The Omaha Council of the Blind, (OCB), met on Saturday, May 20, 1989, at the League of Human Dignity with two members present. The purpose for meeting was to discuss subsidized taxi service for the blind and visually impaired in the Greater Omaha area. After lengthy discussion, we decided subsidized taxi service would enhance independent travel for blind citizens but a survey should be designed to assess community needs.
During the summer of 1989, the surveys were distributed among the potential participants. Not surprisingly, most thought a cab subsidy program was a great idea and said they would use one if it were available.
At our July, 1989 meeting, we discussed the progress in data collection and statistical analysis from the surveys that were returned along with how to proceed with fund raising. We discussed participating in county fair and the possibility of a Christmas boutique. Also discussed was putting together a committee of volunteers to Braille menus for local restaurants. As a result of hard work from the membership, our boutique was a success and we have brailed menus for several restaurants in the Omaha area.
Our chapter has been very active in local fund raising. We have sold, with the help of local Village Inn restaurants, Braille embossed mugs. Other items sold include bells with praying hands, pleasure packs and candy bars. Garage sales, Christmas boutiques, participating in the annual Younkers holiday benefit sales, and benefit dances, with Gary Evans and the Sandells donating their talent and a local Eagles Club donating the facilities, has also been a part of our fund raising efforts.
Several years ago OCB advocated to include audio described movies into the Omaha public library system. After we succeeded in this advocacy effort, we wrote a grant to develop training materials and train individuals to advocate for inclusion of audio described movies in their local libraries around the state. The grant also provided funding for 10 libraries to purchase start-up collections. We developed a curriculum to educate professionals such as librarians and occupational therapists about audio described movies. The training and curriculum materials are available upon request.
Annual elections are held in January. We meet the second Thursday of each month beginning at 7:00 pm in room 3046 of the Hattie B. Monroe Pavilion. The Hattie B. Monroe Pavilion is located on the campus of the University of Nebraska Medical Center located at 4420 Dewey Avenue. Social functions may take place in lieu of our monthly meetings. Persons wishing to contact the Omaha Council of the Blind may do so by calling 827-9814, by United States postal service at PO Box 6528 Omaha NE 68106-0528 or sending E-mail to
On June 4, 2007, we began to investigate the possibility of establishing 501C3 status and the necessary steps involved in the process. Having received legal advice, our membership, at our June 14 meeting, voted to establish our own 501C3. August 30 saw the initial meeting of the corporation to elect officers. Then on September 6, the IRS granted us 26-0847564 as our Federal EIN with the final filing for incorporation taking place December 18. Final recognition as a 501C3 entity was granted on a provisional basis by the IRS March 11, 2008. This temporary status will be reviewed and considered for perpetual status sometime after December 31, 2011.
Over a period of several years, our chapter has grown to as many as thirty-two members, and the cab subsidy program now referred to as Share-A-Fare Inc., kicked-off June 14, 1995 with 31 eligible participants, now serving over 314.
President: Kenda Slavin -
Vice President: Janis Compton - Janis has been a member of ACB since 1980 and has served in several positions at the Chapter level. She received a Bachelors degree in Human Nutrition in 1988. Janis is married, with two children and three grandchildren.
Secretary: Shirley C. Allen - Shirley has been a member of our chapter since 1992. She has chaired our Share A Fare committee and held the position of corresponding secretary on the state level. Having 7 children, 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, she also is a member of The Omaha association of the Blind and has been the Sunday morning engineer at Radio Talking Book, and the voice of the TV listings, for many years.
Treasurer: Dale Oviatt - Dale is a retired employee of Douglas County in the General Assistance division and chaired our Share A Fare committee.
Chapter Representative: -Sherryl Rissi - Born in Omaha, Sherryl was an only child until age 11, but now has 2 step-sisters & step-brothers along with a half sister. Graduating from Benson High, she attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a focus on Education and Library Science. Working in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors, she has been a member of the American Council of the Blind of Nebraska since 2009. Sherryl chaired the State Convention in 2010. In 2011 she co-chaired the state convention and is donation chair for the 2012 Convention. Additionally, Sherryl aided in coordinating activities for the Younkers “Community Day Sales”.