VAB Honors Roy Grizzard
The Virginia Association of the Blind-Shenandoah Valley recently announced the recipient of the 2002 Nelson Malbone Award. And the awardee is Dr. Roy Grizzard of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy. Grizzard received the award in appreciation for his advocacy, support and service in an awards ceremony in Virginia Beach on August 4.
Come visit us in Maryland
The ACB of Maryland will hold its 2002 convention October 4-6 in Cumberland, Md. There are already more than 40 people registered, and it looks like this will be the largest and hopefully best convention ever. Saturday evening we are hosting a private steam-powered train ride with dinner on board, for a cost of only $35. Registration costs $40, which includes our luncheon on Saturday. Hotel rooms cost $79 per night plus 10 percent tax. If you have any questions or need more information, do not hesitate to contact Butch Arnold at (410) 254-1972.
Utah State Convention
The Utah Council of the Blind (UCB) state convention will take place October 17-18, 2002. On October 18, we will be holding a benefit concert featuring country singer Brenn Hill. For more information contact Pat Gann at (801) 943-1559 or e-mail [email protected].
Illinois' State Convention Has Something for Everyone
The ICB convention is scheduled for October 10-13, 2002 at the Renaissance Hotel, 701 E. Adams St., Springfield, Ill. Highlights of this year's convention include a tour of the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired on Thursday, October 10; a Descriptive Video movie presentation, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone;" a discussion of the present and future of state rehabilitation services for people who are blind and visually impaired; a presentation from the Hadley School for the Blind; an update on all of the happenings at the Illinois State Library; a Friday evening barbecue at the Mary Bryant Home for the Blind featuring Jack Davis, local radio personality and former political figure; and a Saturday night banquet keynoted by ACB President Christopher Gray.
Convention room rates at the Renaissance are $69 plus 10 percent tax per night. Hotel reservations must be made by September 10 by calling the hotel directly at (217) 544-8800 and mentioning that you are with the Illinois Council of the Blind. To receive a convention registration packet, contact the ICB office at (217) 523-4967, toll-free at (888) 698-1862, or via e-mail [email protected].
Looking for People to Form a New Special-Interest Affiliate for Diabetics
Do you know anyone who might be interested in working to form a new ACB affiliate for people with diabetes? A posting on ACB-L proposing the creation of such an affiliate has engendered much interest and enthusiasm. If you are interested in forming an affiliate whose members are drawn together because of a mutual interest in working on diabetes-related issues, please contact Steve Heesen. You may e-mail him at (work) [email protected] or (home) [email protected]. Or, if you don't have access to e-mail, contact him at (425) 562-9949.
News from Pennsylvania
by John Horst
The Pennsylvania Council of the Blind recently held a very successful career day entitled "Pathways to Successful Employment" in the Pittsburgh area. More than 50 visually impaired students attended plus teachers and counselors. This was a joint effort with Pennsylvania Council of the Blind, Pittsburgh Vision Services and the State Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services.
Pennsylvania's state convention will take place at the Holiday Inn in York November 1-3, 2002. The theme is "Living off the Shelf, Ready to Use or Easy to Adapt." It will feature a demonstration of the Freedom Box, a web dial-up service and a discussion of common methods by which purchased off-the-shelf items can be easily adapted. There will also be a panel discussion by the state agency for the blind, presentations by Chris Gray, ACB President, chapter and committee reports and election of officers and board members. For reservations, call (717) 845-5671. Room rates are $62 per night plus tax.
The Pennsylvania Council of the Blind continues to work on a braille bill, a revision of the white cane law, increasing shared ride transportation, cruelty to service animals legislation and accessible voting. Testimony has also been presented at a public hearing on funding newsline services.
The Pennsylvania Council of the Blind is ready to work with ACB in planning a great national convention in Pittsburgh in 2003.
Upcoming State Conventions
September 13-15: ACB of Texas, Lubbock
September 21-22: Oklahoma
September 27-28: Indiana, Columbus, Holiday Inn
September 27-29: North Carolina, Holiday Inn Crabtree, Raleigh
October 3-5: Alaska Independent Blind, Palmer, at Gold Miners
October 4-6: ACB of Maryland (see above)
October 11-13: Missouri, Ramada Inn, Sikeston
October 18-20: ACB of Oregon, Bend, OR at Shilo Inn; call (541) 389-9600 for reservations by Sept. 27 for convention rates.
October 18-19: South Dakota
October 18-19: Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Mary T. Adams Seminar, October 18. Convention, October 19. Holiday Inn, Hays, Kansas. Contact Nancy Johnson at (785) 235-8990 or, if in Kansas, toll-free at (800) 799-1499.
October 19: Nevada Council of the Blind, First Southern Baptist Church, 700 E. St. Louis St., Las Vegas, NV 89104. Contact Carol Ann Ewing for more information at (702) 383-0600.
October 19: Old Dominion Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired
October 24-26: Washington Council of the Blind, Red Lion Inn, Kelso, Wash. Contact Cindy Burgett for more information at (360) 698-0827.
October 25-27: Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired
October 26: New Jersey Council of the Blind, Ramada Inn, 1083 Route 206, Bordentown, NJ $15 reg + $30 for lunch and breakfast. Contact Ottilie Lucas at (609) 882-2446 for more information.
October 26: Bay State Council of the Blind fall conference at the Carroll Center, Newton, Mass.
October 31-November 3: California Council- Atrium Hotel, 18700 MacArthur Blvd., Irvine. Contact CCB executive for information (510) 537-7877.
November 1-3: Pennsylvania Council (see above).
November 8-10: ACB of Ohio
November 8-10: Kentucky Council, Kentucky School for the Blind
December 7: D.C. Council of the Blind (date still tentative)