Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired Viewpoint Summer 2014 Newsletter Section: A Memo from John Mitchell You may recall that in February 2012, Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) and Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Clovernook Center) entered into a formal Strategic Partnership Agreement. The purpose of the agreement was to align, improve, and strengthen the services that the organizations collectively provide to the community in order to best meet the needs of people who are blind and visually impaired; to eliminate redundancy in services between the two organizations, and to make best use of resources and funding. After extensive information sharing and a joint review of existing service delivery to understand how both agencies provide various services, the Boards of both agencies met independently in January and agreed to a Joint Services Construct between the two agencies. Implementation of this joint effort began in February 2014, with CABVI and Clovernook Center announcing that they have collaboratively agreed to consolidate four services offered by both organizations, including: - Access Technology Training - Individual evaluation, instruction and consultation on state-of-the-art adaptive technology provided by trained specialists. - Orientation & Mobility Instruction - Preparation for people who are blind or visually impaired to move about their homes, neighborhoods, schools and communities safely, efficiently and with confidence. - Social Service - Addresses both the rehabilitation and emotional needs of individuals who are blind or visually impaired, as well as their families. - Vision Rehabilitation Therapy - Assistance for people who are blind or visually impaired in finding ways to live independently by using adaptive techniques to accomplish daily tasks. These four services have now been consolidated and moved to CABVI, where they are provided to the Greater Cincinnati community. Resulting from this realignment of services, there have been direct staffing implications to both organizations. Clovernook Center downsized 10 staff members and CABVI added two new staff members (both former employees of Clovernook Center). Both CABVI and Clovernook Center are fully committed to collaboration to optimize the use of community resources to support the independence of people who are blind and visually impaired. The organizations collectively decided that by consolidating and moving these four services, the service alignment would best meet the needs of the community, eliminate any redundancy of services, and make better use of funding. As a result, each organization will continue to provide quality, nonduplicative services in the future. At the time of this realignment, a total of 31 active clients being served by the Clovernook Center were transitioned to CABVI for continuation of their service needs. Going forward CABVI will serve the needs of the Community with the exception of 10 “Legacy” clients that Clovernook Center will continue to serve using CABVI’s service providers. These 10 individuals have specialized service needs which are not provided by CABVI. With this change, CABVI and Clovernook Center staff worked with the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) to determine how to best ensure continuity of service provision to all community members through this transition. With the construct fully implemented there are now clearly defined services being provided by the two agencies: CABVI: Access Technology Early Childhood and Youth Services Orientation and Mobility Social Service Vision Rehabilitation Therapy Low Vision Service Information Services Job Opportunities Clovernook Center: Arts and Recreation Youth Discovery Summer and Year-Round Program Community Based Employment Services Adult Day Array Program Braille Print House Job Opportunities Today, CABVI and Clovernook Center are two separate and distinct private nonprofit organizations, both focused on serving people who are blind and visually impaired in Greater Cincinnati. Going forward, we will continue to fully collaborate on community-related events, public education and other opportunities to improve and enhance the independence of individuals who are blind and visually impaired in Greater Cincinnati. A portrait-style photo of John Mitchell appears with this article. Section: Agency News Article: CABVI’s Annual Meeting Held The 103rd Annual Meeting of the Members was held at the Cincinnati Museum Center on April 25 th, 2014, with 124 people attending. CABVI board trustee, Norma Rashid, hosted the Annual Meeting and James Kesteloot, Vice Chairperson, U.S. Ability One Commission, was the guest speaker. Prior to being appointed to the U.S. AbilityOne Commission by President Obama in September 2010 and elected Vice Chairman of the Commission in November 2011, James Kesteloot served as president and executive director of the Chicago Lighthouse during his 40-year tenure there. Jim shared his views on the challenges that agencies for the blind are facing today, particularly with the rapidly changing procurement and budget environment within the Federal Government. Kathryn Schierloh received CABVI’s 2014 Bradley L. Kaylor Blind Employee of the Year Award. Kathryn is a Contract Close-out Specialist at CABVI’s Contract Management Service (CMS) at the Defense Logistics Center (DLA) in Columbus, Ohio. In fiscal year 2013, Kathryn took a leading role in meeting the team’s production goals for the number of contract close-outs prepared and completed. As a team player, she assisted with producing training materials and training new employees. Kathy Roberts received CABVI’s Mark Foersterling Staff Member of the Year Award in memory of Mark Foersterling, who was instrumental in launching and developing CABVI’s Access Technology Service. This award recognizes an outstanding member of CABVI’s staff whose accomplishments and contributions have furthered the mission of the agency, who exemplifies CABVI’s core values, and who has set an example of excellence for others in teamwork, innovation, and leadership. Kathy is CABVI’s social service manager. She started at CABVI in 1989 and is in her 25th year of service to CABVI’s clients. Trustee Service Awards were presented by Michael Lichstein, Board Chair to four board members who rotated off of the Board: Hisham H. Arar, M.D., Dan Braun, Roger G. Caldwell and Lynda Thomas. John Mitchell also presented a Special Trustee Recognition Award to Tom Long who has served CABVI for 40 years as Board Member, chair of the Building and Grounds Committee, and as a member of the Finance Committee. John also presented a Distinguished Special Recognition Award to Pat MacVeigh for his volunteer services assisting CABVI with administration of the agency pension plan. Six photos appear with this article: Norma Rashid speaking at the podium; James Kestleloot speaking at the podium; Mike Muse, Director of Operations, presenting Kathryn Schierloh with her award; John Mitchell presenting Kathy Roberts with her award; John Mitchell presenting Tom Long with his award and John Mitchell shaking hands with Pat MacVeigh after presenting his award. Article: CABVI Welcomes New Employees This article consists of photographs of the following 16 new employees with captions of their job titles and departments: Tami Bovard, HR Manager in Administration; Christine Rouleau, Contract Closeout Specialist, in the Defense Supply Center in Columbus, Ohio; Hannah DeFelice, Communication Center Coordinator, Rachel Doellman, Marketing Coordinator and Robert Volker, Communication Center Coordinator, in Business Development; Larry Klug, Access Technology Specialist, Michael T. Sorensen, Part-time Driver/Agency Support, Patricia L. Spradling, Intake Worker, and Paul A. Smith, Vision Rehabilitation Therapist, in Program Services; Aaron Engle, BSC Warehouse Support, and Carolyn Orlando, Purchasing/Sales Associate, at Office Runway at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base; James Belser, Full-time Line Coordinator, Attina Smith, Gadget Line Coordinator, Phillip Summers, Inspector (Rolled Products), Amy Newton, Inflight Assembler, and Jasmine M. Mitchell, Inflight Assembler, in Industries Program. Article: Industries Program Associates of the Quarter Lois Wagner was awarded the recognition for the fourth quarter of 2013. Lois began her career with CABVI on August 22, 1975 and is currently a Line Coordinator for the Inflight line. According to her peers, “Ms. Lois always helps others with her words of encouragement, with motivation and she always keeps things positive.” Lois has demonstrated her willingness to do what it takes to improve the operations within the CABVI Inflight Department. Linda Hensley was awarded the recognition for the first quarter of 2014. Linda began her career at CABVI on January 31, 1973. She currently is the 3rd most tenured Industries Program employee and has been in her current position as Tape Line Inspector since 1999. Her peers have stated: “Linda is always helpful to her team in her Line Inspection position and also helps others in need.” Pierre McDonald was awarded the recognition for the second quarter of 2014. Pierre began his employment with CABVI in September of 2010 as an Inflight Assembler. He soon began working in the Tape and Paper Department where he has become proficient on the wrappers. Pierre was nominated based on his compassion and care for his fellow associates. As his nomination states, “Pierre helps on other lines, he helps people to and from their work stations, and he is always willing to assist another in need.” Portrait-style photos of Lois Wagner, Linda Hensley and Pierre McDonald appear with this article. Article: CABVI Events and Happenings CABVI attended the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) Public Policy Forum in Washington, D. C., May 19-21, 2014. Participants had the opportunity to advocate for the importance of supporting employment opportunities by visiting the offices of our region’s Congressmen. Representing CABVI at the forum were John Mitchell, Kathryn Schierloh, 2014 Blind Employee of the Year, and Steve Ogletree, a participant in the NIB Advocates Program and CABVI 2012 Blind Employee of the Year. A picture of John Mitchell, Kathryn Schierloh and Steve Ogletree standing in front of the Capitol appears with this story. An Evening of Inspiration and Motivation was held on Tuesday, February 25, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in The Commons at CABVI with internationally recognized ADA attorney and advocate, Richard Bernstein. This event was made possible by a collaborative grant with LADD and the Reel Abilities Film Festival from the Erma A. Bantz Foundation. A photo of Richard Bernstein speaking to the attendees appears with this story. SAVE SIGHT SATURDAY was held at CABVI on Saturday, March 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Chapter of Foundation Fighting Blindness sponsored SAVE SIGHT SATURDAY. Approximately 50 people participated in this opportunity to learn about many Greater Cincinnati vision resources. Dr. Brian Toussaint of the Cincinnati Eye Institute spoke to the group on the topic of retinal degenerative diseases. A photo of event participants visiting information displays appears with this story. Visions 2014 Charity Golf Classic was held on Monday, June 2 at Summit Hills Country Club in Crestview Hills, KY. The Classic, which benefits Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CABVI) and the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky chapter of Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB), included a silent auction along with dinner. Lexington’s Ty Thompson, a U.S. Blind Golf Association (USBGA) national champion who lost his vision in 2004, attended the event and coached participants in learning to putt without sight. A photo of Ty Thompson on the putting green with 4 participants appears with this story. CABVI’s Annual Music Recital was held on Saturday, June 7th with heart-felt performances by groups and individuals. Participants played various keyboard, string and percussion instruments. Some individuals sang their favorite songs and there were a couple of duets performed. The Charles H. Dater Foundation is the official sponsor for the Annual Recital and provides on-going support for the Music Program. The Louise Taft Semple Foundation also provided support for CABVI’s Music Program in 2014. This year’s Annual Raft Trip and Picnic was held at Morgan’s Brookville Canoe Center on June 20th with about 40 of CABVI’s clients, volunteers and staff participating. CABVI is grateful to Gary Morgan and Morgan’s Canoe Centers for once again donating the use of their rafts and picnic shelter for this annual event. A photo of participants coming ashore in their rafts appears with this story. On July 18th, CABVI hosted a 2014 Low Vision Technology Fair in the Commons with over 100 participants. Vendors demonstrated the latest devices, such as reading machines, electronic magnifiers, and devices that translate printed materials to speech. A photo of the attendees listening to one of the speakers appears with this story. 15th Annual CABVI’s “Know You Can” 5K Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI’s) “Know You Can” 5K was held on Sunday, August 10th at Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum. Norma Rashid hosted this event which is one of Cincinnati’s largest inclusive 5K’s. Victoria House, CABVI’s Scripps Howard Foundation intern, helped to organize the event. Victoria is currently an undergraduate student at Northern Kentucky University, where she is pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. During her college career Victoria has served as a senator and the Secretary of Public Relations for NKU’s Student Government Association, as Vice President of Member Education and President of Delta Gamma Fraternity, and as President of the Order of Omega. Proceeds from the 5K support CABVI’s services for people who are blind or visually impaired to maintain independence. More than 400 people participated including walkers, runners, people who use wheelchairs, and people with vision loss. CABVI is grateful to our 5K sponsors: Barnes Dennig & Co. Ltd.; Bob Roncker’s Running Spot; Burrows Paper Corporation; Cincinnati Alumnae chapter of Delta Gamma Fraternity; Cincinnati Bell Technology Solutions; Cincinnati Eye Institute; Derringer Company; Federal Supply; Focal Pointe Eye Care-Dr. Michael J. Lyons; HORAN; Hyde Park Health Center; Kemba Credit Union; Kinker-Eveleigh Insurance, a Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC Company; Messer Construction; Miami Valley Paper Tube Company; Midwest Financial Partners; Milford Printers; OXO International; Park National Bank; Road ID; Sheakley; Shurtape Technologies Inc.; Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum; Sunrise Advertising; Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP; United Parcel Service; Vorys Legal Counsel; and Zeta Sigma Chapter of Delta Gamma. Appearing with this article is a photo of Victoria House holding a 5K brochure with the caption, “Victoria House is CABVI’s 5K intern with a grant from the Scripps Howard Foundation.” Section: Client Profile As a retired psychologist with her own private practice and a former professor at Xavier University, Dr. Sally Pruden-Morris helped a lot of other people deal with life changes. When she began losing vision a few years ago due to macular degeneration, she was grateful for a referral to CABVI’s Low Vision Service so that she could find ways to deal with her own life changes. According to Dr. PrudenMorris, some of the most helpful advice she received was, “This disability is here so you have a choice. You can deal with it, or sit around and moan about it.” Obviously, she chose to deal with it. At CABVI, she received adaptive equipment and instruction to help her to enjoy life much more. Dr. Pruden-Morris says she especially loves her prescribed low vision aids that include several types of lighted magnifiers that she uses in restaurants and at her desk, a big eye magnifier lamp that she uses in her office, and a daylight lamp that she uses in her art studio. Large print items such as bold lined writing paper, a large print calendar, and a writing guide make it easier for her to do her paperwork. A vision rehabilitation therapist from CABVI helped Dr. Pruden-Morris with tactile markers on her microwave, stove, and dishwasher as well as large print keyboard stickers so that she could type on her computer. She also enjoys her talking clock and keychain. As the mother of six children, Dr. Pruden-Morris is resourceful and creative. When she retired in 1993, she hoped to have “a couple of years to paint.” Twenty-one years later at age 85, she has had more than a few years to create art. With her experience of losing vision, she has chosen to expand from fine detailed pieces to large works, such as a 36 in. x 36 in. painting of a single iris flower. She has also begun raising orchids with grow lights. Her advice to anyone else who is losing vision is to contact CABVI and see how they can help. “They have made an absolute, positive difference in my life.” A photo of Dr. Sally Pruden-Morris using a hand-held magnifier to read a book appears with this article. Section: Volunteer Profile Tom Houston became a volunteer reader for Ted Chism twenty-six years ago, but both gentlemen have been participating in our community for a much longer time. Tom first learned about Radio Reading Services (RRS) in 1978 when he was working as an engineer at the telephone company and several of his coworkers were helping to begin information services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Tom remembers helping to organize RRS along with Jim Moser, Olga Kanuschak, Caroline Fibbe and many others. Several people were part of the Telephone Pioneers which was a service organization of Cincinnati Bell. He says that the original broadcast booths were like telephone booths and there were only two of them. As a volunteer for 36 years, Tom has served in many capacities. He has read the Sunday comics on the radio, had his own radio show called Off the Cuff and even served as Santa Claus at the children’s holiday party. When he began reading mail for Ted Chism as a One on One volunteer, Tom said he realized the importance of providing accurate access to printed information. In addition, he said, “We have great conversations and a good friendship has evolved. We have become confidants and buddies.” Ted Chism, who began losing vision at age 8 due to retinitis pigmentosa, has also volunteered at RRS. He served on the RRS board as a consumer, helped conduct telephone surveys for feedback from listeners, and also helped with administrative projects. Before he retired, he worked as a clinical social work supervisor for the Butler County Mental Health Center. Since his retirement he has expanded his interests in genealogy, antique chairs, and Bowie knives. As Ted says, “Tom is interested in doing most anything I am interested in. He assists me with grocery shopping, household shopping, and we even go to the auction house together. He has helped me have a lot more fun in pursuing my interests and fulfilling my passions in life.” Appearing with this article is a photo of Tom Houston and Ted Chism sitting on a couch as Tom reads a pamphlet to Ted. Section: Development News Article: A Legacy of Giving The MH Foundation was created through the generosity of Mary Hromish. Grants help fund projects at nonprofits that reflect her interests, including recent grants to help provide adaptive equipment for CABVI clients with vision loss and financial need. Mary was from Celina, Ohio where she lived on a farm with one brother and two sisters. She graduated from high school in Celina and lived for several years in Ft. Wayne, IN. When she moved to Cincinnati, she got a job at Proctor & Gamble where she worked as an executive secretary. Mary never married and had no heirs. She was very devoted to her family and often traveled home to help her parents in their later years. She was a silent helper to many people in her life and she wanted this to continue through her foundation. Blindness was a family issue so Mary was especially interested in supporting organizations that serve people with vision loss. Mary was a modest woman who lived a simple life and with careful money management, she created a legacy. She was very much an individual and she recognized that a foundation was one way to continue giving with gratitude. She was always generous and grateful to everyone who helped her. CABVI is incredibly grateful to the MH Foundation as well as others that have chosen to benefit CABVI through planned gifts. If you have made arrangements for a planned gift, please let us know so that we can recognize you as a member of our Visionary Society in our Annual Report and on the CABVI donor wall. Please call Kathy Gottschlich at 513-487-4233 for more information. Suggested wording to remember CABVI in your will or estate plan: “I give to the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired the sum of blank dollars. This bequest is unrestricted and the Board of Trustees or other governing body may use and expend the same for the benefit of the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired in any manner it deems appropriate.” A portrait-style photo of Mary Hromish appears with this article. Article: Grants Awarded Thank you to the Abbihl-Ahrens Charitable Fund of the Cambridge Charitable Foundation for providing a $5,000 grant for CABVI’s Early Childhood and Youth Services parent support project. CABVI is grateful to the William H. Albers Foundation for a $7,000 grant in support of the Early Childhood and Youth Services early intervention program. CABVI appreciates a $2,000 grant from The William P. Anderson Foundation for Radio Reading Services. The Erma A. Bantz Foundation provided a generous $20,000 grant for services and equipment for senior independence. CABVI also received a helpful grant in the amount of $7,500 from The Erma A. Bantz Foundation to support a collaboration with Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled (LADD) to host Richard Bernstein, a disability rights advocate who spoke at CABVI on Feb. 25. CABVI is grateful for a gift from the Ettlinger Memorial Trust. This collaborative grant is the first half of $238,800 to provide partial support for specific professional staff positions at both CABVI and Clovernook Center in 2014. Thank you to the Summertime Kids fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation for a $1,000 grant for CABVI’s Toddler/Preschool Music Group. CABVI appreciates a $25,000 grant from the Honor Trust Project to provide access technology equipment and services to working age people with vision loss and financial need. CABVI received a generous $15,000 grant from The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation to support services and equipment for senior independence. Thank you to the MH Foundation for providing a $7,500 grant for adaptive low vision equipment and services for people with vision loss and financial need. CABVI is grateful for a $10,000 grant from The Trust Estate of George B. Riley in support of Radio Reading Services. CABVI received a helpful grant in the amount of $2,500 from the Rotary Foundation of Cincinnati for the Early Childhood and Youth Services music program. CABVI is grateful to Josephine Schell Russell Charitable Trust, PNC Bank, Trustee for a $14,000 grant for the Summer Music Program and the Parent Information Project. CABVI appreciates a $2,000 grant from Scripps Howard Foundation for CABVI’s Know You Can 5K internship position. Thank you to the Louise Taft Semple Foundation for providing a $10,000 grant in support of CABVI’s music program. The Spaulding Foundation provided a generous $25,000 grant for vision rehabilitation services and equipment for people who are blind or visually impaired with financial need. CABVI appreciates a $750 grant from the Wish List fund to purchase adaptive equipment for a young child with vision loss who was featured in the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Wish List. We received $2,708 additional funding to provide adaptive equipment for people with financial need. Section: Listeners’ Corner The Listeners’ Corner is news and helpful tips for the listeners of Radio Reading Services (RRS) radio broadcasts, Personalized Talking Print service (PTP) and One on One clients. Services and equipment offered through RRS programs are free of charge to people who are blind or visually or print impaired. For more information, call (513) 487-4245. RRS BROADCASTS Congratulations to RRS for receiving the 2013 Program of the Year Award for Consumer Information for the show Get Up & Go from International Association of Audio Information Services (IAAIS) at the June conference in Ft. Wayne, IN! Kudos to Mary DiRuzzo, Reader, and Anthony DeGregorio, Producer/Audio Engineer. RRS introduced a new half-hour program called Off the Rack featuring a variety of magazines. Readers’ requests are welcomed and encouraged as we look for new magazines to feature on the radio station. Also, Rolling Stone has been added to the schedule which airs every Friday night at 8:30 p.m. PTP Happy Anniversary to our Personalized Talking Print program! This summer marks the 20 th year for this service. The PTP directory is always available in mailbox 5555. The directory provides a complete list of the general mailboxes by name and mailbox number for easy access to the reading materials. With the new DuVoice system recently installed, readers and listeners are now able to receive voice messages via email! If interested in this new component, contact Janet Papin at (513) 487-4400 or email janet.papin@cincyblind.org. ONE ON ONE: STAFF DRIVERS NEEDED Volunteer Staff Drivers provide transportation for our CABVI staff members who are visually impaired to provide services to our clients in the community. Staff drivers usually choose a morning or afternoon that they are most available to drive. Some drivers like to bring a book and read while waiting, or wait in a nearby coffee shop or restaurant. Drivers must have full coverage insurance and a clean driving record. If interested, please contact Jennifer Holladay at (513) 487-4237 or email jennifer.holladay@cincyblind.org. Section: Bulletin Board WHY SHOP CINCYSIGHT.ORG? - Through our office supply social enterprise individuals who are blind or visually impaired are provided jobs and professional training to develop skills needed to succeed in the work force. With an unemployment rate for individuals who are blind at 70%, the goal of CincySight.org is to operate with at least 75% of its direct labor from people who are blind or visually impaired. Support our mission by visiting CincySight.org today and sign up for promotional emails, create an account or shop as a guest! IMPORTANT NOTICE – Telephone solicitation campaigns claiming to benefit persons who are blind are being conducted in our community by other organizations. CABVI is not involved in these solicitations, does not condone the methods used, and does not accept money raised through these campaigns. If you have questions about a telephone solicitation call, contact your state’s Division of Consumer Protection. Edit Box Viewpoint is a publication of the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, a not-forprofit organization offering blind and visually impaired people the opportunity to seek independence. CABVI depends upon various sources, including gifts from the community and bequests made through a will, for financial support. For information or assistance call 513-221-8558 or toll free at 1-888-687-3935. Our web site address is www.cincyblind.org and our email address is info@cincyblind.org. If you wish to be removed from our mailing list, please call 513-221-8558 and ask for the Viewpoint editor. CABVI receives funding from United Way of Greater Cincinnati, Butler County United Way and Warren County United Way. CABVI is a member of the National Industries for the Blind; an accredited member of the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving People with Blindness or Visual Impairment; a member of the National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind; a member of VisionServe Alliance; a member of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired; a member of Ohio Radio Reading Services; and a member of the International Association of Audio Information Services. CABVI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Service Provider, and an Affirmative Action Employer. Viewpoint is available in Braille, large print, on CD and online at cincyblind.org. The logos of United Way of Greater Cincinnati, Butler County United Way and Warren County United Way appear in this section.