Neva Fairchild, Editor s1

THE TEXAS STAR

Vol. 25, No. 4 October, 2017 Neva Fairchild, Editor

Table of Contents

Expressions from the President’s Desk Kenneth Semien, Sr. ACBT is Moving On! Peggy Garrett Tales from the Treasurer Sheila Derrick Guide Dog Users of Texas LouAnn Williams Governor Signs SB1693 Larry Johnson Alamo Council Update Shelley McMullen El Paso Council Update Dianna Carter Ft. Worth Council Update Sheila Derrick Member Morale Committee Cynthia Finley TWC Update Michael Ritter

[Note: Articles printed in The Texas Star are submitted by the subscribers and are not necessarily reflective of the membership as a whole. The articles express only the opinion of the author.]

Expressions from the President’s Desk By Kenneth Semien, Sr.

Greetings to one and all:

As we journey into another fall season, I extend best wishes to each of you. With the holidays approaching, it’s an honor to greet you prior to a busy schedule associated with celebrating during such a memorable time. May you experience a time of joy and peace as you meet with family and friends.

ACB of Texas and attendees recently enjoyed several days of social time, educational workshops and celebrations as we joined together in the Dallas- Farmer’s Branch area for the 39th annual ACBT Conference/Convention. Please join me in applauding the Dallas Area Council of the Blind for their team spirit while making major contributions to the success of our annual conference/convention. They went above and beyond what they were requested to do. We witnessed excitement throughout the venue as new and seasoned members connected with all of our guest participants. We are extremely appreciative for our Conference/Convention Planning team, with extra efforts from Hotel Liaison, Peggy Garrett and facilitators and presenters for leading captivating sessions. Our 5th annual Leadership Seminar received rave reviews. Thanks to President/CEO Reginald L. Carney of Lead Strong, Inc. for delivering powerful leadership impressions to ignite others to find their niche. The tour of the AFB Center on Vision Loss, Esther’s Place and the 4 Low Vision Store was phenomenal.

LouAnn Williams of San Antonio’s Alamo Council and Chris D. Prentice of the Austin Council were elected as Directors for 4 year terms, and Kevin Ratliff of the Austin Council was elected as Second Vice President to complete an unexpired term. Banquet Keynote Speaker, Judy Castle Scott placed an emphasis on the Conference/Convention theme, “ACBT on the Move: Eliminating Barriers, Creating Connections”. She was also presented with the 2017 President’s Impact Award for her demonstration of commitment, determination and excellence, while impacting the lives of persons who are blind within our nation and beyond. LouAnn and Gene Williams were honored with the ACBT Outstanding Member of the Year

Award, and Jerry Myers of Beaumont was introduced as the recipient of the ACBT Ed & Linda Bradley First Timer Award.

We express gratitude for the availability of the LowViz Guide navigating system provided a second year in a row, compliments of MD Support, under the direction of Dan Roberts. Dan provided a very informative overview during the Saturday Luncheon. The complimentary assistive listening devices provided through a partnership between HHSC Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services of Austin and the Deaf Action Center of Dallas empowered those with hearing loss. Nearly 35 vendors graced us with their presence in the Exhibit Hall with a goal of educating attendees of their adaptive technology, programs and services. The biennial Live Auction was eventful and turned out to be quite a successful fundraiser.

The Youth Advantage Program sessions dedicated to meet the needs of students ages 13-17 allowed them to “Catch a Glimpse of a Great Future.” Special thanks to Gayle Metoyer of Houston Council of the Blind for her faithful service as the Youth Liaison. Transition Counselor, Oscar Lozoya of El Paso was responsible for bringing 3 students from El Paso. Student, Sofia Ortiz was presented the Ambassador Award for her diligence and active participation that steered other students to become engaged. TWC Transition Program Specialist, Kevin Markel of Fort Worth served as a great support to students for the third year. Presenters included Andrew Bernet of Fort Worth Lighthouse for the Blind, Transition Counselor of Texas Workforce Solutions, Joseph Noland of Dallas, Blake Lindsay of Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind, Sharon Giavinazzo President/CEO, and Rebecca Reid Director of Recruiting and Retention World Services for the Blind, Little Rock Arkansas, Verna Lastrapes, College Outreach Rep. Texas State Technical College, Waco, TX, and Lorena Knight, TWC Education Outreach Specialist.

To access more information, let’s keep communication going. You can reach me by sending email to [email protected] or dial (409) 866- 5838.

ACBT Moving On! By Peggy R. Garrett

The American Council of the Blind of Texas has been an advocate for people who are blind or visually impaired in Texas for the last forty years. Currently there are nine chapters around the state located in Austin, Bay area, Beaumont, Dallas, El Paso, Fort worth, Houston, San Antonio and West Texas. In addition to the many At-Large members, there are four special interest affiliates, Braille Revival League of Texas (BRLT), Guide Dogs of Texas (GDUT), Library Users of America-Texas (LUAT) and Technology Users Group (TUG). Together we strive to fulfill the mission and goals of ACBT.

Over the last four decades, members of ACBT have advocated to improve the quality of life for people living with little or no sight. Now it is our turn to “carry the torch” and make a difference for people living with blindness or low vision who will come after us.

So, step up and make an investment in the future of ACBT. Give of your time and talents by serving on a committee or serving as an officer of your local chapter, special interest affiliate or of ACBT. We need your investment to help make the journey of the next forty years successful for the American Council of the Blind of Texas!

Tales from the Treasurer By Sheila Derrick

I hope all of you have recovered from the exciting Dallas conference. It was a great experience. I want to thank all of you who supported the 2016 Dine and Donate at Potbelly’s Deli, , the Echo raffle and the 2017 auction fundraising efforts. This year was our most successful auction ever with over $3,000 raised.

It is now time to begin renewing ACBT memberships and bringing in those new members. Dues are as follows: local chapters pay $7.00 per member and $7.00 for junior members aged 13-17, at-large members pay $10.00,

and special interest affiliates with ACBT (LUA-T, BRLT, and GDUTX) pay $2.00 for each member.

PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN JUNIOR MEMBER DUES TO $7.00. After much discussion with ACB this fall, it was determined that ACB defines chapter junior members as those who have not attained the age of 18 during the annual dues year and who must pay the standard ACB dues amount regardless of age. Each chapter can assess their own amount that junior members pay the chapter, but the full $7.00 must be paid to ACBT. A member who attains their 18th birthday anytime during the calendar year of 2018 will be considered as an adult member for the entire year.

Current membership rolls will be sent to each chapter treasurer in December. This should make it easier to make changes and add new members. Updated membership rolls must be returned by February 15, 2018. The following information is needed for each member: name, address, phone number, Braille Forum format (large print, cassette, Braille, or email), Texas Star format (large print, CD, or email), vision status (Blind/VI or sighted), and email address.

If you have any questions, please contact me: Sheila Derrick, ACBT Treasurer, 309 Paloverde Ln., Fort Worth, TX 76112; (817) 507-3964; [email protected].

Guide Dog Users of Texas By LouAnn Williams

It was great seeing everyone at the 2017 Conference/Convention! The program topic this year was concerning loose dogs and dog attacks. I want to Thank Chelsea White, school representative from The Seeing Eye, and Jane Flower, school representative from Guide Dogs for the Blind for stepping up and providing “Double Duty” information for our program. Two of the school representatives had to cancel due to situations resulting from Hurricane Irma.

During our Guide Dog Users Breakfast and Business Meeting we held our odd year election of officers. There were no contested races and the following were elected:

President—LouAnn Williams (second term) 1st Vice President—Gigi Firth (second term) Secretary Sheryl Hunt (first term) Director—Paul Hunt (second term) Director—Candice Stepan (fulfilling the remainder of the position vacated by Sheryl Hunt when elected secretary).

There has been a point of confusion when paying membership dues for Guide Dog Users of Texas. If you want to be a member of Guide Dog Users of Texas you must pay dues through our Texas Affiliate. This includes membership for Texas and the national Guide Dog Users, Inc. If you pay your dues through Guide Dog User, Inc., it does NOT include membership for the Texas Affiliate. When we have our annual Guide Dog Users of Texas breakfast, at the Conference/Convention, you must be a member of Guide Dog Users of Texas to receive the reduced breakfast amount. Hopefully this will clear up any confusion anyone has had in the past. Take care and enjoy your Fall!

Alamo Council of the Blind By Shelley McMullen.

The Alamo Council of the Blind awarded one scholarship at our August membership meeting. The proud winner is Rebecca Baumgarten, an English major at Texas A and M University. Rebecca and her mom joined us for lunch at the meeting. They were both very personable. Rebecca has a beautiful attitude and we wish her well in her studies

Shelley McMullen is currently serving as chair of our nominating committee. The slate of officers will be announced at our October meeting. The election of officers will follow at the November meeting.

We plan to have our annual Christmas party, the first Saturday in December. The location will be decided soon. Page 6 So until next time have fun, be all that you can be, and let's work together to stay strong in our efforts.

El Paso Council of the Blind By Dianna E. Carter

Greetings everyone! As the Fall season approaches, we look forward to our holiday programs. There is much to do to finish the year. We gained several new members last month and look forward to their involvement in our upcoming community projects. In the meantime, our members have been at work helping a local student with his science fair project as it relates to travel technology. We wish him much success.

Our President has been participating in the Accessibility Advisory Committee, as well as District 7 appointee. This helps ensure that accessibility concerns do not go unheard.

We send well wishes to all who were in the area affected by Hurricane Harvey and hope everyone stayed safe.

Fort Worth Council of the Blind By Sheila Derrick

The Fort Worth Council began the second half of the year on a high note with our 2018 Scholarship Luncheon on the first Saturday of July. Our winner, who also won the ACBT DKM scholarship for 2018, is Emily Eagle. She is a lovely young woman who plans to study political science at the University of Notre Dame. She visited many prospective colleges and selected

Notre Dame for its open accessibility and low number of physical barriers. We wish her all the best in the upcoming year.

Following our September meeting, we celebrated ACBT’s 40th birthday with pizza, cake, balloons and red, white and blue decorations. We invited local organizations including the Fort Worth Lighthouse for the Blind, the Dallas Page 7 Lighthouse, and commissioners from the Tarrant County Commissioner’s Court.

We will begin fall activities by participating in the Bedford Library Low Vision Fair and the North Texas White Cane Day celebration.

Member Morale Committee Cynthia Finley

Hello from your Member Morale Committee.

The Member Morale Committee would like to congratulate Jerry Myers on receiving the ACBT Ed and Linda Bradley First Timer Award for 2017. Unfortunately, we did not have any nominations for the Who’s Who Among Blind Texans Awards. Okay, fellow ACBT members, we need nominations for people who have been outstanding in working to improve the lives of Texans who are blind or visually impaired. So, please help us out in 2018. There will be guidelines in the January and April Texas Star. So, please help us out!!! We cannot do anything for the Who’s Who Award without your nominations.

We would like to brighten your day with some historical trivia adapted from the October 2017 Newsreel Magazine.

“Okay, but it will cost you an arm and a leg.” In George Washington’s day, there were no cameras. One’s image was either sculpted or painted. Some paintings of George Washington showed him standing behind a desk with one arm behind his back, while others show both legs and both arms. Prices charged by painters were not based on how many people were to be painted, but how many limbs were to be painted. Arms and legs are limbs. Therefore, painting them would cost the buyer more. Hence the expression, “Okay, but it will cost you an arm and a leg.” Artists know that hands and arms are more difficult to paint.

“Here comes the big wig.” As incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths only twice a year, May and October. Women kept their hair covered, while men shaved their heads, because of lice and bugs, and wore Page 8 wigs. Wealthy men could afford good wigs made from wool. They could not wash the wigs, so to clean them, they would carve out a loaf of bread, put the wig in the shell, and bake it for thirty minutes. The heat would make the wig big and fluffy; hence, the term “big wig.” Today, we often use the phrase, “Here comes the big wig,” because someone appears to be, or is, powerful and wealthy.

“God willing and the Creek don’t rise.” This was written by Benjamin Hawkins in the late eighteenth century. He was a politician and Indian diplomat. While in the South, Hawkins was requested by the President of the United States to return to Washington. In his response, he is said to have written, “God willing and the Creek don’t rise.” Because he capitalized the word “Creek,” it is deduced that he was referring to the Indian tribe, not a body of water.

Last, but not least, I would like to thank the members of the M&M committee for all their help. The members were Eva Bergara, Joan Cox, Karen Eitel, Cynthia Julun, Bernice Klepac, Lori Naiman, Miguel Palomar, and Cindy Finley, Chairperson.

TWC Update By Michael Ritter, VR Services, Operations, Communications

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is partnering with the Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities and Texas Workforce Solutions for the Texas HireAbility campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of hiring people with disabilities. Governor Greg Abbott has issued a proclamation for Disability Employment Awareness Month in Texas. The campaign is now in its second year and coincides with National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The goal is to highlight the contributions of people with disabilities in the workforce.

During October, TWC and its partners will feature resources for employers and conduct a statewide series of hiring events for job seekers with disabilities. TWC has posted a schedule of HireAbility events occurring around the state during October on its website at www.twc.state.tx.us/partners/texas-hireability. These events are hosted by Page 9 TWC, Local Workforce Development Boards, Texas Workforce Solutions- Vocational Rehabilitation Services offices, Mayor’s committees, and other community organizations.

One of the hallmark National Disability Employment Awareness Month activities is our annual White Cane Day event, which commends the abilities and achievements of people with visual disabilities in continuing to live independently. TWC leadership and staff will celebrate the independence of people who are blind and visual impaired at the 17th Annual Austin White Cane Day celebration on Wednesday, October 18. This event will again be hosted by the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and we appreciate their partnership.

Other Texas cities celebrating and conducting White Cane Day events include Wichita Falls, Wednesday, October 11; North Texas, Thursday October 13; Dallas, Monday, October 16; Houston, Thursday, October 19; Abilene, Thursday, October 26; and Victoria, Saturday, October 28.

***ACBT Texas Star Sponsors

Amerigroup provides STAR, CHIP, STAR+PLUS, and Medicare programs in counties throughout Texas. This includes helping mothers, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities with their physical, behavioral, and social needs. For more information, visit www.amerigroup.com.

Cigna HealthSpring works with the State of Texas to help people with Medicaid get health care in the STAR+PLUS Program. STAR+PLUS is a Texas Medicaid managed care program for people who have disabilities or are age 65 or older. For more information, visit www.cigna.com.

Superior Health Plan, Inc. (tm) (Superior) is a health maintenance organization. Superior is a subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading, multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and related services to individuals receiving benefits under Medicaid, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). For more information visit www.superiorhealthplan.com.

The ACBT Board of Directors is comprised of 5 elected Officers, 4 Directors, an Immediate Past President, and an appointed representative from each Chapter and Special Interest Affiliate. The appointed representatives are selected by their respective Chapter or Special Interest Affiliate. Directors are elected for staggered 4 year terms.

ACBT Officers President - Kenneth Semien, Sr. First Vice President - Peggy R. Garrett 2nd Vice President Will Burley Secretary- Mary Alice Gary Treasurer- Sheila Derrick Immediate Past President - Carol Edwards Mike Bates - Director Chris D. Prentice - Director Ken B. Sparks - Director LouAnn Williams – Director

Toll-free number: 866-929-2228