Welcome to the California connection for March 11.

Conference and Convention Preview
Hotel Reservation Information For The 2016 Annual California Council of the Blind Conference and Convention:
(Revised February 23, 2016)

Hotel registration is now open for the 2016 Annual Conference and Convention of the California Council of the Blind (CCB).

The conference and convention will take place Thursday April 7th - Sunday April 10th, 2016 at the Viejas Casino and Resort four-star hotel.
The hotel address is: 5000 Willows Road, Alpine, CA 91901.

To make hotel reservations via phone, call: 800-938-2532, or via
Internet reservation link:.

When making your reservation by phone or online, provide the following reservation conference code: 160413CALI.

Room rates are: Single: $99, Double: $99, Triple: $119, Quad: $139, Suites: $339.

The rates are all-inclusive of guest room tax.
All guests are required to place a $50 incidental deposit per night, it is not charged until check-in and if not used will be returned to the card presented within 3-7 business days. This is a standard hotel practice and all guests are told of this charge at the time the reservation is made and at check-in.
The cut-off date for reserving a room in our block is March 16th, 2016.

Transportation between the hotel and San Diego International Airport, San Diego downtown Amtrak Station as well as San Diego downtown Greyhound Depot can be provided through the hotel discounted shuttle service, Uber, and Lyft.
Information regarding these transportation options will be found in the 2016 Annual Conference and Convention preregistration announcement.

In a separate conference and convention preview, information will be provided about the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) ADA paratransit services.
Please share this information with chapters and other interested parties.
The CCB looks forward to welcoming you at the Viejas Casino and Resort.

Conference and Convention Preview:
San Diego Paratransit Service For The 2016 Annual California Council of the Blind Conference and Convention:
(February 23, 2016)

To become visitor-certified for San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) ADA paratransit services, passengers are asked to complete the attached form and fax it to ADARIDE.COM at (310) 410-0239.

The information requested on this form will help MTS Access best serve you while visiting San Diego.
You can also call ADARide offices toll-free 1-877-232-7433 (TTY/TDD: 1-310-410-0985) if you need help to complete the visitor form over the phone.

Visitor status will be provided to any individual who is currently ADA-certified by their hometown Paratransit provider for up to 21 days in any 12-month period.

Your local ADA paratransit provider can fax confirmation of your registration to ADARide securely at (310) 410-0239. Please have them indicate the need for MTS ACCESS specifically. Hopefully their confirmation will include vital information like mobility device used, service animal, contact phone, PCA status, etc.

Ideally, the local provider can complete the visitor request form and fax it to ADARide at the number provided above.
You may reserve a ride after you have been visitor-certified as ADA eligible.

To obtain more information about ADARide.com, go to: www.adaride.com

On MTS Access, children five years of age or younger may ride free with a fare-paying adult. While a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) may travel without paying a fare, at least one passenger must always pay a full fare of $4.50 for a single ride. A fare must be paid when an adult or guardian is travelling as the non-paying child's PCA. Likewise, two passengers cannot claim each other as PCAs to avoid fare payment.

Given the large size of the MTS ADA service area, it is divided into four zones.
Passengers may be required to transfer to another vehicle for interzonal travel just as they would likely transfer between the MTS bus and trolley network of services. For example, if you are at the San Diego International Airport, San Diego Greyhound depot, or San Diego Amtrak station you would likely board a paratransit vehicle in Zone 1, and transfer to another paratransit vehicle to complete your trip to Alpine/Viejas Casino and Resort (Zone 3). You are considered receiving a single ride even with an interzonal transfer. Paratransit drivers will accept the fare in cash if paid in exact change. The drivers do not have the ability to make change for passengers.

Please share this information with chapters and other interested parties.
The CCB looks forward to welcoming you at the Viejas Casino and Resort.

Editor's note: If you need assistance completing the paratransit temporary eligibility form you can either call the number provided or call Ed Branch in the CCB office at 800-221-6359.

Conference and Convention preview
Banquet entertainment information for the 2016 Annual California Council of the Blind Conference and Convention

The CCB is excited to announce during the April 9th Saturday evening banquet Vocalist Laurie Beebe Lewis will be performing musical selections from her vast musical career. Also, she will be sharing stories about her experiences in writing music, performing, recording, and producing vocals during her life.

For those who are unfamiliar with Ms. Lewis, what is to follow is her artist bio:

Vocalist Laurie Beebe Lewis is diverse in style.
One cannot fit this artist into one singular category from her vast music history.
As a young musician, Laurie frequently toured with Dick Wagner & The Frost, Bob Seger, Alice Cooper and Ted Neugent in the early 1970's with her band "Pitche Blende".
Laurie moved to Chicago engaging in live performances with Big Band leader Les Elgart, B.B King, The Spinners and joined Chicago based group "The Buckinghams" in 1983 as vocalist and backing keyboards. They were featured on the 1985 'Happy Together Tour' with The Turtles. Laurie moved to San Diego, CA. in 1986 and joined “The Monroes, recorded with Gary Puckett on his first debut album since the 70's and then became a member of "The New Mamas and the Papas" in 1986 and toured with them both nationally and internationally with original Papas John Phillips & Denny Doherty along with Spanky McFarlane.

Laurie continues to write music, perform, record and produce vocals for many projects in Southern California and was recently featured on Dick Wagner's song and video "If I had the Time, I Could Change the World"”.

Don't delay in preregistering by April 4th for the Conference and Convention.
In the preregistration announcement, prices for all plated meals including the banquet will be listed.
We look forward to seeing you at the banquet.

Convention Door Prizes

Chapters, affiliates and individuals are encouraged to provide door prizes for the 2016 CCB Conference and Convention.
You can bring door prizes to the convention and leave them at the Convention Registration Desk or provide them to the CCB office ahead of time by sending them to California Council of the Blind, 1303 J. Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814.

Candidate statements

The spring California Council of the Blind 2016 Board candidate statements are now on the CCB website.
http://www.ccbnet.org/candidates_2016.htm

Get to know who is running and what their future plans are for CCB!
You may also call the CCB office and request they be sent to you in your preferred reading format.

Seeking A Roommate For CCB 2016 Conference and Convention

From John Vandervort:
I will be arriving April 7th . leaving on April 10th. I have a guide dog.
Seeking a non-smoking male roommate, with a guide dog is okay.
Please contact me at (408) 269-2295 between 7 AM to 9 PM.

Seeking A Roommate For CCB 2016 Conference and Convention

From Eric Calhoun:
I will be arriving April 7th . leaving on April 10th.
Seeking a non-smoking male roommate, with a guide dog is okay.
Please contact me at (323) 514-0766 text me or leave a voicemail message.

Seeking a roommate for CCB 2016 Conference and Convention

From Cam Schure: I will be arriving April 7th . leaving on April 10th.
Seeking a non-smoking female roommate, with a guide dog is okay.
Please contact me at (831)372-0626 between 7 AM to 8 PM.

Roommate Request

From Margie Donovan
Greetings, I am looking for a roommate for the upcoming CCB convention. I will be staying from the 7th to the 10th. I have a guide dog and nor problems rooming with another dog, but a nonsmoker please.
If you are interested please email me at Margie.donovan1@outlook.com

Proposed Resolutions and Constitutional Amendments

From Gabe Griffith
It is that time again to start thinking of those resolutions and constitution and bylaws (C&B) proposals. I am still serving as C&B chair and am back as resolutions chair.

For those proposed C&B amendments the deadline is April 1. Please note that this is the week before convention. This is so the committee can discuss them and prepare them for presentation to the members for a first reading on Friday night April 8.

The resolutions deadline will be noon on Friday April 8.

You can submit either resolutions or C&B proposed amendments to me or any member of the relevant committee.
My contact information for these purposes is gabrielgriffith@gmail.com or (925) 768-8195.
I will have access to phone or email constantly in the weeks leading up to convention and during convention so please don't be late. Late submissions will not be accepted.
The committees thank you in advance for your cooperation and consideration.

GDUC Program Information

The April CCB conference is fast approaching and The Guide Dog Users of California (GDUC) Program committee wants to share a description of the great programs awaiting all guide dog handlers attending the conference.

Saturday, April 9, 10:15 am to 11:45 am
Title: Accessibility...How to Deal with the Uninformed Business Owner

Join us to learn about the ADA laws pertaining to access for service dogs in public places in this interactive workshop presented by Deborah Sands, Owner/Founder, DJS Consultant Services. Debbie will speak about access issues and and our rights.
Special focus will be placed on problems we all face due to "fake service dogs".
The participants will have the opportunity to practice how to handle access issues using case studies based on our own experiences.

Please Note and Reply:
What we would like to have from you:
In order to make the program as relevant as possible to your needs, please send to Alice McGrath at amcgrath@vistacenter.org, your experiences with denied access for you and your guide dog.
What was the situation and how did you handle it?
You may also send examples of issues you have faced due to "fake" service dogs.

Deborah Sands Bio
DJS Consultant Services Simi Valley, CA 93065
Debbie has spent over 20 years in the service animal business starting with 16 years as Director of Public Relations & Development for Guide Dogs of America.

From her years extensively traveling across the country, as a guest speaker, Debbie continually witnessed the business missteps when interacting with someone with a service dog and felt it was time to develop an educational training program for businesses.

Her company, DJS Consultant Services, founded in 2011, specializes in service animal access education.
Her ideal clients are restaurants, museums, entertainment venues, libraries, hotels, etc. Debbie covers technical issues from the tasks service dogs are trained to do to the proper etiquette of welcoming someone who has a service dog.

GDUC Lunch Program at Noon on Saturday, April 9
Come and join your fellow guide dog handlers for a fun and informative luncheon.
We will have reports from the guide dog schools and also a speaker from Canine Companions.
Our speaker is a graduate of Canine Companions and he will be bringing his service dog.
We will learn about the training and matching of service dogs and how the dogs assist the handlers.

San Gabriel Valley Chapter meeting

From Pam Polagi: President San Gabriel Valley Chapter
I'd like to invite anyone in the Los Angeles area to attend our chapter meeting, April 02.
In attendance will be Jorge Marquez and Joe Dimas from Marquez Products for Independent Living.
They will bring many of their items to show and sell. Jorge and Joe are willing to bring specific products upon your request.
Please call (818) 605-8783.

Our April 02 meeting is from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Denny's Restaurant 546 West Baseline Road Glendora, CA 91740 Cross Street, Grand Ave.
I hope to see many of you there.

Hearing And Vision Loss Program Call

From the CCB Hearing and Vision Loss Committee:
Auditory Anatomy
* Note the time change below to include more people.

The March 20 topic is Auditory Anatomy. We are fortunate to have a presentation by Tom Brennan, who has been an audiologist for about 30 years and being deaf/blind gives a bit of a different perspective than the average audiologist or hearing aid dealer.

Understanding auditory anatomy will help us understand future discussions about auditory tests and hearing enhancements.

Join CCB's Hearing and Vision Impaired Committee as we explore this and more!

This is the fifth of a series of monthly open interactive resource conferences to help you deal with your hearing loss.

Date: Sunday, March 20; time: 5 PM pacific/ 8 PM Eastern; Phone: 800-662-6992; ID: 1184109.

We encourage you to sign up for our email list where we will be posting resources we have discussed and where you can share your resources and experiences with us.

Go to
ccbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/hvi-l_ccbnet.org.

In addition, you can get links to previous audio recordings by emailing mlkeithley@comcast.net.

ACB Roommate Request

Frank Welte is looking for a male, nonsmoker to share a hotel room at the 2016 ACB Conference and Convention in Minneapolis.
If interested, send Email to Frank.A.Welte@gmail.com, or call (510) 541-1442.

Video Magnifier Awards

The Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI) announces the Dr. Sam Genensky Video Magnifier Memorial Awards.

A total of 3 video magnifiers will be awarded to children and adults.

To read the award guidelines and complete an on-line application, please visit the web site:
http://www.cclvi.org/dr-samuel-genensky

Applications may be submitted through April 20, 2016 at 11:59 PM EST.
We look forward to receiving your application materials!

ACB Scholarship Stipends

If you are interested in applying for one of the leadership stipends described below, contact President Jeff Thom asap at jeff.thom@ccbnet.org or by phone at (916) 995-3967.

Excerpt from the February issue of the ACB E-Forum
As ACB approaches its 55th year, the path to leadership is expanding with an enhanced emphasis on developing new leaders for the future. A special grant will fund a one-year program bringing 10 ACB members with recognized leadership potential to the July 2016 national conference and convention in Minneapolis.

Two applicants will be selected for the traditional leadership program, the Durward K. McDaniel First-Timers program, which is entering its 20th year.
DKM recipients must satisfy four basic criteria - 18 years of age or older; blind or visually impaired; members in good standing of ACB; and never have attended a national conference and convention.

Eligible applicants must be recommended by the president of their respective ACB state or special-interest affiliates.
The application process consists of submitting two letters and participating in a telephone interview with DKM committee members.
The first letter, submitted by the applicant, will include the objectives in applying to become a First-Timer, a brief summary of the applicant's background and education, participation in affiliate activities and an assessment of how the DKM program will benefit the applicant and his or her community.

The letter from the ACB state or special-interest affiliate president will describe and confirm the applicant's participation in affiliate and community affairs as well as an evaluation of leadership potential.

Telephone interviews will be scheduled with all eligible applicants in mid-April.

Additionally, eight applicants will be selected for the new DKM Leadership Award.
Recipients must satisfy three basic criteria - 18 years of age or older; blind or visually impaired; and members in good standing of ACB. The restriction on previous conference and convention attendance is waived.
Eligible applicants must be recommended by the president of their respective affiliates.

The application process for the DKM Leadership Award also consists of submitting two letters and participating in a telephone interview with DKM committee members.

The applicant's letter will include the objectives in applying for the leadership award; a brief summary of the applicant's education and relevant experience; number of years of membership in ACB as well as previous conventions attended, if any; description of one's role as a leader; and an assessment of what one brings to ACB.

The affiliate president's letter of recommendation should address the applicant's contributions to the affiliate, ACB and community organizations; and describe the applicant's demonstrated leadership skills and leadership potential.

Telephone interviews will be scheduled for mid-April.

All recipients receive round-trip transportation; hotel accommodation (double occupancy), per diem stipend for meals and incidentals, convention registration fee and reception and banquet tickets.

Recipients are expected to attend the convention from the opening session Sunday evening, July 3, through the Friday evening banquet, July 8, and to participate actively in all convention activities including the daily general sessions, special-interest presentations, seminars and workshops.

Thank you for reading, Have a nice day