells, FCB Member, and ACB Board of Publications Kenneth Semien, Sr., Chair, Durward K. McDaniel Fund Committee, and/or Member, ACB Board of Directors Anthony Corona, Co-Chair FCB Governmental Affairs Committee, host of Sunday Edition on ACB Media. Participants learned from these individuals who have exemplified personal empowerment as they shared with us their own personal journeys to empowerment, what it means to them, how they each live the empowered life, and how and why it is necessary for each of us to gain this freeing state of mind and heart. FCB Electric Youth: Identifying, Engaging, and Retaining the Next Generation ** “The Future only belongs to the future itself, and the future is Electric Youth!” ~Debbie Gibson ** While we at FCB are strong in Leadership and in member-engagement, we still have room for growth- engaging more young members and getting them involved. This session was dedicated to strategies focused around engaging and retaining younger members. From our communities, High Schools, and Higher Education Institutions to specific-driven outreach we brainstormed how to capture the attention of the generations that will continue FCB long past us all. We heard from ACB Students and ACB Next Generation. They shared some of their strategies and how they can support our outreach efforts here in Florida. Gabriel Lopez Kafati has the experience and position to lead us through College and High School outreach. Anthony Corona and Terry Suarez talked about how CALM can support and mentor our newly found Electric Youth. ACB’s Cindy Hollis, Manager of Membership Engagement, talked about the importance of membership in the state and special interest affiliates. ** President Sheila Young talked about the importance of succession-planning and how the Leadership of FCB is ready to renew our efforts to embrace the younger members of our community who do not experience the benefits of being part of the FCB Family yet. FCB Technology Committee Program Participants were invited to join our FCB Technology Committee program during our upcoming state convention to explore and learn about participating in Clubhouse. This is a great place to join others virtually from wherever you may be, sharing a variety of topics: music, sports, exercise, and fitness, and so many, many more! Gather with community in virtual venues discussing current events, nutrition, and well-being. Form a discussion group focusing upon conversation with those interested in specific genre of music or literature. Drop into a virtual audio room as a listener to one of many fascinating conversations or start such a group of your own design and host yet another great group of people! Reach out to our community from your home or office, or from almost anywhere via mobile app. Meet with new friends as well as those you know. Endless possibilities expand our horizons! From the Clubhouse virtual hallway explore variety of conversations happening in many different audio rooms. Search a plethora of topics to find those of special interest for you including social justice, urban planning, and environmental science. Develop your personal profile as you wish. Be a listener in specific meetings or raise your hand to share thoughts with others… the choice is yours! Discussion groups may be open to all or available exclusively for invited guests.**

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20220603-5 Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) 20220603-5 Awards and Scholarship Banquet Welcome to the 69th Annual Convention of the FLORIDA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND (FCB).  We are FCB STRONG AND WE BELIEVE IN EMPOWERMENT!!! Awards and Scholarship Banquet Participants joined us on Friday evening to celebrate and recognize FCB leaders and deserving students at a special dinner hosted in their honor by Barbara Brown and Gabriel Lopez Kafati, the committee chairs of the Awards and Education and Leadership Committees. Select advocates and leaders were recognized with prestigious awards and deserving students were presented with valuable scholarships.

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20220603-4 Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) 20220603-4 Legislative Seminar Welcome to the 69th Annual Convention of the FLORIDA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND (FCB).  We are FCB STRONG AND WE BELIEVE IN EMPOWERMENT!!! FCB Annual Legislative Seminar Participants joined us for the 2022 FCB Legislative Seminar.  Our keynote speaker was Charlie Crist, member of the Florida Congressional Delegation representing Congressional District 13, including the city of St. Petersburg, and former Governor of the State of Florida. The special guest speaker for this year’s event was Pam Shaw, Certified Life Coach and Joy Restoration Specialist Cheryl Cumings, Chair, ACB Multicultural Affairs Committee Cachet Wells, FCB Member, and ACB Board of Publications Kenneth Semien, Sr., Chair, Durward K. McDaniel Fund Committee, Member, ACB Board of Directors Anthony Corona, Co-Chair FCB Governmental Affairs As the longtime Chair of the FCB Governmental Affairs Committee, it was my privilege to formally introduce to all the next Chair of this committee, Anthony Corona.  Once again, the FCB legislative team plans on bringing interesting, informative, and insightful thoughts regarding the reception by the Florida Congressional delegation of the 2022 legislative agenda set forth by ACB.  These perceptive thoughts will serve us well as we continue to strive for true inclusion and equality of opportunity for all in our state and nation. Get Up and Get Moving!! American Council of the Blind Get Up and Get Moving campaign. Moving & Groovin’ An hour with Leslie and Terry Participants enjoyed a workout with Leslie and dancing with Terry. We got you up and moving! You don’t need to be an experienced exerciser, just come, and have some laughs with us. Happy exercising! Pre-Convention Board Meeting

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20220603-3 Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) 20220603-3 Democracy Live Welcome to the 69th Annual Convention of the FLORIDA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND (FCB).  We are FCB STRONG AND WE BELIEVE IN EMPOWERMENT!!! Democracy Live  ** An update about the emerging technology of electronic ballot delivery and ballot returns with exciting new efforts for addressing and meeting the challenges of related security concerns.**

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20220603-2 Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) 20220603-2 Guide Dog Users of Florida Welcome to the 69th Annual Convention of the FLORIDA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND (FCB).  We are FCB STRONG AND WE BELIEVE IN EMPOWERMENT!!! Guide Dog Users of Florida (GDUF) Our annual program was entitled “You and Your New Guide”. This program discussed how the application process is used to make a match, are “middle-aged” dogs considered as possible matches?  What happens to these dogs when the original owner is not able to continue using them as a guide?  What tips are there for the in-home adjustments for the new guide with family members and the guide that has just retired and other pets?  How do you, as the handler, take care of two dogs?  Should a family member handle the retired guide? This was an interesting and enlightening program that facilitated a new and strong bond between the handler and the new guide.

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** 20220603-1 Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) 20220603-1 Election of Board Members and Braille Revival League of Florida (BRLF) Welcome to the 69th Annual Convention of the FLORIDA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND (FCB).  We are FCB STRONG AND WE BELIEVE IN EMPOWERMENT!!! The Braille Revival League of Florida (BRLF) Our speaker was Paul Edwards.  He talked about the history of the Braille Revival League of Florida, and its parent organization the Braille Revival league. Before his presentation, we had a short business meeting and elected three board positions.**

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20220531 Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) 20220531Auction Welcome to the 69th Annual Convention of the FLORIDA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND (FCB).  We are FCB STRONG AND WE BELIEVE IN EMPOWERMENT!!! FCB Auction

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20220521 2022 Arizona Council of the Blind Convention 20220521 Morning Session Day 2

• Smart Home appliances o Tim Scwartz

• Sponsor, Member Testimonial

• Ed Henkler: Employment Access for Veterans and the Blind and Visually Impaired and Introduction to Smart Cane Technology
• Sponsor, Member Testimonial
• Ability360 – Advocating in Arizona (Legislative 101)
• Sponsor, Member Testimonial

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20220520 2022 Arizona Council of the Blind Convention 20220520 Afternoon Session Day 1

• Opening / President’s Welcome
• Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs
• Sponsor, Member Testimonial

• ACB Legislative Initiatives o Eric Bridges o Clark Rachfal

• Sponsor, Member Testimonial

• Frank Vance: Helping Others Help Us
• Sponsor, Member Testimonial

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