The UCB Flier

A publication of
The Utah Council of the Blind
AUGUST 2008

For the latest news updates call:

The Utah Connection at 299-0670 or 1-800-273-4569. You may also leave a message at the end of the announcement.

In This Issue

President's Message
Tactilely Distinguishable Currency
Fellow Residents of Salt Lake County
August Activity
September Activity
Utah State Fair
2009 Happenings Books Are Here
What's New With UTA
2008 Governors Medal for Science and Technology Awards
Crashing Through Award
Art Creations by the Disabled
Congress Overrides Bush's Cuts
Improve Web Accessibility
UCB Fundraiser

President’s Message

Although it didn't seem like it, July was a busy month for the UCB. Several Board members were able to attend the National ACB Convention in Kentucky. Board members attended the general sessions for half the day and then broke into meetings concerning other issues that affect the blind such as membership, transportation and rehabilitation to name a few. I attended the president's meeting and came home with some information as well. The issues ACB is concerned with are getting our name out there and finding ways to get new active membership, fund raising opportunities, and advocating for needs of blind individuals in this nation. The presidents' were reminded that ACB is a grass-routes organization. The staff can advocate for us, but we as a state affiliate, as well as each consumer, need to advocate for ourselves. Our message needs to be heard loud and clear. Our national leaders, our state legislators and other officials will be more likely to respond when they feel we are involved and care about the issues concerning our needs. They need to experience feedback from each individual involved to understand the magnitude of our concerns. An example is the ACB winning in the courts regarding accessible currency. This could not have been accomplished without people working together and talking to those who have the power to make something happen where this is concerned.
The 2009 ACB national convention will be in Orlando, Florida. Start to plan now to attend. Prepare the way and make it happen. There is so much good information that comes out of these conferences that makes it worth while to attend.
Our executive committee has also been working with the Board on a training that will help prepare individuals to chair committees that can offer new ideas and make assignments for the activities and concerns we will be addressing in the upcoming year. We would love more involvement from our membership. If you would like to serve on one of these committees, please contact a Board member and let them know. Your involvement can be to any extent you have the time to give. We need help with legislative advocacy, transportation, membership, awards, convention planning, activities, fund raising, grant possibilities, bylaws, calling friends to let them know of activities and, last but not least, always promoting the UCB. It is important to get our name out their in a positive manner. It is important that people know who we are and what we do.
In future issues of this newsletter, look for a list of committees, and committee chairs. The chairs will be looking for help, so please consider becoming an active member by volunteering. This organization has no paid employees, so it is important that people feel a part and take part in the things we work to accomplish. We need to be proud of who we are as the UCB!
Cindi Vega, President

Tactilely Distinguishable Currency

The hearing on tactilely distinguishable currency is now archived on the house committee on financial services website in its entirety. It can be found at the following link: www.house.gov/apps/list/hearing/financialsvcs_dem/hr073008.shtml
It is broken down by speaker, if you only want to hear specific people.

Fellow Residents of Salt Lake County

I would like to encourage you to participate in the November 2008 election. Regardless of how you are registered, or who you favor, your vote must be counted for you to make a difference. When I talk to my friends, neighbors, associates, and read the papers, the following issues always seem to be discussed, Economy, Education, Energy, environment, and health care. Whether or not the legislature tackles these in alphabetical order depends a lot on who you and I elect. If you are not already registered to vote, you can do so now, over the Internet, by clicking on this link:
https://secure.slco.org/cl/voterreg/
Once registered, you can choose to vote by mail. To learn more about the Permanent Vote By Mail program, click on this link:
www.clerk.slco.org/elections/html/perm_votebymail.htm I cannot stres enough, the vote by mail program supported by our SLCO Clerk, Sherrie Swensen. Many recent elections seem to be won by well organized, liberal, special interest groups, who up to now have had a free ride into public office, mostly by virtue of so many voters not voting. By having the ballot sent directly to you, in the middle of October, you have several weeks to complete it and drop it in the mail. No long lines, no having to drive to the polls on a cold November morning, and no hassle with registration issues from the election judges. All legally registered voters qualify to have their ballot sent to their home. If you have any questions on the vote by mail program, please call the SLCO Clerk's office at (801) 468-3427.
Thank you for taking the time to familiarize yourself with this option and take a minute to call your friends and let them know about this vote by mail program. Let's all do what we can to get out and vote in November.
A Concerned Citizen

August Activity

Have you ever wanted to get your hands on a steering wheel, your feet on the pedals, and just go? Well, bring $25 and come join us for an opportunity to drive a four-wheeler!
This activity is actually scheduled for Saturday, August 9, but some people may go up the evening before and sleep out overnight. If you are interested in attending, please call TerriLynne at (801) 299-8522 in order to work out the details of when you would like to arrive and the driving site.

September Activity

This is The Place Heritage Park, 2601 East Sunnyside Avenue, (across from Hogle Zoo). This will take place on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. until 1:p.m. The cost will be $6.00 per person. Everyone will have the opportunity to try their hand at some typical pioneer activities such as attending old time school and beating the rugs. We'll participate in 4 separate activities, take a ride on the train around the park, and finish things off with a picnic lunch.
If you have transportation issues, call TerriLynne at (801) 299-8522.

Utah State Fair

On September 10th, the members of the UCB and their friends are invited to visit the Utah State Fair for only $1 per person. Each individual is allowed a guide for whom they need to pay $1 as well. Everyone will meet at the South East corner of the Fair Grounds, 1000 W. North Temple, at 5:30 p.m. We are required to enter together, so we will gather at 5:30 p.m. and enter at 6:00 p.m. Bring your own guide if possible. You must request a guide if you need one. We will have a few extras.
Please send your money to 1301 W 500 S, Woods Cross, UT 84087 to hold a place. Call (801) 292-1156 or the Utah Connection to arrange for a guide.
After entering the Fair you will be on your own and can leave when you want. Please provide your own transportation.

2009 Happenings Books are Here

Once again the UCB will have Happenings books for $20 each. . They will be available at the UCB office when you pick up your cab coupons or you can have them mailed for an additional $4. Remember these books are great because they offer discounted services and vacation specials along with dining opportunities for buy-one-get-one free. Just eat out twice and you have paid for the book and helped the UCB at the same time. Get your friends to buy one too and then you can double date. Order yours by calling the Utah Connection, visit the office on Wednesday or call (801) 292-1156. Remember, Buy a book all money goes back to support you in all the efforts of the UCB. What a great investment!

What'sNew With UTA?

Since UTA’s Board of Trustees will not hold UTA’s High Paid Executives nor the Wasatch Front Regional Council (made up of Elected Officials)accountable, we must do what we can to hold them accountable. Our transit system is letting the public down.
Efforts are being made to divert attention away from public need to the monetary gains of those developing Trax and the areas around the Trax system. We need to hold our Elected Officials accountable. Corporations and Businesses are controlling our Government, not the people. Because of mismanagement, aggressive elimination of bus routes and unjustified fare increases are destroying the Bus System. Executives Salaries and Bonuses are available on the internet. We have a duty and an obligation to make these executives accountable for their earnings. The taxpayers are paying their wages, yet we’re suffering the wrath of their lack of desire to give full attention to the justification of our concerns. Maybe we should require them, as a condition of their employment, to use the system they consider to be so accommodating? Why not? Maybe if they were required they’d get involved.

John Inglish General Manager Salary $266,614
Bonus $39,860
Other Incentives $60,526
Total $367,000

Regional General Manager (3) Salary $120,509
Bonus $16,193
Other Incentives $26,000
Total $162,702

Chief Capital Development Officer Salary $155,886
Bonus $26,890
Other Incentives $26,000
Total $208,778

Support Service General Manager Salary $152,581
Bonus $22,887
Other Incentives $26,000
Total $201,468

Rail Service General Manager Salary $140,292
Bonus $21,745
Other Incentives $26,000
Total $188,037

Chief Technology Officer Salary $135,550
Bonus $20,332
Other Incentives $26,000
Total $181,882

Chief Comm. Officer Salary $115,000
Bonus $17,250
Other Incentives $11,600
Total $143,856

REMEMBER, this is all at the taxpayers expense. If we had the option to drive around in our own cars, maybe that would be our choice, but we don’t have the luxury of that option. Let’s at least do what we can to have a worthy system.
Go to transitridersunion.blogstot.com.
Transit Riders Union (801)688-0810
E-mail tammidiaz1962@hotmail.com

2008 Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology Awards

"Dave Fletcher" dfletcher@utah.gov 7/11/2008 4:46 PM This notification is being distributed from the State Science Advisor, 2008 Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology Awards Nominations for Governors Medals now being accepted.
Salt Lake City. -The Utah State Advisory Council on Science and Technology is accepting nominations for the 2008 annual Governor's Medal for Science and Technology Awards.
Governor Jon Huntsman awards The Governor's Medal as a symbol of recognition to those individuals who have provided distinguished service to the state of Utah in science and technology and he will present them at a gala later in the year. The Utah State Advisory Council on Science and Technology is responsible for administering the award and for recommending nominees to Governor Huntsman.
This year, nominations will follow a simplified, two-step submittal process. A one-page form is all that is needed to initiate a nomination. This form can be accessed via the web at:
http://goed.utah.gov/science/governors_medal/documents/06Nominationform_000.pdf As needed, nominees selected from the first round of applications maybe asked to submit a more complete application package.
Nominations can be made in any one of four categories: Academic, Science Education, Industry (including independent inventors and entrepreneurs), and Government. Any Utah citizen or organization may submit nominations. Nominees must meet a residency of Utah requirement detailed in the “Procedures and Criteria for Selection” document located on the internet at the Governor’s Office of Economic Development website:
www.goed.utah.gov/science The nominations must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 22, 2008 and should be addressed as follows:
State Science Advisor
Governor’s Office of Economic Development
324 South State, Suite 500
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 538-8-749; Fax (801) 538-8888

Crashing Through Award

A portion of every Sendero GPS sale will go into an annual scholarship fund to be awarded to a student with the most impressive travel adventure for the year. We will begin accepting applications September 1, 2008 with a $2500 scholarship for one student. The scholarship will be announced in mid March. Interested parties should think about adventure travel already taken in 2008 or about future possibilities. Here is what we will be looking for. The focus is on independent travel. In other words, a cruise would not be rated highly in terms of independence. Travel with sighted friends, colleagues or family is fine as long as the blind student is demonstrating independent travel, a leader rather than a follower. We want to hear how the student's orientation and mobility tools and techniques are used. It doesn't matter if one is using a cane or a dog but more about what one is doing, sailing, hiking, exploring a big city and the like. Use of GPS is not required but will weigh in the applicants favor if used. Independence, innovation and uniqueness are the qualities we will be looking for when we evaluate applications. Documenting the travel through photos and/or audio recordings will be very helpful. This documentation along with the written travel story will be the bulk of the scholarship submission. More details about the application will be published by early September. Recommendation letters will be requested. The funds can be used for school, technology, travel or whatever the winner chooses.
Please spread the word to other students and teachers so photos, audio and a journal can be captured on any upcoming trips. If a trip isn't planned before the February 2009 deadline, start planning for next summer.
Michael G. May, CEO Sendero Group

MikeMay@SenderoGroup.com www.SenderoGroup.com 1-888-757-6810
Fax (530) 757-6830
Mobile (530) 304-0007
Sendero Group, LLC
429 F Street
Davis, CA 95616
USA

Crashing Through by Robert Kurson available at www.CrashingThrough.com

Art Creations by the Disabled

Yes! There is a market and great appreciation for art created by those with disabilities. Art Access offers many programs to those who have a disability. There is also the NAMI Utah Artists’ Project which promotes and supports Utah artists with mental illness.
A little history: The NAMI Utah Artists’ Project was developed in 2006 to provide opportunities for artists living and working with mental illness to pursue their personal visions and to challenge common misconceptions by publically exhibiting the talents and gifts that these individuals bring to their communities. This project offers educational opportunities such as art workshops and, currently, a new writing workshop – with more opportunities to come so that artists/writers/etc can learn new techniques and continue the development of their talents abilities. I’ve attached the front of the project’s flyer for more information.

Gallery and public exhibits: The Artists’ Project holds formal exhibits to help show artists’ works and publically promote their art so that they get professional exposure. We have held month long exhibits at the Women’s’ Art Center (2006) and the Phillip’s Dibble Gallery (2007). We are now getting the word out that we will be accepting submissions of new art on August 14, 15, 18, and 19 for the “Vision and Voices 2008 Exhibit” at the SLC Main Library (in the Lower Urban room). This exhibit will open on September 2, 2008 and run thru October 11. We will have our official reception on September 4th.

We have a Holiday Boutique, two years running, that exhibits and sells a variety of arts and crafts. However, we would love to better market participating artists’ works year round and to more specifically market different types of art/crafts and specific artists’ works to different venues, buyers, etc.
NAMI Utah
450 South 900 East, Suite 160
Salt Lake City, Utah 84102
(801) 323-9900 phone
(801) 323-9799 fax
liz@namiut.org www.namiut.org

Congress Overrides President Bush's Medicare Cuts Veto

Earlier this week Congress voted and was successful in overriding President Bush's vote for raising Medicare costs against Medicare doctors which would push for Medicare cuts and rising healthcare costs and premiums. If President Bush had succeeded and got his way he would have hurt all low income seniors and the low income disabled population. The success of congresses override vote meant that they were able to keep President Bush from implementing the 2008-2009 fiscal year Medicare cuts against the program and stop the further raising of Medicare premiums.
Congress also voted to continue the Medicare advantage and supplemental Medicare insurance programs currently in place. They voted to fund the Medicare program and lower the current Medicare premiums. More details can be seen in the Deseret Morning News for Wednesday, July 16, 2008.
Trent Florence, trentflorence@comcast.net

Improve Web Accessibility

I'd like to introduce an exciting service that was made available last week. This is a collaborative way to improve the accessibility of the web. Basically, screen reader users can submit requests to make a site more accessible, such as adding a heading, labeling a graphic and so on. A community of volunteers or supporters can take a look at the requests and the web site and make updates to a server so that these suggestions will be available the next time you access the site. Furthermore, these updates will be available to anyone accessing the same site.
Below, Hiro, one of the researchers, explains how to request and IBM ID, install the JAWS scripts and use the service. The tutorial he points to is especially good. If you have any questions, please send them to Hiro, who's email address is below, or myself. I'll answer what I can and forward the rest on to Hiro.
Christopher

From Hiro:
Hi Christopher, Thank you for your great support in development phase! We finally started an external service, just yesterday. The number of active volunteers is increasing, so now, we really welcome participation of screen reader users.
Could you forward this mail to potential participants? I will attach a brief description and an instruction to join the service.

What is the Social Accessibility Project? The Social Accessibility Project is a service whose goal is to make Web pages more accessible to people with disabilities. The service gathers users' input and uses the power of the open community while not changing any existing content. This pilot service focuses on users of screen readers. Users encountering Web access problems anywhere at any time can immediately report problems to the Social Accessibility server. Volunteers, (called supporters), can be quickly notified and can easily respond by creating and publishing the requested accessibility metadata, which will help other users who encounter the same problems. Users themselves are also allowed to improve accessibility of pages by sharing landmarks on a page. Site owners can learn about methods for future accessibility renovations based on the volunteers' external metadata. The system consists of tools and a server that enables the collaborative authoring.
The entire process is empowered by various collaboration services, such as comments, discussions, measurements, and incentives.
\ Front page http://services.alphaworks.ibm.com/socialaccessibility/
How to join it?

Step 1. Please get an IBM ID. https://socialaccessibility.alphaworks.ibm.com/help/get_ibm_id
If you have any problem with IBM ID, please contact call center. 1 888 426 4409 or +1 303 262 5669 in U.S.

Step 2. Please sign up to the service with IBM ID and password. In the sign up process, please select "join as a user".
https://socialaccessibility.alphaworks.ibm.com/account/login

Step 3. Download and install a screen reader extension for Jaws.
http://socialaccessibility.alphaworks.ibm.com/help/download_user

Step 4. Please refer the tutorial section for submitting requests.
http://socialaccessibility.alphaworks.ibm.com/help/jfw_tutorial

Step 5. For further questions, please refer to FAQ or help documents, or contact me at takagih@jp.ibm.com

FAQ
http://services.alphaworks.ibm.com/socialaccessibility/faq.html

Help
http://socialaccessibility.alphaworks.ibm.com/help

Hironobu Takagi, PhD., Accessibility Research,
Tokyo Research Laboratory, IBM Research,
+81-46-215-4557,
E-mail: takagih@jp.ibm.com

Or Contact Christopher at cchaltain@austin.rr.com

Fundraiser

WOW! This is a great offer. What a great Idea for Christmas gifts. Can you imagine the packages you can put together for family and friends. Now would be the time to start planning ahead and getting your supply on hand. This would be a great item to have for those you forget to pick up a little something for and they show up with something for you.
As you know the UCB is making efforts to raise funds to support the much needed services we offer those who are blind and visually impaired. This year we are offering America's finest bean soup mixes from Purely American Foods, a specialty foods manufacturer from Athens, Ohio. Since 1988 they have been handcrafting their all natural bean soup mixes, each designed to celebrate famous American themes. With their help, we have created three American Sampler 6 packs for you to consider purchasing to help us continue our worthwhile cause. These 6 packs are a great way to stock your pantry or as an outstanding gift for someone who loves to cook healthy, delicious regional American food.

Sampler #1 American Hot Rod Supercharged Chili
Brown County Corn Chowder
Bourbon Street Black Bean Soup Mix
Northwest Lumberjack Split Pea Soup Mix
French Market 18 Bean Soup Mix
Marin County Carrot Cake

Sampler #2
Ozark Outlaw Snakebite Chili
Chisholm Trail Chuckwagon Stew
US Senate Bean Soup Mix
Harvest on The Palouse Lentil and Split Pea Soup Mix
Northern Lakes Wild Rice Casserole
Shenandoah Valley Apple and Spice Cake

Sampler #3 (6 - salt free mixes)
French Market 18 Bean Soup Mix
Mama Marino's Minestrone Soup Mix
Northwest Lumberjack Split Pea Soup Mix
Bourbon Street Black Bean Soup Mix
Mississippi Queen Steamboat Stew Mix
Oregon Trail Pioneer Stew Mix

Each mix serves about 8 to 10 people, comes with an easy to follow recipe, and a history about the theme that it celebrates. Each set of 6 mixes is $40.00. Shipping directly to your home is included!
Please fill out the order form below and return it with your check to the UCB at 1301 W 500 S, Woods Cross, UT 84087-2224. We will forward the orders and shipment will be made directly to your home. The UCB will Braille or large print recipes for those that need them and get them out so you'll have them when your order arrives.

Name_______________________________________________
Address____________________________________________
City____________________State________Zip___________________ Phone______________________________________________
Sampler #1, How many________ Total $_______________
Sampler #2, How many________ Total
Sampler #3, How many________ Total
Grand Total $_________________
Ship to address if different from that above

Recipes and instructions come with your order. If you'd like the UCB to furnish Braille ____________ or Large Print _______________, please check.

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