Fall 2010 Bulletin

ICUB BULLETIN

FALL 2010

Published by

IOWA COUNCIL OF THE UNITED BLIND

Web Site: www.acb.org/iowa

Affiliate of the American Council of the Blind

Robert Spangler, President

1505 W. 4th St.

Vinton, IA 52349

(319) 472-4843

E-MAIL: Ka0wjz@q.com

Mike Hoenig, Editor

3119 Spring St.

Davenport, IA 52807

563-344-8787

E-Mail: mhoenig@q.com

Jo Ann Slayton, Secretary

4013 30th St.

Des Moines, IA 50310

(515) 279-4284 – home

(515) 710-7875 – cell

E-Mail: slayton4284@gmail.com

Ruth E. Hamdorf, Treasurer

439 Lindale Drive, #218

Marion, IA 52302

(319) 373-8608 – Home

E-Mail: elliewag@q.com

ICUB OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Robert Spangler, President - Vinton, (319) 472-4843

Donna Seliger, Immediate Past President - Des Moines,

(515) 284-0505

Creig Slayton, First Vice President – Des Moines, (515) 279-4284

Mike Hoenig, Second Vice-President - Davenport, (563) 344-8787

Jo Ann Slayton, Secretary - Des Moines, (515) 279-4284

Ruth Hamdorf, Treasurer - Marion, (319) 373-8608

Joyce Davis, Director - Fort Dodge, (515) 955-1634

Rose Stratton, Director - Maquoketa, (563) 652-2546

Shirley Wiggins, Director - Cedar Rapids, (319) 550-6096

Stephanie Hunolt, Director – Kirksville, (660) 665-2404

Elsie Monthei, Director –Des Moines, (515) 277-0442

Gary Patterson, Director –Des Moines, (515) 278-2686

Dove Tanner, Director – Cedar Rapids, (319) 364-7128

Frank Strong, Director –Des Moines, (515) 285-7254

CHANGE OF FORMAT OR RETURNING CASSETTES

Anyone who cannot read this print bulletin, finds it difficult to have it read or wishes an e-mail or cassette may receive a copy at no charge. Please contact Jo Slayton at (515) 279-4284 to request an alternative format. Cassette readers are always invited to keep their copy of the Bulletin. However, if you would like to return cassettes when you are finished with them, please place in a NEW standard mailing envelope, write “Free Matter For the Blind” in the upper right hand corner, and return to the editor using the address on the front of this Bulletin. Also, please remember to contact the editor if your address changes. The Post Office rarely provides us with a new address when someone moves. We want to make sure that anyone who wants to receive a Bulletin gets one!

SELECTING ICUB AS A BENEFICIARY

If you or a friend would like to remember the Iowa Council of the United Blind in your will, you may do so by using the following language: “I grant, devise, or bequeath unto the Iowa Council of the United Blind, a non-profit charitable organization, the sum of ______ dollars, ____ percent of my net estate, or the following stocks and bonds (please list them) to be used for its worthy purposes on behalf of blind persons.” If your wishes are more complex, you may have your attorney call (515) 279-4284, or write Iowa Council of the United Blind, 4013 30TH Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50310.

DONATING YOUR VEHICLE TO BENEFIT ICUB

Are you trying to decide how to dispose of a used vehicle? ICUB's Used Vehicle Donation Program offers the perfect solution. Your vehicle will be picked up from your home and sold at auction, with a portion of the proceeds going directly to ICUB. You claim a tax deduction equal to the dollar value of the vehicle. To donate or to learn more, call 800-899-4925.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Editor's Line 4

A Note from the Membership Committee 5

Blind Hikers Know No Limits 5

No Sight Is No Excuse for Unique Students 8

Regents Vote Will End Long-Term Residential 10

Program at Braille School

Help Older Iowans Maintain Independence 12

What the Twenty-First Century Communications 14

and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 Will Do for

People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

In Memoriam

Verna L. (Hoefer) Muhowski 16

Jerry Kakac 17

Ray O'Brien 18

Maxine Klahn 19

Shirley A. Conrad 20

Chapter Reports

Cedar Rapids Update 21

Dubuque News 22

Des Moines Christmas Party 23

Accessible Bibles Available from Optasia Ministry 23

Recipe Corner 24

EDITOR’S LINE

By Mike Hoenig

The cold October wind tells me that fall is here, and the 115-degree July Phoenix temperatures seem a distant memory.

I had not been to an ACB convention since Minneapolis, and it felt great to be "back in the fold." By going a day early, I was able to experience a bit of the vastness which is the Grand Canyon. Unique experiences continued throughout convention week, highlighted by a visit with a blind senator from Barbados and the opportunity to welcome two outgoing first-timers at the DKM Reception. While sharing dinner with a friend from North Dakota, I learned that they, too, are struggling to gain youth membership. Our "youth representative," Tyler Juranek, blended right in to the proceedings, leaving Mom behind to hang out with his new friends at a Guide Dog users group meeting. He even managed to beat me in a game of audio darts. Tyler, hope you're up for a rematch next year!

A big thank-you to the Cedar Rapids Chapter for hosting another successful and well-attended picnic. I always feel so welcome there, and enjoy catching up with old friends. It was a special treat to spend time with Woody Miracle, my junior and senior high school English teacher and his wife Linda. Days earlier, I'd seen their daughter Marcia at the Iowa State Fair. The Marcia who I remember as an adolescent is now a rehabilitation counselor, wife and mother. Where do the years go?

I am struck by the number of obituaries in this issue of the Bulletin. My sympathies go out to all of the families. Once again, we are reminded of how important it is to take advantage of every opportunity to get together to rekindle our friendships. Let's all do our best to attend one of the upcoming Holiday banquets.

By the time you read this, the 2010 elections will be history. I hope each of you took the time to exercise your right to vote, and that many took advantage of the accessible voting machines. We fought hard to get them, and it's an empowering feeling to be completely independent at the polls. Enjoy a Blessed Holiday season. See you in 2011!

A NOTE FROM THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

By Shirley Wiggins, Committee Chair

Time is passing and soon it will be time to pay dues. We want to thank all of you who always seem to be prompt. But there are some of us who just don't seem to get around to paying, so please remember to get your dues in by the first of January. Dues are $10.00 and can be sent to our state treasurer, Ruth Hamdorf at 439 Lindale Drive N.E., Marion, Iowa 52402. Let's try to bring our membership up, not only for our sake, but for the money our dues bring in to ICUB. Your membership dues help us with many expenses such as publication and distribution of the Bulletin and sending our state president to meetings which he needs to attend. Thank you.

BLIND HIKERS KNOW NO LIMITS

By Dennis Wagner

(Reprinted from USA Today, October 14, 2010.)

(Editor's Note: Given that our ACB convention was held in Arizona this year and several Iowans experienced the Grand Canyon during the pre-convention tour, this story is very timely.)