The California Connection (2011 Edition)
December 23, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on December 23, and will be updated on January 6 2012. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at (925) 768-8195 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.Editor’s Note From Gabe Griffith
Please note the new phone number to reach me for Connection items. The new number is (925) 768-8195.Also, there will be no Connection the week of December 30. The CCB office will be closed from December 25 through December 30 so the next connection will be on January 6, 2012. Happy and safe holidays to all.
Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
Dear CCB Family and Friends.I wanted to take this time to wish each of you a warm Christmas, Chanukah, or whatever you and those you love celebrate during this Holiday Season.
In the Pomerantz house we will be taking it easy as Mitch continues to improve as he recovers from his health challenges. We'll share more updates on that in the future. Right now we are looking toward having a Happy New Year and wishing all of you the same.
Thanks to each of you for all you have done and continue to do supporting the California Council of the Blind and of course one another.
Until next year, be well and take care.
Donna Pomerantz, CCB President.
New Year Party Social of the California Council of the Blind Students
Would you like to have a moment of relaxation and good-old conversations with friends and the young students as part of the New Year? If so, we would like to cordially invite our fellow CCB members, families and friends to attend the very first New Year party social of the California Council of the Blind Students (CCBS).When: 14th of Jan. 2012 from 1:00 Pm to 4:00 Pm.
Where: The Old Spaghetti Factory located at 1910 J Street, Sacramento, Ca 95814.
Please come to meet new and old friends, to enjoy each other's company as of part of the New Year, and to share new ideas on how to effectively maintain the strength of the wonderful student-body organization.
RSVP is recommended but not required. To RSVP, or for questions about this event, please contact Tuan Nguyen, CCBS Vice President, at ngtapop925@hotmail.com or (916) 529-2320 or contact Lisa Cushman, CCBS Secretary, at crysania@sbcglobal.net or (510) 913-3402.
Happy Holidays!
From Dmitri Belser, Executive Director, Center for Accessible Technology
We currently have several clients who are looking to do testing of products with low vision and blind users. So we're looking for people who might be interested in participating. This would all be happening in January, and the testers are all paid for their time (generally $100 per session, which tend to last anywhere between 45 to 90 minutes).The testing is on a couple different things: a new e-Reader, the design of a company's bill, and some website designs. Each session would focus on only one product, however, so there could be multiple opportunities for participation. The testing would most likely take place at the Ed Roberts Campus, though there may be some opportunities to do testing in SF.
If you know of low vision or blind adults (18 and older) who would be interested in participating, please send them my way, and I can give them the specifics. I can be reached by phone at (510) 841-3224 x2012 or by email at dbelser@cforat.org
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund - ACB v. Astrue
DREDF is still monitoring ACB v. Astrue, a case that required Social Security to make alternate formats available to recipients, beneficiaries, representative payees, or applicants who are blind or visually impaired.DREDF wants you to know that as of this November 2011 all Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) must be provided in the alternative format of your choice. If they are not provided in that format, please let us know.
Also, please let us know of any other failures of SSA to provide notices and communications in an accessible format.
Thanks for your attention to these concerns.
Please contact Larisa Cummings at lcummings@dredf.org and Charlotte Lanvers at clanvers@dredf.org or at 1-800-348-4232 with any questions, comments and responses.
Disability Rights Advocates - Construction or Work Zone Barriers
Disability Rights Advocates ("DRA"), a non-profit legal center, is investigating complaints throughout California regarding barriers that people with mobility and/or visual impairments have encountered at areas of construction or other work zones along pedestrian routes.When pedestrian paths are closed or partially blocked due to construction, maintenance, or other conditions, any pedestrian detours or the unblocked remaining pathway must be accessible.
If you have a mobility and/or visual impairment and have experienced any of the following barriers when pedestrian pathways are affected by construction or other activities, we would like to hear from you:
- Pedestrian detours without ramps over sharp vertical steps, drop-offs, or curbs
- Use of yellow tape to alert pedestrians to the detour or of the hazardous condition
- Use of unsecured cones or A Frames to alert pedestrians of the temporary route or condition
- Pedestrian detours that have steep slopes or cross-slopes
- Lack of detectable warnings at pedestrian detours that cross roads or vehicle traffic
- Objects protruding into the path of travel along the pedestrian detour
- Pedestrian detours which are less than 36 inches wide
- Narrowing of the existing pathway to less than 36 inches wide
- Open trenches or other hazardous conditions posing dangers to pedestrians
- Use of signage that is only accessible to sighted pedestrians
- Loose gravel, unsecured plywood, or other terrain that is not firm, stable and slip resistant
- Other hazardous or inaccessible conditions along pedestrian detours
We would appreciate any details about the barrier that you can provide, including:
- The location of the barrier;
- When you encountered it;
- Whether the barrier seems very short term
- Whether the barrier seems longer term
- Who appears to have created the barrier; and
- Who has jurisdiction over the blocked pathway
You can also reach us by phone. Call Zack Duffly at (510) 665-8644 to share your story.
All communications will be kept confidential.
Thanks for your help in this important area of accessibility and safety.
Sincerely, Larry Paradis, President, Disability Rights Advocates
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
December 16, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on December 16, and will be updated on December 23. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at (925) 768-8195 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.The CCB Conference and Convention Committee
The CCB Conference and Convention Committee would like to wish everyone the best of the holiday seasons greetings.The committee has started its work for the spring conference and convention which will be held on April 12th-15th, 2012 at the Crowne Plaza SFO Hotel, 1177 Airport Blvd. Burlingame, CA 90401, 650-342-9200.
We will be releasing information through the California Connection as speakers and other items of interest to the membership are known.
The committee and conference and convention organizers are needing to know, if at all possible, by Thursday, December 22nd, the chapter or chapters who would like to be the host group for the spring conference and convention. The host groups will help recruit volunteers and assist with other matters that will require local individuals.
Please contact Donna Pomerantz, donna.pomerantz@ccbnet.org as to a group's interest in being the host group.
The only other request we have at this time is for people in the San Francisco Bay Area to begin identifying groups and individuals who would be interested in helping out as volunteers. We will need to get contact information for potential volunteers by the first of the year so that a formal letter can be written to them providing details such as hours that workers are needed as well as duties to be performed.
Volunteer contact information is to be emailed to the CCB office ccotb@ccbnet.org or called in at 1-800-221-6359.
Thank you for your assistance.
Donna Pomerantz, President
Ralph’s grocery card Renewal
If you need to renew your Ralph’s grocery card in order to continue providing much needed funds back to the Council, please call the Council office to obtain the renewal information. 1-800-221-6359.New Year Party Social of the California Council of the Blind Students
Would you like to have a moment of relaxation and good-old conversations with friends and the young students as part of the New Year? If so, we would like to cordially invite our fellow CCB members, families and friends to attend the very first New Year party social of the California Council of the Blind Students (CCBS).When: 14th of Jan. 2012 from 1:00 Pm to 4:00 Pm.
Where: The Old Spaghetti Factory located at 1910 J Street, Sacramento, Ca 95814.
Please come to meet new and old friends, to enjoy each other's company as of part of the New Year, and to share new ideas on how to effectively maintain the strength of the wonderful student-body organization.
RSVP is recommended but not required. To RSVP, or for questions about this event, please contact Tuan Nguyen, CCBS Vice President, at ngtapop925@hotmail.com or (916) 529-2320 or contact Lisa Cushman, CCBS Secretary, at crysania@sbcglobal.net or (510) 913-3402.
Happy Holidays!
Disability Rights Advocates - Construction or Work Zone Barriers
Disability Rights Advocates ("DRA"), a non-profit legal center, is investigating complaints throughout California regarding barriers that people with mobility and/or visual impairments have encountered at areas of construction or other work zones along pedestrian routes.When pedestrian paths are closed or partially blocked due to construction, maintenance, or other conditions, any pedestrian detours or the unblocked remaining pathway must be accessible.
If you have a mobility and/or visual impairment and have experienced any of the following barriers when pedestrian pathways are affected by construction or other activities, we would like to hear from you:
- Pedestrian detours without ramps over sharp vertical steps, drop-offs, or curbs
- Use of yellow tape to alert pedestrians to the detour or of the hazardous condition
- Use of unsecured cones or A Frames to alert pedestrians of the temporary route or condition
- Pedestrian detours that have steep slopes or cross-slopes
- Lack of detectable warnings at pedestrian detours that cross roads or vehicle traffic
- Objects protruding into the path of travel along the pedestrian detour
- Pedestrian detours which are less than 36 inches wide
- Narrowing of the existing pathway to less than 36 inches wide
- Open trenches or other hazardous conditions posing dangers to pedestrians
- Use of signage that is only accessible to sighted pedestrians
- Loose gravel, unsecured plywood, or other terrain that is not firm, stable and slip resistant
- Other hazardous or inaccessible conditions along pedestrian detours
We would appreciate any details about the barrier that you can provide, including:
- The location of the barrier;
- When you encountered it;
- Whether the barrier seems very short term
- Whether the barrier seems longer term
- Who appears to have created the barrier; and
- Who has jurisdiction over the blocked pathway
You can also reach us by phone. Call Zack Duffly at (510) 665-8644 to share your story.
All communications will be kept confidential.
Thanks for your help in this important area of accessibility and safety.
Sincerely, Larry Paradis, President, Disability Rights Advocates
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
December 9, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on December 9, and will be updated on December 16. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at (925) 768-8195 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.The CCB Conference and Convention Committee
The CCB Conference and Convention Committee would like to wish everyone the best of the holiday seasons greetings.The committee has started its work for the spring conference and convention which will be held on April 12th-15th, 2012 at the Crowne Plaza SFO Hotel, 1177 Airport Blvd. Burlingame, CA 90401, 650-342-9200.
We will be releasing information through the California Connection as speakers and other items of interest to the membership are known.
The committee and conference and convention organizers are needing to know, if at all possible, by Thursday, December 22nd, the chapter or chapters who would like to be the host group for the spring conference and convention. The host groups will help recruit volunteers and assist with other matters that will require local individuals.
Please contact Donna Pomerantz, donna.pomerantz@ccbnet.org as to a group's interest in being the host group.
The only other request we have at this time is for people in the San Francisco Bay Area to begin identifying groups and individuals who would be interested in helping out as volunteers. We will need to get contact information for potential volunteers by the first of the year so that a formal letter can be written to them providing details such as hours that workers are needed as well as duties to be performed.
Volunteer contact information is to be emailed to the CCB office ccotb@ccbnet.org or called in at 1-800-221-6359.
Thank you for your assistance.
Donna Pomerantz, President
Mutt Strut 2012
Happy 2012! Oh wait, we're not there yet. However I do want to let you know that the CCB Board of Directors has approved an even bigger Mutt Strut 2012!Yes, it will include 3 regions. We have the Sacramento Area, Los Angeles Area and we will be adding the San Francisco Area to make three! Please stay tuned for more news on Mutt Strut 2012! In closing I wish to say a huge thank you to Elena Thomason who has graciously agreed to be our fearless leader as the Statewide Chair of Mutt Strut 2012! We have our region chairs identified as well so stay tuned for that in future.
Donna Pomerantz, President
Greater Los Angeles Chapter, CCB, Holiday Meal and Festivities
The Greater Los Angeles Chapter, CCB, will be holding its Holiday Meal and festivities at Corky’s Restaurant, 5043 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA from 1 – 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2011. The cost will be $25 per person, and the menu choices are below. If you would rather have a New York Steak or Prime Rib, please add an additional $5.00. We will have a separate banquet room which is also explained below. We look forward to several of you joining us for this delicious meal and most important, fellowship for this great holiday season.To make reservations, please call or email Ken Metz. Ken’s email is: kenmetz1946@gmail.com or you can call him at (818) 882-3610. Reservations must be in no later than Sunday, December 11, 2011 in order for us to turn in the number of meals to Corky’s Restaurant.
Dinner menu for our Banquet:
Choice of:
Chicken Picatta in our light lemon butter sauce finished with capers.
Chicken Marsala sauteed in our marsala wine sauce.
Baked Chicken with fresh Herbs.
Grilled Tilapia in a light lemon butter sauce
Fresh Grilled Salmon moist and finished with lemon wedge.
Oven Roasted Turkey right her in our kitchen as good as it gets
Corky's Famous Short Ribs of Beef or Baked Lamb Shanks is a favorite among our regulars.
Dinners served with a salad, and a choice of potato or rice pilaf.
The above dinners are also served with homemade puddings, choose between Bread, Rice or Tapioca Pudding or a scoop of Sherbet.
Finally, Corky's has a full liquor license and will offer alcoholic beverages which each guest will have to purchase separately.
Just a quick reminder: Let your drivers know that Corky's will open their emergency entrance for us which is right on Van Nuys Blvd. and next to the entrance to the banquet room where we will be dining. This is to make access easier for our group so that we don't have to walk through the dining hall to get to the banquet room.
Ralph’s grocery card Renewal
If you need to renew your Ralph’s grocery card in order to continue providing much needed funds back to the Council, please call the Council office to obtain the renewal information. 1-800-221-6359.Disability Rights Advocates - Construction or Work Zone Barriers
Disability Rights Advocates ("DRA"), a non-profit legal center, is investigating complaints throughout California regarding barriers that people with mobility and/or visual impairments have encountered at areas of construction or other work zones along pedestrian routes.When pedestrian paths are closed or partially blocked due to construction, maintenance, or other conditions, any pedestrian detours or the unblocked remaining pathway must be accessible.
If you have a mobility and/or visual impairment and have experienced any of the following barriers when pedestrian pathways are affected by construction or other activities, we would like to hear from you:
- Pedestrian detours without ramps over sharp vertical steps, drop-offs, or curbs
- Use of yellow tape to alert pedestrians to the detour or of the hazardous condition
- Use of unsecured cones or A Frames to alert pedestrians of the temporary route or condition
- Pedestrian detours that have steep slopes or cross-slopes
- Lack of detectable warnings at pedestrian detours that cross roads or vehicle traffic
- Objects protruding into the path of travel along the pedestrian detour
- Pedestrian detours which are less than 36 inches wide
- Narrowing of the existing pathway to less than 36 inches wide
- Open trenches or other hazardous conditions posing dangers to pedestrians
- Use of signage that is only accessible to sighted pedestrians
- Loose gravel, unsecured plywood, or other terrain that is not firm, stable and slip resistant
- Other hazardous or inaccessible conditions along pedestrian detours
We would appreciate any details about the barrier that you can provide, including:
- The location of the barrier;
- When you encountered it;
- Whether the barrier seems very short term
- Whether the barrier seems longer term
- Who appears to have created the barrier; and
- Who has jurisdiction over the blocked pathway
You can also reach us by phone. Call Zack Duffly at (510) 665-8644 to share your story.
All communications will be kept confidential.
Thanks for your help in this important area of accessibility and safety.
Sincerely, Larry Paradis, President, Disability Rights Advocates
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
December 2, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on December 2, and will be updated on December 9. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
Greetings everyone.I want to echo many, many thanks for the support you have all given in so many different ways. Your prayers, thoughts, emails, cards, telephone calls have been a blessing to us.
Please keep your prayers and good thoughts coming our way as we continue ahead in this journey of uncertainty. It is the waiting and not knowing that can sometimes make things very difficult.
The challenge for me is "encouraging" Mitch to take breaks on a regular basis so as not to push himself too hard while he recovers. Anyone have some good ideas for that challenge? smile
In all seriousness though, thank you for reminding me that we have caring family members all over the states. Your support means so much to us.
Please listen to the latest update from Mitch on his health.
Donna
From Mitch Pomerantz, ACB President
Colleagues:Donna has prevailed upon me to give everyone on these lists an update regarding my health status.
In a nutshell, the Staph infection which ended up in a couple of discs and a neck vertebrae is being successfully treated with a tailored antibiotic.
The most recent blood work (this past Wednesday) shows the infection is improving, although still in my system. I'm having neck and shoulder pain if I cough or move too quickly or in the wrong direction. I'm hoping that won't be a permanent thing, but I won't know until I meet with the neurosurgeon which isn't scheduled until December 5th.
My right arm is about 70% of where it was before all this started. In order to strengthen it, I'm doing regular arm exercises which seems to be helping a great deal.
I want to thank everyone who has e-mailed or called over the past several weeks. Your thoughts and prayers are truly appreciated. For the record, I continue to conduct ACB business and that certainly helps in my recovery.
Take care. Mitch Pomerantz
Ralph’s Grocery Card Renewal
If you need to renew your Ralph’s grocery card in order to continue providing much needed funds back to the Council, please call the Council office to obtain the renewal information. 1-800-221-6359.Telecommunication Needs - Group Discussions
From CCB President, Donna Pomerantz:These sessions will be in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Please touch base with them if you are interested.
EARN $75
Do you have special telecommunication needs because you are… Hard of hearing?
Mobility-disabled?
Blind or have very low vision?
Or are you a care giver for someone with these disabilities?
Please share your opinions in this one-time group meeting.
We will discuss how California Telephone Access Program, a California Public Utilities Commission Program, can improve its services to meet your telecommunication needs. Your input will make a difference!
The group discussion will take place on:
December 13 – 14, 2011 in San Francisco.
December 19 – 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
You will receive $75 honorarium + $25 for travel expenses + food. Space is VERY LIMITED.
If you are interested, please call us at: (415) 413-7219 or send an email to Silvia@owcom.com
Make sure to mention GROUP MEETING. Leave or email your name and phone number and we will call you to schedule your participation in the group meeting.
Orange County Chapter Christmas/Holiday Party
The Orange County Chapter will hold its Christmas/holiday party on December 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.The location is Marie Calendar’s restaurant in Garden Grove, 13252 Brookhurst Street, Garden Grove, CA 92843. Major cross streets are Trask and Garden Grove Blvd.
Anything can be ordered from the regular menu, and all checks will be separate. We will have door prizes and there will be an optional gift exchange, value not to exceed $15.
Please RSVP to Andrea Pitsenbarger by December 5.
Patches921@sbcglobal.net or 714-921-0289. We hope you can join us.
East Los Angeles Chapter Christmas Holiday Party
The East Los Angeles chapter CCB will hold their annual Christmas Holiday Party on December 10, 2011 from 11:30 to 3:00 p.m. The Location is at the following address:A Mi Hacienda Restaurant 9613 Whittier Boulevard Pico Rivera CA 90660. The Cross Street is Gregg Road.
The cost for the meal will be $17.00.
If you wish to participate in a gift exchange the cost for the gift is $15.00.
For more information call Marie Herrera at (818) 808-2300 or email at marieh@gte.net
Long Beach Chapter Holiday Party
SEASON GREETINGSWhat: Come Join ‘The Long Beach Chapter’ for a “Holiday Party”
When: Saturday, December 10, 2011 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 PM.
Where: Black Angus Steak House, 5000 Candlewood Street (cross street Clarke) Lakewood, CA 90712.
Phone: (562) 531-6921
PRICE: $24.04 (includes taxes and tip)
Meal choices:
Salmon
Chicken
Top Sirloin 8 oz.
Prime ribs 8 oz.
New York steak 12 oz.
Rib eye 12 oz.
**All meals include 2 sides, appetizer, & dessert
Please RSVP TO LIZZIE, by December 7 at lmscaife@verizon.net or call (562) 494-4306.
Greater Los Angeles Chapter Holiday Meal and Festivities
The Greater Los Angeles Chapter, CCB, will be holding its Holiday Meal and festivities at Corky’s Restaurant, 5043 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA from 1 – 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2011. The cost will be $25 per person, and the menu choices are below. If you would rather have a New York Steak or Prime Rib, please add an additional $5.00. We will have a separate banquet room which is also explained below. We look forward to several of you joining us for this delicious meal and most important, fellowship for this great holiday season.To make reservations, please call or email Ken Metz. Ken’s email is: kenmetz1946@gmail.com or you can call him at (818) 882-3610.
Reservations must be in no later than Sunday, December 11, 2011 in order for us to turn in the number of meals to Corky’s Restaurant.
Dinner menu for our Banquet:
Choice of:
Chicken Picatta in our light lemon butter sauce finished with capers.
Chicken Marsala sauteed in our marsala wine sauce.
Baked Chicken with fresh Herbs.
Grilled Tilapia in a light lemon butter sauce
Fresh Grilled Salmon moist and finished with lemon wedge.
Oven Roasted Turkey right here in our kitchen as good as it gets
Corky's Famous Short Ribs of Beef or Baked Lamb Shanks is a favorite among our regulars.
Dinners served with a salad, and a choice of potato or rice pilaf.
The above dinners are also served with homemade puddings, choose between Bread, Rice or Tapioca Pudding or a scoop of Sherbet.
Finally, Corky's has a full liquor license and will offer alcoholic beverages which each guest will have to purchase separately.
Just a quick reminder: Let your drivers know that Corky's will open their emergency entrance for us which is right on Van Nuys Blvd. and next to the entrance to the banquet room where we will be dining. This is to make access easier for our group so that we don't have to walk through the dining hall to get to the banquet room.
Bay View Chapter Christmas (Holiday) Dinner
Dear CCB members and friends:Bay View Chapter CCB cordially invites you to our Christmas (holiday) dinner which will be held on Saturday, December 10th from 4:p.m. until 8:p.m. at The Ranch.
The address is: 22877 Mission Boulevard in Hayward.
The choice of entrees are: New York steak with baked potato, broiled salmon with rice pilaf and chicken teriyaki with rice pilaf.
All dinners include tossed green salad, sauteed vegetables, french roll with butter, coffee or tea and desert.
The cost per meal is $20 for chapter members and $25 for guests.
To make reservations or for questions concerning the event call Ida Johnson at (510) 655-1982 or Steve Fort at (510) 521-4386 with your choice of entrée no later than Wednesday December 7th.
From The Redwood Empire Council Of The Blind
Now is the time to get your calendars for the New Year. We are selling calendars. This is one of our major fundraisers. The money from selling the calendars helps send members to the conventions. We are selling APH Braille and Large print calendars.We will also be selling wall calendars from the VA. The price of the calendars will be $12.00 for both calendars. You can call Beryl Brown at (707) 545-7642 or (707) 636-0082.
The Chapter will also be selling Kiwis. The price will be $5.00 for a dozen. If you are in the area you may pick the kiwis up at the EBC. The address is 4539 Occidental Road.
Thank you. Beryl Brown
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
November 18, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on November 18, and will be updated on December 2. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
I want to take this time and say a very warm thank you to all who have continued to keep Mitch and me in your prayers and thoughts. In my opinion, this has been our toughest trial since we have been together. Your love, prayers, good thoughts and wishes have made us feel like we are not alone.It is times like this when a body finds out who their family and true friends that care really are. We are both so happy to say that so many of you have given us strength and it is a true honor that so many of you have given some of your time to reach out and let us know we continue to be in your prayers and thoughts. Please know, even if we have not been able to answer your emails or return all of your phone calls, we did receive them and they have encouraged us and let us know you are thinking of us.
Mitch is improving - too slow for his liking - and we have received good news in that the ESR (inflammation in his body caused by the infection) has gone down by 27 points. We still have a ways to go so please keep Mitch in your prayers and good thoughts. Thank you!
Editor’s note
Due to the thanks giving holiday the next connection will not be until December 2. Happy thanks giving to all.From Gene Lozano, Conference and Convention Committee Chair
The CCB Conference and Convention planners and organizers are interested in receiving your evaluation of the Fall 2011 conference and convention that was held at the LAX Crowne Plaza Hotel. We are interested in receiving your responses to the following questions:1. Did you like the hotel where the convention was held and tell us why or why not?
2. Were there enough staff and volunteers to help you with any needs that you had during the convention?
3. Were the staff and volunteers kind and courteous to you?
4. Was the exhibit area set up so that you could get around easily? If not, what changes should be made?
5. Was the Welcome to Los Angeles and Hospitality Room set up so that you could get around easily so to have an enjoyable experience? If not, what changes should be made?
6. How was the sound quality of the meeting rooms?
7. Did you enjoy the speakers who addressed the general sessions and were there any specific speakers or topics that interested you?
8. If you are a guide dog user did you have any problems with the relieving area?
9. What were your experience in the hotel restaurants in being served and the quality of your meal?
10. Overall was the convention a success in your opinion?
11. Is there anything else that you would like to tell us regarding your experience, positive or negative, at the LAX Crowne Plaza?
Please email your responses to
Eugene.Lozano@ccbnet.org
or call the CCB office 1-800-221-6359 and ask the staff to take down your responses by Monday, November 21st, 2011.
Request for Opinions on Potential Fall 2013 and 2014 Conference and Convention Sites
During the September 21st, 2011 CCB Board of Directors conference call with the membership it was discussed and voted to accept Arden West Hilton Sacramento Spring 2013 and 2014 conference and convention bids.CCB’s conference and convention committee has been reviewing proposals from the Four Points Sheraton LAX (Airport Drive), Fairmont Newport Beach, Marriott Del Mar and Irvine Marriott for the Fall 2013 and 2014 conference and conventions. On November 11th and 12th, a site visit was conducted at each of the properties and findings will be shared with the Conference and Convention Committee as well as the CCB Board of Directors.
President Pomerantz and I would like to receive input from the membership as to their interest in going to one of the four hotels and their reasons. Input is to be received no later than Monday, November 21st, 2011 and be submitted to Eugene.Lozano@ccbnet.org
or by calling the CCB office 1-800-221-6359 and asking the staff to take down your responses. All comments will be shared with CCB board members prior to a special conference call meeting with membership that will be held in December or early January.
Disability Rights Advocates - Kaiser
Disability Rights Advocates and the law firm Goldstein, Demchak, Baller, Borgen & Dardarian are investigating complaints regarding barriers that people who are blind or low vision have experienced in Kaiser's programs, services and facilities.If you have been unable to access Kaiser's website or to get important information in alternative formats, such as medical forms, prescriptions and educational materials, we would like to talk to you. In addition, if you have faced architectural barriers or staff insensitivity to vision disability issues, please contact us.
To share your stories, email kaiser@gdblegal.com, or call 866-723-1494.
All communications will be kept confidential. Thanks for any information you can share.
Sincerely, Laurence Paradis, President and Co-Director of Litigation Disability Rights Advocates
Bay View Chapter Christmas (Holiday) Dinner
Dear CCB members and friends:Bay View Chapter -- CCB cordially invites you to our Christmas (holiday) dinner which will be held on Saturday December 10th from 4:p.m. until 8:p.m. at The Ranch.
The address is: 22877 Mission Boulevard in Hayward.
The choice of entrees are: New York steak with baked potato, broiled salmon with rice pilaf and chicken teriyaki with rice pilaf.
All dinners include tossed green salad, sauteed vegetables, french roll with butter, coffee or tea and desert.
The cost per meal is $20 for chapter members and $25 for guests.
To make reservations or for questions concerning the event call Ida Johnson at (510) 655-1982 or Steve Fort at (510) 521-4386 with your choice of entrée no later than Wednesday December 7th.
San Francisco Chapter Christmas (Holiday) Luncheon
The San Francisco Chapter cordially invites you to our Christmas (Holiday) luncheon.It will be held on Sunday, December 4, 2011 from Noon until 3 PM.
The event will be at the LightHouse for the Blind in San Francisco, 214 Van Ness Avenue.
Along with holiday entertainment, there will be a meal catered by Spiazzo Ristorante in San Francisco. You have a choice of four meals, described below. All meals include a salad and a dessert of Tiramisu. Wine, beer, and soft drinks, and coffee will be provided at no additional charge.
The prices listed below include taxes and tip. The choices are:
1. Vegetarian pasta for $22.
2. Veal Marsala with potatoes and vegetables for $30.
3. Chicken breast picata with vegetables and a choice of potatoes or rice for $30.
4. Grilled salmon with vegetables and a choice of rice or potatoes for $30.
Reservation must be made and payment for the meal received by Wednesday, November 30, 2011.
To make a reservation or ask questions about the event, please contact either Liz Klein at (650) 576-9354 or Sandy Fancher at (415) 474-3659. Come join us for a great meal and good cheer.
Contra Costa Chapter Holiday Get together
The new Contra Costa Chapter invites you to join them for their first holiday get together.Where: Mimi's Café, 1631 Willow Pass Road Concord, CA (Between Gateway Blvd. and Market Street)
Phone: (925) 969-9790.
When: Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 4:00 PM
Public transportation: BART to the Concord station, take the 320 bus toward Diablo Valley College. Stops at Gateway Blvd. and Willow Pass Road. About a 15 minute bus ride.
Entrees average $15-$20.
Please RSVP by December 1 by contacting Vita at (510) 846-4080.
Glendale-Burbank Area Chapter Annual Christmas Party
The Glendale-Burbank Area Chapter wishes to invite everyone to its annual Christmas party at the Smokehouse restaurant in Burbank on December 10 from 5:30 to 9:00 PM.The meal choices are chicken, salmon, or prime rib. All three come with garlic bread, vegetable, and potato, and dessert. Chicken and salmon are $30 and prime rib is $40. If checks are not received by December 2, there will be an additional charge of $5 at the door.
Please send checks to our treasurer, John Mavis, 1232 N. El Centro Avenue., Los Angeles CA 90038-1706.
Please call him at (323) 467-6263 or Ardis Bazyn at (818) 238-9321 with your choice and reservation before December 2 to guarantee your spot.
Glendale-Burbank Area Chapter Fundraiser
The Glendale-Burbank Area Chapter is selling Party-Lite products to members and friends.Please order your Christmas gifts from Betty Fox at (818) 562-1880. They have great candle and food choices and many specials from $2 to $5 while supplies last. We can also supply a link where friends and family can order from directly.
Please call Betty Fox at the number above or Ardis Bazyn at (818) 238-9321 for the link.
Golden Gate Chapter Holiday Feast
Come enjoy excellent food at the Golden Gate Chapter's holiday feast!Where: Tommy's Joint, 1101 Geary Blvd. (Cross Street Van Ness) San Francisco, CA 94109
When: Saturday, December 3 at 11:30 A.M.
The lucky winner will draw a holiday door prize. Lunch will cost $15 or less.
People will pay the restaurant individually. A $5 donation for the chapter would be appreciated.
To RSVP, please call Betty Washington at (415) 921-1418, or Lisa Cushman at (510) 276-7104. Come and enjoy some holiday fun!
Redwood Empire Council Of The Blind - Calendars
From The Redwood Empire Council Of The Blind:Now is the time to get your calendars for the New Year. We are selling calendars. This is one of our major fundraisers. The money from selling the calendars helps send members to the conventions. We are selling Aph Braille and Large print calendars. We will also be selling wall calendars from the VA.
The price of the calendars will be $12.00 for both calendars.
You can call Beryl Brown at (707) 545-7642 or (707) 636-0082.
The Chapter will also be selling Kiwis. The price will be $5.00 for a dozen. If you are in the area you may pick the kiwis up at the EBC. The address is 4539 Occidental Road. Thank you. Beryl Brown
PacMate for Sale
Ms. Wakeelah Aaliyah has for sale a PacMate, with QUERTY keyboard, 20 cell Braille display, USB drive, Infrared printing, AC adapter and original carrying case. Asking price $200 or best offer, including shipping. Please call (310) 866-8268 any day between 8:00 AM and 11:00 PM (PST).Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
November 14, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on November 14, and will be updated on November 18. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
I want to take this time and say a very warm thank you to all who have continued to keep Mitch and me in your prayers and thoughts. In my opinion, this has been our toughest trial since we have been together. Your love, prayers, good thoughts and wishes have made us feel like we are not alone.It is times like this when a body finds out who their family and true friends that care really are. We are both so happy to say that so many of you have given us strength and it is a true honor that so many of you have given some of your time to reach out and let us know we continue to be in your prayers and thoughts. Please know, even if we have not been able to answer your emails or return all of your phone calls, we did receive them and they have encouraged us and let us know you are thinking of us.
Mitch is improving - too slow for his liking - and we have received good news in that the ESR (inflammation in his body caused by the infection) has gone down by 27 points. We still have a ways to go so please keep Mitch in your prayers and good thoughts. Thank you!
From Gene Lozano, Conference and Convention Committee Chair
The CCB Conference and Convention planners and organizers are interested in receiving your evaluation of the Fall 2011 conference and convention that was held at the LAX Crowne Plaza Hotel. We are interested in receiving your responses to the following questions:1. Did you like the hotel where the convention was held and tell us why or why not?
2. Were there enough staff and volunteers to help you with any needs that you had during the convention?
3. Were the staff and volunteers kind and courteous to you?
4. Was the exhibit area set up so that you could get around easily? If not, what changes should be made?
5. Was the Welcome to Los Angeles and Hospitality Room set up so that you could get around easily so to have an enjoyable experience? If not, what changes should be made?
6. How was the sound quality of the meeting rooms?
7. Did you enjoy the speakers who addressed the general sessions and were there any specific speakers or topics that interested you?
8. If you are a guide dog user did you have any problems with the relieving area?
9. What were your experience in the hotel restaurants in being served and the quality of your meal?
10. Overall was the convention a success in your opinion?
11. Is there anything else that you would like to tell us regarding your experience, positive or negative, at the LAX Crowne Plaza?
Please email your responses to
Eugene.Lozano@ccbnet.org
or call the CCB office 1-800-221-6359 and ask the staff to take down your responses by Monday, November 21st, 2011.
Request for Opinions on Potential Fall 2013 and 2014 Conference and Convention Sites
During the September 21st, 2011 CCB Board of Directors conference call with the membership it was discussed and voted to accept Arden West Hilton Sacramento Spring 2013 and 2014 conference and convention bids.CCB’s conference and convention committee has been reviewing proposals from the Four Points Sheraton LAX (Airport Drive), Fairmont Newport Beach, Marriott Del Mar and Irvine Marriott for the Fall 2013 and 2014 conference and conventions. On November 11th and 12th, a site visit will be conducted at each of the properties. President Pomerantz and I would like to receive input from the membership as to their interest in going to one of the four hotels and their reasons. Input is to be received no later than Monday, November 21st, 2011 and be submitted to Eugene.Lozano@ccbnet.org or by calling the CCB office 1-800-221-6359 and asking the staff to take down your responses. All comments will be shared with CCB board members prior to a special conference call meeting with membership that will be held in December or early January.
November East Los Angeles Chapter Meeting
Just wanted to inform you all that our East Los Angeles chapter meeting for the month of November has been changed to November 19, 2011 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Traditional turkey dinner will be served with all the trimmings. Hope to see you all there. Elections will also be held on that day.For more information call Marie Herrera at (818) 808-2300 or email address: marieh@gte.net
The meeting will be held at the Garcia's home at 1226 S. McBride Avenue, East Los Angeles, CA. the cross street is Olympic.
San Francisco Chapter Christmas (Holiday) Luncheon
The San Francisco Chapter cordially invites you to our Christmas (Holiday) luncheon.It will be held on Sunday, December 4, 2011 from Noon until 3 PM.
The event will be at the LightHouse for the Blind in San Francisco, 214 Van Ness Avenue.
Along with holiday entertainment, there will be a meal catered by Spiazzo Ristorante in San Francisco. You have a choice of four meals, described below. All meals include a salad and a dessert of Tiramisu. Wine, beer, and soft drinks, and coffee will be provided at no additional charge.
The prices listed below include taxes and tip. The choices are:
1. Vegetarian pasta for $22.
2. Veal Marsala with potatoes and vegetables for $30.
3. Chicken breast picata with vegetables and a choice of potatoes or rice for $30.
4. Grilled salmon with vegetables and a choice of rice or potatoes for $30.
Reservation must be made and payment for the meal received by Wednesday, November 30, 2011.
To make a reservation or ask questions about the event, please contact either Liz Klein at (650) 576-9354 or Sandy Fancher at (415) 474-3659. Come join us for a great meal and good cheer.
Contra Costa Chapter Holiday Get together
The new Contra Costa Chapter invites you to join them for their first holiday get together.Where: Mimi's Café, 1631 Willow Pass Road Concord, CA (Between Gateway Blvd. and Market Street)
Phone: (925) 969-9790.
When: Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 4:00 PM
Public transportation: BART to the Concord station, take the 320 bus toward Diablo Valley College. Stops at Gateway Blvd. and Willow Pass Road. About a 15 minute bus ride.
Entrees average $15-$20.
Please RSVP by December 1 by contacting Vita at (510) 846-4080.
Glendale-Burbank Area Chapter Annual Christmas Party
The Glendale-Burbank Area Chapter wishes to invite everyone to its annual Christmas party at the Smokehouse restaurant in Burbank on December 10 from 5:30 to 9:00 PM.The meal choices are chicken, salmon, or prime rib. All three come with garlic bread, vegetable, and potato, and dessert. Chicken and salmon are $30 and prime rib is $40. If checks are not received by December 2, there will be an additional charge of $5 at the door.
Please send checks to our treasurer, John Mavis, 1232 N. El Centro Avenue., Los Angeles CA 90038-1706.
Please call him at (323) 467-6263 or Ardis Bazyn at (818) 238-9321 with your choice and reservation before December 2 to guarantee your spot.
Glendale-Burbank Area Chapter Fundraiser
The Glendale-Burbank Area Chapter is selling Party-Lite products to members and friends.Please order your Christmas gifts from Betty Fox at (818) 562-1880. They have great candle and food choices and many specials from $2 to $5 while supplies last. We can also supply a link where friends and family can order from directly.
Please call Betty Fox at the number above or Ardis Bazyn at (818) 238-9321 for the link.
Golden Gate Chapter Holiday Feast
Come enjoy excellent food at the Golden Gate Chapter's holiday feast!Where: Tommy's Joint, 1101 Geary Blvd. (Cross Street Van Ness) San Francisco, CA 94109
When: Saturday, December 3 at 11:30 A.M.
The lucky winner will draw a holiday door prize. Lunch will cost $15 or less.
People will pay the restaurant individually. A $5 donation for the chapter would be appreciated.
To RSVP, please call Betty Washington at (415) 921-1418, or Lisa Cushman at (510) 276-7104. Come and enjoy some holiday fun!
San Gabriel Valley Chapter Christmas/Holiday Party:
Please join the San Gabriel Valley Chapter as we celebrate our annual Christmas/Holiday party.The date is Saturday December 3rd, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
The price will be $23.00, which includes tax & tip. Please note that beer and wine will cost extra.
The location of the party is Marie Callender's Restaurant, 1560 Albatross Road, City Of Industry, CA 91748. The cross street is Colima Road.
The entree choices are as follows: Grilled Lemon Chicken, Chicken Broccoli Pasta Alfredo, Home Style Meatloaf, and the vegetarian meal is Fettuccine Alfredo with Broccoli.
Each meal includes Caesar Salad, Cornbread, Fountain Drinks, Iced Tea or Coffee and a slice of pie (Apple, Chocolate Cream or Lemon Meringue.)
Make your check out to San Gabriel Valley Chapter - CCB or SGVC - CCB. Our Treasurer, Pam Polagi, must receive your check no later than November 19th.
Pam's mailing address is 5646 McCulloch Avenue, Temple City, CA 91780.
Call Debbie Obregon at (909) 468-1424 or e-mail dkobregon@clear.net with your entree choice.
Come celebrate with us. See old friends and meet new ones!
Orange County Chapter Christmas/Holiday Party
The Orange County Chapter will be holding its Christmas/holiday party on December 10 from 11a.m. to 2 p.m.The location is Marie Calendar’s restaurant in Garden Grove, 13252 Brookhurst Street, Garden Grove, CA 92843. Major cross streets are Trask and Garden Grove Blvd.
Anything can be ordered from the regular menu, and all checks will be separate.
We will have door prizes and there will be an optional gift exchange, value not to exceed $15.
Please RSVP to Andrea Pitsenbarger by December 5. Patches921@sbcglobal.net or (714)-921-0289. We hope you can join us.
Jeordy Glasses for Sale
Jeordy glasses for sale, asking $2,000.00 or trade for desktop Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) or a HumanWare Braille Note.Please contact Marianne Haas at (510) 525-7965 between 5 PM and 8 PM.
PacMate for Sale
Ms. Wakeelah Aaliyah has for sale a PacMate, with QUERTY keyboard, 20 cell Braille display, USB drive, Infrared printing, AC adapter and original carrying case. Asking price $200 or best offer, including shipping. Please call (310) 866-8268 any day between 8:00 AM and 11:00 PM (PST).Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
November 4, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on November 4, and will be updated on November 11. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From Donna Pomerantz
Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts. Please continue to send them our way as this journey is not over for us quite yet. However, my prayer is we continue moving forward into full recovery. Thanks to all of you for your prayers, support, and kindness. It has really meant a lot to both of us. To all who have sent cards, made phone calls, sent emails, prayers and good thoughts, thank you. Please read Mitch's message below. Your support for us at the Convention and after will never be forgotten. This is what family does! Thank you for sharing your strength as I for one will never forget your caring and love.From Mitch Pomerantz
Colleagues:It is Thursday afternoon and I'm home after nearly six days at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Los Angeles. It appears that I contracted a Strep infection - the doctors haven't a clue how - which is affecting a couple of discs and a vertebra in my neck. I'm dealing with some loss of strength in my right arm and a bit of mild neuropathy in my right thumb and a couple of toes. Beyond that, both of my shoulders are pretty sore.
I'm carrying around a portable pump which is giving me antibiotics three times a day and a home health nurse will be visiting daily.
Now that the gory details are out of the way, let me thank everyone who sent messages over the past several days. Please know that they are most sincerely appreciated by Donna and myself. I also want everyone to know that I am back in the ACB saddle although I have a ton of catching up to do.
Again, many thanks for your kind thoughts and good wishes.
Mitch Pomerantz, President
American Council of the Blind
From Gene Lozano, conference and convention committee chair
The CCB Conference and Convention planners and organizers are interested in receiving your evaluation of the Fall 2011 conference and convention that was held at the LAX Crowne Plaza Hotel. We are interested in receiving your responses to the following questions:1. Did you like the hotel where the convention was held and tell us why or why not?
2. Were there enough staff and volunteers to help you with any needs that you had during the convention?
3. Were the staff and volunteers kind and courteous to you?
4. Was the exhibit area set up so that you could get around easily? If not, what changes should be made?
5. Was the Welcome to Los Angeles and Hospitality Room set up so that you could get around easily so to have an enjoyable experience? If not, what changes should be made?
6. How was the sound quality of the meeting rooms?
7. Did you enjoy the speakers who addressed the general sessions and were there any specific speakers or topics that interested you?
8. If you are a guide dog user did you have any problems with the relieving area?
9. What was your experience in the hotel restaurants in being served and the quality of your meal?
10. Overall was the convention a success in your opinion?
11. Is there anything else that you would like to tell us regarding your experience, positive or negative, at the LAX Crowne Plaza?
Please email your responses to
Eugene.Lozano@ccbnet.org
or call the CCB office 1-800-221-6359 and ask the staff to take down your responses by Tuesday, November 15th, 2011.
Request for Opinions on Potential Fall 2013 and 2014 Conference and Convention Sites
During the September 21st, 2011 CCB Board of Directors conference call with the membership it was discussed and voted to accept Arden West Hilton Sacramento Spring 2013 and 2014 conference and convention bids. CCB’s conference and convention committee has been reviewing proposals from the Four Points Sheraton LAX (Airport Drive), Fairmont Newport Beach, Marriott Del Mar and Irvine Marriott for the Fall 2013 and 2014 conference and conventions. On November 11th and 12th, a site visit will be conducted at each of the properties. President Pomerantz and I would like to receive input from the membership as to their interest in going to one of the four hotels and their reasons. Input is to be received no later than November 15th, 2011 and be submitted to Eugene.Lozano@ccbnet.org or by calling the CCB office 1-800-221-6359 and asking the staff to take down your responses. All comments will be shared with CCB board members prior to a special conference call meeting with membership that will be held in December or early January.Contra Costa Chapter Holiday Get together
The new Contra Costa Chapter invites you to join them for their first holiday get together.Where: Mimi's Café, 1631 Willow Pass Road Concord, CA (Between Gateway Blvd. and Market Street) Phone: (925) 969-9790.
When: Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 4:00 PM
Public transportation: BART to the Concord station, take the 320 bus toward Diablo Valley College. Stops at Gateway Blvd. and Willow Pass Road. About a 15 minute bus ride.
Entrees average $15-$20. Please RSVP by December 1 by contacting Vita at (510) 846-4080.
Golden Gate Chapter Holiday Feast
Come enjoy excellent food at the Golden Gate Chapter's holiday feast!Where: Tommy's Joint, 1101 Geary Blvd. (Cross Street Van Ness) San Francisco, CA 94109
When: Saturday, December 3 at 11:30 A.M.
The lucky winner will draw a holiday door prize.
Lunch will cost $15 or less.
People will pay the restaurant individually. A $5 donation for the chapter would be appreciated.
To RSVP, please call Betty Washington at (415) 921-1418, or Lisa Cushman at (510) 276-7104. Come and enjoy some holiday fun!
Glendale-Burbank Chapter Fundraiser
The Glendale-Burbank area chapter is having a California Pizza Kitchen fundraiser on Monday, November 7 until 10 pm. The location is at 901 North San Fernando Road in Burbank. Please ask Keith Johnson (626) 796-6989 or Ardis Bazyn (818) 238-9321 for a flyer. We look forward to seeing you all.San Gabriel Valley Chapter Christmas/Holiday Party:
Please join the San Gabriel Valley Chapter as we celebrate our annual Christmas/Holiday party.The date is Saturday December 3rd, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
The price will be $23.00, which includes tax & tip. Please note that beer and wine will cost extra.
The location of the party is Marie Callender's Restaurant, 1560 Albatross Road, City Of Industry, CA 91748. The cross street is Colima Road.
The entree choices are as follows: Grilled Lemon Chicken, Chicken Broccoli Pasta Alfredo, Home Style Meatloaf, and the vegetarian meal is Fettuccine Alfredo with Broccoli.
Each meal includes Caesar Salad, Cornbread, Fountain Drinks, Iced Tea or Coffee and a slice of pie (Apple, Chocolate Cream or Lemon Meringue.)
Make your check out to San Gabriel Valley Chapter - CCB or SGVC - CCB. Our Treasurer, Pam Polagi, must receive your check no later than November 19th.
Pam's mailing address is 5646 McCulloch Avenue, Temple City, CA 91780.
Call Debbie Obregon at (909) 468-1424 or e-mail dkobregon@clear.net with your entree choice.
Come celebrate with us. See old friends and meet new ones!
Sierra Regional Ski for Light
Sierra Regional Ski for Light, SRSFL invites you to participate in one or more of our three on-the-snow events in 2012. We will have two single-day ski and/or snowshoe events. The first is January 21 and the second is February 11. Both of these events take place at Tahoe Cross Country, Tahoe City, California.For further information on the single-day events, contact Betsy Rowell at (916) 362-5557 or email her at montbets@pacbell.net
Our three day event will take place at Tahoe Donner Cross Country in Truckee, California. At this year’s three day event we will be celebrating our 20th anniversary! For further information on the three day event contact Cindy Quintana at (510) 483-2948 Or at CindyQ12345@sbcglobal.net
Please be aware the deadline for signing up for these events is January 1, 2012. No previous experience with cross country skiing or snow shoeing is required to participate in any of our events. SRSFL has great guides and instructors.
For further information on SRSFL, or to get the application, visit our web site at www.SRSFL.org
We look forward to seeing many new faces on the snow this season.
Disability Rights Advocates - Lane Bryant
Disability Rights Advocates http://www.dralegal.org/ and the law offices of Jay Koslofsky are investigating complaints regarding barriers that people who are blind or low vision have experienced attempting to purchase items at Lane Bryant stores using Lane Bryant's touch-screen, point-of-sale checkout system.If you have been unable to complete a purchase at Lane Bryant or have had to seek the assistance of a sighted person due to the inaccessibility of Lane Bryant's touch-screen, point-of-sale checkout system, we would like to talk to you.
To share your stories, please contact Raziya Brumfield by phone at (510) 665-8644 or by e-mail at Raziya.Brumfield@dralegal.org
Thanks for any information you can share.
Sincerely, Laurence Paradis
President and Co-Director of Litigation
Disability Rights Advocates
Library of Congress Job Posting
Greetings!This message is to notify communities of interest that the Library of Congress is recruiting for the position of Director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
The vacancy announcement opened on October 21, 2011, for 30 days. The closing date for applications is November 21, 2011.
The vacancy announcement for this position is posted at USA Jobs at: http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/301226000
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
October 21, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on October 21, and will be updated on November 4. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.Announcement from Gene Lozano
The Committee on Access and Transportation (CAT) and California Council of Citizens with Low Vision (CCCLV) wish to invite Fall CCB conference and convention attendees to our joint program which will take place on Friday October 28th from 9:00 am to 12 noon.If you have ever had questions regarding your rights with regards to medical care, housing and transportation this is the program you need to attend. What is to follow is the program agenda.
Friday, October 28, 2011
9:00 AM Committee on Access and Transportation (CAT) and California Council of Citizens with Low Vision (CCCLV) combined program. Salon CD. Eugene Lozano, Jr., Chair CAT. Bernice Kandarian, President CCCLV, Opening comments.
9:05 AM Workshop on Housing Rights:
Interactive workshop on access to housing and basic rights as a tenant. How to request reasonable accommodations, modifications, including checklist of available resources.
Presenter: Paula Pearlman, Executive Director, Disability Rights Legal Center, Associate Visiting Professor of Law, Loyola Law School.
10:05 AM Workshop on Access to Health Care:
Interactive workshop on access to health care and basic rights as a consumer. How to request reasonable accommodations, modifications, including checklist of available resources.
Presenter: John Villar de Longoria, Director of Community Outreach, Disability Rights Legal Center.
11:05 AM Workshop: "Visual Impairments Need Not Keep you from Traveling by Air" What you need to know about the Air Carrier
Access Act, ADA, and travel related issues for individuals with visual impairments.
Presenter: Lawrence J. Rolon, Coordinator for Disability Services, Los Angeles World Airports.
Web Navigation with Windoweyes
How easy is it to navigate through the web using Windoweyes?On Saturday October 29, the CCB Tech committee has scheduled a 2 hour Windoweyes Training focusing on Web navigation. GwMicro's west coast trainer Kimberly Cline will be teaching the class.
If you are interested in attending this event, register in advance as seating is limited. Register by calling the CCB office at 916 441-2100 or 800 221-6359. Or come join us on site as space is available.
CCB Fundraising Committee
The CCB Fundraising Committee will be meeting in the Temecula Room, Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 4:15 p.m. at our Conference and Convention at the Crowne Plaza LAX hotel in Los Angeles. We urge as many of you as can possibly attend to be at that meeting as we need to discuss what is going on with the sales of sweepstakes tickets, and to give you a look at our hopeful 2012 Mutt Strut. We need your input and support for CCB to become self-maintaining in order to continue our advocacy for so many needs that are necessary to meet for the equality for persons who are blind or visually impaired. Your help is extremely important in this fundraising committee meeting for the future of CCB.You can contact Ken Metz with any questions by email at kenmetz1946@gmail.com or call (818) 882-3610.
Glendale-Burbank Area Chapter Exhibit Booths
The Glendale-Burbank area chapter of CCB welcomes you to stop at our exhibit booths at convention to see the Party Lite products and our great black business tote bags and candy. Also, The Glendale Burbank area chapter is having a California Pizza Kitchen fundraiser on Monday, November 7 until 10 pm. Please ask Keith Johnson (626) 796-6989 or Ardis Bazyn (818) 238-9321 for a flyer- either at convention or as an email attachment. Thanks.From Jeff Thom, Resolution Committee Chair
With the convention fast approaching, it is time to prepare those Resolutions for submission to the organization. Remember it is these policy statements that define the directions our advocacy will be taking. Please send them to me either by e-mail at jsthom@comcast.net or in any other format by sending them to the CCB office at 1510 J. Street, Suite 125, Sacramento, 95814.If you would like help in drafting a resolution you may call me at (916) 995-3967.
Fall Conference and Convention Roommate Request
From Linda O’Neal: I am looking for a nonsmoking roommate for the Fall Conference and Convention. I have reserved a room. I have a guide dog. Contact me by my cell phone (916) 548-9857, or by e-mail at oneallinda52@gmail.comBlind Students of California Card Game Social
Got a competitive streak? Do you know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold 'em?Come join the Blind Students of California for our card game social at the Fall conference and convention.
When: Saturday, October 29, from 4:30 to 6:00 P.M.
The room will be listed in the convention program. Come with a game to teach, or learn a game from a friend.
Medi-Cal and Medicare Benefits Demonstration Project
From Jeff Thom, Chair, CCB Governmental Affairs Committee:Are you an individual who is eligible for both Medi-Cal and Medicare benefits? If so, the state, with the approval of the federal government, will be setting up a demonstration project in a number of counties the aim of which is to be a patient-centered, coordinated care delivery system that improves dually eligible Medicare and Medi-Cal beneficiary’s health and quality of life, while reducing system fragmentation and inefficiencies.
If you have concerns about service delivery or other issues that you feel should be addressed in the system design for this demonstration, please contact me about them either by e-mail at jsthom@comcast.net or by phone at (916) 995-3967 so that I can make sure your concerns will be heard.
San Gabriel Valley Chapter Christmas/Holiday Party:
Please join the San Gabriel Valley Chapter as we celebrate our annual Christmas/Holiday party.The date is Saturday December 3rd, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
The price will be $23.00, which includes tax & tip. Please note that beer and wine will cost extra.
The location of the party is Marie Callender's Restaurant, 1560 Albatross Road, City Of Industry, CA 91748. The cross street is Colima Road.
The entree choices are as follows: Grilled Lemon Chicken, Chicken Broccoli Pasta Alfredo, Home Style Meatloaf, and the vegetarian meal is Fettuccine Alfredo with Broccoli.
Each meal includes Caesar Salad, Cornbread, Fountain Drinks, Iced Tea or Coffee and a slice of pie (Apple, Chocolate Cream or Lemon Meringue.)
Make your check out to San Gabriel Valley Chapter - CCB or SGVC - CCB. Our Treasurer, Pam Polagi, must receive your check no later than November 19th.
Pam's mailing address is 5646 McCulloch Avenue, Temple City, CA 91780.
Call Debbie Obregon at (909) 468-1424 or e-mail dkobregon@clear.net with your entree choice.
Come celebrate with us. See old friends and meet new ones!
Disability Rights Advocates - Lane Bryant
Disability Rights Advocates http://www.dralegal.org/ and the law offices of Jay Koslofsky are investigating complaints regarding barriers that people who are blind or low vision have experienced attempting to purchase items at Lane Bryant stores using Lane Bryant's touch-screen, point-of-sale checkout system.If you have been unable to complete a purchase at Lane Bryant or have had to seek the assistance of a sighted person due to the inaccessibility of Lane Bryant's touch-screen, point-of-sale checkout system, we would like to talk to you.
To share your stories, please contact Raziya Brumfield by phone at (510) 665-8644 or by e-mail at Raziya.Brufield@dralegal.org
Thanks for any information you can share.
Sincerely, Laurence Paradis
President and Co-Director of Litigation
Disability Rights Advocates
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund - ACB v. Astrue
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) is still monitoring ACB v. Astrue, a case that required Social Security to make alternate formats available to recipients, beneficiaries, representative payees, or applicants who are blind or visually impaired.DREDF wants to know if you have had any difficulty requesting or receiving the alternate formats of your choice and are also interested in any challenges you've had involving any of the following:
(1) navigating through SSA's website and accessing fillable forms on SSA's website;
(2) filing discrimination complaints against SSA for failure to provide requested alternate formats requested;
(3) or if you need a format other than those automatically offered (audio CD, Word document on CD, Braille, or large print)-an example of a format not automatically granted might be bold large print format;
(5) if you require bold large print from SSA but have not requested it or have requested it but SSA rejected that request.
Thanks for your attention to these concerns. Please contact Larisa Cummings at lcummings@dredf.org and Charlotte Lanvers at clanvers@dredf.org by November 1, 2011 with any questions, comments and responses. Or you may call 800-348-4232 toll free.
Sleep Problem Related to Total Blindness
New article "Improving Sleep and Alertness in the Blind" in Matilda Ziegler MagazineThis month, Matilda Ziegler Magazine is featuring a 5 part series on the sleep problem related to total blindness. Many people may have heard about the sleep research Vanda is conducting. This article provides some of the background on why this problem exists. It is written by Lynne Lamberg, a medical journalist who also co-authored "The Body Clock Guide to Better Health." It includes interviews with several people who describe what it is like to live with the problem. It also talks about what is known about the science and past and current research for treatments. Check out the article by searching "sleep" on http://www.matildaziegler.com/ or directly at http://www.matildaziegler.com/category/n24hswd/ and for more information and links, visit 24sleepwake.com
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
October 14, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on October 14, and will be updated on October 21. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.Conference and Convention Sneak Peak
From Donna Pomerantz, CCB President:Here’s a new weekly sneak peak into the Conference and Convention just around the corner. I know we all love food and are probably wondering what breakfast, lunches and dinners we can sign up for. Here are the mouth watering details. Maybe you will be just as hungry as I once you have read the meal choices.
Friday Luncheons:
Sliced Tri Tip
Crisp Garden Salad with Cilantro Dressing,
Sliced Tri Tip served with Mashed Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetable,
Warm Rolls and Butter,
Strawberry Shortcake.
Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and Hot and Iced Tea.
Vegetarian Option: Cheese Tortellini.
Friday: Presidents’ Dinner
Rosemary Roast Chicken
Mixed greens with Orange Segments and Raspberry Vinaigrette,
Rosemary Roast Chicken served with Risotto and Seasonal Vegetables, Warm Rolls and butter.
Chocolate Fudge Cake,
Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and Hot and Iced Tea.
Vegetarian Option: Portobello Mushroom Tower.
Saturday Membership Breakfast:
All American Breakfast:
Scrambled Eggs with Crisp Bacon and Breakfast Potatoes,
Basket of Breakfast Breads.
Chilled Orange Juice,
Freshly Brewed Regular and Decaffeinated Coffee and Premium and Herbal Hot Teas.
Saturday Luncheons:
Lasagna Bolognese
Spinach Salad with Mustard Dressing,
Lasagna Bolognese with Garlic Bread,
Fresh Assorted Rolls and butter,
Cherry, Apple or Peach Pie All American Pie with Fresh whipped Cream.
Served with Traditional Freshly Brewed Regular and Decaffeinated Coffee, Premium Black Teas and Iced Tea.
Vegetarian Option: Eggplant Parmesan Entrée.
Saturday Banquet:
Top Sirloin Steak
Crisp Romaine Lettuce, Garlic Herb Croutons,
Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese Creamy Garlic Dressing,
Top Sirloin (5 oz) Steak with
Peppercorn Cognac Sauce, Garlic Mashed Potatoes,
And Fresh Seasonal Vegetables
Fresh Assorted Rolls and Butter.
New York Cheesecake with Raspberry Coulis
Fresh Fruit Garnish.
Served with Traditional Freshly Brewed Regular and Decaffeinated Coffee, Premium Black Teas and Iced Tea.
Vegetarian Option: Spinach Lasagna Entrée.
As you begin receiving your reg packets in the mail, please note that while the AMC luncheon on Friday at 12 Noon, is listed in the announcement for $25 pre reg and $26 on-site, it was inadvertently omitted from the pre-reg page. You may call the CCB office to provide your pre registration information with a valid credit card , or If you are mailing in your reg from please note the AMC lunch on it if you want to attend. Everything is listed correctly on the CCB website http://www.ccbnet.org/conventions/con11b_announce.htm
There is a printable pre-registration form on this web page if you wish to use it.
As we continue to move closer to our conference and convention please remember to bring your door prizes to the registration table. Also if you know of anyone interested in volunteering some time at the conference and convention please have them contact the CCB office at 800-221-6359.
In closing, we have received information that conference and convention attendees can still receive the CCB room rate of $99 inclusive. So please hurry and make your room reservations before our room block is filled.Call toll free 888-315-3700 or the local hotel number 310-642-7500 and ask for the CCB group room rate.
East Los Angeles Chapter Fundraiser
East Los Angeles Chapter Fundraiser Dinner, Saturday, October 15, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. At the Ybarra residence, 11817 Battle Street Norwalk, California.$12 per person and children under 12 half price. Your choice of either Chile Verde or Taquito plate, Both plates include: rice, beans, salad, dessert and one beverage. Also being served are coffee, water, lemonade, soda or beer. Margueritas will also be sold.
For more information call Maria Lopez (323)268-4526 or Carmen Young (626) 571-1079.
From Jeff Thom, Resolution Committee chair
With the convention fast approaching, it is time to prepare those Resolutions for submission to the organization. Remember it is these policy statements that define the directions our advocacy will be taking. Please send them to me either by e-mail at jsthom@comcast.net or in any other format by sending them to the CCB office at 1510 J. Street, Suite 125, Sacramento, 95814. If you would like help in drafting a resolution you may call me at (916) 995-3967.Blind Students of California Card Game Social
Got a competitive streak? Do you know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold 'em? Come join the Blind Students of California for our card game social at the Fall conference and convention.When: Saturday, October 29, from 4:30 to 6:00 P.M.
The room will be listed in the convention program. Come with a game to teach, or learn a game from a friend.
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund - ACB v. Astrue
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) is still monitoring ACB v. Astrue, a case that required Social Security to make alternate formats available to recipients, beneficiaries, representative payees, or applicants who are blind or visually impaired.DREDF wants to know if you have had any difficulty requesting or receiving the alternate formats of your choice and are also interested in any challenges you've had involving any of the following:
(1) navigating through SSA's website and accessing fillable forms on SSA's website;
(2) filing discrimination complaints against SSA for failure to provide requested alternate formats
(3) or if you need a format other than those automatically offered (audio CD, Word document on CD, Braille, or large print)-an example of a format not automatically granted might be bold large print format;
(5) if you require bold large print from SSA but have not requested it or have requested it but SSA rejected that request.
Thanks for your attention to these concerns. Please contact Larisa Cummings at lcummings@dredf.org and Charlotte Lanvers at clanvers@dredf.org by November 1, 2011 with any questions, comments and responses. Or you may call 800-348-4232 toll free.
Disability Rights Advocates - Lane Bryant
Disability Rights Advocates http://www.dralegal.org/ and the law offices of Jay Koslofsky are investigating complaints regarding barriers that people who are blind or low vision have experienced attempting to purchase items at Lane Bryant stores using Lane Bryant's touch-screen, point-of-sale checkout system.If you have been unable to complete a purchase at Lane Bryant or have had to seek the assistance of a sighted person due to the inaccessibility of Lane Bryant's touch-screen, point-of-sale checkout system, we would like to talk to you.
To share your stories, please contact Raziya Brumfield by phone at (510) 665-8644 or by e-mail at Raziya.Brufield@dralegal.org
Thanks for any information you can share.
Sincerely, Laurence Paradis
President and Co-Director of Litigation
Disability Rights Advocates
Disability Rights Advocates - University of California, Berkeley System
Disability Rights Advocates (“DRA”), a non-profit legal center, is investigating complaints regarding services for students with disabilities within the University of California, Berkeley System.If you are a UC Berkeley student who has experienced difficulties obtaining accommodation services, we want to hear from you.
We are investigating both the quality and the timeliness of the following services:
- Note-Taking and Scribe Services
- Availability of Documents including Textbooks, Handouts and other Course Materials in Accessible Formats
- Mobility Assistance
- Accessible Equipment & Technology
- Denial and/or Delay in Receiving Other Needed Accommodations
- Lack of Information Regarding Access Features on Campus
- Lack of Information Regarding Accommodation Policies and Procedures for Students with Disabilities
- Whether the Delay or Denial of Accommodations have Forced You to Rely on Alternative Resources Such As:
- Advocating on your own behalf for accommodations from your Professor
- Relying on friends and social networks for note-taking and/or other needed services
All communications will be kept confidential.
Visionwalk Team, and the Foundation Fighting Blindness
From Roselyn Perez:I’m writing to request everyone to join, and or sponsor my visionwalk team, and the foundation fighting blindness.
VisionWalk is the national signature fundraising event of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Since its inception in the Spring of 2006, the program has raised over $17 million to fund sight-saving research. As promising treatments move into critical human studies, the need for research funding is greater than ever before.
This years event will be held at UCLA on October 23rd. My family has been hit hard by RP. Two of my sister’s, as well as myself are affected with the disease. The foundation has helped to fund research which is already putting forward possible treatments for this, and other diseases, giving us a hope we never thought we’d have. Proceeds of the walk will allow us to take bigger steps to fund promising research into the causes, treatments and cures for all retinal degenerative diseases.
To sponsor, or join our team please visit: http://www.fightblindness.org/site/TR?pg=team&fr_id=4250&team_id=60390 or use http://www.fightblindness.org/losangelesvisionwalk Then click on “Donate” and search for ‘Roselyn Perez’.
Thank you in advance
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
October 7, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on October 7, and will be updated on October 14. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.Fall, 2011 Conference and Convention Announcement
From the CCB Publications CommitteeThe Fall, 2011 Conference and Convention announcement and pre-registration form is now on the CCB website. The direct link is:
http://www.ccbnet.org/conventions/con11b_announce.htm
or find it by going to the conventions links on the home page at www.ccbnet.org.
It is very important that you access this announcement right away so you can make your plans to come to the conference and convention. The CCB conference and convention group room rate of $99 will run out very soon. Make your reservation today by calling toll free 888-315-3700 or the local number 310-642-7500; be sure to tell them you are reserving a room for the "California Council of the Blind Conference and Convention October 27- 30th, 2011". We have a great program in store and we look forward to seeing you there!
Kaiser Barrier Investigation
Disability Rights Advocates and the law firm Goldstein, Demchak, Baller, Borgen & Dardarian are investigating complaints regarding barriers that people who are blind or low vision have experienced in Kaiser's programs, services and facilities.If you have been unable to access Kaiser's website or to get important information in alternative formats, such as medical forms, prescriptions and educational materials, we would like to talk to you. In addition, if you have faced architectural barriers or staff insensitivity to vision disability issues, please contact us.
To share your stories, email kaiser@gdblegal.com, or call 866-723-1494. All communications will be kept confidential.
Thanks for any information you can share.
Sincerely, Laurence Paradis, President and Co-Director of Litigation Disability Rights Advocates.
From Jeff Thom, Resolution Committee Chair
With the convention fast approaching, it is time to prepare those Resolutions for submission to the organization. Remember it is these policy statements that define the directions our advocacy will be taking.Please send them to me either by e-mail at jsthom@comcast.net or in any other format by sending them to the CCB office at 1510 J. Street, Suite 125, Sacramento, 95814.
If you would like help in drafting a resolution you may call me at (916) 995-3967.
EQUAL ACCESS TO PUBLIC INFORMATION FOR THE BLIND ACT
GOVERNOR SIGNS EQUAL ACCESS TO PUBLIC INFORMATION FOR THE BLIND ACTAB 410 Empowers the Blind and Visually Impaired to Participate in the Adoption of State Regulations
(Sacramento, CA) - Assemblymember Sandré R. Swanson (D-Alameda) is proud to announce that Governor Brown signed the Equal Access to Public Information for the Blind Act today - a bill that was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger last year. AB 410 http://leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_0401-0450/ab_410_bill_20110912_enrolled.html gives the state practical guidance on how to translate its regulatory proposals to make them understandable to the blind. "Blind and visually impaired people have a right to the same information that state agencies are required to provide to the rest of the public, "explained Swanson. "AB 410 codifies fundamental democratic principles of equal access by requiring state agencies to provide regulations in a format that is accessible to the blind and visually impaired."
Swanson decided to introduce the first version of the bill last year after learning that blind people are being excluded from the regulatory process because the text format used by state agencies is unreadable by adaptive reading software. Adaptive reading software - the software used by blind people to narrate text - can't distinguish between normal text and strikeout or italicized text. "Because the state uses stylized text in regulatory proposals, a blind person listening to a transcript of a proposed regulation is unable to understand the meaning of the proposal," said Swanson. "AB 410 fixes this problem by requiring certain state agencies to use a prescribed narrative format when a request for translation is submitted."
Jeff Thom, Chairperson of Governmental Affairs with the California Council of the Blind, says the proposed narrative format will help hundreds of visually impaired and blind men and women participate in state government. "AB 410 gives blind people the same ability as their sighted counterparts to participate in the regulatory process." Swanson's staff worked closely with Thom to develop the narrative format to ensure its accuracy and compatibility with adaptive reading software.
Swanson explained that AB 410 only applies to a handful of departments and regulatory subject areas that uniquely concern blind and visually impaired persons and that he hopes to expand its reach over the next few years if there is agreement that the narrative format works. "I am confident that state agencies want to do the right thing. We all want the blind and visually impaired to have access to public information. This bill gives state agencies some practical guidance on how to make that happen," Swanson concluded.
From Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
As we continue to move closer to our conference and convention please remember to bring your door prizes to the registration table. Also if you know of anyone interested in volunteering some time at the conference and convention please have them contact the CCB office at 800-221-6359.In closing, we have received information that conference and convention attendees can still receive the CCB room rate of $99 inclusive. So please hurry and make your room reservations before our room block is filled.
Call toll free 888-315-3700 or the local hotel number 310-642-7500 and ask for the CCB group room rate.
Animal First Aid Class
This is an advertisement from Guide Dog User's of California, GDUC.Do you know what the temperature of your dog or cat should be? Do you know how to take care of your dog or cat who may be suffering from heat stroke?
Learn the answers to these questions and many more things too at the Animal First Aid class to be held at the fall convention on Thursday October 27th from 10 AM to noon.
Pre registration cost for this class is $30 and after October 15th the cost goes up to $35. Only 30 people can be a part of this class so sign up early.
People can pay by check, cash, or PayPal. Make all checks out to Peggy Rew, who is our presenter for the class. If using PayPal go to https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=8ctbNm6LuQPJna_08sPq89WLZAxcwpDaKUKfZyIU78c45B2e2lJs1u0KvH8&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8d35d0e363192f28ea2a5d17702da0dbf0 for making your on-line payments. There is an approximately $1.17 extra cost for using PayPal so please take this into account in advance.
Contact Mary Beth Randall to get your name on the list as soon as possible. To contact Mary Beth call (559) 224-7999.
All payments should be sent to Mary Beth Randall at 4733 N. Cedar Ave. #110; Fresno, CA 93726 instead of the CCB office.
San Francisco Chapter Eleventh Annual Pizza Bingo Fundraiser
Please join the members and friends of The San Francisco Chapter on Saturday, October 15th at The Western Park Apartments, 1280 Laguna St, San Francisco, California, from 12 noon until 4:00 p.m. for our eleventh annual Pizza Bingo Fundraiser. This event is to raise money for The Alice Chavez Pardini Education Advancement Grant.Our delicious meal will consist of a salad, pizza and dessert. All of that for just $10.00 per person, payable at the door.
Drink tickets will be available. Soda tickets will be $0.50. Beer and wine tickets will be $1.00. Bingo will be $0.25 a game, and blackout will be $1.00. We'll also have lots of wonderful door prizes for you to win.
Raffle tickets are also being sold for $1.00 each or a book of 6 tickets for $5.00. First prize is $200.00. Second prize is $100.00. Third and Fourth prizes are $50.00 each.
To make your reservation for this not to be missed fundraiser, please contact Sandra Fancher at (415) 474-3659.
Deadline to make reservations is Wednesday October 12, 2011. Hope to see you there.
Access Ingenuity - Newest Technology From Freedom Scientific
Come join Access Ingenuity and learn about the newest technology available from Freedom Scientific. A special highlight will be the discussion of the new features of JAWS 13, which will be released later this month.Date: Monday, October 17,
Time: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Hosted by Blindness Support Services 3696 Beatty Drive Suite A Riverside
Please RSVP to Andrea Pitsenbarger at (714) 356-2013 or andreap@accessingenuity.com
National Library Service Celebration
The National Library Service turns 80 this year and you are invited to come celebrate with us!WHO: California State Library Braille and Talking Book Library.
WHAT: Celebration of 80th Anniversary of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
WHEN: Saturday, October 15, 2011 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: 900 ‘N’ Street Sacramento, CA 95814.
Come hear the jazz band, a historical re-enactment, readings, guest speakers AND socialize with fellow patrons and BTBL staff while you enjoy a selection of finger foods and drinks!
So we can reserve enough food, please notify us by October 12 of your attendance! PLEASE CONTACT Us IN ONE OF THESE WAYS:
- Call us toll-free at 800-952-5666; press 9 at the main menu and leave a message on our events voicemail
- Email us at btbl@library.ca.gov
- Mail a note to: Braille and Talking Book Library, PO Box 942837, Sacramento, CA 94237-0001.
The Braille and Talking Book Library is located at 900 N Street. Our front door is on N Street and is approximately 400 feet West of the intersection of 10th and N Streets. We are located two blocks from the Regional Transit Light Rail stop at 8th and O Streets. Several Regional Transit regular and commuter bus routes come within a few blocks of the library, including routes 2, 3, 6, 7, 11, 15, 29, 30, 31, 34, and 51. Please check weekend schedules in advance.
Regional Transit customer service is available Monday through Friday at (916) 321-2877 or you can find routes and schedule information on their web site at http://www.sacRT.com
Paratransit is also available for registered users by calling 916-429-2744 or 800-956-6776 or visiting http://www.paratransit.org
On-street Parking, subject to parking space availability, is Free for vehicles displaying a State of California Disability Placard. A Pay Garage is located on 10th Street between P and O Streets, and a Pay City Lot is located on 10th Street between L and K Streets. Other pay lots and garages are scattered throughout the downtown area.
For driving directions to the library, please visit: http://www.library.ca.gov/about/DirectionsDetails.html#Sac
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
September 30, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on September 30, and will be updated on October 7. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.California Council of the Blind Fall Conference and Convention Room Reservations
Attention all California Council of the Blind (CCB) Fall Conference and Convention-bound readers! Make your room reservations today for guaranteed booking at the inclusive CCB room rate of $99!Just a reminder to you that the Crowne Plaza LAX hotel, 5985 W Century Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90045, local phone: 310 642-7500, is accepting reservations at a rate of $99 per night at 888-315-3700. Be sure to ask for the CCB group room rate!
The Conference and Convention will be held from Thursday, October 27 thru Sunday, October 30, 2011. Make your room reservations today for guaranteed booking at the inclusive CCB room rate of $99!
Fall Conference and Convention Happenings
A sneak peak at some of our Conference and Convention happenings. Animal First Aid, Multicultural issues, Assistive Technology, Transportation and much more, are as follows.We have several "first's" at the Fall Conference and Convention. Guide Dog Users of California is bringing an Animal First Aid Class to you. Read more here in the Connection for the details.
Mrs. Peggy Garrett, Missouri City, Texas, is chair of the American Council of the Blind Multicultural Affairs Committee. She will continue moving us toward "Exhibiting the gold, Exploring the treasure, Embracing the cultures," on Saturday afternoon.
The CCB Technology Committee will be having not one session but two sessions at the Conference and Convention by popular demand of the membership! For their first and second sessions, there will be lots of interaction and hands on learning for all in attendance.
Also come listen and ask questions at the session where you will hear about "Righting a Wrong: Victory in Cuthbertson v. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority."
Our Conference and Convention guest from the American Council of the Blind is Reverend Michael Garrett, Member, ACB Board of Directors, Missouri City, Texas. He will bring us information on the latest in ACB happenings and initiatives. Michael will also be our banquet speaker and further inspire us into continued forward movement into making a difference in advocating for positive change during these tough times.
For more news on the upcoming CCB Conference and Convention please visit our CA Connection every week on the web at http://www.ccbnet.org/calcon11.htm or call after 5 or on weekends 800-221-6359 toll free in California or 916-441-2100. Also, visit us on the web at www.ccbnet.org as our full announcement and pre-registration will appear there very soon.
This is a very small sampling of what will be taking place at our convention. We will address so many more topics so please visit us on the web or by phone. At the CCB Conference and Convention, there is always something of interest to everyone! Your Announcements will be showing up very soon in your mailboxes and we will be publishing on the web ASAP! And to all our CCB Family out there, don't forget to bring those oh so fun "DOOR PRIZES" to the Conference and Convention so we can have a repeat of our spring convention! That was a lot of fun, even though I did not win.From Jeff Thom, Resolution Committee Chair
With the convention fast approaching, it is time to prepare those Resolutions for submission to the organization. Remember it is these policy statements that define the directions our advocacy will be taking. Please send them to me either by e-mail at jsthom@comcast.net or in any other format by sending them to the CCB office at 1510 J. Street, Suite 125, Sacramento, 95814.If you would like help in drafting a resolution you may call me at (916) 995-3967.
Conference and Convention Female Roommate Request
From Joni Patche: I am looking for a female roommate for the fall conference and convention. I have a guide dog and the person must be a non-smoker. If interested please call me at (916) 240-3131 or email me at jpatche@winfirst.comAnimal First Aid Class
This is an advertisement from Guide Dog User's of California, GDUC.Do you know what the temperature of your dog or cat should be? Do you know how to take care of your dog or cat who may be suffering from heat stroke?
Learn the answers to these questions and many more things too at the Animal First Aid class to be held at the fall convention on Thursday October 27th from 10 AM to noon.
Pre registration cost for this class is $30 and after October 15th the cost goes up to $35. Only 30 people can be a part of this class so sign up early.
People can pay by check, cash, or PayPal. Make all checks out to Peggy Rew, who is our presenter for the class. If using PayPal go to https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=8ctbNm6LuQPJna_08sPq89WLZAxcwpDaKUKfZyIU78c45B2e2lJs1u0KvH8&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8d35d0e363192f28ea2a5d17702da0dbf0 for making your on-line payments. There is an approximately $1.17 extra cost for using PayPal so please take this into account in advance.
Contact Mary Beth Randall to get your name on the list as soon as possible. To contact Mary Beth call (559) 224-7999.
All payments should be sent to Mary Beth Randall at 4733 N. Cedar Ave. #110; Fresno, CA 93726 instead of the CCB office.
San Francisco Chapter Eleventh Annual Pizza Bingo Fundraiser
Please join the members and friends of The San Francisco Chapter on Saturday, October 15th at The Western Park Apartments, 1280 Laguna St, San Francisco, California, from 12 noon until 4:00 p.m. for our eleventh annual Pizza Bingo Fundraiser. This event is to raise money for The Alice Chavez Pardini Education Advancement Grant.Our delicious meal will consist of a salad, pizza and dessert. All of that for just $10.00 per person, payable at the door. Drink tickets will be available. Soda tickets will be $0.50. Beer and wine tickets will be $1.00. Bingo will be $0.25 a game, and blackout will be $1.00. We'll also have lots of wonderful door prizes for you to win. Raffle tickets are also being sold for $1.00 each or a book of 6 tickets for $5.00. First prize is $200.00. Second prize is $100.00. Third and Fourth prizes are $50.00 each.
To make your reservation for this not to be missed fundraiser, please contact Sandra Fancher at (415) 474-3659. Deadline to make reservations is Wednesday October 12, 2011. Hope to see you there.
Bay View Chapter Annual Lasagna Fundraiser
From Cathie Skivers: The members of the Bay View Chapter of CCB cordially invite you to attend their annual Lasagna fund raiser dinner. Please reserve October 8th, 2011 from 5 PM to 8:30 PM. This event will be held at the East Bay Center for the Blind, 2928 Adeline, Berkeley, CA 94703. The chairperson is Cathie Skivers. We can accommodate 80 people for this dinner and we urge you to make early reservations so you can be one of them. The cost of dinner is $10.The menu will include salad, Lasagna, green beans with ice cream and cookies for dessert. When making your reservations be sure to indicate whether you want meat or vegetable Lasagna.
Make your reservations by no later than Friday, September 23rd by calling Cathie Skivers at (510) 357-1986. This will be a great time to see old friends and make new ones. The purpose of this dinner is to raise funds for Bay View Chapter and to have lots of fun!
Cell Phone Technology Seminar
Can you hear me now?Join the LightHouse for the next technology seminar and learn about cell phones that are accessible for the blind and visually impaired.
Thursday, October 6: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
214 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco
You can participate in one of the following ways:
- Tune in via live audio stream on our website
- Dial in with our telephone conferencing service
- Attend in person and talk to the presenters after the seminar.
Do you want to join the iPhone craze? Or maybe you would prefer to use the Sprint Sanyo Vero smartphone or the Verizon Haven basic phone?
Assistive Technology Consultant Peter Cantisani and representatives from Sprint and Verizon will present and answer questions.
RSVP to (415) 694-7326 or rsvp@lighthouse-sf.org
Conference call and live stream instructions will be provided with RSVP.
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
September 23, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on September 23, and will be updated on September 30. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.Conference and Convention News
From Donna Pomerantz, CCB President: News on things pertaining to our Conference and Convention to be held at the LAX Crowne Plaza Hotel October 27 through 30, 2011.Before I get into convention specifics please remember it is time to get your chapter credentials forms into the office ASAP as the clock is ticking toward the big day. Your chapter President and their designee have seen it as it has been posted now twice to the CCB-Presidents List and emailed directly or snail mailed if that is the format requested by your President. Please help remind them to be seated at convention they must have the form in ASAP.
For those who haven't heard, our Banquet MC will be none other than our own Board Member, Vincent Calderon. You will be pleasantly surprised by his humor, and who knows what stories he will have for us. Also, for those who are able to bring door prizes please remember to do so, I know some chapters have already voted to send some $$$'s. What fond memories I have of the Spring when we were able to answer the call for door prizes every time, and that was because each of you gave your support and brought door prizes in mass to the Convention. Please call the office at 800-221-6359 if you wish more information. See you all very soon!Conference and Convention Transportation Information
Transportation information for those traveling to the Conference and Convention Crowne Plaza LAX hotel:The no cost LAX Airport to Crowne Plaza Hotel shuttles are available at the passenger loading zone outside the baggage claim area of the airport.
Amtrak passengers arrive at Union Station, at 800 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, and take a taxi or shuttle to the hotel.
Those traveling by Greyhound bus arrive at the bus station at 1716 East 7th Street, Los Angeles and take a taxi or shuttle from there to the hotel.
For those wishing to become a “visiting paratransit traveler” call 800-827-0829, select option 1. You will need to provide proof of your ADA paratransit eligibility in your home area.
Conference and Convention Female Roommate Request
From Joni Patche: I am looking for a female roommate for the fall conference and convention. I have a guide dog and the person must be a non-smoker. If interested please call me at (916) 240-3131 or email me at jpatche@winfirst.comAnimal First Aid Class
This is an add from Guide Dog User's of California, GDUC.Do you know what the temperature of your dog or cat should be? Do you know how to take care of your dog or cat who may be suffering from heat stroke?
Learn the answers to these questions and many more things too at the Animal First Aid class to be held at the fall convention on Thursday October 27th from 10 AM to noon.
Pre registration cost for this class is $30 and after October 15th the cost goes up to $35. Only 30 people can be a part of this class so sign up early.
People can pay by check, cash, or PayPal. Make all checks out to Peggy Rew, who is our presenter for the class.
If using PayPal go to https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=8ctbNm6LuQPJna_08sPq89WLZAxcwpDaKUKfZyIU78c45B2e2lJs1u0KvH8&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8d35d0e363192f28ea2a5d17702da0dbf0 for making your on-line payments. There is an approximately $1.17 extra cost for using PayPal so please take this into account in advance.
Contact Mary Beth Randall to get your name on the list as soon as possible. To contact Mary Beth call (559) 224-7999.
All payments should be sent to Mary Beth Randall at 4733 N. Cedar Ave. #110; Fresno, CA 93726 instead of the CCB office.
Cell Phone Technology Seminar
Can you hear me now?Join the LightHouse for the next technology seminar and learn about cell phones that are accessible for the blind and visually impaired.
Thursday, October 6: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. 214 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
You can participate in one of the following ways:
Tune in via live audio stream on our website
Dial in with our telephone conferencing service
Attend in person and talk to the presenters after the seminar.
Find out if a Smartphone or a basic phone is right for you. Do you want to join the iPhone craze? Or maybe you would prefer to use the Sprint Sanyo Vero smartphone or the Verizon Haven basic phone?
Assistive Technology Consultant Peter Cantisani and representatives from Sprint and Verizon will present and answer questions.
RSVP to (415) 694-7326 or rsvp@lighthouse-sf.org
Conference call and live stream instructions will be provided with RSVP.
Greater Los Angeles Chapter Annual Fundraiser
The Greater Los Angeles Chapter, CCB will be holding its annual fundraiser on Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 3 to 8 p.m. This event will be held in the Clubhouse at the Chatsworth Mobile Home Park, 21500 Lassen Street, Chatsworth, California, cross street Canoga Avenue.This year our Chapter is going to have a Hawaiian theme with a menu of pork, beef, chicken, fish, rice and macaroni salad plus dessert. Each adult will be given a free Mai Tai. Virgin Mai Tais will also be available. Additional Mai Tais, soda, water, beer and wine will also be available at $3 per Mai Tai, $2 for wine or beer, and soda and water included in the price of $20 for adults, and children 4-12 $15. We will also have a raffle, and door prizes will be enjoyed by those persons calling in for reservations no later than September 26, 2011.
Please contact Ken Metz, fundraising chair, at (323) 793-1805 with your reservation. We look forward to some great fellowship, and each person will be leied at the door.
Bay View Chapter Annual Lasagna Fundraiser
From Cathie Skivers: The members of the Bay View Chapter of CCB cordially invite you to attend their annual Lasagna fund raiser dinner.Please reserve October 8th, 2011 from 5 PM to 8:30 PM.
This event will be held at the East Bay Center for the Blind, 2928 Adeline, Berkeley, CA 94703.
The chairperson is Cathie Skivers. We can accommodate 80 people for this dinner and we urge you to make early reservations so you can be one of them.
The cost of dinner is $10. The menu will include salad, Lasagna, green beans with ice cream and cookies for dessert. When making your reservations be sure to indicate whether you want meat or vegetable Lasagna.
Make your reservations by no later than Friday, September 23rd by calling Cathie Skivers at (510) 357-1986. This will be a great time to see old friends and make new ones. The purpose of this dinner is to raise funds for Bay View Chapter and to have lots of fun!
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
September 16, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on September 16, and will be updated on September 23. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.California Council of the Blind Mutt Strut
A Huge Thank You from President Donna Pomerantz:Thanks to each and every one of you who made our first ever California Council of the Blind Mutt Strut a success! So many people helped make it happen by walking or running with or without their dogs; setting up fundraising pages on FirstGiving and razing money on the web or in person through the CCB Office; committing to chair one of the two regions who participated this year; chairing the statewide event; working on the regional committees, and when I say working, oh my gosh, so, so very much went into this from everyone who stuck it out to the end. Some of our committee members worked tirelessly and they went out and did fundraising too! We have built something very special through the tireless labor that came from a core group. It took each and everyone of us to make this happen in whatever way we were able to participate. A huge thank you to everyone! We did it! We all made a difference!
Conference and Convention Sites - Conference Call
The CCB Board of Directors invites you to participate with us on September 21st at 7:30 PM via conference call to discuss, and vote on, conference and convention sites for spring 2013 and spring 2014.All members having unlimited long distance who are interested in joining us via the conference call may participate by calling (712) 432-3066, with access code 497700. We encourage you to call in 10 minutes early as we will start promptly at 7:30 PM.
If you also have 3-way calling, please let the CCB office know at 800-221-6359.
If you do not have unlimited long distance please call the CCB office and we will put you in touch with a person having 3 way calling so you can join the conference call.
If you have difficulty joining the conference call on the 21st, please call Donna Pomerantz at (626) 233-2991.
Conference and Convention News
From Donna Pomerantz, CCB President: News on things pertaining to our Conference and Convention to be held at the LAX Crown Plaza Hotel October 27 through 30, 2011. Before I get into convention specifics please remember it is time to get your chapter credentials forms into the office ASAP as the clock is ticking toward the big day. Your chapter President and their designee have seen it as it has been posted now twice to the CCB-Presidents List and emailed directly or snail mailed if that is the format requested by your President. Please help remind them to be seated at convention they must have the form in ASAP.For those who haven't heard, our Banquet MC will be none other than our own Board Member, Vincent Calderon. You will be pleasantly surprised by his humor, and who knows what stories he will have for us.
Also, for those who are able to bring door prizes please remember to do so, I know some chapters have already voted to send some $$$'s. What fond memories I have of the Spring when we were able to answer the call for door prizes every time, and that was because each of you gave your support and brought door prizes in mass to the Convention.
Please call the office at 800-221-6359 if you wish more information. See you all very soon!
Animal First Aid Class
This is an add from Guide Dog User's of California, GDUC.Do you know what the temperature of your dog or cat should be? Do you know how to take care of your dog or cat who may be suffering from heat stroke?
Learn the answers to these questions and many more things too at the Animal First Aid class to be held at the fall convention on Thursday October 27th from 10 AM to noon.
Pre registration cost for this class is $30 and after October 15th the cost goes up to $35. Only 30 people can be a part of this class so sign up early.
People can pay by check, cash, or PayPal. Make all checks out to Peggy Rew, who is our presenter for the class.
If using PayPal go to https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=8ctbNm6LuQPJna_08sPq89WLZAxcwpDaKUKfZyIU78c45B2e2lJs1u0KvH8&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8d35d0e363192f28ea2a5d17702da0dbf0 for making your on-line payments. There is an approximately $1.17 extra cost for using PayPal so please take this into account in advance.
Contact Mary Beth Randall to get your name on the list as soon as possible. To contact Mary Beth call (559) 224-7999.
All payments should be sent to Mary Beth Randall at 4733 N. Cedar Ave. #110; Fresno, CA 93726 instead of the CCB office.
From Jeff Thom
I am pleased to report that our bill AB410, which would require certain state agencies, upon request, to make proposed regulations available in formats readable by screenreaders, has passed the Legislature and will be on the Governor's desk. I would urge all of you to contact the Governor and ask him to sign this measure. You may do so by phone at (916) 445-2841, by fax at (916) 558-3160, by e-mail at the website www.gov.ca.gov or by regular mail at:Office of the Governor
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814.
Your communication to the Governor will be vital in our effort to have AB410 become law.
Cell Phone Technology Seminar
Can you hear me now?Join the LightHouse for the next technology seminar and learn about cell phones that are accessible for the blind and visually impaired.
Thursday, October 6: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
214 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco
You can participate in one of the following ways:
Tune in via live audio stream on our website
Dial in with our telephone conferencing service
Attend in person and talk to the presenters after the seminar.
Find out if a Smartphone or a basic phone is right for you. Do you want to join the iPhone craze? Or maybe you would prefer to use the Sprint Sanyo Vero smartphone or the Verizon Haven basic phone?
Assistive Technology Consultant Peter Cantisani and representatives from Sprint and Verizon will present and answer questions.
RSVP to (415) 694-7326 or rsvp@lighthouse-sf.org
Conference call and live stream instructions will be provided with RSVP.
Greater Long Beach Chapter Karaoke Fundraiser
It’s time again, come join the Greater Long Beach Chapter for an afternoon of Karaoke at our yearly fund raiser.Date: Saturday, October 8, 2011
Time: 2:00PM - 6:00PM
Location: Bellflower Moose Lodge No 796 (on Alondra just west of Clark Ave) 9320 Alondra Blvd, Bellflower, CA 90706.
Phone: 562-867-3066
Drop off and pick up at rear of building.
$15.00 per person includes croissant sandwiches, Turkey, Ham, and Roast beef, plus a variety of potato chips, salads and dessert plus karaoke entertainment, 50/50 drawing and door prizes. Beverages, including water, soft drinks and full-bar service are extra.
R.S.V.P. By October3, 2011 with Aisha Wendt at (562) 438-7100.
Fall BSC Northern California Student Social
Join us at the Fall Blind Students of California (BSC) Northern California Student Social.Facebook can be fabulous and Twitter can be terrific. But when the weekend arrives and your classes are over, there's nothing like sitting around having pizza and drinks with good friends.
The Blind Students of California and the San Francisco chapter of CCB invite all students in the Bay Area and beyond to meet for dinner and conversation.
When: Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 5 PM
California Pizza Kitchen, 53 Third Street, between Market and Mission Streets in San Francisco.
This location is easily accessible from BART and several MUNI routes as well as the temporary TransBay Terminal.
The restaurant staff suggest that we make a reservation. So, please call or email one of us by Thursday September 22.
Lisa Gorden Cushman (510) 276-7104 crysania@sbcglobal.net
Linda Porelle (415) 577-8437 lporelle@sbcglobal.net
Greater Los Angeles Chapter Annual Fundraiser
The Greater Los Angeles Chapter, CCB will be holding its annual fundraiser on Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 3 to 8 p.m.This event will be held in the Clubhouse at the Chatsworth Mobile Home Park, 21500 Lassen Street, Chatsworth, California, cross street Canoga Avenue.
This year our Chapter is going to have a Hawaiian theme with a menu of pork, beef, chicken, fish, rice and macaroni salad plus dessert. Each adult will be given a free Mai Tai. Virgin Mai Tais will also be available. Additional Mai Tais, soda, water, beer and wine will also be available at $3 per Mai Tai, $2 for wine or beer, and soda and water included in the price of $20 for adults, and children 4-12 $15.
We will also have a raffle, and door prizes will be enjoyed by those persons calling in for reservations no later than September 26, 2011.
Please contact Ken Metz, fundraising chair, at (323) 793-1805 with your reservation. We look forward to some great fellowship, and each person will be leied at the door.
Bay View Chapter Annual Lasagna Fundraiser
From Cathie Skivers: The members of the Bay View Chapter of CCB cordially invite you to attend their annual Lasagna fund raiser dinner.Please reserve October 8th, 2011 from 5 PM to 8:30 PM. This event will be held at the East Bay Center for the Blind, 2928 Adeline, Berkeley, CA 94703. The chairperson is Cathie Skivers. We can accommodate 80 people for this dinner and we urge you to make early reservations so you can be one of them.
The cost of dinner is $10.
The menu will include salad, Lasagna, green beans with ice cream and cookies for dessert. When making your reservations be sure to indicate whether you want meat or vegetable Lasagna.
Make your reservations by no later than Friday, September 23rd by calling Cathie Skivers at (510) 357-1986.
This will be a great time to see old friends and make new ones. The purpose of this dinner is to raise funds for Bay View Chapter and to have lots of fun!
Orange County Chapter Pre-holiday Boutique Fundraiser
The Orange County Chapter of the California Council of the Blind cordially invites you to attend our Fall Event/ pre-holiday boutique fundraiser on Saturday, September 24, 2011 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.The event will take place at the First Reform Christian Church, 530 North Dale Street in Anaheim, across the street from the Braille Institute. This location is accessible by both Orange County and LA Access.
The cost is $15, which includes lunch and 1 door prize ticket. There will be a separate raffle for which additional tickets may be purchased at the event.
Several area vendors will be present, allowing opportunities for preChristmas shopping.
To RSVP, please contact Andrea Pitsenbarger at (714) 921-0289 or at: Patches921@sbcglobal.net
We look forward to seeing all of you there.
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
September 9, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on September 9, and will be updated on September 16. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.Conference and Convention Sites - Conference Call
The CCB Board of Directors invites you to participate with us on September 21st at 7:30 PM via conference call to discuss, and vote on, conference and convention sites for spring 2013 and spring 2014. All members having unlimited long distance who are interested in joining us via the conference call may participate by calling 712-432-3066, with access code 497700. We encourage you to call in 10 minutes early as we will start promptly at 7:30 PM. If you also have 3-way calling, please let the CCB office know at 800-221-6359. If you do not have unlimited long distance please call the CCB office and we will put you in touch with a person having 3 way calling so you can join the conference call.If you have difficulty joining the conference call on the 21st, please call Donna Pomerantz at 626-233-2991.
Mutt Strut for 2011
From Ken Metz: Good Friday morning to all of our CCB family. This is our last blast pertaining to the Mutt Strut for 2011 with the exception of its success. Remember, this is our CCB, and if any of you can make it tomorrow to either Sacramento at the South Side Park, or to Los Angeles at the Los Angeles State Historic Park with your $25 registration fee with or without a dog, we’d sure be happy to count you in our totals. I almost feel like Jerry Lewis with the MDA Telethon, but our disease of improving life for persons who are blind and visually impaired won’t kill, but it can take away your dignity. Please call Jeff Thom, for Northern California at (916) 995-3967 this evening, or Ken Metz, Southern California co-chair, at (323) 793-1805, if you will attend tomorrow. You can register and pay your participation fee of $25 at either of the two event locations.Please! We need the help of every CCB member and friend.
From Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
News on our Conference and Convention to be held at the LAX Crown Plaza Hotel October 27 through 30, 2011. For those who have been waiting to hear, our Conference and Convention guest from the American Council of the Blind is Reverend Michael Garrett, Member, ACB Board of Directors, Missouri City, Texas. You will enjoy his knowledge and his sense of humor. Also, for those who are able to bring door prizes please remember to do so... what fond memories I have of the Spring when we were able to answer the call for door prizes every time... and that was because each of you gave your support and brought door prizes in mass to the Convention. Please call the office at 800-221-6359 if you wish more information. Also, if you know of anyone who can assist by volunteering some time during convention weekend, please have them call the CCB Office as well, all are welcome. See you all very soon!Convention Roommate Request
From Tuan Nguyen: I am seeking a male roommate for the three-night stay at the upcoming Fall CCB Conference & Convention in Los Angeles from Oct. 27th to Oct. 30th. Having a guide dog in the room is absolutely fine with me. If interested, please contact me directly at: ngtapop925@hotmail.com or (916) 529-2320.Animal First Aid Class
This is an advertisement from Guide Dog User's of California, GDUC.Do you know what the temperature of your dog or cat should be? Do you know how to take care of your dog or cat who may be suffering from heat stroke?
Learn the answers to these questions and many more things too at the Animal First Aid class to be held at the fall convention on Thursday, October 27th from 10 AM to noon. Pre registration cost for this class is $30 and after October 15th the cost goes up to $35. Only 30 people can be a part of this class so sign up early. People can pay by check, cash, or PayPal. Make all checks out to Peggy Rew, who is our presenter for the class. If using PayPal go to https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=8ctbNm6LuQPJna_08sPq89WLZAxcwpDaKUKfZyIU78c45B2e2lJs1u0KvH8&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8d35d0e363192f28ea2a5d17702da0dbf0 for making your on-line payments. There is an approximately $1.17 extra cost for using PayPal so please take this into account in advance. Contact Mary Beth Randall to get your name on the list as soon as possible. To contact Mary Beth call (559) 224-7999. All payments should be sent to Mary Beth Randall at 4733 N. Cedar Ave. #110; Fresno, CA 93726 instead of the CCB office.
From Jeff Thom
I am pleased to report that our bill AB410, which would require certain state agencies, upon request, to make proposed regulations available in formats readable by screenreaders, has passed the Legislature and will be on the Governor's desk. I would urge all of you to contact the Governor and ask him to sign this measure. You may do so by phone at (916) 445-2841, by fax at (916) 558-3160, by e-mail at the website www.gov.ca.gov or by regular mail at:Office of the Governor
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814.
Your communication to the Governor will be vital in our effort to have AB410 become law.
Unfortunately, I must report that the Governor vetoed our AB390, which would have required renewal notifications to be mailed to state identification card holders.
Fall BSC Northern California Student Social
Join us at the Fall BSC Northern California Student Social.Facebook can be fabulous and Twitter can be terrific. But when the weekend arrives and your classes are over, there's nothing like sitting around having pizza and drinks with good friends.
The Blind Students of California and the San Francisco chapter of CCB invite all students in the Bay Area and beyond to meet for dinner and conversation.
When: Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 5 PM
Where: California Pizza Kitchen, 53 Third Street, between Market and Mission Streets in San Francisco.
This location is easily accessible from BART and several MUNI routes as well as the temporary TransBay Terminal.
The restaurant staff suggest that we make a reservation. So, please call or email one of us by Thursday, September 22.
Lisa Gorden Cushman (510) 276-7104 crysania@sbcglobal.net
Linda Porelle (415) 577-8437 lporelle@sbcglobal.net
Greater Los Angeles Chapter Annual Fundraiser
The Greater Los Angeles Chapter, CCB will be holding its annual fundraiser on Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 3 to 8 p.m.This event will be held in the Clubhouse at the Chatsworth Mobile Home Park, 21500 Lassen Street, Chatsworth, California, cross street Canoga Avenue.
This year our Chapter is going to have a Hawaiian theme with a menu of pork, beef, chicken, fish, rice and macaroni salad plus dessert. Each adult will be given a free Mai Tai. Virgin Mai Tais will also be available. Additional Mai Tais, soda, water, beer and wine will also be available at $3 per Mai Tai, $2 for wine or beer, and soda and water included in the price of $20 for adults, and children 4-12 $15. We will also have a raffle, and door prizes will be enjoyed by those persons calling in for reservations no later than September 26, 2011.
Please contact Ken Metz, fundraising chair, at (323) 793-1805 with your reservation. We look forward to some great fellowship, and each person will be leied at the door.
Bay View Chapter Annual Lasagna Fundraiser
From Cathie Skivers: The members of the Bay View Chapter of CCB cordially invite you to attend their annual Lasagna fund raiser dinner.Please reserve October 8th, 2011 from 5 PM to 8:30 PM.
This event will be held at the East Bay Center for the Blind, 2928 Adeline, Berkeley, CA 94703.
The chairperson is Cathie Skivers. We can accommodate 80 people for this dinner and we urge you to make early reservations so you can be one of them.
The cost of dinner is $10.
The menu will include salad, Lasagna, green beans with ice cream and cookies for dessert.
When making your reservations be sure to indicate whether you want meat or vegetable Lasagna. Make your reservations by no later than Friday, September 23rd by calling Cathie Skivers at (510) 357-1986. This will be a great time to see old friends and make new ones.
The purpose of this dinner is to raise funds for Bay View Chapter and to have lots of fun!
Orange County Chapter Pre-holiday Boutique Fundraiser
The Orange County Chapter of the California Council of the Blind cordially invites you to attend our Fall Event/ pre-holiday boutique fundraiser on Saturday, September 24, 2011 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.The event will take place at the First Reform Christian Church, 530 North Dale Street in Anaheim, across the street from the Braille Institute. This location is accessible by both Orange County and LA Access.
The cost is $15, which includes lunch and 1 door prize ticket. There will be a separate raffle for which additional tickets may be purchased at the event.
Several area vendors will be present, allowing opportunities for preChristmas shopping.
To RSVP, please contact Andrea Pitsenbarger at (714) 921-0289 or at: Patches921@sbcglobal.net
We look forward to seeing all of you there.
East Los Angeles Chapter Picnic
Come one, come all to the East Los Angeles Chapter of the CCB picnic. It will be held on Saturday September 17, 2011 from 11:30 to 3 p.m. at the home of the Garcia's. The address is 1226 S. McBride Avenue in East Los Angeles. The cross street is Olympic.For further information call Marie Herrera at (818) 808-2300 or Maria Lopez at (323) 268-4526.
The menu will consist of fried chicken with all the fixings, two desserts for your pleasure, along with beer, wine and other spirits and soft drinks.
The cost is $10 per person.
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
September 2, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on September 2, and will be updated on September 9. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.Reminder: The CCB Sacramento office will be closed on Monday September 5th in observance of the Labor Day Holiday.
Contra Costa Chapter
From President, Donna PomerantzPlease join the CCB Board of Directors and me in welcoming the Contra Costa Chapter into the CCB Family. The Board of Directors voted by unanimous motion to accept their charter. We will have one more chapter seated at the Fall Conference and Convention. Welcome!
CCB’s First Annual Mutt Strut
From Ken Metz: Good Friday morning to everyone. I’m almost through dogging all of you because we’re approaching the finish line to CCB’s First Annual Mutt Strut. We have one week from tomorrow to reach the Northern and Southern California finish lines, and then we start all over again. Well, let’s stay with this one.To join the Mutt Strut in Northern California, please contact Jeff Thom at (916) 995-3967, and in the Southern California area, please contact Ken Metz, at (323) 793-1805.
If you need help registering on line, please call Ed Branch at the CCB office, at (800) 221-6359. Remember, the money made from this and future Mutt Struts goes to assist CCB members in numerous ways. Your support is vital to continue our programs and services.
From Cathie Skivers
I don’t have a dog, and I am not doing well at long walks, but I love this organization and, now more than ever, it is important for each and every one of us to support CCB. I am going to send a contribution for the Mutt Strut on behalf of my son Eric’s dog, Snow Flake. She won’t be attending in Sacramento because, although she is a Maltese that weighs 5 and one half pounds, she thinks she is a Great Dane, and she can bark louder than any dog I have ever heard. I think a contribution is in order, rather than her inciting a riot with all the dogs. I know times are hard right now for everyone, but this organization really needs our help. So please join me and making the Mutt Strut a financial and public relations success.CCB Fall Conference and Convention
From Donna Pomerantz, CCB president:Attention all CCB Fall Conference and Convention-bound readers! Just a reminder to you that the Crowne Plaza LAX hotel is accepting reservations at a rate of $99 per night at 888-315-3700 and be sure to ask for the CCB group room rate! If you are looking for a roommate for convention, please notify the CCB office as there are currently attendees who are also looking for a roommate: 800-221-6359.
News on our Conference and Convention to be held at the LAX Crown Plaza Hotel October 27 through 30, 2011.
For those who have been waiting to hear, our Conference and Convention guest from the American Council of the Blind is Reverend Michael Garrett, Member, ACB Board of Directors, Missouri City, Texas. You will enjoy his knowledge and his sense of humor. Also, for those who are able to bring door prizes please remember to do so... what fond memories I have of the Spring when we were able to answer the call for door prizes every time... and that was because each of you gave your support and brought door prizes in mass to the Convention.
Convention Roommate Request
From Tuan Nguyen: I am seeking a male roommate for the three-night stay at the upcoming Fall CCB Conference & Convention in Los Angeles from Oct. 27th to Oct. 30th. Having a guide dog in the room is absolutely fine with me. If interested, please contact me directly at: ngtapop925@hotmail.com or (916) 529-2320.Orange County Chapter Pre-holiday Boutique Fundraiser
The Orange County Chapter of the California Council of the Blind cordially invites you to attend our Fall Event/ pre-holiday boutique fundraiser on Saturday, September 24, 2011 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.The event will take place at the First Reform Christian Church, 530 North Dale Street in Anaheim, across the street from the Braille Institute. This location is accessible by both Orange County and LA Access.
The cost is $15, which includes lunch and 1 door prize ticket. There will be a separate raffle for which additional tickets may be purchased at the event. Several area vendors will be present, allowing opportunities for preChristmas shopping.
To RSVP, please contact Andrea Pitsenbarger at (714) 921-0289 or at: Patches921@sbcglobal.net
We look forward to seeing all of you there.
East Los Angeles Chapter Picnic
Come one, come all to the East Los Angeles Chapter of the CCB picnic.It will be held on Saturday September 17, 2011 from 11:30 to 3 p.m. at the home of the Garcia's.
The address is 1226 S. McBride Avenue in East Los Angeles. The cross street is Olympic.
For further information call Marie Herrera at (818) 808-2300 or Maria Lopez at (323) 268-4526.
The menu will consist of fried chicken with all the fixings, two desserts for your pleasure, along with beer, wine and other spirits and soft drinks.
The cost is $10 per person.
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
August 26, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on August 26, and will be updated on September 2. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From: Jeff Thom – Chair, Mutt Strut Sacramento
Calling all northern Californians. Support the first annual Mutt Strut on September 10 and make it happen for CCB. For those not living near Sacramento who want to run or walk, we can find housing for you for Friday night, so register online at www.ccbnet.org/muttstrut or by calling the office at 800-221-6359.Come join us for a massage, a photo, good food and more.
For housing arrangements email me at jsthom@comcast.net or call me at (916) 995-3967 and we'll make arrangements.
If you can't come, you can as a virtual walker or I can assist you in finding others for whom you can sponsor. Get your families, friends, neighbors and anyone you know to register or donate at www.ccbnet.org/muttstrut or by calling the office. It is up to each and every one of us.
From Melissa Hudson - Chair, Mutt Strut, Los Angeles
The 1st Annual Mutt Strut is just around the corner and we need every one of you to make it a success! We have been working very hard on your behalf and look forward to seeing you at the event. Please note, that in Los Angeles, you can register on the day of the event but, there will be an added $5 processing fee, so, I encourage you to register early by September 8th either by calling the office 1-800-221-6359 or 1-916-441-2100 or registering online at www.ccbnet.org/muttstrutAlso, my husband and I have been working tirelessly to put together the video testimonials and we have Parts 1, 2 & 3 of "What Blind Isn't" up on the Mutt Strut site and the CCB's YouTube Channel, CA Council of the Blind.
From Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
News on our Conference and Convention to be held at the LAX Crown Plaza Hotel October 27 through 30, 2011. For those who have been waiting to hear, our Conference and Convention guest from the American Council of the Blind is Reverend Michael Garrett, Member, ACB Board of Directors, Missouri City, Texas. You will enjoy his knowledge and his sense of humor. Also, for those who are able to bring door prizes please remember to do so...what fond memories I have of the Spring when we were able to answer the call for door prizes every time...and that was because each of you gave your support and brought door prizes in mass to the Convention. Please call the office if you wish more information. Also, if you know of anyone who can assist by volunteering some time during convention weekend, please have them call the CCB Office as well, all are welcome. See you all very soon!From Jeff Thom, Chair, Governmental Affairs Committee
Good news from the Capitol. Our bill to require certain state agencies to provide copies of proposed regulations in formats accessible to screenreaders has passed the Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously and is now on its way to the Senate floor, where we do not expect any opposition to final passage. When we know more about the Governor's thinking on the bill, we'll let you know.East Los Angeles Chapter Picnic
Come one, come all to the East Los Angeles Chapter of the CCB picnic. It will be held on Saturday September 17, 2011 from 11:30 to 3 p.m. at the home of the Garcia's. The address is 1226 S. McBride Avenue in East Los Angeles. The cross street is Olympic. For further information call Marie Herrera at (818) 808-2300 or Maria Lopez at (323) 268-4526.The menu will consist of fried chicken with all the fixings, two desserts for your pleasure, along with beer, wine and other spirits and soft drinks. The cost is $10 per person.
Disability Rights California
Disability Rights California, working with the Western Center on Law and Poverty and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), seek your assistance to make some public websites accessible.Disability Rights California, working with the Western Center on Law and Poverty and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), are investigating the accessibility of a number of public websites on which Californians can learn about public benefits and apply for the benefits online. These programs include: CalWorks, Refugee Assistance, Cal Fresh, Medi-Cal, Foster Care, CMSP, KinGAP, CAPI, Foster Care/Adoptions, General Assistance programs and the employment services required by these programs.
These web sites are important for people who receive SSI and need to apply for services for family members.
The websites in question are:
1. Los Angeles County's public benefits website at:
https://www.dpssbenefits.lacounty.gov/ybn/Index.html
2. Benefits CalWIN at:
https://www.benefitscalwin.org/
3. California SAWS Consortium at:
http:/www.c-iv.org/
We are particularly concerned about the accessibility of these websites to persons who are blind or have low vision. We would like to learn from you whether you want to utilize these websites but cannot due to the websites' inaccessibility. We also would like to work with a few individuals who are interested in making these web sites accessible.
If you have experienced problems accessing any of these web sites and/or are interested in helping us with this effort, please contact us directly by calling us at (916) 488-9950 and asking to talk with Todd Higgins or Taymour Ravandi. You can also reach Todd and Taymour at Todd.higgins@disabilityrightsca.org Or Taymour.ravandi@disabilityrightsca.org
We hope we can work with you closely on this important project.
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
August 19, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on August 19, and will be updated on August 26. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From Ken Metz, Mutt Strut Committee Chair
Hello to all CCB members. Please remember that our first CCB fundraiser Mutt Strut 2K/5K walk/run is happening only 22 days from today in both Los Angeles and Sacramento. Your help is needed to make this major CCB fundraiser a huge success in order to continue all the programs and services you've all enjoyed over the 76-year history of CCB. A couple of years ago we, as a membership, decided to keep two conventions per year, and that takes both money and staff time to make these conventions happen. You can help by either participating, sponsoring a runner/walker in the 2K/5K Mutt Strut, or giving a donation for the Mutt Strut by going on the web at www.ccbnet.org/muttstrut or by calling the CCB office at 800-221-6359 where Ed Branch could take your credit card and input it on the web for you.Remember, this is our fundraiser, our time to help raise money, and most important, our CCB. Let's all pitch in to make this a huge success.
Fall Conference and Convention
From Donna Pomerantz, CCB president: We are just a bit over two months away from our Fall Conference and Convention. I hope you read the Connection next week to learn who our National guest will be. Several of you know the person and to my knowledge they have never been to one of our Conference and Conventions before so stay tuned.Also, we are still in need of a host for the Welcome to Los Angeles party that always helps get things started on the right track. If your chapter or affiliate is interested, please give Ed a call in the CCB Office @ (916) 441-2100 or email ccotb@ccbnet.org to learn more about what's needed to put on a great welcome that will also be a fundraiser for your group. See you all very soon.
From Jeff Thom
Attention IHSS applicants or recipients. Beginning August 1, a state requirement is being implemented under which, as one of the conditions that must be met for program eligibility, you will be required to obtain a certification from a physician or other health professional that you are in need of the types of services offered under the In-Home Supportive Services Program. It is likely that your county will soon be contacting you, probably by mail, about your need to comply with this requirement, and you have a 45-day period to comply. If you have questions, you may call me at (916) 995-3967.We have great news on AB390, our bill that would require DMV to send out notifications for renewal of state ID cards. It has passed the Legislature and awaits signature by the Governor, and we are optimistic about its chances of being signed.
AB410, our bill to require certain state agencies to provide, upon request, narrative descriptions of proposed regulations, awaits action in the Senate Appropriations Committee. Everyone is urged to contact their state Senators.
AB727, a bill to require, among other things, 50% of food in vending machines on state property, to be nutritious, and that will have a devastating impact upon blind vendors, is also awaiting Senate Appropriations Committee action. We encourage you to tell your Senators to oppose this bill. If you need assistance in finding out who your Senator is, you may call me at (916) 995-3967.From Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
Greetings the my CCB Family and Friends who are reading or listening to this. It is my hope that we can turn the Connection into a mixture of personal updates and the business of CCB. Please help me do that as this is a reflection of us. So on that note I wish to ask you to keep Obbie Schoeman in your thoughts and prayers. He is recovering at Kaiser, West Los Angeles, from a mild heart attack, but he is on the mend. The good sign is that he wants "real" food and he was happy when Ken and Pam let him know that we are all thinking of him.Also, Domenic Martinelli, as his recovery at home is slow so he needs our thoughts and prayers as well.
Bay View Chapter Annual Lasagna Fundraiser
From Cathie Skivers: The members of the Bay View Chapter of CCB cordially invite you to attend their annual Lasagna fundraiser dinner. Please reserve October 8th, 2011 from 5 PM to 8:30 PM. This event will be held at the East Bay Center for the Blind, 2928 Adeline, Berkeley, CA 94703. The chairperson is Cathie Skivers. We can accommodate 80 people for this dinner and we urge you to make early reservations so you can be one of them. A notice will appear in the Connection in September as a reminder.The cost of dinner is $10. The menu will include salad, Lasagna, green beans with ice cream and cookies for dessert. When making your reservations be sure to indicate whether you want meat or vegetable Lasagna.
To make your reservations call Cathie Skivers at (510) 357-1986. This will be a great time to see old friends and make new ones. The purpose of this dinner is to raise funds for Bay View Chapter and to have lots of fun!
Disability Rights California
Disability Rights California, working with the Western Center on Law and Poverty and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), seek your assistance to make some public websites accessible.Disability Rights California, working with the Western Center on Law and Poverty and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), are investigating the accessibility of a number of public websites on which Californians can learn about public benefits and apply for the benefits online. These programs include: CalWorks, Refugee Assistance, Cal Fresh, Medi-Cal, Foster Care, CMSP, KinGAP, CAPI, Foster Care/Adoptions, General Assistance programs and the employment services required by these programs.
These web sites are important for people who receive SSI and need to apply for services for family members. The websites in question are:
1. Los Angeles County's public benefits website at:
https://www.dpssbenefits.lacounty.gov/ybn/Index.html
2. Benefits CalWIN at:
https://www.benefitscalwin.org/
3. California SAWS Consortium at:
http:/www.c-iv.org/
We are particularly concerned about the accessibility of these websites to persons who are blind or have low vision. We would like to learn from you whether you want to utilize these websites but cannot due to the websites' inaccessibility.
We also would like to work with a few individuals who are interested in making these web sites accessible.
If you have experienced problems accessing any of these web sites and/or are interested in helping us with this effort, please contact us directly by calling us at (916) 488-9950 and asking to talk with Todd Higgins or Taymour Ravandi. You can also reach Todd and Taymour at Todd.higgins@disabilityrightsca.org or Taymour.ravandi@disabilityrightsca.org
We hope we can work with you closely on this important project.
Job Announcement
TEACHER, ORIENTATION CENTER FOR THE BLIND TYPING AND BRAILLEOpening Date: 8/17/2011 8:00:00 AM
Closing Date: 8/31/2011 5:00:00 PM
MONTHLY-RANGED-SALARY - $2,868.75 to $6,454.00
Position description:Plans and conducts Typing and Braille classroom activities including the use of the slate and stylus and the Braille writer;
Develops the curriculum; evaluates student progress; maintains discipline; determines students deficiencies and adjusts or revises materials and techniques to meet individual and group needs;
Assists in the development of orientation center programs; prepares reports and makes studies; keeps records; prepares correspondence and addresses interested groups.
For more information on the job application and testing you may access the bulletin on the State Personnel Board website through this link:
http://jobs.ca.gov/CASPB/sup/BulPreview.asp?R1=110499&R2=00102328&R3=Tri011&Viewer=Admin&Test=Y
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
August 12, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on August 12, and will be updated on August 19. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.CCB First Annual Mutt Strut
Hello to all of you waiting for CCB's first annual Mutt Strut event. We only have a few weeks left until September 10, 2011, and the time is getting shorter and shorter. We need and encourage all of you to get yourselves and your friends, and your friends, and your friends all registered to help raise a substantial amount of funding for the many programs and services offered through CCB. Registration is $25 for adults, and children 15 and under $20. We have until September 8th to register either on line by going to www.ccbnet.org/muttstrut and then linking either to the Sacramento or Los Angeles areas to register, or, if you are having any difficulty getting into the on-line registration, you can call the CCB office at 1-800-221-6359, with your credit card number and Ed Branch will assist you. Remember, all proceeds will be used to enhance the rights for all blind persons in California. Volunteers for this event are also welcome and can be found on the Mutt Strut pages mentioned above.Contact Jeff Thom in Northern California at (916) 995-3967 or Ken Metz in Los Angeles at (323) 793-1805 if you have any further questions or need additional information.
From Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
We are just a bit over two months away from our Fall Conference and Convention. I hope you read the Connection next week to learn who our National guest will be. Several of you know the person and to my knowledge they have never been to one of our Conference and Conventions before so stay tuned.Also, we are still in need of a host for the Welcome to Los Angeles party that always helps get things started on the right track. If your chapter or affiliate is interested, please give Ed a call in the CCB Office at (916) 441-2100 or email ccotb@ccbnet.org to learn more about what's needed to put on a great welcome that will also be a fundraiser for your group. See you all very soon.
From Cathie Skivers
Great News from the state of Washington from Al and Connie Gil. Connie wants to thank all her friends in California for their thoughts and prayers during the difficult times she has had with her health. She wants them to know that their prayers have helped her so much and enabled her to continue treatment. She has just learned that her cancer is in remission. This is certainly good news. Connie and Al regularly attend our CCB meetings in California and are and have been members for decades.Bay View Chapter Annual Lasagna Fundraiser Dinner
Also From Cathie Skivers: The members of the Bay View Chapter of CCB cordially invite you to attend their annual Lasagna fundraiser dinner. Please reserve October 8th, 2011 from 5 PM to 8:30 PM. This event will be held at the East Bay Center for the Blind, 2928 Adeline, Berkeley, CA 94703. The chairperson is Cathie Skivers. We can accommodate 80 people for this dinner and we urge you to make early reservations so you can be one of them. A notice will appear in the Connection in September as a reminder. The cost of dinner is $10. The menu will include salad, Lasagna, green beans with ice cream and cookies for dessert. When making your reservations be sure to indicate whether you want meat or vegetable Lasagna.To make your reservations call Cathie Skivers at (510) 357-1986. This will be a great time to see old friends and make new ones. The purpose of this dinner is to raise funds for Bay View Chapter and to have lots of fun!
Disability Rights California
Disability Rights California, working with the Western Center on Law and Poverty and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), seek your assistance to make some public websites accessible.Disability Rights California, working with the Western Center on Law and Poverty and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), are investigating the accessibility of a number of public websites on which Californians can learn about public benefits and apply for the benefits online. These programs include: CalWorks, Refugee Assistance, Cal Fresh, Medi-Cal, Foster Care, CMSP, KinGAP, CAPI, Foster Care/Adoptions, General Assistance programs and the employment services required by these programs.
These web sites are important for people who receive SSI and need to apply for services for family members. The websites in question are:
1. Los Angeles County's public benefits website at:
https://www.dpssbenefits.lacounty.gov/ybn/Index.html
2. Benefits CalWIN at:
https://www.benefitscalwin.org/
3. California SAWS Consortium at:
http:/www.c-iv.org/
We are particularly concerned about the accessibility of these websites to persons who are blind or have low vision. We would like to learn from you whether you want to utilize these websites but cannot due to the websites' inaccessibility.
We also would like to work with a few individuals who are interested in making these web sites accessible.
If you have experienced problems accessing any of these web sites and/or are interested in helping us with this effort, please contact us directly by calling us at (916) 488-9950 and asking to talk with Todd Higgins or Taymour Ravandi. You can also reach Todd and Taymour at Todd.higgins@disabilityrightsca.org or Taymour.ravandi@disabilityrightsca.org
We hope we can work with you closely on this important project.
Job Announcement
Deputy Director for Policy and Planning/Exempt - Full TimeLOCATION: Sacramento, CA
OFFICE: SCDD, Headquarters Office
SALARY RANGE: $6,605.00-$7,143.00* per month (Exempt Level N)
DEADLINE: August 26, 2011 (Close of Business)
Interested applicants should submit: a cover letter briefly describing your relevant experience, (2) resume, (3) completed standard state application form, STD. 678; and (4) the name and telephone numbers of at least three references to:
Szandra Keszthelyi
Personnel Analyst, SCDD
1507 21st Street, Suite 210
Sacramento, CA 95811
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES: The State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) is an independent state agency mandated by federal and state law to pursue systemic change, capacity building, and advocacy to promote a consumer and family-based system of services, supports for people with developmental disabilities. The Deputy Director of Policy and Planning, as part of SCDD’s Executive Management Team, helps the Council fulfill its specific mandates under the Federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (Title 42, USC 15001 et seq.) and the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Act (Welfare and Institutions Code 4500 et. seq.).
Under the general supervision and direction of the Executive Director, the Deputy Director of Policy and Planning facilitates Council efforts to: develop, promote, publicize and implement public policy for California as it affects people with developmental disabilities; The Deputy Director of Policy and Planning is appointed by and serves at the will of the Governor.
SSI Benefits Seminar at the Lions Center for the Blind
If you are blind or visually impaired, it is possible for you to work and continue receiving your disability benefits.Please join the Lions Center for the Blind and representatives from the Social Security Administration for a benefits seminar as we address questions such as:
- How do SSI and SSDI work?
- What is a Trial Work Period, SGA or Extended Period of Eligibility?
- Can you keep your health Insurance benefits while you are working?
- How are your SSI/SSDI benefits affected if you're employed?
- And many more.
Even if you don't meet the criteria for legal blindness, you may still qualify for benefits if you have a visual impairment that prevents you from working.
This seminar may provide you information to help you succeed on the job.
Date: Monday, August 22, 2011
Time: 10:00am -12:00pm
Location: Lions Center for the Blind
2115 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94612
Please RSVP by phone at (510) 450-1580 x238.
The deadline to RSVP is August 15, 2011.
Time will be allotted for questions and answers at the end of the session.
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
August 5, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on August 5, and will be updated on August 12. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.CCB First Annual Mutt Strut
Hello to all of you waiting for CCB's first annual Mutt Strut event. We only have a few weeks left until September 10, 2011, and the time is getting shorter and shorter. We need and encourage all of you to get yourselves and your friends, and your friends, and your friends all registered to help raise a substantial amount of funding for the many programs and services offered through CCB. Registration is $25 for adults, and children 15 and under $20. We have until September 8th to register either on line by going to www.ccbnet.org/muttstrut and then linking either to the Sacramento or Los Angeles areas to register, or, if you are having any difficulty getting into the on-line registration, you can call the CCB office at 1-800-221-6359, with your credit card number and Ed Branch will assist you.Remember, all proceeds will be used to enhance the rights for all blind persons in California. Volunteers for this event are also welcome and can be found on the Mutt Strut pages mentioned above.
Contact Jeff Thom in Northern California at (916) 995-3967 or Ken Metz in Los Angeles at (323) 793-1805 if you have any further questions or need additional information.
Glendale-Burbank Chapter Fund Raiser
Please join the Glendale-Burbank Chapter of the California Council of the Blind at Chevy's Fresh Mex. Invite all of your friends and family to dine with us and Chevy's will donate 25 percent of the proceeds to our chapter.Date and time: August 11, 2011; 4-10 pm.
Address: 701 N. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank, CA 91502 (cross street East Cypress).
To receive a flyer, please email: abazyn@bazyncommunications.com or call: Keith at (626) 796-6989 or Ardis at (818) 238-9321.
San Diego Chapter Meeting
From Lee Morton:ATTENTION!
The San Diego Chapter of the California Council of the Blind now meets on the second Friday of the month at 3:30 PM. The meeting location is still the same. Meetings are held at the Blind Community Center, 1805 Upas Street, San Diego, CA 92103-5298. Park BLVD is the cross street, and we are just two blocks north of the world-famous San Diego Zoo.
For more information contact Lee Morton at: glek99@earthlink.net or call (619) 992-1259.
Our next meeting will be August 12th. We all hope to see you then.
Disability Rights California
Disability Rights California, working with the Western Center on Law and Poverty and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), seek your assistance to make some public websites accessible.Disability Rights California, working with the Western Center on Law and Poverty and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), are investigating the accessibility of a number of public websites on which Californians can learn about public benefits and apply for the benefits online. These programs include: CalWorks, Refugee Assistance, Cal Fresh, Medi-Cal, Foster Care, CMSP, KinGAP, CAPI, Foster Care/Adoptions, General Assistance programs and the employment services required by these programs.
These web sites are important for people who receive SSI and need to apply for services for family members. The websites in question are:
1. Los Angeles County's public benefits website at:
https://www.dpssbenefits.lacounty.gov/ybn/Index.html
2. Benefits CalWIN at:
https://www.benefitscalwin.org/
3. California SAWS Consortium at:
http:/www.c-iv.org/
We are particularly concerned about the accessibility of these websites to persons who are blind or have low vision. We would like to learn from you whether you want to utilize these websites but cannot due to the websites' inaccessibility.
We also would like to work with a few individuals who are interested in making these web sites accessible.
If you have experienced problems accessing any of these web sites and/or are interested in helping us with this effort, please contact us directly by calling us at (916) 488-9950 and asking to talk with Todd Higgins or Taymour Ravandi. You can also reach Todd and Taymour at Todd.higgins@disabilityrightsca.org or Taymour.ravandi@disabilityrightsca.org
We hope we can work with you closely on this important project.
SSI Benefits Seminar at the Lions Center for the Blind
If you are blind or visually impaired, it is possible for you to work and continue receiving your disability benefits.Please join the Lions Center for the Blind and representatives from the Social Security Administration for a benefits seminar as we address questions such as: How do SSI and SSDI work? What is a Trial Work Period, SGA or Extended Period of Eligibility? Can you keep your health Insurance benefits while you are working? How are your SSI/SSDI benefits affected if you're employed? And many more.
Topics to be covered include Social Security's "Ticket to Work" and other work incentive programs such as Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE), Blind Work Expenses (BWE), Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS) and Property Essential to Self Support (PESS), as well as eligibility factors for entitlement, and the application and appeals process.
Even if you don't meet the criteria for legal blindness, you may still qualify for benefits if you have a visual impairment that prevents you from working.
This seminar may provide you information to help you succeed on the job.
Date: Monday, August 22, 2011
Time: 10:00am -12:00pm
Location: Lions Center for the Blind
2115 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94612
Please RSVP by phone at (510) 450-1580 x238.
The deadline to RSVP is August 15, 2011.
Time will be allotted for questions and answers at the end of the session.
From Liz C. Daniels
MUSICIANS WANTED:We are the Full Circle Band, a new and exciting vocal and instrumental group based in Los Angeles. We feature a 12-string acoustic electric guitarist, synthesizer/keyboardist, singer and alto recorder player who also happens to be totally blind.
We perform a variety of folk, pop, soft rock and Spanish love ballads, all with our own unique touch.
The group is currently seeking a professional flautist, and our goal is to perform at local venues for enjoyment and charity.
Interested individuals must be reliable, flexible and willing and able to participate and follow direction; leave your egos at home!
For more information, contact Liz at: lizworks@sbcglobal.net or call (323) 254-9213.
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
July 29, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on July 29, and will be updated on August 5. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.CCB First Annual Mutt Strut
Hello to all of you waiting for CCB's first annual Mutt Strut event. We only have six weeks from tomorrow until September 10, 2011, and the time is getting shorter and shorter. We need and encourage all of you to get yourselves and your friends, and your friends, and your friends all registered to help raise a substantial amount of funding for the many programs and services offered through CCB. Registration is $25 for adults, and children 15 and under $20. We have until September 8th to register either on line by going towww.ccbnet.org/muttstrut
and then linking either to the Sacramento or Los Angeles areas to register, or, if you are having any difficulty getting into the on-line registration, you can call the CCB office at 1-800-221-6359, with your credit card number and Ed Branch will assist you.
Remember, all proceeds will be used to enhance the rights for all blind persons in California. Volunteers for this event are also welcome and can be found on the Mutt Strut pages mentioned above.
Contact Jeff Thom in Northern California at (916) 995-3967 or Ken Metz in Los Angeles at (323) 793-1805 if you have any further questions or need additional information.
Alice Chavez Pardini Education Advancement Grant
Please help support the San Francisco Chapter's Alice Chavez Pardini Education Advancement Grant by joining us at Chevys Restaurant, 590 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco on Thursday, August 4, 2011 between the hours of 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM for a fantastic dinner. 25 percent of your meal cost will be donated to the Alice Chavez Pardini Education Advancement Grant.For reservations for groups of 6 or more, call Chevys at (415) 621-8200.
For additional information about the event, please contact Liz Klein at (650) 576-9354 or Peter Pardini at (415) 990-9202.
Glendale-Burbank Chapter Fund Raiser
Please join the Glendale-Burbank Chapter of the California Council of the Blind at Chevy's Fresh Mex. Invite all of your friends and family to dine with us and Chevy's will donate 25 percent of the proceeds to our chapter.Date and time: August 11, 2011; 4-10 pm.
Address: 701 N. SanFernando Blvd., Burbank, CA 91502 (cross street East Cypress).
To receive a flyer, please email:
abazyn@bazyncommunications.com
or call: Keith at (626) 796-6989 or Ardis at (818) 238-9321.
Disability Rights California
Disability Rights California, working with the Western Center on Law and Poverty and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), seek your assistance to make some public websites accessible.Disability Rights California, working with the Western Center on Law and Poverty and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), are investigating the accessibility of a number of public websites on which Californians can learn about public benefits and apply for the benefits online. These programs include: CalWorks, Refugee Assistance, Cal Fresh, Medi-Cal, Foster Care, CMSP, KinGAP, CAPI, Foster Care/Adoptions, General Assistance programs and the employment services required by these programs.
These web sites are important for people who receive SSI and need to apply for services for family members. The websites in question are:
1. Los Angeles County's public benefits website at:
https://www.dpssbenefits.lacounty.gov/ybn/Index.html
2. Benefits CalWIN at:
https://www.benefitscalwin.org/
3. California SAWS Consortium at:
http:/www.c-iv.org/
We are particularly concerned about the accessibility of these websites to persons who are blind or have low vision. We would like to learn from you whether you want to utilize these websites but cannot due to the websites' inaccessibility. We also would like to work with a few individuals who are interested in making these web sites accessible.
If you have experienced problems accessing any of these web sites and/or are interested in helping us with this effort, please contact us directly by calling us at (916) 488-9950 and asking to talk with Todd Higgins or Taymour Ravandi. You can also reach Todd and Taymour at Todd.higgins@disabilityrightsca.org or Taymour.ravandi@disabilityrightsca.org
We hope we can work with you closely on this important project.
Disability Rights Advocates
Disability Rights Advocates (“DRA”), a non-profit law firm, is investigating complaints concerning cuts in services for students with disabilities in the California Community College system, the California State University system and the University of California system.The affected services include:
- Note-Taking Services
- Availability of Documents in Alternative Formats
- Mobility Assistance
- Sign language Interpreting
- Assistive Computer Labs
- Other Essential Accommodations
All communications will be kept confidential.
Smartphone Accessible Applications
Got Apps?So you bought a smartphone. Now what do you do with it? If you have an Android or iPhone, come hear about the coolest accessible applications available for your phone.
Attend the next LightHouse Technology Seminar: August 16, 2011
Presentations: 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. PDT
Location: LightHouse for the Blind and Visually impaired 214 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA.
The seminar will discuss applications for the Apple and Android cell phone platforms. The agenda will include a conversation about GPS for the smartphone, Optical Character Recognition, book reading applications and more.
You can participate in one of the following ways:
1. Tune in via live audio stream on our website.
2. Dial in with our telephone conferencing service.
3. Attend in person and talk to the presenters after the seminar.
RSVP to (415) 694-7326 or rsvp@lighthouse-sf.org
Conference call and live stream instructions will be provided when you RSVP.
Older Individuals Blind Administrator Job Posting Announcement
Job Description: Duty and Desirable Competencies Statements available upon request.- Administers the Older Individual who are Blind (OIB) program providing Title VII, Chapter 2 funds to private nonprofit community-based agencies that provide direct independent living services to visually impaired individuals age 55 and older by maintaining a statewide network of independent living core service programs.
- Administers 17 grants, which provide core services for unserved or underserved older visually impaired populations.
- Provides technical assistants to the Blind Field Services (BFS) programs and services.
- Recommends, develops and implements policy for programs serving the blind and visually impaired.
- Serves as liaison with advocacy, stakeholder organizations, and partners interested in services to the blind and visually impaired.
- Supervises the administrative staff supporting OIB and BFS.
Ability to readily articulate and demonstrate the following will distinguish an applicants preparedness for the position:
- Leadership - Inspires and compels others to draw upon their talents, and to seek continuous self improvement;
- integrity - Earns, maintains, and is bestowed with trust from direct reports, peers, partners and stakeholders;
- judgment - Readily distinguishes between doing the right thing, and doing things right, by recognizing consequence of actions, accurately assessing the environment, applying appropriate discretion, and drawing upon relevant experience;
- relationships - values and draws upon collaboration and partnership in executing the duties and responsibilities;
- distinguishes between collaboration and competition;
- values - Readily identifies what drives, motivates and guides others;
- decision making - makes hard decisions, and assumes responsibility, and accountability for decisions made;
- vision and outcome - Develops the vision and outcome to gain alignment.
Joe Xavier, Deputy Director Specialized Services Division at (916) 558-5815 or by email at JXavier@dor.ca.gov
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
July 22, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on July 22, and will be updated on July 29. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From Jeff Thom
Outstanding news about AB390, our bill to require DMV to send out notifications when state identification cards are up for renewal. The bill has passed the Senate, and just needs the Assembly to concur in the changes made in the Senate. When this happens, in August, the bill will go to the Governor's desk. We've had very smooth sailing, but we intend to make sure that the Governor gets on board.AB410, our bill that would require certain state agencies to supply copies of state regulations, upon request, using a narrative description that can be read with screenreading software, is currently stuck in Senate Appropriations. With the summer recess upon us, we've yet to learn whether the bill needs a strong push from all of you to move it along, so stay tune for more information in the next week or two.
AB727, the bill that requires 50% healthy food in state vending machines, is also in Senate Appropriations. Although it won't be heard until August 15, we'll soon be calling on you to keep opposing this bill that will harm the blind vendors of this state. Remember that your legislator’s listen when you send them letters or e-mails or make those telephone calls.Cuthbertson v. LA County MTA
Monday and Tuesday, July 25th and 26th will be the closing arguments in the Cuthbertson v. LA County MTA, involving the wrongful death of a blind man on the Metro blue line train in 2009. I am asking members in the Los Angeles area to please attend the closing arguments on Monday and Tuesday. The court is located at 111 North Hill Street, 3rd floor, dept 28, Los Angeles, CA. If you plan to attend please be sure to contact the court by 4:15 PM to get the time court will be in session the following day. The direct number is 213-974-5633.The attorneys, and the Cuthbertson family, are requesting as many CCB members and friends as possible to show their support by attending the trial.
For more information please call Donna Pomerantz at 626-233-2991. A sincere thank you to those members who have been attending and will continue to attend. Thank you.
From Gene Lozano, Chair, Conference and Convention Committee
The Fall 2011 Conference and Convention organizers need input from members and other interested parties regarding topics that should be considered for inclusion in the general sessions.If you have topic ideas and contact information for presenters for these topics please send them to the attention of Gene Lozano at Eugene.lozano@ccbnet.org or call the CCB office at 1-800-221-6359 to provide the recommended information. Your information is needed by Friday, July 29th, 2011. Thank you.
Access Board to Publish Proposed Rights-of-Way Guidelines
Also from Gene Lozano:Access Board to Publish Proposed Rights-of-Way Guidelines on July 26
On July 26, the U.S. Access Board plans to publish proposed guidelines for accessible public rights-of-way. On that day, the guidelines will be posted on the Board's website and will be available for public comment for four months. The Board will conduct several events to present the proposed rule and to solicit comment, including a public briefing and press conference, a webinar, and hearings.
Public Briefing and Press Conference (July 26, 11:00 - 12:30)
Members of the public and the media are invited to attend a Board briefing and press conference on the proposal on July 26 from 11:00 - 12:30 at the Board's meeting space at 1331 F Street, NW, Suite 800, in downtown Washington, D.C. Board representatives will review requirements of the proposed guidelines, highlight information sought from the public on various topics, and field questions from the press.
Webinar (August 9, 12:00- 1:30 (E))
The Board will conduct a public webinar to review the proposed rule and to discuss subjects where input from the public is sought. To register for this free webinar, visit www.accessibilityonline.org
Public Hearings (September 12 in Dallas and November 9 in Washington, D.C.)
The Board will hold public hearings on the proposed rule in Dallas, Texas on September 12 (9:30 - 11:30) and Washington, D.C. on November 9 (9:30 - 11:30).
Members of the public will have the opportunity to provide comments on the rule at these hearings. Further details will be included in the published rule.
Contra Costa Chapter Meeting
You are invited to the next meeting of the Contra Costa Chapter of the California Council of the Blind. Please note that the meeting for July has been changed to July 30 due to a scheduling conflict. The meetings take place At the Concord Public Library at 2900 Salvio Street in Concord from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Don't miss this opportunity to get better acquainted with your neighbors who are living successfully with sight loss and to learn about the products, services and techniques we use to make this success possible, and to find out what we are doing to make life better for all blind and visually impaired residents of Contra Costa County.For more information call us at (925) 627-0054, or write to us at 2083 Olivera Rd., Unit f, Concord, CA 94520. You can send us Email at mdltnewchapterinfor@gmail.com
Alice Chavez Pardini Education Advancement Grant
Please help support the San Francisco Chapter's Alice Chavez Pardini Education Advancement Grant by joining us at Chevys Restaurant, 590 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco on Thursday, August 4, 2011 between the hours of 5:00 to 10:00 PM for a fantastic dinner. 25 percent of your meal cost will be donated to the Alice Chavez Pardini Education Advancement Grant. For reservations, call Chevys at (415) 621-8200. For additional information, please contact Liz Klein at (650) 576-9354 or Peter Pardini at (415) 990-9202.Glendale-Burbank Chapter Fundraiser
Please join the Glendale-Burbank Chapter of the California Council of the Blind at Chevy's Fresh Mex. Invite all of your friends and family to dine with us and Chevy's will donate 25 percent of the proceeds to our chapter.Date and time: August 11, 2011; 4-10 pm.
Address: 701 N. SanFernando Blvd., Burbank, CA 91502 (cross street East Cypress).
To receive a flyer, please email: abazyn@bazyncommunications.com or call: Keith at (626) 796-6989 or Ardis at (818) 238-9321.
Disability Rights Advocates
Disability Rights Advocates (“DRA”), a non-profit law firm, is investigating complaints concerning cuts in services for students with disabilities in the California Community College system, the California State University system and the University of California system.The affected services include:
- Note-Taking Services
- Availability of Documents in Alternative Formats
- Mobility Assistance
- Sign language Interpreting
- Assistive Computer Labs
- Other Essential Accommodations
Smartphone Accessible Applications
Got Apps?So you bought a smartphone. Now what do you do with it? If you have an Android or iPhone, come hear about the coolest accessible applications available for your phone.
Attend the next LightHouse Technology Seminar: August 16, 2011
Presentations: 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. PDT
Location: LightHouse for the Blind and Visually impaired 214 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA
The seminar will discuss applications for the Apple and Android cell phone platforms. The agenda will include a conversation about GPS for the smartphone, Optical Character Recognition, book reading applications and more.
You can participate in one of the following ways:
- 1. Tune in via live audio stream on our website.
- 2. Dial in with our telephone conferencing service.
- 3. Attend in person and talk to the presenters after the seminar.
Conference call and live stream instructions will be provided when you RSVP.
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
July 15, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on July 15, and will be updated on July 22. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.San Gabriel Valley Chapter Member: Everett Clark
From Pam Polagi, San Gabriel Valley member: Everett Clark passed away on Friday, July 8th. Services will be held on Saturday, July 16th at 2 PM at 400 West Duarte Road, Arcadia, CA (cross street of Holly Avenue). A reception will immediately follow the service.September 10, CCB Mutt Strut
Calling all walkers, runners, and dogs. It’s time to rock on for the September 10, CCB Mutt Strut, to be held in Los Angeles and Sacramento. For you techies, and even those like me that aren't in that category, you can register or donate online at www.ccbnet.org/muttstrut or call the CCB office at 800-221-6359 to get registration started. Remember, the earlier you register, the more time to get others to donate for your walk.For more information on southern California, call Ken Metz at (323) 793-1805 and for northern California, call Jeff Thom at (916) 995-3967.
From Gene Lozano, Chair, Conference and Convention Committee
The Fall 2011 Conference and Convention organizers need input from members and other interested parties regarding topics that should be considered for inclusion in the general sessions.If you have topic ideas and contact information for presenters for these topics please send them to the attention of Gene Lozano at the following email address: Eugene.lozano@ccbnet.org or call the CCB office 1-800-221-6359 to provide the recommended information.
Your information is needed by Friday, July 29th, 2011. Thank you.
Access Board to Publish Proposed Rights-of-Way Guidelines
Also from Gene Lozano: Access Board to Publish Proposed Rights-of-Way Guidelines on July 26On July 26, the U.S. Access Board plans to publish proposed guidelines for accessible public rights-of-way. On that day, the guidelines will be posted on the Board's website and will be available for public comment for four months. The Board will conduct several events to present the proposed rule and to solicit comment, including a public briefing and press conference, a webinar, and hearings.
Public Briefing and Press Conference (July 26, 11:00 - 12:30)
Members of the public and the media are invited to attend a Board briefing and press conference on the proposal on July 26 from 11:00 - 12:30 at the Board's meeting space at 1331 F Street, NW, Suite 800, in downtown Washington, D.C. Board representatives will review requirements of the proposed guidelines, highlight information sought from the public on various topics, and field questions from the press.
Webinar (August 9, 12:00- 1:30 (E)
The Board will conduct a public webinar to review the proposed rule and to discuss subjects where input from the public is sought. To register for this free webinar, visit www.accessibilityonline.org
Public Hearings (September 12 in Dallas and November 9 in Washington, D.C.)
The Board will hold public hearings on the proposed rule in Dallas, Texas on September 12 (9:30 - 11:30) and Washington, D.C. on November 9 (9:30 - 11:30). Members of the public will have the opportunity to provide comments on the rule at these hearings. Further details will be included in the published rule.
Blind Advisory Committee Meeting Notice
WHEN: July 20, 2011, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PMWHERE: Department of Rehabilitation Main Office
721 Capitol Mall, Conference Room 169
Sacramento, CA 95814
WHAT: BLIND ADVISORY COMMITTEE (BAC) MEETING
Teleconference line 866–707–6821
Pass code – 7878511
The full notice and meeting agenda are available at http://www.dor.ca.gov/public/noforum.htm
For Additional Information: Contact Blind Field Services at (916) 558-5480.
From Lainey Feingold
Dear friends and colleagues in the Bay Area blind community:We wanted to let you know that there will be an important court hearing on Friday, July 22 at 9:30 a.m. in San Francisco in the lawsuit against JetBlue that Linda and I are handling for the CCB and individual blind JetBlue customers. JetBlue is trying to have the case thrown out of court, and we think that having people in the audience with visual impairments will help the court understand the importance of the case.
The case is about the inaccessibility of JetBlue's website and airport kiosks, and we are hoping that many members of the Bay Area blind community will be able to attend. Please help us spread the word and let us know if you might be able to attend.
The details are pasted at the end of this email, along with a link to a post on my website with additional information.
People interested in attending the hearing can either go directly to the Court House on Golden Gate Avenue at 9:30 or meet us at Civic Center Bart at 8:30 -- whichever is easier. Anyone who wants to meet at the BART station should send me an email at LF@LFLegal.com and we will provide additional details. People can also feel free to contact Rachel Brill in Linda's office at (510) 763-9800.
Linda will be arguing the case for CCB and the individual Claimants -- Besides supporting the case, attending the hearing provides a chance to see one of the country's best disability rights lawyers in action on an important issue to the blind community.
Please let me know if you have any questions and please feel free to share this email with anyone you think may be interested in attending the hearing.
Thanks, Lainey
Location and Time of JetBlue Hearing:
Friday, July 22, 9:30 a.m. (proceeding is expected to conclude at approximately 10:30 a.m.)
Magistrate Judge Joseph Spero's Court Room
450 Golden Gate Avenue (Between Polk street and Larkin Street)
San Francisco, CA 94102
15th Floor Court Room A
Courtroom Deputy: 415-522-2035
Lainey and Rachel's cell phone in case anyone is lost that morning:
Lainey: 510-823-4205
Rachel: 415-793-1562
Additional information is on line at:
http://lflegal.com/2011/06/jetblue-hearing
Glendale-Burbank Chapter - Party Lite Fundraiser
The Glendale-Burbank Chapter is having a Party Lite fundraiser on July 30 at the Burbank Chamber of Commerce meeting room at 200 West Magnolia (cross street is Victory), in Burbank, CA from 2:30 to 4:30 pm. You will be able to touch and smell a variety of candles and accessories as well as taste many of the sauces and other edibles such as beer bread. They also have dessert mixes such as brownies, cheese roll mixes, and more. If you cannot attend you can go online to the website, www.partylite.biz/bettyfox then click on shop, click on Look up Host, type in the name Ardis Bazyn, and then your order will be linked to our show.For more info, you can call Ardis Bazyn at (818) 238-9321 and on the day at (818) 209-8684. Hope to see you there!
Active Blind Inland Valley Chapter - Summer Party
Hello from the Active Blind Inland Valleys chapter. We are holding a summer party at the home of a member in Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, July 30, from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM. The cost of the meal is $7.00. If you are interested in attending please call Richard at (909) 276-4358 no later than 7/14/11. Thank you.Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling Training Program
Have you thought about returning to school for a master’s degree? Are you interested in establishing a fulfilling career in the counseling profession? The Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling Training Program (RCTP) at San Francisco State University prepares professionals to provide empathic, responsive and multicultural competent counseling services to individuals with a wide array of disabilities and chronic illnesses.Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a human service-related area. The RCTP degree prepares students to work directly with clients or in supervisory positions in nonprofit and for profit agencies including such settings as schools, colleges and universities, the Department of Rehabilitation, the Veteran’s Administration, mental health agencies, and a wide array of community-based organizations.
To learn more about our program please go to our department and program websites:
http://counseling.sfsu.edu/ and http://www.rsasfsu.com/
The RCTP will be accepting applications for the fall 2012 semester mid-January 2012. Please visit our department website in the late summer to view the 2012 application, deadline, and directions.
For other questions and information contact Dr. Julie Chronister @ jchronis@sfsu.edu or by phone at (415) 338-2230.
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
July 8, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on July 8, and will be updated on July 15. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From Carla Ruschival, ACB Conference and Convention Coordinator
If you are planning to come to Reno by bus or train, you may wish to use hotel transportation to get to and from the Nugget. To request transportation, call hotel security when you are nearing the station. Give them the time of your expected arrival. The number to call is 800-843-2427, be very sure that you ask for hotel security.To be eligible to use paratransit, please submit your eligibility letter and/or copy of your paratransit card by FAX to the attention of Sue Sherman at (775) 348-0450. The sooner you submit this information, the better.
Paratransit rides are $3.00 each, and no cash is accepted. Tickets must be purchased in books of 10. Because we know that many people may not use an entire book, we plan to have tickets on sale at the Information Desk.
Paratransit services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Ride reservations may be made 1 to 3 days in advance, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Call 775-348-5438 to make a reservation for a ride.
From Donna Pomerantz
If you want to listen to the ACB convention broadcasts starting at 7 PM Sunday, July 10th, on ACB radio go to http://www.acb.org/node/463From the CCB Publications Committee
The audio archives from the spring, 2011 CCB Convention are now available on the CCB website at www.ccbnet.org The page can be accessed via a link on the Conventions webpage, or you can use the direct link http://www.ccbnet.org/ConventionArchives.htmSeptember 10, CCB Mutt Strut
Calling all walkers, runners, and dogs. It’s time to rock on for the September 10, CCB Mutt Strut, to be held in Los Angeles and Sacramento For you techies, and even those like me that aren't in that category, you can register or donate online at www.ccbnet.org/muttstrut or call the CCB office at 800-221-6359 to get registration started. Remember, the earlier you register, the more time to get others to donate for your walk.For more information on southern California, call Ken Metz at (323) 793-1805 and for northern California, call Jeff Thom at (916) 995-3967.
Cuthbertson v. LA County MTA
I am asking members in the Los Angeles area to please attend a trial, Cuthbertson v. LA County MTA, involving the wrongful death of a blind man on the Metro blue line train in 2009.Trial will continue the week of July 11th at 111 North Hill Street, 3rd floor, dept 28, Los Angeles, CA. If you plan to attend please be sure to contact the court by 4:15 PM to get the time court will be in session the following day. The direct number is 213-974-5633.
The attorneys, and the Cuthbertson family, are requesting as many CCB members and friends as possible to show their support by attending the trial.
For more information please call Donna Pomerantz at 626-233-2991.
A sincere thank you to those members who have been attending and will continue to attend in my absence due to my delegate responsibilities at the ACB convention. Thank you.
Dominic Martinelli
Dominic Martinelli long time active member of the CCB family from the High Desert area is currently recovering from a recent fall. Currently he is resting at home but in a great deal of pain. Please keep him in your everyday thoughts and prayers. If you know him personally, give him a call and let him know you are thinking about himGlendale-Burbank Chapter - Party Lite Fundraiser
The Glendale-Burbank Chapter is having a Party Lite fundraiser on July 30 at the Burbank Chamber of Commerce meeting room at 200 West Magnolia (cross street is Victory), in Burbank, CA from 2:30 to 4:30 pm. You will be able to touch and smell a variety of candles and accessories as well as taste many of the sauces and other edibles such as beer bread. They also have dessert mixes such as brownies, cheese roll mixes, and more. If you cannot attend you can go online to the website, www.partylite.biz/bettyfox then click on shop, click on Look up Host, type in the name Ardis Bazyn, and then your order will be linked to our show. For more info, you can call Ardis Bazyn at (818) 238-9321 and on the day at (818) 209-8684. Hope to see you there!From Lainey Feingold
Dear friends and colleagues in the Bay Area blind community:We wanted to let you know that there will be an important court hearing on Friday, July 22 at 9:30 a.m. in San Francisco in the lawsuit against JetBlue that Linda and I are handling for the CCB and individual blind JetBlue customers. JetBlue is trying to have the case thrown out of court, and we think that having people in the audience with visual impairments will help the court understand the importance of the case.
The case is about the inaccessibility of JetBlue's website and airport kiosks, and we are hoping that many members of the Bay Area blind community will be able to attend. Please help us spread the word and let us know if you might be able to attend. The details are pasted at the end of this email, along with a link to a post on my website with additional information.
People interested in attending the hearing can either go directly to the Court House on Golden Gate Avenue at 9:30 or meet us at Civic Center Bart at 8:30 -- whichever is easier. Anyone who wants to meet at the BART station should send me an email at LF@LFLegal.com and we will provide additional details. People can also feel free to contact Rachel Brill in Linda's office at (510) 763-9800.
Linda will be arguing the case for CCB and the individual Claimants -- Besides supporting the case, attending the hearing provides a chance to see one of the country's best disability rights lawyers in action on an important issue to the blind community.
Please let me know if you have any questions and please feel free to share this email with anyone you think may be interested in attending the hearing.
Thanks, Lainey
Location and Time of JetBlue Hearing:
Friday, July 22, 9:30 a.m.
Magistrate Judge Joseph Spero's Court Room
450 Golden Gate Avenue (Between Polk street and Larkin Street)
San Francisco, CA 94102
15th Floor Court Room A
Courtroom Deputy: 415-522-2035
Lainey and Rachel's cell phone in case anyone is lost that morning:
Lainey: 510-823-4205
Rachel: 415-793-1562
Additional information is on line at: http://lflegal.com/2011/06/jetblue-hearing
Disability Rights California
Disability Rights California, working with the Western Center on Law and Poverty and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), seek your assistance to make some public websites accessible. Disability Rights California, working with the Western Center on Law and Poverty and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), are investigating the accessibility of a number of public websites on which Californians can learn about public benefits and apply for the benefits online. These programs include: CalWORKs, Refugee Assistance, Cal Fresh, Medi-Cal, Foster Care, CMSP, KinGAP, CAPI, Foster Care/Adoptions, General Assistance programs and the employment services required by these programs.These web sites are important for people who receive SSI and need to apply for services for family members. The websites in question are:
1. Los Angeles County's public benefits website at:
https://www.dpssbenefits.lacounty.gov/ybn/Index.html
2. Benefits CalWIN at:
https://www.benefitscalwin.org/
3. California SAWS Consortium at:
http:/www.c-iv.org/
We are particularly concerned about the accessibility of these websites to persons who are blind or have low vision. We would like to learn from you whether you want to utilize these websites but cannot due to the websites' inaccessibility. We also would like to work with a few individuals who are interested in making these web sites accessible.
If you have experienced problems accessing any of these web sites and/or are interested in helping us with this effort, please contact us directly by calling us at (916) 488-9950 and asking to talk with Todd Higgins or Taymour Ravandi. You can also reach Todd and Taymour at Todd.higgins@disabilityrightsca.org or Taymour.ravandi@disabilityrightsca.org
We hope we can work with you closely on this important project.
Active Blind Inland Valley chapter - Summer Party
Hello from the Active Blind Inland Valleys chapter. We are holding a summer party at the home of a member in Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, July 30, from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM. The cost of the meal is $7.00. If you are interested in attending please call Richard at (909) 276-4358 no later than 7/14/11. Thank you.Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
July 1, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on July 1, and will be updated on July 8. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From Carla Ruschival, American Council of the Blind (ACB) Conference and Convention Coordinator
If you are planning to come to Reno by bus or train, you may wish to use hotel transportation to get to and from the Nugget.To request transportation, call hotel security when you are nearing the station. Give them the time of your expected arrival. The number to call is 800-843-2427, be very sure that you ask for hotel security.
To be eligible to use paratransit, please submit your eligibility letter and/or copy of your paratransit card by FAX to the attention of Sue Sherman at (775) 348-0450. The sooner you submit this information, the better. Paratransit rides are $3.00 each, and no cash is accepted. Tickets must be purchased in books of 10. Because we know that many people may not use an entire book, we plan to have tickets on sale at the Information Desk. Paratransit services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Ride reservations may be made 1 to 3 days in advance, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Call 775-348-5438 to make a reservation for a ride.
From the CCB Publications Committee
The audio archives from the spring, 2011 CCB Convention are now available on the CCB website at www.ccbnet.org The page can be accessed via a link on the Conventions webpage, or you can use the direct link http://www.ccbnet.org/ConventionArchives.htmCCB Mutt Strut
Calling all walkers, runners, and dogs. It’s time to rock on for the September 10, CCB Mutt Strut, to be held in Los Angeles and Sacramento. For you techies, and even those like me that aren't in that category, you can register or donate online at www.ccbnet.org/muttstrut or call the CCB office at 800-221-6359 to get registration started. Remember, the earlier you register, the more time to get others to donate for your walk.For more information on southern California, call Ken Metz at (323) 793-1805 and for northern California, call Jeff Thom at (916) 995-3967.
From Jeff Thom, CCB Governmental Affairs Chair
It’s been a big week in Sacramento, with very mixed results. Without any Republican votes, and thus no tax extensions or increases, the Democrats worked out a state budget deal with the Governor. It hinges upon projected continued revenue increases. If they don't materialize over the next six months, major cuts will occur in education, public safety, health and social services, and more.AB410, our bill to require certain state agencies to provide, upon request, narrative descriptions of proposed regulations in a format accessible to screenreading software, has passed its first committee unanimously. We were not, however, able to defeat AB727 in its first Senate committee. This bill, in 2014, would, among other things, increase to 50% the level of nutritious food required to be sold in vending machines on state property.
Cuthbertson v. LA County MTA
I am asking members in the Los Angeles area to please attend a trial, Cuthbertson v. LA County MTA, involving the wrongful death of a blind man on the Metro blue line train in 2009.Trial begins at 10 AM, Tuesday, July5th at 111 North Hill Street, 3rd floor, dept 28, Los Angeles, CA. The attorneys, and the Cuthbertson family, are requesting as many CCB members and friends as possible to show their support by attending the trial on Tuesday.
For more information please call Donna Pomerantz at 626-233-2991.
From Lainey Feingold
Dear friends and colleagues in the Bay Area blind community:We wanted to let you know that there will be an important court hearing on Friday, July 22 at 9:30 a.m. in San Francisco in the lawsuit against JetBlue that Linda and I are handling for the CCB and individual blind JetBlue customers. JetBlue is trying to have the case thrown out of court, and we think that having people in the audience with visual impairments will help the court understand the importance of the case.
The case is about the inaccessibility of JetBlue's website and airport kiosks, and we are hoping that many members of the Bay Area blind community will be able to attend. Please help us spread the word and let us know if you might be able to attend.
The details are pasted at the end of this email, along with a link to a post on my website with additional information.
People interested in attending the hearing can either go directly to the Court House on Golden Gate Avenue at 9:30 or meet us at Civic Center Bart at 8:30 -- whichever is easier. Anyone who wants to meet at the BART station should send me an email at LF@LFLegal.com and we will provide additional details. People can also feel free to contact Rachel Brill in Linda's office at (510) 763-9800.
Linda will be arguing the case for CCB and the individual Claimants -- Besides supporting the case, attending the hearing provides a chance to see one of the country's best disability rights lawyers in action on an important issue to the blind community.
Please let me know if you have any questions and please feel free to share this email with anyone you think may be interested in attending the hearing.
Thanks, Lainey
Location and Time of JetBlue Hearing:
Friday, July 22, 9:30 a.m.
Magistrate Judge Joseph Spero's Court Room
450 Golden Gate Avenue (Between Polk Street and Larkin Street)
San Francisco, CA 94102
15th Floor Court Room A
Courtroom Deputy: 415-522-2035
Lainey and Rachel's cell phone in case anyone is lost that morning:
Lainey: 510-823-4205
Rachel: 415-793-1562
Additional information is on line at:
http://lflegal.com/2011/06/jetblue-hearing
Disability Rights California
Disability Rights California, working with the Western Center on Law and Poverty and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), seek your assistance as soon as possible to make some public websites accessible.Disability Rights California, working with the Western Center on Law and Poverty and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), are investigating the accessibility of a number of public websites on which Californians can learn about public benefits and apply for the benefits online. These programs include: CalWORKs, Refugee Assistance, Cal Fresh, Medi-Cal, Foster Care, CMSP, KinGAP, CAPI, Foster Care/Adoptions, General Assistance programs and the employment services required by these programs.
These web sites are important for people who receive SSI and need to apply for services for family members. The websites in question are:
1. Los Angeles County's public benefits website at: https://www.dpssbenefits.lacounty.gov/ybn/Index.html
2. Benefits CalWIN at: https://www.benefitscalwin.org/
3. California SAWS Consortium at: http:/www.c-iv.org/
We are particularly concerned about the accessibility of these websites to persons who are blind or have low vision. We would like to learn from you whether you want to utilize these websites but cannot due to the websites' inaccessibility. We also would like to work with a few individuals who are interested in making these web sites accessible.
If you have experienced problems accessing any of these web sites and/or are interested in helping us with this effort, please contact us directly, as soon as possible at (916) 488-9950 and asking to talk with Todd Higgins or Taymour Ravandi.
You can also reach Todd and Taymour at Todd.higgins@disabilityrightsca.org or Taymour.ravandi@disabilityrightsca.org
we hope we can work with you closely on this important project.
Active Blind Inland Valley Chapter - Summer Party
Hello from the Active Blind Inland Valleys chapter. We are holding a summer party at the home of a member in Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, July 30, from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM. The cost of the meal is $7.00. If you are interested in attending please call Richard at (909) 276-4358 no later than 7/14/11. Thank you.National Do Not Call List
Reminder: You can add your home or cell phone number to the national do not call list by calling 888-382-1222 from your phone. It is the National DO NOT CALL list it will only take a minute of your time. You must call from the phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number. You can add multiple numbers by visiting https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspxNumbers added before 2007 have an expiration after 5 years but numbers added after that time do not have an expiration.
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
June 24, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on June 24, and will be updated on July 1. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From Carla Ruschival, American Council of the Blind (ACB) Conference and Convention Coordinator
If you are planning to come to Reno by bus or train, you may wish to use hotel transportation to get to and from the Nugget.To request transportation, call hotel security when you are nearing the station. Give them the time of your expected arrival. The number to call is 800-843-2427, be very sure that you ask for hotel security.
To be eligible to use paratransit, please submit your eligibility letter and/or copy of your paratransit card by FAX to the attention of Sue Sherman at (775) 348-0450. The sooner you submit this information, the better. Paratransit rides are $3.00 each, and no cash is accepted. Tickets must be purchased in books of 10. Because we know that many people may not use an entire book, we plan to have tickets on sale at the Information Desk. Paratransit services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Ride reservations may be made 1 to 3 days in advance, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Call 775-348-5438 to make a reservation for a ride.
CCB Contra Costa Chapter
From Maria De La Torre, New CCB Chapter Coordinator: As of May 28th, the perspective Concord CCB Chapter has changed its name to the CCB Contra Costa Chapter. We will hold our second meeting on Saturday, June 25th. We encourage any and all people living within the Contra Costa County area to attend. We also invite everyone to bring a friend or relative who would like to join our chapter and join in all of the upcoming projects.Non-English speaking? Not a problem, I can assist you both in English and in Spanish during meetings and in the future we have plans to begin Spanish-speaking meetings the third Saturday of every month, if we have enough interest.
For more information or to ask questions regarding meetings please contact: Maria De La Torre at (925) 627-0054 or dltfamily01@att.net
Meeting Information:
When: Saturday, June 25, 2011.
Where: Panama Bay Coffee House, Back Meeting Room, 2151 Salvio Street, ste J, Concord, CA 94520-2403, (925) 969-9390.
Time: 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM.
Transit Information: Take the 311 County Connection bus from Concord BART departing at 10:20 AM. As for the Salvio and Colfax bus stop. Your destination will be about a minute away walking distance on your left hand side.
Note: This coffee shop is located at the Todos Santos Plaza in downtown Concord. Meetings will generally take place the last Saturday of the month, but meeting locations and meeting times may change from time to time.
Thank you for your support and see you there!
CCB 1st Annual Mutt Strut
From Melissa Hudson, Co-Chair, Southern CA, California Council of the Blind's 1st Annual Mutt Strut: Unfortunately, we do not have the bandwidth to do another set of video testimonials as we had hoped. We are still working on the video testimonials from Spring Convention and are excited on how they are coming together! You can still participate by sending in your written testimonial. Call the CCB office at (800) 221-6359 for the questions. We can email them or we can give them to you over the phone.If you haven't heard: Registration is Now Open! Check out the website and make comments on the articles, it's interactive! So, get the facts, register and spread the word www.ccbnet.org/muttstrut
Free Conference: IHSS Under Pressure
The San Francisco In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority is sponsoring a free conference on July 21st, at St. Mary's Cathedral Event Center, San Francisco. The conference will include a history of IHSS, a Q&A session with DAAS/IHSS social workers, and a presentation about how you can advocate to preserve and improve IHSS. Spaces at this event are limited, and registration is required no later than July 12, so act now.For more information about the conference and how to register, contact Judy Auda, Conference Organizer at (415) 826-3194.
Upcoming Vanda Pharmaceutical Sleep Study Presentations
L.A:7/14/2011 Braille Institute Nancy Hendrickson is the Director there. William Hoos will be speaking there. 527 North Dale Avenue Anaheim, CA 92801
Vanda Pharmaceuticals will be presenting an information session titled "Sleep, Light and Your Body Clock" at the end of the staff meetings for anyone interested in learning more about sleep problems that can be caused by a lack of light perception.
Symptoms of this problem include recurrent periods of trouble sleeping at night accompanied by tiredness and napping during the day. The problem can vary in severity and may affect more than half of totally blind individuals. A representative from Vanda as well as Willy Hoos will be speaking and answering questions. Topics covered include background on the cause of this sleep disorder, common symptoms of the sleep problems and current research for diagnosis and treatment.
Please see a copy of the research study announcement below. You can call the number below to learn more about the study or attend the information session to hear more on the background and get your questions answered in person.
Study Announcement
"Do you ever feel like your sleep patterns are different than the rest of the world? If you are totally blind, this could be due to a real sleep problem related to the lack of light needed by your body's internal clock.If you think you might be affected, you can call 1-888-389-7033 or email info@non24registry.com to take a sleep survey or to learn more about an ongoing clinical research study."
Thank you for your support!
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
June 17, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on June 17, and will be updated on June 24. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.Upcoming Vanda Pharmaceutical Sleep Study Presentations
L.A:- 6/18/2011 Information session with Greater LA chapter Pam Metz, Dr. Norman is speaking. The address is Golden China restaurant, 9018 Venice Blvd. Culver City CA 90232.
- 7/14/2011 Braille Institute Nancy Hendrickson is the Director there. William Hoos will be speaking there. 527 North Dale Avenue Anaheim, CA 92801
- 6/16/2011 Vanda reception with Beth Berenson William Hoos Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired San Francisco from 6:00-7:30 food will be provided.
- 6/18/2011 information session meeting with SVCB and San Mateo County Council of the Blind, Mike Keithley is the President.
9:30 Am to 1 PM, and the program segment begins at 10. The location is the Monte Vista Apartments at 1101 Grant Road, Mountain View. The meeting is in the dining room.
Vanda Pharmaceuticals will be presenting an information session titled "Sleep, Light and Your Body Clock" at the end of the staff meetings for anyone interested in learning more about sleep problems that can be caused by a lack of light perception.
Symptoms of this problem include recurrent periods of trouble sleeping at night accompanied by tiredness and napping during the day. The problem can vary in severity and may affect more than half of totally blind individuals. A representative from Vanda as well as Willy Hoos will be speaking and answering questions. Topics covered include background on the cause of this sleep disorder, common symptoms of the sleep problems and current research for diagnosis and treatment.
Please see a copy of the research study announcement below. You can call the number below to learn more about the study or attend the information session to hear more on the background and get your questions answered in person.
Study Announcement
"Do you ever feel like your sleep patterns are different than the rest of the world? If you are totally blind, this could be due to a real sleep problem related to the lack of light needed by your body's internal clock. If you think you might be affected, you can call 1-888-389-7033 or email info@non24registry.com to take a sleep survey or to learn more about an ongoing clinical research study."Thank you for your support!
From Jeff Thom, Chair, Governmental Affairs Committee
A great deal of news is coming out of Sacramento. First, the Legislature has passed a budget and sent it to the Governor. However, the Governor has already vetoed this proposed budget.Our two bills are moving along, with AB390, our state identification card renewal notification bill, having passed its first Senate committee unanimously.
AB410, our access to state regulations bill, will be heard in its first Senate committee in a couple of weeks.
From Donna Pomerantz, CCB president
A great big thank you to all who participated in our Spring Sweepstakes. This was a wonderful fundraising event and I am very pleased to see how many folks sold tickets to their community members outside of CCB. Over 400 tickets were entered and yet, just four lucky winners were drawn.The winners are: Grand Prize, $1,000 Obbie Schoeman; 2nd Prize, A Hot-Air Balloon Ride for Two Ida Mae Johnson; Third Prize, 4 Admission Tickets to Knott’s Berry Farm Rodger Hood; Fourth Prize, Keurig Coffee System Odobe Liquors. Congratulations to the winners and we look forward to seeing your lucky names entered in the Fall Sweepstakes!
CCB Contra Costa Chapter
From Maria De La Torre, New CCB Chapter Coordinator: As of May 28th, the perspective Concord CCB Chapter has changed its name to the CCB Contra Costa Chapter. We will hold our second meeting on Saturday, June 25th. We encourage any and all people living within the Contra Costa County area to attend. We also invite everyone to bring a friend or relative who would like to join our chapter and join in all of the upcoming projects.Non-English speaking? Not a problem, I can assist you both in English and in Spanish during meetings and in the future we have plans to begin Spanish-speaking meetings the third Saturday of every month, if we have enough interest.
For more information or to ask questions regarding meetings please contact: Maria De La Torre at (925) 627-0054 or dltfamily01@att.net
Meeting Information:
When: Saturday, June 25, 2011.
Where: Panama Bay Coffee House, Back Meeting Room, 2151 Salvio Street, ste J, Concord, CA 94520-2403, (925) 969-9390.
Time: 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM.
Transit Information: Take the 311 County Connection bus from Concord BART departing at 10:20 AM. As for the Salvio and Colfax bus stop. Your destination will be about a minute away walking distance on your left hand side.
Note: This coffee shop is located at the Todos Santos Plaza in downtown Concord. Meetings will generally take place the last Saturday of the month, but meeting locations and meeting times may change from time to time.
Thank you for your support and see you there!
CCB 1st Annual Mutt Strut
From Melissa Hudson, Co-Chair, Southern CA, California Council of the Blind's 1st Annual Mutt Strut: Unfortunately, we do not have the bandwidth to do another set of video testimonials as we had hoped. We are still working on the video testimonials from Spring Convention and are excited on how they are coming together! You can still participate by sending in your written testimonial. Call the CCB office at (800) 221-6359 for the questions. We can email them or we can give them to you over the phone.If you haven't heard: Registration is Now Open! Check out the website and make comments on the articles, it's interactive! So, get the facts, register and spread the word www.ccbnet.org/muttstrut
Free Conference: IHSS Under Pressure
The San Francisco In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority is sponsoring a free conference on July 21st, at St. Mary's Cathedral Event Center, San Francisco. The conference will include a history of IHSS, a Q&A session with DAAS/IHSS social workers, and a presentation about how you can advocate to preserve and improve IHSS. Spaces at this event are limited, and registration is required no later than July 12, so act now.For more information about the conference and how to register, contact Judy Auda, Conference Organizer at (415) 826-3194.
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
June 3, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on June 3, and will be updated on June 10. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.Congratulations to CCB Compton Chapter Member Gussie Morgan
From President Donna Pomerantz: I hope all of you will join with me in giving CCB Compton Chapter member Gussie Morgan a hardy congratulations and best wishes on her May 31st retirement from the Chester Adult School where she has worked for 31 years. That level of steadfast commitment and service is exactly what Gussie continues to give to the CCB family to this day.From Gene Lozano, CCB conference and Convention Planning Committee Chair
The CCB Conference and Convention planners/organizers are interested in receiving your evaluation of the Spring 2011 conference and convention that was held at the Sacramento Doubletree.We are interested in receiving your responses to the following questions:
1. Did you like the hotel where the convention was held and tell us why or why not?
2. Were there enough staff and volunteers to help you with any needs that you had during the convention?
3. Were the staff and volunteers kind and courteous to you?
4. Was the exhibit area set up so that you could get around easily? If not, what changes should be made?
5. How was the sound quality of the meeting rooms?
6. Did you enjoy the speakers who addressed the general sessions and were there any specific speakers or topics that interested you?
7. If you are a guide dog user did you have any problems with the relieving area?
8. What was your experience in the hotel restaurants in being served and the quality of your meal?
9. Overall was the convention a success in your opinion?
10. Is there anything else that you would like to tell us regarding your experience at the Doubletree?
Please email your responses to Eugene.lozano@ccbnet.org or call the CCB office 1-800-221-6359 and ask for the staff to take down your responses by Friday June 10th.
Thank you.
Fall Conference and Convention
From President Donna Pomerantz: I look to our Fall Conference and Convention which will take place from October 27 - October 30, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel LAX, 5985 W Century Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90045. To our Chapters local to this area, begin thinking about the possibility of hosting the Fall Conference and Convention. Also, this is a great chapter fund raising opportunity for hosting the Welcome to L.A. Party and nightly Hospitality. If you are interested, give the CCB Office a call at 800-221-6359 or (916) 441-2100 by no later than Friday, July first.From the Board of Directors
A thank you to all of you that visited the Board table in Exhibits at our past Conference and Convention. We are delighted by the energy and enthusiasm expressed with regards to our Grocery Rewards Program and the fund raising potential it has for CCB. Shoppers of Lucky, FoodsCo, FoodMaxx, Food4Less, Save Mart, Smart Foods and Ralph’s are eligible to have your grocery store donate 3% of your grocery bill to CCB. Participation comes at no fee to the shopper; simply provide your cashier with your Rewards card and the earnings go straight to CCB. If you do not have a Grocery Rewards card, or you would like more information on the program, please contact Lily in the CCB office at 800-221-6359 or lily.mccray@ccbnet.org. Again, thank you for your enthusiasm and happy shopping!CCB 1st Annual Mutt Strut
From Melissa Hudson, Co-Chair, Southern CA, California Council of the Blind's 1st Annual Mutt Strut: I would like to personally thank all the attendees of this past Spring Convention for your positive energy and enthusiasm towards our first statewide fundraiser! A special shout out to those who participated in the video testimonials; thank you for your patience while squeezing us in during your already packed schedules! For those who were unable to attend the conference, we are looking into the feasibility of scheduling a date/time for more video testimonials in Southern California in the next month or two. If you do not live in Southern California, you can still participate by emailing your written testimonial to Lily McCray at lily.mccray@ccbnet.org Please email her with your interest and then she will reply to you with the list of questions. For more information about the event and/or to register please visit www.ccbnet.org/muttstrutFrom Jeff Thom, chair CCB Governmental Affairs Committee
It’s been a great week for CCB in Sacramento. First, our bill AB410, Swanson, which will require various state agencies to provide, upon request, descriptions of proposed state regulations to those with visual impairments in a manner readable by screen reading software, has passed the Assembly. Although we had to limit the scope of the bill to specific areas, including special education, rehabilitation, special education, and architectural barriers, it will still be a major step forward to pass this legislation. Please let your state Senators know about this bill, as it now heads to the Senate.Next, under the leadership of CCB, the Assembly and Senate Budget Committees have decided to reject the Brown Administration's attempt to abolish the Rehabilitation Appeals Board. This consumer board, which hears appeals from rehabilitation consumers, is doing a fine job and needs to continue. For now, anyway, it looks like it will. We will keep an eye on this issue, as anything can happen during the upcoming budget negotiations that are expected to take place in the next few weeks.
East LA Chapter CCB Fundraiser
The East LA Chapter CCB will be holding their fundraiser at the home of Mrs. Garcia located at 1226 South McBride. The cross street is Olympic.Date: June 11.
Time: 11:30 AM - 03:00 PM
tickets: $12 for anyone over 6 years old and $6 for anyone under 6 years old.
Your ticket will include one free nonalcoholic drink.
Additional plates will be $6.
The menu will be: Chile Colorado (beef with Chile) or Chile Verde (pork with chile), rice, beans, salad, sundae and one free nonalcoholic drink.
Drink prices:
Water $.50
Soda $1.00
Beer $1.50
margaritas and negro modello $2
Please RSVP by calling Marie Herrera at (818) 894-3722 or Mrs. Lopez at (323) 268-4526. Please let us no if you plan to purchase additional plates when you RSVP.
Joseph Roeder Assistive Technology Scholarship
NIB is pleased to announce the Joseph Roeder Assistive Technology (AT) Scholarship, which is a $2,500 grant to an individual who is blind, interested in pursuing education in computer science, information systems or a related field and pursuing a career in access technology. The scholarship is named in memory of Joe Roeder, who served as senior access technology specialist at NIB from 1997 until his death in 2010.Roeder had 40 years of experience in the fields of design engineering, electronic information systems, training and business management, including experience as a mechanical and nuclear engineer at Bechtel Power Corporation. He was instrumental in the development of Section 508 of the Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards, which requires all federal government agencies to provide accessible data and information for employees with disabilities.
Individuals to be considered for the scholarship are either entering their third or fourth year of college or graduate school, or are changing careers to pursue a career in assistive technology. All applications and additional documents must be submitted online no later than July 8, 2011. The top three candidates will be interviewed by phone during the week of July 22, 2011 and the winner will be announced on July 31, 2011. For scholarship criteria and application, visit http://www.nib.org/content/scholarship-application
If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Gallagher at (703) 310-0343 or kgallagher@nib.org
2011-2012 California Council of the Blind Scholarship
The 2011-2012 California Council of the Blind’s Scholarship Application is up on the web live! We have an HTML version and a Word version of the application and this is a new offering. For this year only we have a quick turn around for those who are interested in applying. Please remember that June 15 is the due date but one still has until July to get your transcripts to the Office. For any questions please contact the CCB Office at (800) 221-6359 or (916) 441-2100. Here is the link to the application page. I'm looking forward to meeting our new awardees! http://www.ccbnet.org/scholar.htmHave a nice day
Gabe Griffith
May 27, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on May 27, and will be updated on June 3. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From CCB President, Donna Pomerantz
Thank you for making our Spring 2011 Conference and Convention a lively memorable experience for all. As this was my first time presiding as CCB President, I had a number of butterflies, which were soon replaced with the positive and vibrant energy of an active and diverse group. I was pleased to learn that we had a number of people who decided to pay us a visit after being away for a period of time. I hope you felt the spirit of family and I'm looking forward to seeing you in the future. Welcome back! I was energized to meet several new people as well, some were new members and some were visiting to learn about whom we are and the things we do. A hearty welcome to you and come back again and spend some time. I also thank those who took part in making this convention a reality. For all of your work and support, I thank you. In closing, I look to our Fall Conference and Convention which will take place from October 27 - October 30, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel LAX, 5985 W Century Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90045. To our Chapters local to this area, begin thinking about the possibility of hosting Conference and Convention Hospitality. If you are interested, give the CCB Office a call at 800-221-6359 or (916) 441-2100. It will be here before we know it. See you then!From Gene Lozano, CCB Conference and Committee Planning Committee Chair
The CCB Conference and Convention planners/organizers are interested in receiving your evaluation of the Spring 2011 conference and convention that was held at the Sacramento Doubletree. We are interested in receiving your responses to the following questions:1. Did you like the hotel where the convention was held and tell us why or why not?
2. Were there enough staff and volunteers to help you with any needs that you had during the convention?
3. Were the staff and volunteers kind and courteous to you?
4. Was the exhibit area set up so that you could get around easily? If not, what changes should be made?
5. How was the sound quality of the meeting rooms?
6. Did you enjoy the speakers who addressed the general sessions and were there any specific speakers or topics that interested you?
7. If you are a guide dog user did you have any problems with the relieving area?
8. What was your experience in the hotel restaurants in being served and the quality of your meal?
9. Overall was the convention a success in your opinion?
10. Is there anything else that you would like to tell us regarding your experience at the Doubletree?
Please email your responses to
Eugene.lozano@ccbnet.org
or call the CCB office 1-800-221-6359 and ask for the staff to take down your responses by Friday June 10th. Thank you
From the Board of Directors
A thank you to all of you that visited the Board table in Exhibits at our past Conference and Convention. We are delighted by the energy and enthusiasm expressed with regards to our Grocery Rewards Program and the fund raising potential it has for CCB. Shoppers of Lucky, FoodsCo, FoodMaxx, Food4Less, Save Mart, Smart Foods and Ralphs are eligible to have your grocery store donate 3% of your grocery bill to CCB. Participation comes at no fee to the shopper; simply provide your cashier with your Rewards card and the earnings go straight to CCB. If you do not have a Grocery Rewards card, or you would like more information on the program, please contact Lily in the CCB office at 800-221-6359 or lily.mccray@ccbnet.org. Again, thank you for your enthusiasm and happy shopping!CCB 1st Annual Mutt Strut
From Melissa Hudson, Co-Chair, Southern CA, California Council of the Blind's 1st Annual Mutt Strut: I would like to personally thank all the attendees of this past Spring Convention for your positive energy and enthusiasm towards our first statewide fundraiser! A special shout out to those who participated in the video testimonials; thank you for your patience while squeezing us in during your already packed schedules! For those who were unable to attend the conference, we are looking into the feasibility of scheduling a date/time for more video testimonials in Southern California in the next month or two. If you do not live in Southern California, you can still participate by emailing your written testimonial to Lily McCray at lily.mccray@ccbnet.org Please email her with your interest and then she will reply to you with the list of questions. For more information about the event and/or to register please visit www.ccbnet.org/muttstrutJoseph Roeder Assistive Technology Scholarship
NIB is pleased to announce the Joseph Roeder Assistive Technology (AT) Scholarship, which is a $2,500 grant to an individual who is blind, interested in pursuing education in computer science, information systems or a related field and pursuing a career in access technology. The scholarship is named in memory of Joe Roeder, who served as senior access technology specialist at NIB from 1997 until his death in 2010.Roeder had 40 years of experience in the fields of design engineering, electronic information systems, training and business management, including experience as a mechanical and nuclear engineer at Bechtel Power Corporation. He was instrumental in the development of Section 508 of the Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards, which requires all federal government agencies to provide accessible data and information for employees with disabilities.
Individuals to be considered for the scholarship are either entering their third or fourth year of college or graduate school, or are changing careers to pursue a career in assistive technology.
All applications and additional documents must be submitted online no later than July 8, 2011. The top three candidates will be interviewed by phone during the week of July 22, 2011 and the winner will be announced on July 31, 2011. For scholarship criteria and application, visit http://www.nib.org/content/scholarship-application
If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Gallagher at (703) 310-0343 or kgallagher@nib.org
2011-2012 CCB Scholarship Application
The 2011-2012 CCB Scholarship Application is up on the web live! We have an HTML version and a Word version of the application and this is a new offering. For this year only we have a quick turn around for those who are interested in applying. Please remember that June 15 is the due date but one still has until July to get your transcripts to the Office. For any questions please contact the CCB Office at (800) 221-6359 or (916) 441-2100. Here is the link to the application page. I'm looking forward to meeting our new awardees!http://www.ccbnet.org/scholar.htm
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
May 20, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on May 20, and will be updated on May 27. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.orgby Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From CCB President, Donna Pomerantz
Thank you for making our Spring 2011 Conference and Convention a lively memorable experience for all. As this was my first time presiding as CCB President, I had a number of butterflies, which were soon replaced with the positive and vibrant energy of an active and diverse group. I was pleased to learn that we had a number of people who decided to pay us a visit after being away for a period of time. I hope you felt the spirit of family and I'm looking forward to seeing you in the future. Welcome back! I was energized to meet several new people as well, some were new members and some were visiting to learn about who we are and the things we do. A hearty welcome to you and come back again and spend some time. I also thank those who took part in making this convention a reality. For all of your work and support, I thank you. In closing, I look to our Fall Conference and Convention which will take place from October 27 - October 30, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel LAX, 5985 W Century Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90045. To our Chapters local to this area, begin thinking about the possibility of hosting Conference and Convention Hospitality. If you are interested, give the CCB Office a call at 800-221-6359 or (916) 441-2100. It will be here before we know it. See you then!Concord CCB Chapter
Attention all CCB Members residing in Concord, California or within Contra Costa County! There will be an informal meeting in order to open a new Concord CCB Chapter. We need at least ten new members in order to begin this chapter, so attendees are needed. If you are interested, know of someone who may be interested or simply have questions, please contact Maria De La Torre via e-mail at dltfamily01@att.netor call 925-691-9636.Please help spread the word to any members or perspective members!
Meeting information is as follows:
When: Saturday, May 28, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Where: Concord Library conference Room, 2900 Salvio Street
Concord, California 94519.
Telephone: (925) 646-5455
Public Transit Information (Update): From the Concord BART Station, take County Connection bus #315. Buses run every hour and 20 minutes. The first bus departs Concord BART at 8:10 AM. Get off at the corner of Parkside and Willow Pass Road and walk north on Parkside one block to Salvio St. The library is on the corner of Parkside and Salvio.
A special thank you to readers that have been offering valuable feedback in regard to public transportation and attending this meeting! See you there!
Post-Convention Events for the ACB Conference and Convention
From Jeff Thom: During my ACB report last Friday evening at the CCB Conference and Convention, I was asked about post-convention events for the ACB Conference and Convention this summer in Reno. I consulted with convention Coordinator, Ms. Carla Ruschivall who informed me that there is a winery tour on Saturday morning, July 16, that includes lunch and a wine tasting. There are two events on Saturday night. One is a cruise on a sailboat on Lake Tahoe; complimentary beer, wine and champagne. The other choice is dinner and the Dana Carvey show at the Nugget Hotel, where the convention will be held.CCB 1st Annual Mutt Strut
From Melissa Hudson, Co-Chair, Southern CA, California Council of the Blind's 1st Annual Mutt Strut: I would like to personally thank all the attendees of this past Spring Convention for your positive energy and enthusiasm towards our first statewide fundraiser! A special shout out to those who participated in the video testimonials; thank you for your patience while squeezing us in during your already packed schedules! For those who were unable to attend the conference, we are looking into the feasibility of scheduling a date/time for more video testimonials in Southern California in the next month or two. If you do not live in Southern California, you can still participate by emailing your written testimonial to Lily McCray at lily.mccray@ccbnet.orgPlease email her with your interest and then she will reply to you with the list of questions. For more information about the event and/or to register please visit www.ccbnet.org/muttstrut2011-2012 CCB Scholarship Application
The 2011-2012 CCB Scholarship Application is up on the web live! We have an HTML version and a Word version of the application and this is a new offering. For this year only we have a quick turn around for those who are interested in applying. Please remember that June 15 is the due date but one still has until July to get your transcripts to the Office. For any questions please contact the CCB Office at (800) 221-6359 or (916) 441-2100. Here is the link to the application page. I'm looking forward to meeting our new awardees! http://www.ccbnet.org/scholar.htmJoseph Roeder Assistive Technology (AT) Scholarship
NIB is pleased to announce the Joseph Roeder Assistive Technology (AT) Scholarship, which is a $2,500 grant to an individual who is blind, interested in pursuing education in computer science, information systems or a related field and pursuing a career in access technology. The scholarship is named in memory of Joe Roeder, who served as senior access technology specialist at NIB from 1997 until his death in 2010. Roeder had 40 years of experience in the fields of design engineering, electronic information systems, training and business management, including experience as a mechanical and nuclear engineer at Bechtel Power Corporation. He was instrumental in the development of Section 508 of the Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards, which requires all federal government agencies to provide accessible data and information for employees with disabilities.Individuals to be considered for the scholarship are either entering their third or fourth year of college or graduate school, or are changing careers to pursue a career in assistive technology. All applications and additional documents must be submitted online no later than July 8, 2011. The top three candidates will be interviewed by phone during the week of July 22, 2011 and the winner will be announced on July 31, 2011. For scholarship criteria and application, visit http://www.nib.org/content/scholarship-applicationIf you have any questions, please contact Kathy Gallagher at (703) 310-0343 or kgallagher@nib.org
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
May 6, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on May 6, and will be updated on May 20. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.orgby Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From Gabe Griffith
There will not be a connection on May 13 due to the CCB convention. The next connection will be released on May 20.Audio Listening Devices (ALD)
From David Hanlon: There will be Audio Listening Devices (ALD) available for those who need help in hearing the speakers from the podium during the general session at the CCB convention. Those who are interested in reserving an ALD should contact Ed or Lilly in the CCB office. They will be reserved on a first come first serve basis.Spring 2011, CCB Conference and Convention Program
The Publications Committee and the Technical Operations Group wish to announce that the program for the Spring, 2011, CCB Conference and Convention is on the CCB website. It is designed so that you can click on any item in the table of contents and immediately go there. Just go to the website: www.ccbnet.organd look for the Conventions link. The direct link is: www.ccbnet.org/conventions/con11a.htmAnyone wishing to receive a Spring Conference and Convention Program, plain text file format, can send a request to ccotb@ccbnet.orgbetween today and May 10th and it can be sent to you to load on your electronic notetakers to have at the convention.
Spring Sweepstakes
Click-click-click-click rumbles the chain as the roller coaster approaches its first peak and then a second of silence before whoosh! Down the rails speeds the third-prize winner of the sweepstakes, screaming and laughing as they twist and turn their way down the rails. Can you imagine this as though it’s actually you? Well, it could be if you bought a sweepstakes ticket!Prizes for this spring’s sweepstakes include: $1,000 cash, a hot air balloon ride for two, four admission passes to Knott’s Berry Farm Theme Park, and a Keurig gourmet single-cup coffee brewing system. Ask your local chapter president for tickets.
Has your chapter sold-out of tickets? No problem. Contact Lily in the CCB office to request more: 800-221-6359 or lily.mccray@ccbnet.org
CCB Spring Convention Discounted Shuttle Service
Discounted Shuttle Service is Available for the CCB spring convention 05/10/11-05/16/11Ride SuperShuttle to and from Sacramento Airport $13.00 each way on Shared Ride round trip reservation required.
To receive your discount:
- Make your reservation by following this link: https://www.supershuttle.com/default.aspx?GC=BU4J3
- Provide the requested information, to include roundtrip service, your name, flight details (to and from the airport), and your local contact phone #.
- Select Airport (as listed above) from the drop-down listing of Airports.
- Provide a credit card for payment.
- Print your confirmation page (or you can e-mail it to yourself).
- Or book by phone @ 1-800-258-3826 must provide the discount code BU4J3 if you make your reservation by phone there is a one dollar additional surcharge
CCB Spring 2011 Conference and Convention
We are in countdown mode for the CCB Spring 2011 Conference and Convention at the Sacramento Doubletree Hotel. I am looking forward to spending time catching up on all of the things that bring us together each year. Please remember it takes each and everyone of us to make our Conventions a success. So please, let me have fun by being able to give away lots of door prizes between speakers at Convention. Its not too late, you can still bring door prizes to the convention. Any kind of goodies will do whether you share cash, gift cards, candy, any kind of surprise either you personally, or your chapter may wish to donate. Lets all work hard, and have a great time together at convention. Also, for those who are not able to join us, please feel free to tune into ACB Radio World and enjoy the proceedings while drinking your favorite coffee in your most comfortable easy chair. and speaking of fun, our Banquet promises to be a good one. We will give some very special awards, honor some of our scholarship winners who are able to attend the Banquet, and our Banquet Speaker will be Eric Mee, Citrus Heights, California. Eric is a comedian who is blind. He will share some of his personal story with us as well as bring some laughter and entertainment. Remember what they say, laughter is the best medicine. I want to give you a little taste of some of our Conference and Convention meal choices for the weekend.Friday, May 13
Lunch
California Spinach Salad
Grilled Tri-Tip
Cheese Tortellini (vegetarian)
Mini Bundt Cakes
Dinner
Classic Caesar Salad
Chicken Toscana
Grilled Portobello Mushroom (vegetarian)
Chocolate Decadence
Lunch
Garden Salad
Southwestern chicken
Eggplant Parmesan (vegetarian)
Carrot pineapple cake
Dinner
California Mixed Salad
Marinated Grilled Beef with Chow Mien Noodles, Stir Fried Vegetables, Spring Roll, And Spicy Asian Sauce. Garnished with Green Onions, Roasted Cashews and Sesame Seeds
Italian Vegetable Calzone (vegetarian)
Florida Key Lime Mousse
To view the program go to http://www.ccbnet.org/conventions/con11a.htm
You also still have time to reserve your rooms at the $93 convention rate if you call and mention you are with the California Council of the Blind Call 800-222-8733 or 916-929-8855. And remember to bring those winning sweepstakes tickets. See you soon!From Jeff Thom, CCB Resolutions Committee Co-chair
Please remember to have your resolutions to the resolutions committee as early as possible. You can submit them to Jeff Thom at jsthom@comcast.netor call Jeff at (916) 995-3967. The deadline for submitting resolutions is the close of general session on Friday evening of the convention.Concord CCB Chapter
Attention all CCB Members residing in Concord, California or within Contra Costa County! There will be an informal meeting in order to open a new Concord CCB Chapter. We need at least ten new members in order to begin this chapter, so attendees are needed. If you are interested, know of someone who may be interested or simply have questions, please contact Maria De La Torre via e-mail at dltfamily01@att.netPlease help spread the word to any members or perspective members!
Meeting information is as follows:
When: Saturday, May 28, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Where: Concord Library conference Room
2900 Salvio Street
Concord, California 94519
Telephone: (925) 646-5455
Public Transit Information:
From the Concord BART Station, take County Connection bus #115.
Get off at the corner of Parkside and Willow Pass Road and walk north on Parkside one block to Salvio St.
The library is on the corner of Parkside and Salvio.
San Diego Chapter CCB
From Glenda Castle, President, San Diego Chapter CCB: The San Diego Chapter CCB meetings are normally held the second Friday of each month. However, the May meeting will be held on the third Friday, May 20th at 3:30 PM at the Blind Community Center, 1805 Upas Street, San Diego, CA. If you have any questions please contact Chapter President, Glenda Castle at (619) 876-2947.Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
April 29, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on April 29, and will be updated on May 6. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.orgby Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.CCB Spring Convention and Conference - Room Reservations
Attention all CCB Spring Convention and Conference-bound readers! Just a reminder to you that the Doubletree hotel is accepting reservations at a rate of $93 per night: 800-222-8733. If you are looking for a roommate for convention, please notify the CCB office as there are currently attendees who are also looking for a roommate: 800-221-6359.CCB Spring Convention and Conference - SuperShuttle Information
To book your travel from the airport to the hotel, and back at a discounted rate of $13 each way contact SuperShuttle: 800-258-3826 and provide discount code “BU4J3” .Discounted Shuttle Service is Available for the CCB spring convention 05/10/11-05/16/11
Ride SuperShuttle to and from Sacramento Airport $13.00 each way on Shared Ride round trip reservation required.
To receive your discount:
- Make your reservation by following this link: https://www.supershuttle.com/default.aspx?GC=BU4J3
- Provide the requested information, to include roundtrip service, your name, flight details (to and from the airport), and your local contact phone #.
- Select Airport (as listed above) from the drop-down listing of Airports.
- Provide a credit card for payment.
- Print your confirmation page (or you can e-mail it to yourself).
- Or book by phone @ 1-800-258-3826 must provide the discount code BU4J3 if you make your reservation by phone there is a one dollar additional surcharge
Spring Conference and Convention Program
Anyone wishing to receive a Spring Conference and Convention Program, plain text file format, can send a request to ccotb@ccbnet.orgbetween today and May 10th and it can be sent to you to load on your electronic notetakers to have at the convention.From Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
A huge thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers that have signed up to work at our spring convention! Wow, we are very glad to be holding convention in such a supportive community and are able to rest assured knowing that our event will run smoothly! For all others who have not yet had a chance to sign up as a volunteer and wish to do so, please call or email Lily in our office and she can place you in a volunteer time-slot that works best for you: 800-221-6359 or lily.mccray@ccbnet.orgWe can never have too many volunteers!Spring Sweepstakes
Click-click-click-click rumbles the chain as the roller coaster approaches its first peak and then a second of silence before whoosh! Down the rails speeds the third-prize winner of the sweepstakes, screaming and laughing as they twist and turn their way down the rails. Can you imagine this as though it’s actually you? Well, it could be if you bought a sweepstakes ticket! Prizes for this spring’s sweepstakes include: $1,000 cash, a hot air balloon ride for two, four admission passes to Knott’s Berry Farm Theme Park, and a Keurig gourmet single-cup coffee brewing system. Ask your local chapter president for tickets.Has your chapter sold-out of tickets? No problem. Contact Lily in the CCB office to request more: 800-221-6359 or lily.mccray@ccbnet.org
2011 CCB Capitol Day
Announcing the 2011 CCB Capitol DayWhen: Thursday, May 12, 2011, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Where: California State Capitol, Sacramento
Sponsors: California Council of the Blind, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of California, Silicon Valley Council of the Blind, and Art Takahara.
CCB will provide bus transportation between the Doubletree Hotel in Sacramento and the State Capitol for the convenience of participants who are attending the CCB spring convention. Participants must register for Capitol Day no later than May 1.
For more information and to register for this event Please call Frank Welte at the CCB office (800) 221-6359, or send Frank Email at frank.welte@ccbnet.org
From Frank Welte, CCB Director of Advocacy and governmental affairs
Please note that the CCB Legislative Report updated as of April 26 is available on our toll-free line at 800-221-6359 and on the CCB web site, www.ccbnet.orgFrom Lainey Feingold
We thought this was a good time to update everyone about the Structured Negotiations with Cinemark about audio description. Here is the current status:1. Cinemark is working in good faith with the blind community in the Structured Negotiations process on issues of audio description at all its California theaters. We are also discussing with Cinemark the possible expansion of our discussions to cover Cinemark theaters outside of California. The Claimants in the Structured Negotiations are the California Council of the Blind and several blind Cinemark movie patrons.
2. As part of the Structured Negotiations, Cinemark is currently beta testing audio description equipment in all auditoriums in the company's Redwood City theater complex. The Redwood City Theater is Cinemark's first audio description test market, and the product has received initial positive reviews. We will be working in the Structured Negotiations process to obtain additional community feedback at Redwood City. A second product is scheduled to be tested in the near future at a different theater.
3. Cinemark is transitioning from traditional film projection technology to digital technology in its first-run movie theatres in California and elsewhere. As part of this transition, Cinemark is requiring its vendors to develop equipment capable of exhibiting films that come with audio description. (Unlike captioning there is not yet a commercially available audio description product with a track record of success with the digital projectors Cinemark is installing.)
4. For anyone who visits the Redwood City Theater, please keep in mind the following: When attending movies with audio description, pre- movie ads and trailers will most like not have audio description. Also, like any new technologies, there will occasionally be equipment and software issues that Cinemark and its vendors will identify and work together to resolve. Also, customers needing audio description should ask for the hand-held equipment when they purchase their tickets. Since the equipment is new and may require a little extra time for patrons to secure it and to have any questions answered, we suggest that customers arrive a little early, before the movie starts.
Please let us know if you have any questions about the Cinemark Structured Negotiations
Lainey and Linda
From Glenda Castle, President, San Diego Chapter CCB
The San Diego Chapter CCB meetings are normally held the second Friday of each month. However, the May meeting will be held on the third Friday, May 20th at 3:30 PM at the Blind Community Center, 1805 Upas Street, San Diego, CA. If you have any questions please contact Chapter President, Glenda Castle at (619) 876-2947.Cleanlogic's Braille Awareness Day
Where: Gelson's Supermarket, 4738 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 91607When: Saturday May 7, 2011 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM PDT.
Dear Friends, If you are in the Los Angeles area on Saturday, May 7, 2011, please join us at Gelson's Market - Valley Village, as Braille Institute and IMS Trading partner to offer free low vision consultations, Braille and low vision product demonstrations, and free Cleanlogic giveaways. For more information about the event, please contact Jessica @ jwebster@imstradingusa.comor (323) 938-8868.
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
April 22, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on April 22. Today’s CA Connection has been revised from the version sent out earlier this morning. At the request of CCB First Vice-President, Eugene Lozano, Jr., we have included the corrected pricing and complete information for reserving Super Shuttle transportation to and from the Doubletree Hotel. The next CA Connection will be updated on April 29. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.orgby Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From Glenda Castle
Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers. My 92 year old blind mother just died and my youngest son, of 25 years, just had a stroke. Please send positive thought energies and prayers for our family.CCB Spring Conference and Convention
Attention all CCB Spring Conference and Convention-bound readers! Just a reminder to you that the Doubletree hotel is accepting reservations at a rate of $93 per night at 800-222-8733. If you are looking for a roommate for convention, please notify the CCB office as there are currently attendees who are also looking for a roommate: 800-221-6359.California Council of the Blind 2011
Discounted Shuttle Service Available 05/10/11-05/16/11
Ride SuperShuttle to and from Sacramento Airport $13.00 each way on Shared Ride round trip reservation required.
- Make your reservation by following this link: https://www.supershuttle.com/default.aspx?GC=BU4J3Provide the requested information, to include roundtrip service, your name, flight details (to and from the airport), and your local contact phone #.
- Select Airport (as listed above) from the drop-down listing of Airports.
- Provide a credit card for payment.
- Print your confirmation page (or you can e-mail it to yourself).
- Or book by phone @ 1-800-258-3826 must provide the discount code BU4J3
if you make your reservation by phone there is a one dollar additional surcharge
From Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
A huge thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers that have signed up to work at our spring convention! Wow, we are very glad to be holding convention in such a supportive community and are able to rest assured knowing that our event will run smoothly! For all others who have not yet had a chance to sign up as a volunteer and wish to do so, please call or email Lily in our office and she can place you in a volunteer time-slot that works best for you. Call 800-221-6359 or lily.mccray@ccbnet.orgWe can never have too many volunteers!Spring Sweepstakes
Click-click-click-click rumbles the chain as the roller coaster approaches its first peak and then a second of silence before whoosh! Down the rails speeds the third-prize winner of the sweepstakes, screaming and laughing as they twist and turn their way down the rails. Can you imagine this as though it’s actually you? Well, it could be if you bought a sweepstakes ticket! Prizes for this spring’s sweepstakes include: $1,000 cash, a hot air balloon ride for two, four admission passes to Knott’s Berry Farm Theme Park, and a Keurig gourmet single-cup coffee brewing system. Ask your local chapter president for tickets.Has your chapter sold-out of tickets? No problem. Contact Lily in the CCB office to request more: 800-221-6359 or lily.mccray@ccbnet.org
2011 CCB Capitol Day
Announcing the 2011 CCB Capitol Day.When: Thursday, May 12, 2011, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.
Where: California State Capitol, Sacramento.
Sponsors: California Council of the Blind, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of California, Silicon Valley Council of the Blind, and Art Takahara.
CCB will provide bus transportation between the Doubletree Hotel in Sacramento and the State Capitol for the convenience of participants who are attending the CCB spring convention. Participants must register for Capitol Day no later than May 1. For more information and to register for this event Please call Frank Welte at the CCB office (800) 221-6359, or send Frank Email at frank.welte@ccbnet.org
From Frank Welte, CCB Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs
Please note that the CCB Legislative Report updated as of April 20 is available on our toll-free line at 800-221-6359 and on the CCB web site, www.ccbnet.orgOur regulations format bill, AB 410 (Swanson), will be heard by the assembly Business, Professions and Consumer Protection Committee on Tuesday, April 26 at 9:00 AM in room 447 of the State Capitol.Charter Bus to the ACB 50th Annual Conference and Convention
The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco will charter a bus to the American Council of the Blind’s (ACB’s) 50th annual Conference and Convention this July. Presently, plans are in the making for pick up and drop off at the LightHouse in San Francisco, the Ed Roberts Campus (Ashby BART) in Berkeley and in downtown Sacramento.The bus will travel leaving the Bay Area at 9:00 AM Saturday, July 9th making two additional stops before ending up at the John Ascuaga Nugget Hotel Resort Casino in Sparks Nevada, mid afternoon. The bus will depart at 12 noon on Wednesday, July 13, reversing the drop offs returning to the San Francisco LightHouse by 6:00 PM. There are a limited number of seats available for purchase. One way seats are $100 (either way) and round trip seats are only $150.00. Deposits are due by mid May. Interested persons are asked to contact Rich Russo, Community Services Program Assistant at (415) 694-7352 to reserve a spot and seek additional details.
From Glenda Castle, President, San Diego Chapter CCB
The San Diego Chapter CCB meetings are normally held the second Friday of each month. However, the May meeting will be held on the third Friday, May 20th at 3:30 PM at the Blind Community Center, 1805 Upas Street, San Diego, CA. If you have any questions please contact Chapter President, Glenda Castle at (619) 876-2947.State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind Campaign
The State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind has an ongoing campaign regarding dog attacks on guide dogs. As such, the Board has partnered with the Department of Consumer Affairs to produce tip sheets for consumers.Below are the suggestions in the tip sheet. Braille copies can also be provided upon request. Thank you.
- Call 9-1-1 or ask a bystander to call for you.
This is the most important action you can take. - California law protects you.
It is unlawful for a dog owner or handler to allow a dog to attack a working guide dog (CA Penal Code § 600.2). - Let law enforcement decide.
Let law enforcement determine whether to call Animal Control services to handle the attacking dog. - File a police report.
The police can issue a citation, have the dog impounded, or require the dog be given training, among other remedies. - Visit the Vet.
A licensed veterinarian can examine and treat your dog’s injuries. - Get medical help.
If you’ve been injured in the attack, go to the nearest hospital for treatment.
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
April 15, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on April 15, and will be updated on April 22. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.orgby Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.Spring Convention and Conference
Attention all CCB Spring Convention and Conference-bound readers! Just a reminder to you that the Doubletree hotel is accepting reservations at a rate of $93 per night tax inclusive: 800-222-8733. If you are looking for a roommate for convention, please notify the CCB office as there are currently attendees who are also looking for a roommate: 800-221-6359.To book your travel from the airport to the hotel, and back at a rate of $16 each way contact SuperShuttle: 800-258-3826 and provide discount code “BU4J3”
From Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
A huge thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers that have signed up to work at our spring convention! Wow, we are very glad to be holding convention in such a supportive community and are able to rest assured knowing that our event will run smoothly! For all others who have not yet had a chance to sign up as a volunteer and wish to do so, please call or email Lily in our office and she can place you in a volunteer time-slot that works best for you: 800-221-6359 or lily.mccray@ccbnet.orgWe can never have too many volunteers!Spring Sweepstakes
Click-click-click-click rumbles the chain as the roller coaster approaches its first peak and then a second of silence before whoosh! Down the rails speeds the third-prize winner of the sweepstakes, screaming and laughing as they twist and turn their way down the rails. Can you imagine this as though it’s actually you? Well, it could be if you bought a sweepstakes ticket! Prizes for this spring’s sweepstakes include: $1,000 cash, a hot air balloon ride for two, four admission passes to Knott’s Berry Farm Theme Park, and a Keurig gourmet single-cup coffee brewing system. Ask your local chapter president for tickets.Has your chapter sold-out of tickets? No problem. Contact Lily in the CCB office to request more: 800-221-6359 or lily.mccray@ccbnet.org
Charter Bus to the ACB 50th Annual Conference and Convention
The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco will charter a bus to the American Council of the Blind’s 50th annual Conference and Convention this July. Presently, plans are in the making for pick up and drop off at the LightHouse in San Francisco, the Ed Roberts Campus (Ashby BART) in Berkeley and in downtown Sacramento.The bus will travel leaving the Bay Area at 9:00 AM Saturday, July 9th and make two additional stops before ending up at the John Ascuaga Nugget Hotel Resort Casino in Sparks Nevada, mid afternoon. The bus will depart at noon on Wednesday, July 13, reversing the drop offs returning to the LightHouse by 6:00 PM. There are a limited number of seats available for purchase.
One way seats are $100 (either way) and round trip seats are only $150.00. Deposits are due by mid May. Interested persons are asked to contact Rich Russo, Community Services Program Assistant at (415) 694-7352 to reserve a spot and seek additional details.
Sleep Light and Your Body Clock
Capital Chapter members and those in the Sacramento area are invited to come to the Information Session on "Sleep, Light and Your Body Clock". Hear about "Sleep, Light and Your Body Clock" at this month's Capital Chapter, CCB meeting! Palo Alto VA Hospital and Vanda Pharmaceuticals are holding an information session during the April meeting for anyone interested in learning more about sleeping problems that can be caused by the lack of light. Symptoms of this problem include recurrent periods of trouble sleeping at night accompanied by tiredness and napping during the day. The problem can vary in severity and may affect more than half of totally blind individuals. Anyone interested in this topic should attend this information session to learn more. Representatives from the VA and Vanda will be attending to talk and answer questions. Topics covered include background on the cause and state of knowledge about this sleep disorder, common symptoms of the sleep problems and current research for diagnosis and treatment.Date: April 16, 2011
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Meeting Location: Denny's Restaurant
Address: 7900 College Town Dr., Sacramento
From Glenda Castle, President, San Diego Chapter CCB
The San Diego Chapter CCB meetings are normally held the second Friday of each month. However, the May meeting will be held on the third Friday, May 20th at 3:30 PM at the Blind Community Center, 1805 Upas Street, San Diego, CA. If you have any questions please contact Chapter President, Glenda Castle at (619) 876-2947.Glendale-Burbank Area Chapter Pizza Fundraiser
The Glendale-Burbank Area Chapter of the CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND Invites YOU To our Pizza fundraiser at Shakey’s Pizza at 1300 N. San Fernando Blvd. (Cross street: Bethany) in Burbank, CA on April 21, 2011; 6-9 PM. A portion of each food purchase will be donated to our organization. Please place your receipt in the applicable box. You do not need to have a flyer with you. If you have questions please contact Ardis Bazyn at (818) 238-9321 or Keith Johnson at (626) 796-6989.2011 CCB Capitol Day
Announcing the 2011 CCB Capitol Day.When: Thursday, May 12, 2011, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.
Where: California State Capitol, Sacramento.
Sponsors: California Council of the Blind, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of California, Silicon Valley Council of the Blind, and Art Takahara.
Schedule:
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Greetings from invited state legislators and legislative briefing.
- 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Visits to state legislators' offices.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, lunch.
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
April 8, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on April 8, and will be updated on April 15. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.orgby Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.Urgent Legislative Alert
CCB is sponsoring a bill, AB 390, authored by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, which will protect our right to receive renewal notices for State ID cards by placing the policy in state law. Last month the bill was approved by the Assembly Committee on Transportation with no opposing votes. This week we were shocked to learn that it is likely that the staff analysis of AB 390 prepared for the Assembly Committee on Appropriations will include an inflated estimate of costs for the bill based on the perverse reasoning that, since the bill will prevent DMV from discontinuing the mailing of ID card renewal notices in the future, the loss of possible savings to DMV from not having to mail these renewal notices will be treated as a cost of the bill. Since AB 390 does nothing more than to codify established DMV policy into state law, we contend that the bill will have no adverse fiscal effect on state or local government. In fact, we believe that AB 390 will actually help the bottom line at DMV because it will encourage holders of California State ID cards to renew their cards on a more timely basis, and it will reduce crowds at DMV offices because more people will renew their ID cards by mail or online.We expect AB 390 to be heard by the Appropriations Committee during its next regular meeting on Wednesday, April 13 at 9:00 AM in room 4202 of the State Capitol. We need you to call or write to your member of the State Assembly before Wednesday, especially if he or she is on the Appropriations Committee, and tell him or her that, as a holder of a California State ID card you need to receive a timely renewal notice because you can't see the expiration date printed on your card, and you don't want to get caught at the bank or at the airport with an expired California State ID card. Also let them know that, no matter what anybody is saying to the contrary, AB 390 isn't going to cost California a penny.
The Appropriations Committee members are; Chair: Felipe Fuentes, Vice Chair: Diane L. Harkey, and Bob Blumenfield, Steven Bradford, Charles M. Calderon, Nora Campos, Mike Davis, Tim Donnelly, Mike Gatto, Isadore Hall III, Jerry Hill, Ricardo Lara, Holly J. Mitchell, Jim Nielsen, Chris Norby, Jose Solorio and Donald P. Wagner.
Call Frank Welte in the CCB office at 800-221-6359 if you need help contacting your Assembly member.Glendale-Burbank Area Chapter Pizza Fundraiser
The Glendale-Burbank Area Chapter of the CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND Invites YOU To our Pizza fundraiser at Shakey’s Pizza at 1300 N. San Fernando Blvd. (Cross street: Bethany) in Burbank, CA on April 21, 2010; 6-9 PM. A portion of each food purchase will be donated to our organization. Please place your receipt in the applicable box. You do not need to have a flyer with you. If you have questions please contact Ardis Bazyn at (818) 238-9321 or Keith Johnson at (626) 796-6989.2011 CCB Capitol Day
Announcing the 2011 CCB Capitol DayWhen: Thursday, May 12, 2011, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Where: California State Capitol, Sacramento
Sponsors: California Council of the Blind, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of California, Silicon Valley Council of the Blind, and Art Takahara.
Schedule:
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Greetings from invited state legislators and legislative briefing
- 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Visits to state legislators' offices
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, lunch
For more information and to register for this event Please call Frank Welte at the CCB office (800) 221-6359, or send Frank Email at frank.welte@ccbnet.org
Convention Information
Donations of prizes to be given throughout the convention should be brought to the CCB Registration table in the hotel’s main lobby.
If your chapter plans to make a contribution to our scholarship or general fund during the convention, you are urged to have a representative from your chapter present it at the banquet.
Transportation: Ride SuperShuttle to and from the Sacramento Airport for $16 each way on shared ride. If you do not book by these methods in advance, you will be charged the full fare upon transit.To receive your discount go to supershuttle.com and enter the discount code “BU4J3” in the discount field.
To make reservations over the phone, dial 1-800-258-3826 and provide discount code “BU4J3”
Spring Sweepstakes
Fifteen hundred tickets were printed for the spring sweepstakes, which number is the lucky one? What roars like a lion and squeals like a child? The Spring Sweepstakes second place prize winner riding on a hot air balloon!From Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
You might think this question is coming to you pretty early but time flies by fast when we are having fun, smile. We need to begin planning for our California Caucus that will happen at the ACB Convention this summer. For those who will be attending the Convention in Nevada I would like to know what day to schedule it. We need your answer by no later than April 15th so it can be in the convention program. ACB Convention dates are July 8 – 16. The two days we are looking at are either Tuesday, 5:45 or Thursday 5:15. It should take no longer than an hour at most. You can either call and let me know or send me an email. You can also call Ed or Lily at the CCB Office @ (916) 441-2100 and let either one of them know as well or send them an email at ccotb@ccbnet.orgThanks in advance for your response.Charter Bus to the ACB 50th Annual Conference and Convention
Think Reno! The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco plans to charter a bus to ACB’s 50th annual conference and convention this July. Presently, plans are in the making for pick up and drop off at the LightHouse in San Francisco, the Ed Roberts Campus (Ashby BART) in Berkeley and in downtown Sacramento. Details will soon be solidified but we are asking interested parties to contact Richard Rueda, Director of Community Services at (415) 694-7334 to reserve a spot and seek additional details. Tentatively the bus will leave the bay area Saturday morning, July 9, and return Wednesday afternoon, July 13th. Spaces are limited to those who RSVP with deposit. The one way trip will be $100 and the round trip will be $150. A $100 deposit is due by May 1st to hold your spot and the remainder (if roundtrip) is due by June 15th. After June 15, no refunds will be issued.United Airlines Class Action Lawsuit
In October of last year, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and three California residents filed a class action lawsuit against United Airlines regarding the kiosks that many passengers now use to print out boarding passes, select seats and perform other tasks at the airport without having to wait in line to speak with an agent. These kiosks do not have any voice guidance feature or other means of nonvisual access, so blind passengers cannot use the kiosks independently and are forced to either ask sighted passengers for assistance in using them or wait for help from an airline employee. NFB approached United about resolving this problem cooperatively through the use of commercially available technology, but United refused to commit to a solution without litigation.Disability Rights Advocates in Berkeley is representing the plaintiffs in this case along with Brown, Goldstein and Levy in Baltimore. The primary purpose of the suit is to obtain a court order requiring United to install accessible kiosks at airports in California, but the suit also seeks damages on behalf of blind passengers who have flown on United into or out of California since October of 2008 or who have plans to fly on United in the future. If you have flown or will be flying on United using an airport in California and would be willing to share your experiences with the legal team, Disability Rights Advocates would be very interested in speaking with you. Please contact Karla Gilbride at (510) 665-8644 or by e-mail at kgilbride@dralegal.org
Thank you for helping us to make the experience of airline travel more accessible to blind passengers. If you have any questions about this litigation, please do not hesitate to contact me.Senior Center Without Walls
Senior Center Without Walls is a free telephone program connecting California seniors 60+ through activities, laughter, and friendship. Participants call into interactive programs from the comfort of home. No special telephone equipment is needed, and the calls are free of charge.New groups start at the end of May, including:
- Vision Loss Support Groups
- Trivia/Brain Games
- Health & Well-Being Presentations
- Discussion Groups on a Variety of Subjects Reading & Writing Groups
Call: 1-877-797-7299
Visit: www.SeniorCenterWithoutWalls.org
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
April 1, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on April 1, and will be updated on April 8. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.orgby Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
You might think this question is coming to you pretty early but time flies by fast when we are having fun, smile. We need to begin planning for our California Caucus that will happen at the ACB Convention this summer. For those who will be attending the Convention in Nevada I would like to know what day to schedule it. We need your answer by no later than April 15th so it can be in the convention program. ACB Convention dates are July 8 – 16. The two days we are looking at are either Tuesday, July 12th at 5:45 PM or Thursday, July 14th 5:15 PM. It should take no longer then an hour at most. You can either call me at 626-233-2991 or send me an email at donna.pomerantz@ccbnet.orgYou can also call Ed or Lily at the CCB Office 916-441-2100 and let either one of them know as well or send them an email at ccotb@ccbnet.orgThanks in advance for your response.Charter Bus to ACB Annual Conference and Convention
Think Reno! The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco plans to charter a bus to ACB’s 50th annual conference and convention this July. Presently, plans are in the making for pick up and drop off at the LightHouse in San Francisco, the Ed Roberts Campus (Ashby BART) in Berkeley and in downtown Sacramento. Details will soon be solidified but we are asking interested parties to contact Richard Rueda, Director of Community Services at 415-694-7334 to reserve a spot and seek additional details. Tentatively the bus will leave the bay area Saturday morning, July 9, and return Wednesday afternoon, July 13th. Spaces are limited to those who RSVP with deposit.Spring Sweepstakes
Fifteen hundred tickets were printed for the spring sweepstakes, which number is the lucky one? What is black and white and green all over? The winning ticket for the spring Sweepstakes!Male Roommate for the Spring Conference and Convention
From Tuan Nguyen: I'm seeking a male roommate for the upcoming Spring Conference and Convention in Sacramento. I will be staying for three nights from May 12th to the 15th. Having a guide dog in the room is absolutely welcome. If interested, please either call me at 916-529-2320 or email me at: ngtapop925@hotmail.comMembership Breakfast
The CCB Membership committee is announcing that it will hold a Membership Breakfast on Saturday May 14th during the spring convention from 7:00 to 8:30 AM. Topic: "Chapters working together to create Membership opportunities" Chapter representation is encouraged. Please send a representative from your chapter to participate in the discussion.The committee Chair is David Jackson. You can e-mail him at d4jackson@sbcglobal.netor phone him at 415-239-1873.
United Airlines Class Action Lawsuit
In October of last year, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and three California residents filed a class action lawsuit against United Airlines regarding the kiosks that many passengers now use to print out boarding passes, select seats and perform other tasks at the airport without having to wait in line to speak with an agent. These kiosks do not have any voice guidance feature or other means of non-visual access, so blind passengers cannot use the kiosks independently and are forced to either ask sighted passengers for assistance in using them or wait for help from an airline employee. NFB approached United about resolving this problem cooperatively through the use of commercially available technology, but United refused to commit to a solution without litigation.Disability Rights Advocates in Berkeley is representing the plaintiffs in this case along with Brown, Goldstein and Levy in Baltimore. The primary purpose of the suit is to obtain a court order requiring United to install accessible kiosks at airports in California, but the suit also seeks damages on behalf of blind passengers who have flown on United into or out of California since October of 2008 or who have plans to fly on United in the future. If you have flown or will be flying on United using an airport in California and would be willing to share your experiences with the legal team, Disability Rights Advocates would be very interested in speaking with you. Please contact Karla Gilbride at 510-665-8644 or by e-mail at kgilbride@dralegal.orgThank you for helping us to make the experience of airline travel more accessible to blind passengers. If you have any questions about this litigation, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
March 25, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on March 25, and will be updated on April 1, (no fooling). Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.orgby Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From Mona Craig
Dick Smith was a keyboardist at the Braille Institute Of America. After he retired, he became a volunteer. He passed away Thursday, March 17.Here is the information regarding the service and interment.
Service: March 25th Place: Shepherd on the Hibl, 19700 Rhinaldi (I'm not sure If Rhinaldi is a street or an Ave) in Porter Ranch, cross street is Corbin.
Time: 11:00 AM.
Interred at: Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills 3:30 PM. I wasn't given an address, off ramp is Forest Lawn Drive.
From Cathie Skivers
I am recovering from surgery at home. It looks like I will be undergoing treatment for one year but I’m hopeful that everything will turn out alright. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and your many cards, flowers and messages. If you ever find yourself in a spot like this be happy that your family members include those of you in CCB. Having support from all of you has really helped me. We have been through a lot of battles together, but I want to tell you, this is one where I sure am happy to have family and friends with me. Since I am apparently going to have treatment every three weeks, I expect to be feeling better soon and it won’t be long before I am at work again. Keep in touch, and keep up your prayers.From Erik Smiley
Thank you so much for all the support and concern from each of you.I will be fine. I have been treated well here in Santa Rosa and there were a lot of bystanders who helped us right after the accident.
The police wanted to take Karen's guide dog to the pound and the bystanders would not let the police take the dog away; they were not going to let that happen. The woman even came to the hospital to introduce herself to us. I just want to say thank you again and I will try to make the Spring Convention but I'll be using different mobility techniques like a walker or having assistance in a wheelchair to get around. I'm glad to hear that so many people got the word about us and thank you for the support and concern. It is great to be part of the CCB family.
Concord Area Chapter
Maria De La Torre is trying to start a chapter in the Concord area. If anyone lives near there and would be interested in joining a group there, please call her at (925) 691-9636 or email her at: Dltfamily01@att.netFrom Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
You might think this question is coming to you pretty early but time flies by fast when we are having fun, smile. We need to begin planning for our California Caucus that will happen at the ACB Convention this summer. For those who will be attending the Convention in Nevada I would like to know what day to schedule it. We need your answer by no later then April 15th so it can be in the convention program. ACB Convention dates are July 8 – 16. The two days we are looking at are either Tuesday, 5:45 or Thursday 5:15. It should take no longer then an hour at most. You can either call and let me know or send me an email. You can also call Ed or Lily at the CCB Office @ (916) 441-2100 and let either one of them know as well or send them an email at ccotb@ccbnet.orgThanks in advance for your response.Spring Sweepstakes
Fifteen hundred tickets were printed for the spring sweepstakes, which number is the lucky one? What is black and white and green all over? The winning ticket for the spring Sweepstakes!CCB Membership Breakfast
The CCB Membership committee is announcing that it will hold a Membership Breakfast on Saturday May 14th during the spring convention from 7:00 to 8:30 AM.Topic: "Chapters working together to create Membership opportunities" Chapter representation is encouraged. Please send a representative from your chapter to participate in the discussion. The committee Chair is David Jackson. You can e-mail him at d4jackson@sbcglobal.netor phone him at (415) 239-1873.
Sleep, Light and Your Body Clock
Reminder: Information Session on "Sleep, Light and Your Body Clock"Come hear about "Sleep, Light and Your Body Clock" at next month's San Gabriel Valley Chapter, CCB meeting! St. John's Sleep Disorders Center and Vanda Pharmaceuticals are holding an information session during the April meeting for anyone interested in learning more about sleeping problems that can be caused by the lack of light. Symptoms of this problem include recurrent periods of trouble sleeping at night accompanied by tiredness and napping during the day. The problem can vary in severity and may affect more than half of totally blind individuals. Anyone interested in this topic should attend this information session to learn more.
Representatives from St. John's and Vanda will be attending to talk and answer questions. Topics covered include background on the cause and state of knowledge about this sleep disorder, common symptoms of the sleep problems and current research for diagnosis and treatment.
Date: April 2, 2011
Time: 11:30 AM - 2 PM
Meeting Location: Denny's Restaurant
Address: 546 West Baseline Road, Glendora, CA
Cross Street is Grand Ave.
Tech-Savvy BTBL Patron Volunteers Wanted
The California Braille and Talking Book Library seeks a few tech savvy BARD (NLS Braille and Audio Reading Download) patrons who would be interested in volunteering to help other BTBL patrons troubleshoot BARD issues. If you are a seasoned BARD user, including downloading and playing BARD books and magazines on the NLS Digital Talking Book Machine among other commercial devices, please contact BTBL's director Mike Marlin at mmarlin@library.ca.govor (916) 654-0640 or (800) 952-5666, and press 3 from the Main menu after the initial greeting. Thank you. Mike L. Marlin, Director Braille and Talking Book LibraryJob Announcement
Job Title: Youth Program - CoordinatorClassification: Non-Exempt/Part-Time
Reports to: Senior Manager, Marketing and Outreach
General Description: The essential functions of the job are to organize, coordinate and facilitate activities for the youth programs and ensure that there are positive learning situations particularly emphasizing best blindness practices and skill development throughout all programs as well as develop new programs to serve the area’s youth more consistently.
Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, Education or a related field or a minimum of 4 years related work experience.
A minimum of two years experience in working with blind youth and managing multifaceted training programs for the blind or visually impaired.
A team player who can work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
To Apply: Submit cover letter and resume by email only to Kathleen Shevlin, Senior Manager, Marketing and Outreach at kshevlin@societyfortheblind.org
Application’s deadline: Until the position is filled.
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
March 18, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on March 18, and will be updated on March 25. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.orgby Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.Concord Area Chapter
Maria De La Torre is trying to start a chapter in the Concord area. If anyone lives near there and would be interested in joining a group there, please call her at (925) 691-9636 or email her at: Dltfamily01@att.netFrom Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
You might think this question is coming to you pretty early but time flies by fast when we are having fun, smile. We need to begin planning for our California Caucus that will happen at the ACB Convention this summer. For those who will be attending the Convention in Nevada I would like to know what day to schedule it. We need your answer by no later then April 15th so it can be in the convention program. ACB Convention dates are July 8 – 16. The two days we are looking at are either Tuesday, 5:45 or Thursday 5:15. It should take no longer then an hour at most. You can either call and let me know or send me an email. You can also call Ed or Lily at the CCB Office @ (916) 441-2100 and let either one of them know as well or send them an email at ccotb@ccbnet.orgThanks in advance for your response.Spring Sweepstakes
Fifteen hundred tickets were printed for the spring sweepstakes, which number is the lucky one? What is black and white and green all over? The winning ticket for the spring Sweepstakes!Spring Convention Membership Breakfast
The CCB Membership committee is announcing that it will hold a Membership Breakfast on Saturday, May 14th during the spring convention from 7:00 to 8:30 AM.Topic: "Chapters working together to create Membership opportunities"
Chapter representation is encouraged. Please send a representative from your chapter to participate in the discussion. The committee Chair is David Jackson. You can e-mail him at d4jackson@sbcglobal.netor phone him at (415) 239-1873.
Accessible Prescription Information
As you may be aware, the American Council of the Blind is working with a number of major chain retailers throughout the country in order to get them to provide accessible prescription information to their blind and visually impaired customers.Please answer the questions below and provide your responses to Scott Grimes by no later than Thursday, March 31st. You may e-mail him at sgrimes@gdblegal.comor call him at 800-822-5000.
I am personally asking each and every one to respond, even if you obtain your prescriptions from a pharmacy or health care provider not listed below.
Thank you
Mitch Pomerantz, President
American Council of the Blind
- 1. Do you shop at Wal-mart? If so, at which store? Do you know other people with visual impairments who shop at that store?
- 2. Do you get prescriptions filled at Wal-Mart? If so, at which store?
- 3. If you have prescription medications, where do you get them filled?
- 4. If Wal-mart had accessible prescription information (such as talking prescriptions, Braille, Large Print or other audio formats), would you get your prescriptions filled at a Wal-mart store? If so, at which stores? Do you know other people with visual impairments who shop at those stores?
- 5. If CVS had accessible prescription information (such as talking prescriptions, Braille, Large Print or other audio formats), would you get your prescriptions filled at a CVS store? If so, at which stores? Do you know other people with visual impairments who shop at those stores?
- 6. If Rite Aid had accessible prescription information (such as talking prescriptions, Braille, Large Print or other audio formats), would you get your prescriptions filled at a Rite Aid store? If so, at which stores? Do you know other people with visual impairments who shop at those stores?
- 7. If Walgreens had accessible prescription information (such as talking prescriptions, Braille, Large Print or other audio formats), would you get your prescriptions filled at a Walgreens store? If so, at which stores? Do you know other people with visual impairments who shop at those stores?
- 8. If Target had accessible prescription information (such as talking prescriptions, Braille, Large Print or other audio formats), would you get your prescriptions filled at a Target store? If so, at which stores? Do you know other people with visual impairments who shop at those stores?
- 9. If all of these retail chains had accessible prescription information, where would you go to get your prescriptions filled?
St. John's Sleep Disorders Center and Vanda Pharmaceuticals - Information Session
Come hear about "Sleep, Light and Your Body Clock" at next month's San Gabriel Valley Chapter, CCB meeting!St. John's Sleep Disorders Center and Vanda Pharmaceuticals are holding an information session during the April meeting for anyone interested in learning more about sleeping problems that can be caused by the lack of light. Symptoms of this problem include recurrent periods of trouble sleeping at night accompanied by tiredness and napping during the day. The problem can vary in severity and may effect more than half of totally blind individuals. Anyone interested in this topic should attend this information session to learn more.
Representatives from St. John's and Vanda will be attending to talk and answer questions. Topics covered include background on the cause and state of knowledge about this sleep disorder, common symptoms of the sleep problems and current research for diagnosis and treatment.
Date: April 2, 2011
Time: 11:30 AM - 2 PM
Meeting Location: Denny's Restaurant
Address: 546 West Baseline Road, Glendora, CA
Cross Street is Grand Ave.
BTBL Patron Volunteers Wanted
"Tech-Savvy" BTBL Patron Volunteers Wanted:The California Braille and Talking Book Library seeks a few tech savvy BARD (NLS Braille and Audio Reading Download) patrons who would be interested in volunteering to help other BTBL patrons troubleshoot BARD issues. If you are a seasoned BARD user, including downloading and playing BARD books and magazines on the NLS Digital Talking Book Machine among other commercial devices, please contact BTBL's director Mike Marlin at mmarlin@library.ca.govor (916) 654-0640 or (800) 952-5666, and press 3 from the Main menu after the initial greeting. Thank you." Mike L. Marlin, Director, Braille and Talking Book Library
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
March 11, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on March 11, and will be updated on March 18. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.orgby Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.Cathie Skivers Update
About Cathie from Eric Skivers: Cathie has come through her surgery well. As of Thursday afternoon she was doing good and having no problems communicating her needs. At this time she is still not taking calls but we will continue to update everyone as she continues to improve.Concord Area Chapter
Maria De La Torre is trying to start a chapter in the Concord area. If anyone lives near there and would be interested in joining a group there, please call her at (925) 691-9636 or email her at: Dltfamily01@att.netFrom Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
You might think this question is coming to you pretty early but time flies by fast when we are having fun, smile. We need to begin planning for our California Caucus that will happen at the ACB Convention this summer. For those who will be attending the Convention in Nevada I would like to know what day to schedule it. We need your answer by no later then April 15th so it can be in the convention program. ACB Convention dates are July 8 – 16. The two days we are looking at are either Tuesday, 5:45 or Thursday 5:15. It should take no longer then an hour at most. You can either call and let me know or send me an email. You can also call Ed or Lily at the CCB Office @ (916) 441-2100 and let either one of them know as well or send them an email at ccotb@ccbnet.orgThanks in advance for your response.Riddle Me This
If you have 50 $20 bills, who are you? The winner of the Grand Prize of the Spring Sweepstakes, of course!Don’t forget to get tickets from your chapter president. For just $5, you are entered into the sweepstakes drawing to try your hand at one of our fabulous prizes: 1st, $1,000; 2nd hot air balloon ride for two at the winner’s destination of choice; 3rd Admission for two to Knott’s Berry Farm. More prizes are in the works and will be announced as they are confirmed. All proceeds benefit the publication of the Blind Californian. Winners need not be present at the time of the drawing.
What is black and white and green all over? The winning ticket for the spring Sweepstakes!
From Gene Lozano
Help shape presentations for the spring conference and convention.At the Spring 2011 conference and convention there will be many presentations covering a variety of topics. Two separate presentations will address "Accessibility in State Parks” and "Health providers and access for people with disabilities".
The individuals who will be giving the presentations have asked for input from attendees about things that should be touched upon within their presentation.
The California State Parks would like to know areas of concern or interest attendees with visual impairments would like to have addressed about the park system.
Kaiser Permanente plans to have a presenter to talk about membership benefits as they pertain to persons with visual impairments. The presenter would like to receive questions persons with visual impairments have regarding what services or devices they are eligible to receive. For example: do you want to know if talking prescription bottles are available and how you can arrange to receive them? Will Kaiser provide you with blood pressure and diabetes monitoring equipment with large print or audible output? Are prosthetic eyes provided? Etc.
Your input and questions are to be submitted on or before Friday, March 18th to the CCB office by phone at 800-221-6359 or by email at ccotb@ccbnet.org
Spring Convention Membership Breakfast
The CCB Membership committee is announcing that it will hold a Membership Breakfast on Saturday, May 14th during the spring convention from 7:00 to 8:30 AM.Topic: "Chapters working together to create Membership opportunities"
Chapter representation is encouraged. Please send a representative from your chapter to participate in the discussion. The committee Chair is David Jackson. You can e-mail him at d4jackson@sbcglobal.netor phone him at (415) 239-1873.
Accessible Prescription Information
As you may be aware, the American Council of the Blind is working with a number of major chain retailers throughout the country in order to get them to provide accessible prescription information to their blind and visually impaired customers.Please answer the questions below and provide your responses to Scott Grimes by no later than Thursday, March 31st. You may e-mail him at sgrimes@gdblegal.comor call him at 800-822-5000.
I am personally asking each and every one to respond, even if you obtain your prescriptions from a pharmacy or health care provider not listed below.
Thank you
Mitch Pomerantz, President
American Council of the Blind
- 1. Do you shop at Wal-mart? If so, at which store? Do you know other people with visual impairments who shop at that store?
- 2. Do you get prescriptions filled at Wal-Mart? If so, at which store?
- 3. If you have prescription medications, where do you get them filled?
- 4. If Wal-mart had accessible prescription information (such as talking prescriptions, Braille, Large Print or other audio formats), would you get your prescriptions filled at a Wal-mart store? If so, at which stores? Do you know other people with visual impairments who shop at those stores?
- 5. If CVS had accessible prescription information (such as talking prescriptions, Braille, Large Print or other audio formats), would you get your prescriptions filled at a CVS store? If so, at which stores? Do you know other people with visual impairments who shop at those stores?
- 6. If Rite Aid had accessible prescription information (such as talking prescriptions, Braille, Large Print or other audio formats), would you get your prescriptions filled at a Rite Aid store? If so, at which stores? Do you know other people with visual impairments who shop at those stores?
- 7. If Walgreens had accessible prescription information (such as talking prescriptions, Braille, Large Print or other audio formats), would you get your prescriptions filled at a Walgreens store? If so, at which stores? Do you know other people with visual impairments who shop at those stores?
- 8. If Target had accessible prescription information (such as talking prescriptions, Braille, Large Print or other audio formats), would you get your prescriptions filled at a Target store? If so, at which stores? Do you know other people with visual impairments who shop at those stores?
- 9. If all of these retail chains had accessible prescription information, where would you go to get your prescriptions filled?
Mutt Strut CCB Fundraiser
The California Council of the Blind will be holding a huge CCB fundraiser on September 10, 2011. This fundraiser will be known as the "Mutt Strut". This will be a walk for anyone in either Sacramento or Los Angeles who would like to walk or run with their pet or service dogs for either a 2K or a 5K distance.Ken Metz is the statewide steering committee chair with Jeff Thom handling local committee duties in Sacramento, and Ken Metz and Melissa Hudson in Los Angeles.
Please contact either Jeff or Ken if you're interested in working in either area and on various committees to make this a big success for CCB.
Ken can be reached by phone at (323) 793-1805, or by e-mail at kenmetz@dslextreme.comJeff can be reached by phone at (916) 995-3967 or by e-mail at jsthom@comcast.netWhile we are hopeful that several of you will be interested in being on the various committees, the final acceptance of individual committee persons will be that of the Northern and Southern California committee chairs.
Beeping Egg Hunt For Visually Impaired Children and Their Families
Saturday, April 23, 2011 11 a.m.Orangevale Community Park
Oak & Filbert Avenues
Orangevale
(Across from Casa Robles High School)
Baskets for all participants
Picture taken with the Easter Bunny
Stay after the Egg Hunt for a Delicious BBQ
Compliments of the AT&T Pioneers, Delta Gold Council & Independent Order of Odd Fellows, El Dorado Lodge #8 In cooperation with the Orangevale Parks & Rec. Dist.
The park area includes playground equipment
Rain or Shine.
Bring blankets, chairs and umbrellas (if needed).
R.S.V.P by April 16, 2011 to Brenda Calmelat at (916) 290-3642
Give number of children who are visually impaired, siblings, and adults.
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
March 4, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on March 4, and will be updated on March 11. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.orgby Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
I want to make sure that everyone in the CCB family knows that Cathie Skivers will undergo major surgery on Wednesday, March 9th. She hopes that we will keep her in our thoughts and prayers and is looking forward to a speedy recovery. Her son will give us a call and let us know how things progress as she begins her journey after surgery. We will keep everyone posted as we receive news. Thank you.Riddle Me This
If you have 50 $20 bills, who are you? The winner of the Grand Prize of the Spring Sweepstakes, of course!Don’t forget to get tickets from your chapter president. For just $5, you are entered into the sweepstakes drawing to try your hand at one of our fabulous prizes: 1st, $1,000; 2nd hot air balloon ride for two at the winner’s destination of choice; 3rd Admission for two to Knott’s Berry Farm. More prizes are in the works and will be announced as they are confirmed. All proceeds benefit the publication of the Blind Californian. Winners need not be present at the time of the drawing.
What is black and white and green all over? The winning ticket for the spring Sweepstakes!
From Gene Lozano
Help shape presentations for the spring conference and convention.At the Spring 2011 conference and convention there will be many presentations covering a variety of topics. Two separate presentations will address "Accessibility in State Parks” and "Health providers and access for people with disabilities".
The individuals who will be giving the presentations have asked for input from attendees about things that should be touched upon within their presentation.
The California State Parks would like to know areas of concern or interest attendees with visual impairments would like to have addressed about the park system.
Kaiser Permanente plans to have a presenter to talk about membership benefits as they pertain to persons with visual impairments. The presenter would like to receive questions persons with visual impairments have regarding what services or devices they are eligible to receive. For example: do you want to know if talking prescription bottles are available and how you can arrange to receive them? Will Kaiser provide you with blood pressure and diabetes monitoring equipment with large print or audible output? Are prosthetic eyes provided? Etc.
Your input and questions are to be submitted on or before Friday, March 18th to the CCB office by phone at 1-800-221-6359 or by email at ccotb@ccbnet.org
Mutt Strut CCB Fundraiser
The California Council of the Blind will be holding a huge CCB fundraiser on September 10, 2011. This fundraiser will be known as the "Mutt Strut". This will be a walk for anyone in either Sacramento or Los Angeles who would like to walk or run with their pet or service dogs for either a 2K or a 5K distance.Ken Metz is the statewide steering committee chair with Jeff Thom handling local committee duties in Sacramento, and Ken Metz and Melissa Hudson in Los Angeles.
Please contact either Jeff or Ken if you're interested in working in either area and on various committees to make this a big success for CCB.
Ken can be reached by phone at (323) 793-1805, or by e-mail at kenmetz@dslextreme.comJeff can be reached by phone at (916) 995-3967 or by e-mail at jsthom@comcast.netWhile we are hopeful that several of you will be interested in being on the various committees, the final acceptance of individual committee persons will be that of the Northern and Southern California committee chairs.
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
February 25, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on February 25, and will be updated on March 4. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
Up, up, and away! Imagine flying high above the earth with the wind in your hair as you and a friend adventure in a hot air balloon. That’s just one of the things you could be doing as a winner of this spring’s sweepstakes! The grand prize is one thousand dollars; second prize, a hot air balloon ride for two at a destination of your choosing; third prize, admission to Southern California’s historic Knott’s Berry Farm. More prizes are in the works and will be shared as they are confirmed. Within the next few weeks, your chapter president will receive tickets for this sweepstakes. Each ticket is just $5 and all of the proceeds from this exciting fundraiser go towards the publication of the Blind Californian. Tickets can be sold to the general public and the winner does not need to be present at the convention to win.From Gene Lozano
Help shape presentations for the spring conference and convention.At the spring 2011 conference and convention there will be many presentations covering a variety of topics. Two separate presentations will address "Accessibility in State Parks” and "Health providers and access for people with disabilities".
The individuals giving the presentations have asked for input from attendees about things that should be touched upon within their presentation.
The California State Parks would like to know areas of concern or interest attendees with visual impairments would like to have addressed about the park system.
Kaiser Permanente plans to have a presenter talk about membership benefits as they pertain to persons with visual impairments. The presenter would like to receive questions persons with visual impairments have regarding what services or devices they are eligible to receive. For example: do you want to know if talking prescription bottles are available and how you can arrange to receive them? Will Kaiser provide you with blood pressure and diabetes monitoring equipment with large print or audible output? Are prosthetic eyes provided? Etc.
Your input and questions are to be submitted on or before Friday, March 18th to the CCB office by phone at 800-221-6359 or by email at ccotb@ccbnet.org
Mutt Strut CCB Fundraiser
The California Council of the Blind will be holding a huge CCB fundraiser on September 10, 2011. This fundraiser will be known as the "Mutt Strut". This will be a walk for anyone in either Sacramento or Los Angeles who would like to walk or run with their pet or service dogs for either a 2K or a 5K distance.Ken Metz is the statewide Steering Committee Chair with Jeff Thom handling local committee duties in Sacramento, and Ken Metz and Melissa Hudson in Los Angeles. Please contact either Jeff or Ken if you're interested in working in either area and on various committees to make this a big success for CCB.
Ken can be reached by phone at (323) 793-1805, or by e-mail at kenmetz@dslextreme.com Jeff can be reached by phone at (916) 995-3967 or by e-mail at jsthom@comcast.net While we are hopeful that several of you will be interested in being on the various committees, the final acceptance of individual committee persons will be that of the Northern and Southern California committee chairs.
Clinical Research Study Recruitment
Blind individuals with no light perception needed.A local doctor is conducting research to evaluate a new investigational treatment for insomnia and daytime sleepiness in individuals who are totally blind. Individuals may qualify who:
- Are between 18 and 75 years of age
- Are blind with no light perception
- Have trouble sleeping at night or experience daytime sleepiness.
For more information, call 1-888-389-7033 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
Free IRS Assistance to Taxpayers
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will host four Saturday Open Houses this year, providing free assistance to taxpayers who need help resolving their tax problems. The first event occurs Feb. 26 at select IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers nationwide from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., local time. The second one will take place March 26. In addition to the normal services, such as tax preparation and account information, visitors at some locations can attend free seminars designed to provide information about new tax laws affecting federal tax returns and IRS services. A list of IRS offices participating in this program is available on the web at http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/article/0,,id=220631,00.htmlYolobus Public Service Announcement
From Gene Lozano: Yolobus Public Service Announcement.Yolobus Cash-Value Tickets available at Raley's & Bel Air in Woodland
Beginning February 25, 2011, Yolobus Cash-Value Tickets will be available for purchase at Raley's & Bel Air Supermarkets in Woodland. Cash-Value Tickets of $1.00, $2.00, and $3.00 are sold in sheets of ten and can be purchased for $10, $20, and $30 respectively. Yolobus riders will now have the opportunity to purchase Cash-Value Tickets outside of normal business hours.
In addition to Cash-Value Tickets, monthly passes & express stickers will continue to be sold at Raley's & Bel Air. Please note that all Yolobus fare media (including Cash-Value Tickets) at Raley's & Bel Air will only be available for purchase between the 25th through the 10th of every month. Ticket availability is subject to change.
Raley's is located at 367 West Main Street (transit accessible via routes 210, 211, 215).
Customer Service counter hours: 8am-8pm, seven days a week.
Phone: 530-666-1156
Bel Air is located at 1885 East Gibson Road (transit accessible via routes 212, 214).
Customer Service counter hours: 9am-7pm, Monday through Saturday. 10am-4pm Sunday
Phone: 530-668-4422
For a list of all participating Yolobus pass outlets, please visit www.yolobus.com Yolobus Staff: For Yolobus Information call (530) 666-2877.
Visit the Yolobus website at www.yolobus.com
Job Posting
The Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) is recruiting an Administrator for the Orientation Center for the Blind (OCB). The OCB Administrator administers the OCB three (3) acre residential campus, located in Albany California. The program provides rehabilitative training in adjusting to living with sight loss. OCB is a residential 30-bed facility. The program assists adults to adjust to vision disabilities by immersion in a residential environment that is respectful, of individuals experiencing sight loss, and knowledgeable in the physical and social process of adjusting and integrating back into society.Interested candidates must submit an application and resume. The application and instructions are available at http://www.rehab.cahwnet.gov/per/stateapp.htm For more information you can contact Margie Donovan at (415) 309-6821 or by email at Margie.donovan1@yahoo.com
For Sale
For Sale: Enhanced Vision’s portable Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) the Amigo.It comes in the original box with instructions, stand, case, strap, power cord, battery charger and two batteries in addition to the video out cable. In other words, this unit has all the original components and is in working order. The only modification that has been made is a light colored paint dot on the power. It has been repaired once while under warranty for a very minor problem that has been repaired. The price is $1,000 and to talk to the seller call Michelle at (720) 870-1567.
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
February 18, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on February 18, and will be updated on February 25. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
Up, up, and away! Imagine flying high above the earth with the wind in your hair as you and a friend adventure in a hot air balloon. That’s just one of the things you could be doing as a winner of this spring’s sweepstakes! The grand prize is one thousand dollars; second prize, a hot air balloon ride for two at a destination of your choosing; third prize, admission to Southern California’s historic Knott’s Berry Farm. More prizes are in the works and will be shared as they are confirmed. Within the next few weeks, your chapter president will receive tickets for this sweepstakes. Each ticket is just $5 and all of the proceeds from this exciting fundraiser go towards the publication of the Blind Californian. Tickets can be sold to the general public and the winner does not need to be present at the convention to win.Accessible Prescription Issues
Dear CCB members: ACB is working on accessible prescription issues with the country's large pharmacy retailers. We are interested in talking with individuals who currently get their prescriptions from the following retailers either in a local store or by mail order from one of these pharmacies:CVS
Rite-Aid
Target
Walgreens
Wal-Mart
Please contact us by email at: LF@LFLegal.com or info@gdblegal.com or toll free to Linda's office at 1-800-822-5000. If you send an email, please let us know your phone number, where you are located, and which pharmacy you are writing about.
Thanks, Lainey and Linda
Job Posting
The Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) is recruiting an Administrator for the Orientation Center for the Blind (OCB). The OCB Administrator administers the OCB three (3) acre residential campus, located in Albany California. The program provides rehabilitative training in adjusting to living with sight loss. OCB is a residential 30-bed facility. The program assists adults to adjust to vision disabilities by immersion in a residential environment that is respectful, of individuals experiencing sight loss, and knowledgeable in the physical and social process of adjusting and integrating back into society. Interested candidates must submit an application and resume. The application and instructions are available at http://www.rehab.cahwnet.gov/per/stateapp.htm Editor’s note: sorry, we don’t have a phone number for this job announcement.Free Tax Preparation Service Offered
California State Controller John Chiang and Assembly member Wilmer Amina Carter are co-hosting a free tax preparation service for low-to-middle-income taxpayers from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, February 23 at the Lewis Library and Technology Center in Fontana. Reserve an appointment and learn what you have to bring by contacting Sheila Futch at Assemblymember Wilmer Amina Carter's office at (909) 820-5008.For Sale
For Sale: Enhanced Vision’s portable Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) the Amigo.It comes in the original box with instructions, stand, case, strap, power cord, battery charger and two batteries in addition to the video out cable. In other words, this unit has all the original components and is in working order. The only modification that has been made is a light colored paint dot on the power. It has been repaired once while under warranty for a very minor problem that has been repaired. The price is $1,000. To speak with the seller call Michelle at (720) 870-1567.
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
February 11, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on February 11, and will be updated on February 18. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From the Redwood Empire Council of the Blind
Long time CCB member Larry Swenson passed away on December 21st. Larry was 78 years old. He was instrumental in establishing the Redwood chapter, co-founder of the Earle Baum Center in Santa Rosa, a warrior, mentor, and friend. The chapter will celebrate his life at a service at the Earle Baum Center on Saturday, February 26th from 11-12:30. February has been designated Larry Swenson blind history month since 2003. Memorials may be made to the Fogarty Life Enhancement/Scholarship fund, established under Larry’s leadership and designed to help the blind and visually impaired to purchase things to enhance their independence. c/o Beryl Brown at Earle Baum Center, (707) 636-0082.From Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
Up, up, and away! Imagine flying high above the earth with the wind in your hair as you and a friend adventure in a hot air balloon. That’s just one of the things you could be doing as a winner of this spring’s sweepstakes! The grand prize is one thousand dollars; second prize, a hot air balloon ride for two at a destination of your choosing; third prize, admission to Southern California’s historic Knott’s Berry Farm. More prizes are in the works and will be shared as they are confirmed. Within the next few weeks, your chapter president will receive tickets for this sweepstakes. Each ticket is just $5 and all of the proceeds from this exciting fundraiser go towards the publication of the Blind Californian. Tickets can be sold to the general public and the winner does not need to be present at the convention to win.2011 ACB Legislative Seminar
The 20 11 ACB Legislative Seminar will take place in the Washington, DC area from Sunday, February 27 through Tuesday, March 1. If you wish for further information or if you plan to attend this event please immediately notify Frank Welte in the CCB office at 800-221-6359 so you can be included in our preparations for this advocacy effort.San Gabriel Valley Chapter Pizza Fundraiser
Please join us for our 26th annual Pizza and Spaghetti Fundraiser on Saturday, February 19, 2011, from 3:00pm to 6:30 p.m. The cost is only $10.00 per person! You can purchase tickets in advance from a SGV Chapter member or you can pay at the door. There will be door prizes throughout the day. The Grand Prize will be a talking mp3 player (Sansa Clip 8GB). The menu will include pizza, spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and dessert. The fundraiser will be held at the VFW Hall, 825 South Magnolia Street, Monrovia (located on the northwest corner of Magnolia and Chestnut). Bring your family and friends. Everyone is welcome! If you need more information please contact Debbie Obregon at (909) 468-1424. We are looking forward to seeing everyone there!Contact Information for the Sierra Regional Ski for Light
Correction to the contact information in the last BC for the Sierra Regional Ski for Light event in March: Sierra Regional Ski For Light's 19th annual 3-day event will take place March 12-14 2011 in Truckee CA. Everyone is welcome, from beginners to advanced skiers and snowshoers. For more information, or to get an application, contact Cindy Quintana, at (510) 483-2948 or by email at cindyq2345@sbcglobal.netCleaning for a Reason
If you know any woman currently undergoing chemotherapy, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning - once per month for 4 months while she is in treatment. All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. “Cleaning for a Reason” will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service. This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women. It's our job to pass the word and let them know that there are people out there that care. Be a blessing to someone and pass this information along.“Cleaning for a Reason Foundation” is a non-profit agency that "offers free professional housecleaning and maid services to improve the lives of women undergoing treatment for cancer, any type of cancer." Since 2007, the Texas-based group has been connecting cancer patients in the United States and Canada with cleaning firms who offer their services for free to cancer patients, and as of November 2009 their partners had cleaned upwards of 2,000 homes at an estimated donated cost of $350,000. Cleaning for a Reason fields about 325 calls per month and currently has 604 cleaning partners throughout the fifty states and four Canadian provinces.
Contact information: Phone: (877) 337-3348 http://www.cleaningforareason.org
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
February 4, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on February 4, and will be updated on February 11. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From Donna Pomerantz, CCB President
Up, up, and away! Imagine flying high above the earth with the wind in your hair as you and a friend adventure in a hot air balloon. That’s just one of the things you could be doing as a winner of this spring’s sweepstakes! The grand prize is one thousand dollars; second prize, a hot air balloon ride for two at a destination of your choosing; third prize, admission to Southern California’s historic Knott’s Berry Farm. More prizes are in the works and will be shared as they are confirmed. Within the next few weeks, your chapter president will receive tickets for this sweepstakes. Each ticket is just $5 and all of the proceeds from this exciting fundraiser go towards the publication of the Blind Californian. Tickets can be sold to the general public and the winner does not need to be present at the convention to win.2011 ACB Legislative Seminar
The 20 11 ACB Legislative Seminar will take place in the Washington, DC area from Sunday, February 27 through Tuesday, March 1. If you wish for further information or if you plan to attend this event please immediately notify Frank Welte in the CCB office at 800-221-6359 so you can be included in our preparations for this advocacy effort.San Gabriel Valley Chapter Pizza Fundraiser
Please join us for our 26th annual Pizza and Spaghetti Fundraiser on Saturday, February 19, 2011, from 3:00pm to 6:30 p.m. The cost is only $10.00 per person! You can purchase tickets in advance from a SGV Chapter member or you can pay at the door. There will be door prizes throughout the day. The Grand Prize will be a talking mp3 player (Sansa Clip 8GB). The menu will include pizza, spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and dessert. The fundraiser will be held at the VFW Hall, 825 South Magnolia Street, Monrovia (located on the northwest corner of Magnolia and Chestnut). Bring your family and friends. Everyone is welcome! If you need more information please contact Debbie Obregon at (909) 468-1424. We are looking forward to seeing everyone there!Contact Information for the Sierra Regional Ski for Light
Correction to the contact information in the last BC for the Sierra Regional Ski for Light event in March: Sierra Regional Ski For Light's 19th annual 3-day event will take place March 12-14 2011 in Truckee CA. Everyone is welcome, from beginners to advanced skiers and snowshoers. For more information, or to get an application, contact Cindy Quintana, at (510) 483-2948 or by email at cindyq2345@sbcglobal.netCleaning for a Reason
If you know any woman currently undergoing chemotherapy, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning - once per month for 4 months while she is in treatment. All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. “Cleaning for a Reason” will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service. This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women. It's our job to pass the word and let them know that there are people out there that care. Be a blessing to someone and pass this information along.“Cleaning for a Reason Foundation” is a non-profit agency that "offers free professional housecleaning and maid services to improve the lives of women undergoing treatment for cancer, any type of cancer." Since 2007, the Texas-based group has been connecting cancer patients in the United States and Canada with cleaning firms who offer their services for free to cancer patients, and as of November 2009 their partners had cleaned upwards of 2,000 homes at an estimated donated cost of $350,000. Cleaning for a Reason fields about 325 calls per month and currently has 604 cleaning partners throughout the fifty states and four Canadian provinces.
Contact information: Phone: (877) 337-3348 http://www.cleaningforareason.org
Changing Perceptions Theater by the Blind
Changing perceptions Theater by the Blind Presents: DECIDER Directed by Greg Shane. When the Decider rises to power and puts a ban on creativity, Shadow, a tormented artist must choose whether to comply and gain knowledge or revolt and win his freedom.MAGICOPOLIS
1418 4th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
TIME: Doors at 7:45 pm - Performance at 8:00 PM.
PRICE: $25.00
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
January 28, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on January 28, and will be updated on February 4. Remember, in order to have a message on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office, or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From Frank Welte, CCB Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs
Please note that the CCB Legislative Report, updated as of January 27, is available on our toll-free line at 800-221-6359 and on the CCB web site, www.ccbnet.org The Budget Committees, in both the State Assembly and the State Senate, are currently holding hearings on the Governor's recently announced state budget proposal. This proposal includes a cut in SSI/SSP benefits for individuals, and large budget cuts to MediCal, In Home Supportive Services and to other programs. CCB will provide testimony at the relevant committee hearings during the next two weeks. Details about the budget cuts and a schedule of the hearings of interest to CCB are included in Frank's latest Legislative Update. Let Frank know if you can attend one of these important hearings. You can call Frank at (650) 576-4177, or you can send Email to frank.welte@ccbnet.org2011 ACB Legislative Seminar
The 2011 ACB Legislative Seminar will take place in the Washington, DC area from Sunday, February 27 through Tuesday, March 1. If you wish for further information or if you plan to attend this event please immediately notify Frank Welte in the CCB office at 800-221-6359 so you can be included in our preparations for this advocacy effort.San Gabriel Valley Chapter Pizza Fundraiser
Please join us for our 26th annual Pizza and Spaghetti Fundraiser on Saturday, February 19, 2011, from 3:00p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The cost is only $10.00 per person! You can purchase tickets in advance from a SGV Chapter member or you can pay at the door. There will be door prizes throughout the day. The Grand Prize will be a talking mp3 player (Sansa Clip 8GB). The menu will include pizza, spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and dessert. The fundraiser will be held at the VFW Hall, 825 South Magnolia Street, Monrovia (located on the northwest corner of Magnolia and Chestnut). Bring your family and friends. Everyone is welcome! If you need more information please contact Debbie Obregon at (909) 468-1424. We are looking forward to seeing everyone there!Contact Information for the Sierra Regional Ski for Light
Correction to the contact information in the last Blind Californian (BC) for the Sierra Regional Ski for Light event in March: Sierra Regional Ski For Light's 19th Annual 3-day event will take place March 12-14 2011 in Truckee, CA. Everyone is welcome, from beginners to advanced skiers and snowshoers. For more information, or to get an application, contact Cindy Quintana, at (510) 483-2948 or by email at cindyq2345@sbcglobal.netEvent Announcement
“What is a Service Animal and why you need to Know”Date and time: February 23, 2011, (9 AM to 12 PM)
Join the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind, the U.S. Department of Justice, and Disability Rights California, for a discussion on changes to Title II and III of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) that will take effect in March and how the new rules will impact the disability community, law enforcement, the business community, and the public.
A comparison of the new federal rules to state service animal access laws will also be discussed. Questions and answers will follow discussion.
Event location: The Department of Consumer Affairs, 1625 N. Market Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95834. It also will be webcast live at www.dca.ca.gov For more information, visit www.guidedogboard.ca.gov
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
January 21, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on January 21, and will be updated on January 28. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.From Gabe Griffith
Thank you to everyone for beginning to use the new email address for submissions to the connection. Remember that the new address is ca.connection@ccbnet.org2011 ACB Legislative Seminar
From Frank Welte, CCB Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs: The 2011 ACB Legislative Seminar will take place in the Washington, DC area from Sunday, February 27 through Tuesday, March 1. If you wish for further information or if you plan to attend this event please immediately notify Frank Welte in the CCB office at 800-221-6359 so you can be included in our preparations for this advocacy effort.Advocacy Efforts From Lainey and Linda
ACB, AFB and CCB are seeking feedback from blind consumers on the accessibility of the CVS website, www.cvs.com CVS has made a strong commitment towards web accessibility as a result of Structured Negotiations, and has made significant accessibility enhancements to its site over the past two years. Please share any feedback with Lainey and Linda by emailing to LF@LFLegal.com We are looking at the following two health related accessibility issues to determine if they are appropriate for Structured Negotiations. If you have experience with either, we hope to hear from you. These are the issues:- Weight Watchers web site: Thanks to individual advocates within ACB, Linda and I are currently investigating the possibility of a Structured Negotiations effort with Weight Watchers on the issue of the inaccessibility of the website and on-line tools. We are interested in hearing from anyone who uses Weight Watchers on-line. You can email us at LF@LFLegal.com and someone from one of our offices will be in touch.
- Exercise Equipment in multi-facility gyms and fitness clubs: We have been contacted by individuals looking at the accessibility of exercise equipment in public places (not for home purchase) from the perspective of wheelchair users, and they wanted to know about related experiences of people with visual impairments. If you have had service or equipment problems in public gyms such as Gold's Gym, 24-hour Fitness, or Bally's, or positive experiences with these companies or others, we'd appreciate your feedback. You can email us at LF@LFLegal.com and someone from one of our offices will be in touch, or you can phone Linda's office at 1-800-822-5000.
Event Announcement
What is a Service Animal and why you need to KnowDate and time: February 23, 2011, 9 AM to 12 PM.
Join the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind, the U.S. Department of Justice, and Disability Rights California, for a discussion on changes to Title II and III of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) that will take effect in March and how the new rules will impact the disability community, law enforcement, the business community, and the public. A comparison of the new federal rules to state service animal access laws will also be discussed. Q&A will follow discussion.
Event location: The Department of Consumer Affairs, 1625 N. Market Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95834.
It also will be webcast live at www.dca.ca.gov For more information, visit www.guidedogboard.ca.gov
Oakland, California Section 8 Waiting List
The Section 8 Waiting List opening for Oakland, California will be on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 8:00 am through Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 5:00 pm. The Oakland Housing Authority (OHA) will be accepting applications for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program for 5 days only. The Waiting List will be an online application submission process. This is a fully web-based application process; no paper applications will be accepted.Instructions:
- 1. Complete the application online at www.oakha.org by clicking on the 2011 Section 8 Wait List.
- 2. Submit a completed application by 5 pm on Saturday, January 29, 2011.
- 3. Print or save the online confirmation page.
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith
January 7, 2011
Welcome to the California Connection, the weekly news service provided in English and Spanish by the California Council of the Blind. This news release has been revised on January 7, and will be updated on January 21. Remember that in order to have a message in on the next connection, please provide the message either to the office or to me directly at 916-505-8780 or ca.connection@ccbnet.org by Wednesday before the connection is recorded, or it will need to be placed in the following connection. Also, please make sure your message states in the subject line that it is for the connection or it may get missed.Editors Note
From Gabe Griffith: Important, there will be no connection on January 14, the next connection will be on January 21.The next important item is that there is yet a new email address for you to send announcements to for the connection. We have taken steps to hopefully make this the last time there is a change in the address you will need to use. The new address is Ca.connection@ccbnet.org This new address takes effect immediately so you may begin using it now.
Next, it has been brought to our attention that some formats of your winter 2011 edition of the Blind Californian may have misspelled our new CCB president’s email address. The correct email address for Donna is Donna.Pomerantz@ccbnet.org
Thank you for making note of these two email addresses.
From CCB President, Donna Pomerantz
I first want to wish everyone a good 2011. May it bring you all that you need and desire. CCB belongs to each and everyone of us and I thank you for allowing me to be your President. The future holds many things for us as individuals, for some as a family and of course as an organization. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, concerns or just want to know a little bit more about the Council, who we are and what we all do. If I don't respond right away it is ok to send another note or give me a little reminder nudge, smile. You can reach me at Donna.Pomerantz@ccbnet.orgor by phone at (626) 844-4388.
Appointment to the California State Guide Dog Board
Just prior to leaving office, Governor Schwarzenegger announced the appointment of a number of individuals to various state boards and commissions. Frank Welte, CCB's Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, has been appointed to the California State Guide Dog Board. Frank will continue to serve in his current position with CCB.Class Action Lawsuit
The California Council of the Blind has joined a class action lawsuit against the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) and the National Park Service. The lawsuit seeks to improve access to the various GGNRA park units for visitors with mobility and vision disabilities. The law firm representing us in the case is Disability Rights Advocates (DRA). If you have visited GGNRA and have not yet shared your experiences with DRA, we encourage you to do so. Please contact Alicia Reyes or Raziya Brumfield at Disability Rights Advocates. Alicia Reyes: areyes@dralegal.org Raziya Brumfield: rbrumfield@dralegal.org Phone: (510) 665-8644Address: 2001 Center Street, Third Floor
Berkeley, CA 94704
The Council of Citizens with Low Vision International 2011 Scholarship Program
The Council of Citizens with Low Vision International proudly announces its 2011 scholarship program:1. The Fred Scheigert Scholarship Program>/b>
Awarding three students an individual prize of $3000, this competitive scholarship is available to full-time college students with low vision, chosen from among those who meet the visual acuity and academic guidelines.
Guidelines: http://cclvi.novaelis.com/?section=scheigert> Application: http://cclvi.novaelis.com/?section=scheigert&page=1 and Certification of Low Vision: http://www.cclvi.org/media/CCLVI_SCHOLARSHIPS_eye_report_form.pdf forms and the on-line application are available on www.cclvi.org from January 1st, to 11:55 pm EST March 1st each year. The application must be completed online. Completed applications and supporting documents must be received by March 1st. If you have any questions about the scholarship application guidelines, please call CCLVI at (800) 733-2258. Semi-finalists will be selected to participate in a telephone interview with committee members. Winners will be notified in late spring. Winners are expected to attend our annual meeting, which is held in conjunction with the American Council of the Blind National Convention and generally takes place the first week in July.
Unmet Transit Needs Announcement
From Gene Lozano: The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) is looking for feedback about bus, dial-a-ride, paratransit and light rail transit services in the counties of Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba. They want to know your thoughts on local transit service. Would you like to use it for more trips, but don't because of issues like where it goes, the schedule or cost? Are there places you really need to go but cannot currently? Please give SACOG your thoughts by attending an Unmet Transit Needs/Lifeline Transit Workshop, or by relaying your comments to SACOG.The California State Transportation Development Act (TDA) requires the Unmet Transit Needs Process be conducted annually by Regional Transportation Planning Agencies. SACOG is the Regional Transportation Planning Agency for the counties of Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba. SACOG staff conducts Unmet Transit Needs annually for these four counties. The TDA requires that SACOG make a determination whether there are "unmet transit needs that are reasonable to meet" in the jurisdictions throughout the four counties. The Unmet Transit Needs & Lifeline Transit Workshops are scheduled to begin in January. Public Meeting Dates for FY 2011-12 Unmet Transit Needs & Lifeline Transit Workshops
- Tuesday, January 18th, 2:00 PM
Yuba County Government Center
915 8th Street Conference Room #1
Marysville, CA
- Monday, January 24th, 2:00 PM
Woodland Council Chambers
300 First Street, 2nd Floor
Woodland, CA
- Tuesday, January 25th, 2:00 PM
City of Galt Community Room
380 Civic Drive
Galt, CA
- Wednesday, January 26th, 2:00 PM
Cosumnes River College
Technology Building, Room T-116
8401 Center Parkway
Sacramento, CA
- Saturday, January 29th, 2:00 PM
Sacramento Regional Transit District Auditorium
1400 29th Street
Sacramento, CA
- Thursday, April 21st, 9:00 AM
SACOG Board Room
1415 L Street, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA
(Please be as specific as possible on time and location for any transit need(s) you believe are unmet.)
Mail:
Sacramento Area Council of Governments
Attn: Unmet Transit Needs
1415 L Street, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95814
E-mail: transit_needs@sacog.org Web: http://www.sacog.org/transit/comments.cfm Phone: (916) 340-6275
TDD Access: (916) 321-9550
Fax: (916) 321-9551
Have a nice day
Gabe Griffith