This years convention will be held May 16 and 17. May 16...registration will begin at 9:00 a.m., Sandy England will welcome everyone at 10:00 a.m., the days activities will conclude at 7:30 p.m.
May 17...activities will begin at 8:00 a.m., Sandy England will welcome everyone at 8:30 a.m. and the day will conclude at 6:00 p.m.
This years Cost for the convention, which includes a ticket to the Michael Ballam concert Thursday night, May 15th, will be $45. The Convention will be held at the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, located at, 250 North 1950 West, Salt Lake City. No money will be collected at the door for meals, so your reservation must be received by May 8, 2008.
A silent auction and bake sale will help raise funds for upcoming needs of the Utah Council of the Blind.
Days Inn at 1900 West North Temple has agreed to offer a discount to those who may want to stay in the area for convention activities. They can be reached by calling 801-539-8538. A discounted room rate of $57 has been offered, this includes the taxes. The hotel has requested that you call for reservations by May 1st. You’ll need your credit card to reserve your room. Also let them know you’re with the Utah Council of the Blind. There are a limited number of rooms available so reserve as soon as possible.
Baby sitting will be provided on Saturday at no charge, please let us know if you will need this service.
People who arrive early will be included in a drawing for door prizes. Donations are being accepted for door prizes. If you have something you would like to contribute please contact Sandy England at 801-282-1905. She is also your contact for baked goods and silent auction items. All proceeds go to the Utah Council of the Blind and are used for the blind here in Utah.
Bring friends and family and listen to some wonderful speakers, including a KDYL Radio personality and Marti Skold from Channel 4.
Speakers will include:
J.G. Farr
J.G. Farr is the director of the U Online Positive Psychology Series and an adjunct online clinical faculty member in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Utah. She trains online instructors and designs new Web CT courses. She earned her graduate degree in Educational Psychology (general counseling with a specialty in educational administration) at the University of Utah and received training as a mentor at Western Governors University. She has taught forgiveness seminars for senior centers, assisted living centers, community centers, and the Utah Courts. Her publications include the Utah Career Guide and articles on distance education and forgiveness. She was selected as a panelist on “Best Practices in Online Teaching” for the University of Utah’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in 2007. She was also invited to be a radio and television spot announcer for Bonneville Communications and has served as a KSL News radio guest speaker.
Kelly DeHaan.
Kelly DeHaan received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in choral education and choral conducting from the University of Utah. Kelly has been teaching high school choir at his beloved West Jordan High School since 1997 and is devoted to his students. Shortly after receiving his BA, Kelly was recruited to be the assistant accompanist for the Utah Symphony Chorus. Kelly has been seen on stage at many of the local theaters in the Salt Lake Valley. He has also musically directed many shows at the Grand Theater, the Hale Centre Theatre, the Egyptian Theater, and at the Conference Center Theater. Kelly is a sought after vocal teacher and coach. He is a respected clinician and accompanist, and has been on the selection committee for the Young Performing Missionaries in Nauvoo Illinois. Kelly is also a busy studio musician and was a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. In 2005, he had the distinct honor of being the conductor for the 16,000 voice Day of Celebration Choir. Kelly has been conducting the Sterling Singers, a high quality community choir, since 1996, and has prepared and performed many major works, including the debut of Crawford Gates’ “Joseph, Joseph”.
Board Member: Kira Larken.
My name is Kira Larken, for the last four years I’ve had the pleasure of serving as vice president on the UCB board. During my time as vice president, I have helped with activities, spoken at legislative events, assisted with fund raising, been to National Convention several times and planned a state convention. The end of my term is approaching and I would like to serve on the board again, either as vice president or a board member. I appreciate your support and have enjoyed serving on the UCB board. Kira Larken.
Board Member: Belva Frandsen.
I’ve served on the UCB board for several years, and been involved with national committees and served in other areas state wide. I appreciate the work I’ve been able to do and would like to serve another year as a UCB board member. Thank you for your support, Belva Frandsen.
Board Member: Grace Goff.
I have enjoyed the time I’ve spent working with the UCB board of directors. I appreciate the help the UCB and the blind have been to me since I’ve lost my vision. I’d like to give back to the community with service and assisting with things the board does. I would appreciate an opportunity to continue to serve. Thank you, Grace Goff.
Board Member: Verlyn Baldwin.
Verlyn Baldwin feels she would be an excellent addition to the UCB Board of Directors based on her past and current experiences. Verlyn had 20/20 vision until the age of twenty-eight. The following five years would take her from high partial vision to complete blindness without light perception due to an unusual case of RP. During her life experiences she has had Type 1 Diabetes; been a dog guide handler; a member of ACB in the states of California and Utah; a college graduate; completed training and adjustment courses at the Davidson Program for Independence based in Los Angeles as well as the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Salt Lake City. She has served as a chairperson on the Board of Directors at Guide Dogs of the Desert; worked in the position of a Peer Counselor for the Red Rock Center for Independence located in St. George; and is currently working as the Front Desk Receptionist for the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Salt Lake City. As a result of these experiences she feels she can relate to a vast majority of those members served by the Utah Council of the Blind. With anticipation of serving as a UCB Board member, Verlyn will endevor to assure that the current programs such as the "Reader-Driver" program; the "Cab-Coupon" program and the UCB Credit Union continue to be provided. She also feels strongly regarding the improvement of the Flex-Trans service; adherence to the American Disabilities Act; and proper treatment and protection of service animals. A vote for Verlyn Baldwin is a vote for a person possessing characteristics of integrity, honesty, reliability and responsibility.
TREASURER: Vicki L. Flake.
I have served as Treasurer on the UCB Board of Directors off and on over the past thirty years and would appreciate your support, once again, in electing me to fill this position. Most of you know me and have heard my voice reading reports and expressing my opinions for years, so I will not reiterate them here, except to say that I am committed to being a voice for professionalism and responsibility on the board.
THURSDAY APRIL 3, 2008
LOGAN, UT 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Utah State Office of Rehabilitation
115 W Golf Course Road #D,
Logan, UT 84321-5984
THURSDAY APRIL 10, 2008
PRICE, UT 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Utah State Office of Rehabilitation
662 West Price River Drive,
Price UT 84501-2839
THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2008
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Utah State Office of Rehabilitation
5522 S 3200 W,
West Valley, UT 84118
THURSDAY APRIL 24, 2008
ST GEORGE, UT 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Utah State Office of Rehabilitation
965 E 700 S #202,
St George, UT 84790
Copies of current state plans are available at local vocational rehabilitation offices throughout the state. Alternative format is available by contacting: Dee MacLee, (801)538-7531 one week prior to hearing. Written comments may be submitted to the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, 250 E 500 S, PO box 144200, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4200, Prior to May 16, 2008.
If you think your writing skills are a little rusty, sign up for the workshops offered by the SLCC Community Writing Center. Call Levi Webb at 363-1347 or e-mail lwebb@disabilitylawcenter.org to register for the workshops.
Plans are still under way for lunch and bingo at noon that day. Watch future newsletters or listen to the Utah Connection for the cost of lunch and other details about Lagoon.
CC TVP:
The UCB has a CC TV for persons with low vision. This magnification TV is available to whoever has the greatest financial need and who can benefit from its type of enlargement. Call the UCB for more information.
7-Eleven has installed the new devices at more than 2,000 stores in the U.S. Over the next 18 months, all flat-screen devices in 7-Eleven’s 5,500 .S. stores will be replaced with the tactile units. Today’s announcement is the result of collaboration between 7-Eleven and blindness organizations including the American Council of the Blind (ACB), the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), and the California Council of the Blind (CCB).
Speaking for the organizations, ACB President Mitch Pomerantz praised 7-Eleven, saying, “Blind customers across the country will benefit from 7-Eleven’s decision to replace technology that cannot be used by customers who cannot see information on a flat screen.”
Pomerantz added, “7-Eleven has set an example for other retailers by recognizing that persons with visual impairments should not have to disclose confidential information when purchasing products and services.”
7-Eleven is also ensuring that the ATMs and V com machines in its stores nationwide are accessible as well. ATMs and V coms in 7-Eleven stores will contain a “talking ATM” function, allowing independent use by blind customers.
Access Utah would like you to participate in their survey located at :Survey Monkey Please take the time to respond to their inquiry. These surveys do help protect the services provided.
Have you received email with a similar message? It's a scam called "phishing" - and it involves Internet fraudsters who send spam or pop-up messages to lure personal information (credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, passwords, or other sensitive information) from unsuspecting victims. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, phishers send an email or pop-up message that claims to be from a business or organization that you may deal with - for example, an Internet service provider (ISP), bank, online payment service, or even a government agency. The message may ask you to "update," "validate," or "confirm" your account information. Some phishing emails threaten a dire consequence if you don't respond. The messages direct you to a website that looks just like a legitimate organization's site. But it isn't. It's a bogus site whose sole purpose is to trick you into divulging your personal information so the operators can steal your identity and run up bills or commit crimes in your name. The FTC suggests these tips to help you avoid getting hooked by a phishing scam: If you get an email or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply. And don't click on the link in the message, either. Legitimate companies don't ask for this information via email. If you are concerned about your account, contact the organization mentioned in the email using a telephone number you know to be genuine, or open a new Internet browser session and type in the company's correct Web address yourself. In any case, don't cut and paste the link from the message into your Internet browser - phishers can make links look like they go to one place, but that actually send you to a different site. Area codes can mislead. Some scammers send an email that appears to be from a legitimate business and ask you to call a phone number to update your account or access a "refund." Because they use Voice Over Internet Protocol technology, the area code you call does not reflect where the scammers really are. If you need to reach an organization you do business with, call the number on your financial statements or on the back of your credit card. In any case, delete random emails that ask you to confirm or divulge your financial information. Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall, and update them all regularly. Some phishing emails contain software that can harm your computer or track your activities on the Internet without your knowledge. Anti-virus software and a firewall can protect you from inadvertently accepting such unwanted files. Anti-virus software scans incoming communications for troublesome files. Look for antivirus software that recognizes current viruses as well as older ones; that can effectively reverse the damage; and that updates automatically. A firewall helps make you invisible on the Internet and blocks all communications from unauthorized sources. It's especially important to run a firewall if you have a broadband connection. Operating systems (like Windows or Linux) or browsers (like Internet Explorer or Netscape) also may offer free software "patches" to close holes in the system that hackers or phishers could exploit. Don't email personal or financial information. Email is not a secure method of transmitting personal information. If you initiate a transaction and want to provide your personal or financial information through an organization's website, look for indicators that the site is secure, like a lock icon on the browser's status bar or a URL for a website that begins "https:" (the "s" stands for "secure"). Unfortunately, no indicator is foolproof; some phishers have forged security icons. Review credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them to check for unauthorized charges. If your statement is late by more than a couple of days, call your credit card company or bank to confirm your billing address and account balances. Be cautious about opening any attachment or downloading any files from emails you receive, regardless of who sent them. These files can contain viruses or other software that can weaken your computer's security. Forward spam that is phishing for information to mailto:spam@uce.gov> spam@uce.gov and to the company, bank, or organization impersonated in the phishing email. Most organizations have information on their websites about where to report problems. If you believe you've been scammed, file your complaint at complaint at ftc.gov>FTC complaints
and then visit the FTC's Identity Theft website at FTC ID theft
Victims of phishing can become victims of identity theft. While you can't entirely control whether you will become a victim of identity theft, you can take some steps to minimize your risk. If an identity thief is opening credit accounts in your name, these new accounts are likely to show up on your credit report. You may catch an incident early if you order a free copy of your credit report periodically from any of the three major credit bureaus. See Annual credit report
for details on ordering a free annual credit report. You can learn other ways to avoid email scams and deal with deceptive spam at FTC spam
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint, go to:FTC complaints
Or to get free information on consumer issues, visit
FTC Consumer page
Call the FTC toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
TTY: 1-866-653-4261.
The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into
Consumer Sentinel
a secure online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
October 2006
Mark S. Quigley, Director of External Affairs, National Council on Disability,
1331 F Street, NW Suite 850, Washington, DC 20004,
202-272-2008,
NCD web site