Utah Council of the Blind
Annual Report
2007
The mission of the Utah Council of the blind (UCB) is to improve the lives of people who are blind living in Utah by making it possible for them to be independent and self-reliant, both at home and in their communities. It is the goal of the organization to remove as many barriers as possible in order to maximize opportunities for accomplishment and ultimate success for the individual who is blind.
History
In 1972, a small group of blind people met to create an organization of people who are blind, in order to improve the lives of all Utahns who were losing, or who had lost their sight. At that time, the Utah Council of the blind (UCB) was founded as a nonprofit organization to provide programs and services to the estimated twenty thousand people who are blind and visually impaired living in Utah. For thirty-five years volunteers who are both blind and sighted have initiated and directed the organization's programs for which they also raised the funds.
As an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind (ACB), the organization has supported the rights of people who are blind and created programs to serve them, both on a national level as well as on that of the state. Through both local and national publications, it has sought to keep Utahns who are blind informed of issues affecting their lives. Its members have advocated for, and spoken in support of people who are blind. Its programs and services are established to fulfill its mission.
Volunteers
Credit for this successful year goes to the more than one hundred volunteers who tirelessly donated their time, as well as to the foundations, organizations, and numerous private contributors who generously gave their financial support to the
UCB. The countless volunteer hours donated to develop and maintain the programs of the UCB, oversee its governance, seek funding, and provide direct individual service number in the thousands. All of the work of the UCB except the audit is performed by volunteers, meaning that the majority of the (96.5%) funds contributed are
expended in direct service to those people in the state who are legally blind.
Structure
According to the current bylaws of the UCB, a board of seven to fifteen members will have the direction of the organization. In 2007, a ten member board consisting of four officers and six board members, all but three of whom are blind or visually impaired, were responsible for the business of the organization. As volunteers, they assume the responsibilities as well as much of the work of initiating and directing the programs and services.
An Executive Director who is blind, presently volunteers to be responsible for the day to day operations of the UCB.
Programs and Services
Transportation
Transportation heads the list of unsatisfied needs of people who are blind. The lack of access to transportation effects people who have lost their sight in every aspect of life. It limits independence, the ability to work, acquire an education, and general access to the community.
Because of this, the UCB has chosen to
focus much of its effort and funds on providing transportation programs. The subsidized cab coupon program this past year served the Salt Lake valley, St. George, Davis county, Ogden, Logan, and Provo. Wherever Cab companies exist, the UCB seeks to contract for this service. This transportation program is the largest and most costly service the organization offers since the participant pays only a percentage of the actual cost, while the remainder is covered by grants received for this purpose. The percentage paid by the individual with sight loss and the number of coupons available each month can vary depending on the demand on the program and the amount of funds granted each year. This program also serves the largest population centers and, therefore, has the greatest demand.
Since the coupons are sold on a limited basis, the person must be very selective on how they are used. It is basically an emergency service although, clients have used it for traveling to
work, doctors, grocery shopping, doing the laundry, or for traveling on holidays when public transportation is not available, all of which are emergencies when there is no other means of travel.
Three people were able to save their jobs by using UCB transportation programs when UTA cut routes in August.
A volunteer distributes the coupons either by mail or in person, thus allowing all of the funds to be expended on cab service.
The driver/guide transportation program serves people who have lost their sight or are visually impaired living in both rural and
urban communities. This service is especially valuable where and when other public transportation does not exist. For many who use these services, this is the only means by which they have to shop, perform errands, visit doctors etc. The program provides mileage reimbursement to volunteers who agree to act as drivers and guides for people who have lost their sight. This dual role is extremely beneficial since the volunteer can assist in shopping, filling out forms, locating offices, etc. Because of the frequently personal nature of the service, members are encouraged to locate their own driver/guide.
People using this service are asked to pay a portion of the reimbursement cost in order to increase the available funds for others to use and to improve accountability. To date this change has made it possible for the program to serve more people without over burdening those on low or fixed incomes who need this service. All participants are allowed reimbursement for two hundred miles a month.
In an effort to reach more people and to stretch the dollars, the UCB has contracted with the Senior Companion Program in St. George Utah to provide both Driver/Guides and readers for seniors in the area. Because of this arrangement, the UCB has been able to serve more people, and the Senior Companion Program has reduced their waiting list. Seniors who are blind or visually impaired receive essential transportation and reader services from other seniors who, in turn, benefit from a small reimbursement. In all instances, the UCB seeks to develop partnerships which will benefit both parties and all people who are without sight needing service.
As an additional effort to expand the transportation resources, the UCB has contracted for the use of vans to provide transportation to those who have particularly difficult transportation challenges. Buses have also been chartered to transport large groups when necessary. The organization has identified van services willing to serve individuals who are blind on a limited basis in most communities through out the state. These services are only called upon occasionally because of the limited availability of the vans. Once again, the UCB is working to develop partnerships to increase services for people who are blind by fully utilizing existing programs.
Readers
One of the most popular programs provided by the organization has been the subsidized reader program which provides a small reimbursement to people to read mail and help with personal correspondence. This program is especially appreciated by the elderly who have no one to assist them. The Reader service, like most programs provided by the UCB, is available throughout the state. The participant is asked to pay a portion of the cost of the reading time. The reader is selected by the member for privacy reasons. However, the volunteer program helps identify people to serve in these programs as well as in the many other areas where volunteers are vital to the continued efforts of the UCB to provide a means for people who are blind to become independent. By sharing in the cost of the reader, the participant feels comfortable about asking for assistance because the reader is receiving a small token for the time. Unfortunately, this program is dependent upon the efforts of the members to fund raise since no grants are specifically designated for it. This means that its continuation is dependent on a tenuous source of funding and, therefore, its continued existence is uncertain.
Braille Literacy
In recognition of the alarming growth in the numbers of people
who are blind and who cannot read braille, The UCB is seeking ways
to promote braille literacy among people who have experienced sight
loss. The organization applied for and received four grants to
encourage the reading of braille. three of these grants will allow
people who are blind of all ages to afford the expensive process of
having print material transcribed into braille or to purchase
braille books which are already embossed. For many, this is the
only means they have to have personal materials in a form they can
read themselves. The growth in the number of people seeking these
braille materials during the year along with the ever more diverse
nature of the requests, overwhelmingly indicates the need for
braille readers to be able to have print materials accessed in
braille. The grants made it possible for individuals to have
wills, recipes, text books, letters, special diet books,
educational materials, and many more items transcribed into
braille.
Organizations working with people who are blind unanimously
agree that braille literacy has reached an all time low throughout
the entire nation. It has long been proven that the most
successful people who have lost their sight read and write braille
fluently. The UCB sought and received a grant to help remedy this
problem.
Another grant was received to pay tutors who read and write braille to work with young people who are blind to improve their braille skills. Four tutors who are blind have offered to serve in this capacity. Unfortunately, to date, there has not been an interest among parents, students, or teachers in taking advantage of this service. The grant extends into 2008 which means the tutoring service will be available for another six months. During this time, the UCB plans a more intensive awareness campaign to stimulate interest and participation.
Adult UCB members who are blind volunteered as judges in an annual state wide braille literacy competition for K-12 students who are blind. The competition was held in Salt Lake City and sponsored by the Utah School for the Blind. The organization contributed prizes to outstanding braille readers who competed. Of the nearly fifty students of all ages who participated, there were only a few who could read and write at grade level. The UCB will continue to seek the means to improve literacy among people who are blind.
Communication
Communication among its members is recognize by the UCB as vital to creating an informed community of blind people. It is also essential if the organization is to continue to provide needed and worthwhile services. As a part of the effort to disperse information, volunteers who are blind edited and produced ten newsletters to its members in five different formats: braille, large print, cassette, computer disc, and e-mail.
Membership growth and reduced income created a funding problem which prevented the publication of the traditional twelve monthly newsletters. A mailing also went to 7,000 people with sight loss throughout the state describing the services of the UCB and providing information on issues affecting people who are blind. In addition, an Annual Report was distributed to supporters of the organization concerning the functions and services provided during 2006.
A recorded message announcing issues concerning people who are blind was updated weekly on a statewide WATTS line, the Utah Connection, (800) 237-4569 or locally, (801) 299-0670. Members are encouraged to use this message for time limited information and when the news letter is not available. The message is very user friendly to all ages.
The UCB web site:
www.acb.org/utah
is established and a person is in place to maintain and or expand it. A web site, www.bvisu.org, has been established and maintained by volunteers providing information about the organization's youth group, Blind and Visually Impaired Students of Utah (BVISU), and its many
activities.
Educational/Social/Recreational Activities
Blind and sighted volunteers worked together to organized and directed educational/social/recreational activities for the members of the organization along with their families and friends.
These included the following wide variety of events:
a day at Lagoon shared with the Ogden Association of the Blind which provided lunch,
a night at the opera which offered descriptive narration and an opportunity to touch the costumes,
a day at the Utah State Fair along with a guide to describe the displays, and
a Christmas shopping trip with the benefit of a sighted guide to describe the merchandise.
People who are blind met for a game day which included lunch and the opportunity to learn how to play games made accessible for people who are losing their sight. Youth volunteers from "Upward Bound" served lunch, helped teach the games and participated as competitors.
In 2006, the youth group (BVISU) sponsored workshops to teach people about writing, and how to get their manuscripts published.
As a follow up, a day of learning more about writing and publishing manuscripts was offered. Several hopeful authors reviewed their materials with the Publishers. A portion of the day focused on the impact of body language on those who can see. Those who attended were invited to review their own body language and discuss the message they were conveying. The goal of the instructor was to increase awareness of body language as well as to teach acceptable behaviors to people who cannot see how they appear to others.
Members of all ages were guests at the Museum of Fine Arts at the University of Utah for a hands on tour of both ancient and modern statues, carvings and artifacts. This was very much a learning experience for both the docents who guided small groups of people who were blind from one exhibit to the next as well as for those who touched these rare objects for the first time. Because of this unprecedented event, both television and newspapers covered the event to share in the impact of this unique experience.
Both youth and adults participated in a day of learning crafts which included instruction from University of Utah engineering students in the building and use of catapaults. A catapault competition followed. Members also learned to dip chocolates, make tactile greeting cards and to make Christmas decorations and gifts.
Everyone of all ages visited the Benson grist Mill near Tooele where hands-on tours were given. Pioneer experiences and tasks were performed in the old ways. Shopping at the farmers' market and exploring the gift shop were highlights of the day. Volunteers from a Salt Lake Youth Center acted as guides and then served lunch. The event provided a unique learning opportunity for everyone involved.
In June, members and their families were invited to attend the Scottish Festival held at Thanksgiving Point. Those who took advantage of this opportunity were encouraged to touch artifacts which included weapons, armor, hand woven materials, and clothing displayed at booths and in Clan tents. Several Clan members offered to allow a hands-on inspection of their authentic costumes. Both american and scottish food was available and bagpipes played everywhere. Even though no one among the members participated, a variety of Scottish games impressed everyone with the competitors' strength and agility.
In December, the UCB held its annual Christmas party. This year, the party was sponsored by the Utah County Members of the UCB. Activities included Christmas dinner, musical entertainment, and a visit from Santa. For the fifth year in a row, a West Valley ward from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints volunteered to serve the more than two hundred people who are blind who attended. In recognition of this service, the UCB awarded the bishop with a gift and the title he chose to give himself as "official Water boy". Many donated gifts were given as door prizes including turkeys and a lap top computer. A Utah County high school sewing class made stockings which were handed out filled with treats.
Members who are blind had the opportunity to sell their hand made items as christmas presents. There was also a bake sale with various fund raising items for sale. A member of the Board who is deaf/blind made two quilts and an afghan which were auctioned to raise funds for the organization. Members gave generously to two sub-for-santas to help three needy families. Santa visited the children and promised to visit them soon.
In addition to these family oriented activities which also
included the youth, the UCB sponsored several activities meant just
for young people who are blind ranging in age from five years to
twenty-five. Youth with sight loss participated with the support of
an Upward Bound youth group in a very challenging sleighing experience. The same group volunteered to take them bowling at the
University of Utah later in the year. In the summer, a group of youth went kayaking in conjunction with "Common Ground" in Logan.
In October, another group of volunteers assisted with a day long adventure at Lagoon's Fright Mares. The year ended with a Christmas hay ride. These events were significant in that they
exposed youngsters who are blind to a variety of challenging experiences in the company of their peers as well as in that of adults who are also blind who served as role models. Significant leadership was demonstrated by those youth who helped plan and organize these events.
In order to support these activities, funding was obtained through grants, volunteer assistance saved expense and the youth paid their own fees. Besides participating in many of these activities, volunteers provided transportation, guidance and other support.
Arts for People Who are Blind
It is an ongoing goal of the UCB to involve the blind
community in the arts. The ceramics class held at the Utah State
Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Salt
Lake city, Has been part of an effort begun twenty-one years ago to
develop the creativity of People who are blind. The Salt Lake City
Arts Council has been an ongoing supporter of this effort. People
of all ages have learned to work in both ceramic and porcelain. The challenge of painting an object in detail has been met. Many of
excelled to such a degree that they have entered their work in local shows as well as county and State fairs receiving high
recognition in blue ribbons and trophies. Some of the students have sold their art for a small additional income. Several have contributed their work to be sold at the Festival of trees. The class has made items for awards to outstanding individuals who had significantly assisted the blind including the Governor's Wife Mary Kay Huntsman and various other officials who have contributed their support to the organization.
In addition to this artistic experience, The organization was also able to once again arrange for a special night at the opera where the people who are blind were able to touch the costumes
before the performance and to read the script in braille or listen to a narration.
Tickets were also made available for all interested people who are blind to attend two plays at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Conference Center at which they were invited to a pre-play viewing of the stage, props, and costumes. Narration was also provided at these plays.
An anonymous donor provided ten season tickets to the Utah Symphony for people who are blind and their guides. These tickets were distributed to as many people as possible to allow a maximum number of people this opportunity. The generosity of this individual benefited many people who are blind as well as supported the Utah Symphony.
Statewide Convention
In May, the UCB held a two day State Wide Convention in Salt Lake City for all people who are blind living in Utah. The event began at the Utah State division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired and concluded at the Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City. The primary focus of the convention was low vision, its causes, treatment, and technological developments meant to enhance vision. However, other issues concerning sight loss such as the latest development in library services, adaptive technology, transportation, and social security were explored. Two doctors specializing in vision loss addressed the participants and answered questions. A representative from the Seeing Eye school for dog guides addressed the advantages and commitment involved in using a dog guide. Interested conventioneers were offered mini courses in doing Genealogy on a computer using speech technology. Saturday afternoon featured several hours of hands-on exploration of the latest developments in adaptive technology for people who are blind.
On Friday night, The organizations Albert and Sara Talmadge awards were given to both a person who is sighted and a person who is blind in recognition of their many years of dedicated service to people who are blind. Six outstanding students who are blind were recognized for their scholastic ability and awarded the Poulson Family scholarships in the amounts of $1,000 $1,500, and $2,000. the audience was then entertained by a comedy group which involved all audience members.
The convention culminated in a banquet and keynote speaker, Mr. Michael Hingson, blind survivor of the collapse of the World Trade Center Twin Towers. His account of his escape with his guide dog held everyone enthralled and was overwhelmingly moving to all of those who attended.
Member Involvement
The ongoing need to develop leadership and to involve people who have recently lost their sight in the programs of the organization, were addressed in nearly every function of the UCB. Every activity offered the opportunity for skill development and exposure to role models who have sight loss and live independently. Members who are blind or visually impaired were also sent to receive training at the National Convention of the American Council of the Blind (ACB). Among the Utahns who attended this convention was one of the VISTA workers who received assistance from the Americorps program. Those who attended returned with information to share with the blind community and a strengthened commitment to carrying on the work of the organization.
Volunteer Opportunity
The UCB has worked in conjunction with the courts to provide service opportunities for those who wish to be volunteers as part of their Correctional program. Some of these individuals have found the service rewarding and have continued to work with members of the organization. Other correctional facilities have offered their services as volunteers to act as guides, serve meals, send out mailings etc.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints volunteered to teach crafts, assist with youth activities, serve meals and prepare membership mailings. Many also donated transportation, baked goods for sales and made monetary donations. One Scout earned his Eagle by providing service to people who are blind by reading print materials on to cassette tapes.
Other volunteer groups from the community, churches, and universities have provided transportation, served meals, acted as guides, taught classes and generally participated in the activity with those who are blind.
Technology
As developing Technology has become increasingly available to
people who are blind, the organization has recognized the independence possible for people who have lost their sight if they can but access it. For five years the UCB has provided individual
assistance in identifying affordable screen reader technology to help the blind access computers. Sources of affordable computers have been made available. A variety of donated adaptive aids such as CC TV's which enlarge print, motorized scooters, and talking calculators have been placed with individuals who haven't any other resources to acquire these very expensive devices. Members of the UCB believe that access to computers will not only make people who are blind more employable, but will increase independence in their personal Lives.
Community Involvement
As part of its effort to become involved in the community, the UCB authorized a number of its members who have sight loss to represent it on a variety of advisory committees in both the private and public sector. UCB representatives served on such councils and committees as the Advisory Council to the Utah Transit Authority, Senator Hatch's Advisory Council of the Disabled, The Lieutenant Governor's Committee on Accessible Voting, and both Advisory Councils to the Utah State Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Utah State Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled. Members serve on the Institutional Council to the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind and have testified before the Utah Board of Education as to the needs of students who are blind. Members were also asked to speak for people who are blind at the state legislature, and at a variety of schools, clubs, and organizations concerning blindness.
A growing concern of the blind community is the lack of skills demonstrated by youth who are blind graduating from high school and seeking higher education. The UCB is working with a group representing agencies for the blind and visually impaired and the blind community to identify the problems and develop a plan to address the various issues. UCB members have been assigned to a variety of committees to develop solutions and recommendations to solving these problems.
The organization is also working to eliminate barriers in the community by supporting audible signals at dangerous street crossings where individual safety is threatened by trains or automobiles. Every effort is being made to identify these locations and to encourage the installation of these safety devices.
In October, to celebrate White Cane day, the UCB sponsored a day with the Utah Transit Authority (UTA), and the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) to identify dangerous or inaccessible situations where people who are blind and who use a white cane could not access transportation or safely cross streets. A group of youngsters from Granit School District and their mobility instructors joined adult members of the UCB to demonstrate the use of the white cane and to identify barriers created in the community by both UTA and UDOT. At the end of the activity, both agencies had a better understanding of the issues facing the blind traveler, whether that person uses a white cane or a dog guide. UCB members will be working with UTA to make Commuter Rail accessible for people who are blind.
Information and Referral
One of the most frequently used services of the UCB is that of information and referral. On a daily basis, the UCB volunteers provide information concerning available services and describes the requirements for obtaining them. Requests are extremely varied and include such issues as what does one do with a puppy which is blind. How does one obtain library, telephone directory information, and medical care services. where does one obtain magnifiers, talking devices, money to purchase these, training for reading braille, cooking, traveling, dressing, and a job. What can a child or a senior who is blind do to keep busy? Volunteers answer these questions and many more, or research the answers.
The other vital portion of this service is that of referral. Individuals are directed to the agency or service which offers the best solution to the problem. When possible, Alternatives are discussed so that the individual has a choice. People who have experienced sight loss are referred to services for training, technology, support services, funding sources, legal services, housing resources, guide dog schools, schools, job opportunities, etc.
Upon request the Organization has provided volunteer advocates who have accompanied individuals for support or to offer expertise. Although in past years this has included court visits, this year these have been limited to individual support in developing training, employment, and/or education plans and in housing issues. In these situations, the rights of the individual are protected and needed services planned. Training is also provided to individuals so that they can advocate for themselves since independence is always an essential consideration as the major mission of the organization.
It has long been clear to the organization that more funding and volunteer hours are needed if all of these goals are to be reached. In order to begin this ongoing process, the UCB applied for and received two VISTA Workers who are focused on outreach and increasing the independence of people who are blind in the community. Two People who have sight loss have been hired and have begun to work on behalf of people who are blind. With their help, the work of the UCB will move forward reaching more of those who are waiting for this support.
During the past year the VISTA workers have begun identifying charitable foundations whose community support might include assistance to people who are blind. An outreach program to seniors initiated by them has begun to distribute information about sight loss and how and where to obtain assistance and additional information. Identifying and cataloging the availability of accessible housing, transportation, and employment resources are of primary concern for these workers. in order for people who are blind to be independent, Jobs have been identified by the workers and several people with sight loss have found employment. A community education program has begun with the placement of members on transportation committees throughout the community to educate and make plans for accessibility for people who are blind.
One of the VISTA workers has begun identifying youth of transition age and initiated training to prepare them for independent living. a capital campaign has begun to develop a training center and athletic program for people who are blind.
Future Efforts
Although the UCB manages to provide a variety of services to people who have lost their sight, there are many more unmet needs. the organization has identified several major concerns which it plans to continue to address or upon which it will focus more of its efforts in the upcoming year. The first is the ongoing transportation problem facing the blind. The programs currently provided by the UCB barely scratch the surface of the tremendous need in the state for a means for people who are blind to get to work, school, stores and doctors. This is particularly a problem in the rural areas where public transportation is practically nonexistent. With the cuts made by UTA in service which have left many people who are blind without transportation. The organization will be seeking funds and organizing people who have experienced significant sight loss in Utah communities to expand its transportation efforts so that people who are blind can be more independent in their communities.
Another area requiring funding and special attention is that of transition for youth who are blind . For a variety of reasons, such as a lack of information and programs, fear, and even poverty, children who have lost their sight are leaving school unprepared to survive in the real world. Restrictive lifestyles prevents them from experiencing many things as well as learning of their own abilities. They need to know what people who have lost sight are able to accomplish. Uninformed parents and service providers are often major parts of the problem. In order to assist with this transition, the UCB is continuing to initiate and sponsor activities which expose youngsters who have sight loss to a variety of, heretofore, unknown life experiences. An integral part of these activities will be exposure to and interaction with adult role models who are blind and, who will by example, demonstrate all of those things a person who is blind can accomplish. There will continue to be an opportunity for the youth to interact with their peers to share common experiences and challenges. Where possible, parents and other family members will be included in activities to increase their awareness and expectations for their family member who has lost sight.
As part of its efforts to promote braille literacy among those
people who are blind, the UCB plans to provide incentives to
encourage the reading of braille. It will support laws which will
make more braille materials available to the blind. Efforts will
be continued to protect braille from radical changes which will
create even more illiteracy among the blind if they are allowed to
be carried out. It has long been proven that a person who is blind
and who reads braille is more likely to be successfully and
gainfully employed. This fact along with the additional
independence and opportunities braille reading opens to individuals
who are blind places braille literacy high among the goals of the
organization again this year.
The UCB will, with the assistance of foundations and
individual contributors, continue to provide needed services to
people who are blind throughout Utah communities. All of its funds
and volunteer efforts will focus on improving the lives of people
who are blind no matter their age, sex, beliefs, or ethnic background.
Funding
Program funding demands a major portion of the volunteer hours
contributed to the UCB. Most of the programs and services are
dependent on grants and donations from foundations and private donors. However many services require fund raising efforts in the form of bake sales, auctions, spaghetti dinners, and the sale of various items such as Happenings Books, candles, hand made items, etc. Auto donations are also sought to support the programs of the organization. Since the UCB is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all donations are tax deductible.
COMMUNITY Support
George S. & Dolores Dor‚ Eccles Foundation
Marriner S. Eccles Foundation
Ruth Eleanor Bamberger & John Ernest Bamberger Memorial Foundation
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Braille Literacy Fund
Henry W. & Leslie M. Eskuche foundation
Visually Handicapped Trust fund
Boeing Foundation
R. Harold Burton Foundation
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Foundation
Tanner Charitable Foundation
Community Shares of Utah
Morgan Stanley Foundation
GMC Bank
Michael Foundation
Cumming Foundation
Norda Foundation
Individual Donations
A variety of in kind donations and goods to be distributed to people who are blind.
UCB is a member of Community Shares/Utah.
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