As we begin this new term following our recent State Conference and Convention, I want to take a moment to recognize the progress we've made and the direction in which we're heading. Over the past year, our focus has been on keeping members informed, connected, and engaged, and thanks to the dedication of so many, we've been successful in strengthening our organization.

Over the next 12 months, we will continue our efforts to ensure every member feels valued and included. At the same time, we also want to broaden our focus by creating new leadership opportunities for members who wish to take a more active role in shaping the direction of our organization.

We are committed to providing support by creating clear and obtainable pathways to leadership. These pathways may include serving on committees, engaging in advocacy efforts, and helping to organize a project or initiative. We also want to provide opportunities for members to deepen their understanding of ICUB’s history, learn how a nonprofit organization operates, and become familiar with tools like Robert’s Rules of Order. We must also understand better the role of our national organization, the American Council of the Blind (ACB), which strengthens our collective voice and provides opportunities for members to grow, connect, and get involved. In addition, members can attend the ACB Leadership Conference in March, advocate on behalf of ICUB during Capitol Day, and apply for ACB’s leadership development programs and scholarship offerings.

As we look ahead, let us continue to invest in one another by sharing knowledge, encouraging growth, supporting leadership, and creating opportunities for involvement. If you would like to learn more or explore ways in which you can become more involved, please reach out to us on our website or by emailing me at president@icublind.org.

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Seliger-Slayton-Stratton Long-Term Service Award Presented at 2025 ICUB State Convention

Last year, the ICUB Seliger-Slayton-Stratton Long-Term Service Award was created to honor those ICUB members who had given many years of hard work making ICUB the strong organization it is today and thereby establishing the foundation that will carry it long into the future. Award recipients must have given a minimum of fifteen years of service to ICUB; taken formal or informal leadership roles as mentors and Chapter or State office holders; and actively participated in planning, organizing, and engaging in social, business, outreach, and mentoring events. The first award was given at the 2024 ICUB convention banquet to the three women after whom the award is named—Donna Seliger, Joanne Slayton, and Rose Stratton—all of whom had signed the originating charter for ICUB and are still active members of the organization.

At this year’s banquet, the award was given to two outstanding ICUB members: Arlo and Elsie Monthei. For many years, they have been active members in ICUB, the ACB, and their communities. They have held multiple leadership roles on the state and local levels. You can often find them participating in Des Moines Chapter meetings and events. They are also active in the American Council of the Blind (ACB). They have been active members of the Lions Club and in the Friends of the Library for the Blind and Print Disabled. They have shared their expertise in gardening and art with other blind people and with the public. One year, they took on the responsibility of parenting a blind teen from Russia as part of a foreign exchange student program. Now grown, he still stays in close touch with the Montheis.

Congratulations to Arlo and Elsie for receiving this award, and thank you to both of them for their many years of dedicated service to ICUB. This winter, an email will go out asking for the names of members you would like to nominate for this award. Let us know who you think should be next year’s worthy honoree.

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Honored with the Linda Dietrich Award

by Carol Flickinger

At this year’s ICUB State Convention, I was both surprised and deeply honored to receive the Linda Dietrich Special Volunteer of the Year Award. The award was presented in such a heartfelt way by Mary Haupt and Liz Soenen, and the plaque itself is something I will treasure forever. Its Iowa-shaped design features a metal plate inscribed with my name, the award title, the date, and a meaningful scripture. It is beautiful, and I will proudly display it in my home.

This honor made me reflect on where my journey with ICUB began. It started at the Iowa Department for the Blind’s Orientation Center, where I met many of you for the first time. Joining ICUB quickly became one of the greatest joys of my life. Over the years, it has grown into something more than an organization—it has become a family.

Through ICUB, I’ve had countless opportunities to learn, grow, and connect. From fun game nights and lively book club meetings to monthly gatherings and trips I never imagined taking, each experience was special. Attending State and National Conventions has allowed me to meet incredible people, exchange ideas, and learn new things that continue to enrich my life.

One of the highlights this year was traveling with friends, old and new, to Washington, D.C., for the Legislative Conference. There, we prepared to share ACB’s priorities on Capitol Hill and then had the opportunity to meet with legislators and their staffs. Each conversation reminded me of the power of advocacy and the importance of making our voices heard.

This year I focused on the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act, which calls for devices like chemotherapy and dialysis machines to include tactile markings, speech output, or audible tones. Without these features, people who are blind cannot safely use them at home. Adding accessibility ensures independence, safety, and the ability to continue working while managing health needs. Speaking about this issue with legislators was both meaningful and empowering. If you ever have the opportunity to attend the Legislative Conference, I highly encourage you to go. Walking through the halls of Congress, sharing our stories, and experiencing our nation’s Capital is something you will never forget.

I have had all of these experiences — the friendships, advocacy, and the personal growth —because of ICUB. I am deeply grateful to be part of such a wonderful organization, and I will always carry that gratitude with me.

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Davenport Youth Receives 2025 Brailler Award

by Mike Hoenig

Raelyn Miller-Ramirez, now a sixth grader at Sudlow Middle School in Davenport, is this year’s recipient of the 2025 Marie Hoenig Memorial Perkins Brailler Award. Administered by ICUB, this award recognizes blind students, grades K-12, living in Iowa who demonstrate progress in the use of Braille, the likelihood of regularly using a Brailler, and a genuine concern and compassion for others. Supported by a cheering squad led by her mother, Chantel, Raelyn received her Brailler at a ceremony held during the ICUB 2025 State Convention luncheon.

“Thank you for awarding me this Brailler,” Raelyn told an attentive audience. “I’m going to use it to write stories, keep in touch with pen pals, and label items in the kitchen and laundry room.”

In her nomination, Iowa Department for the Blind Youth Librarian Denise Bean told the selection committee that Raelyn “…is soaring in reading and writing Braille.” She then described Raelyn’s community outreach project that has generated donations of over 100 backpacks for underprivileged Quad City area students within the past year.

On behalf of the Hoenig family, I would like to thank ICUB for your continued support of and investment in the Brailler Award. Now, more than ever, we must continue to do what we can to support Braille literacy!

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Ambassador Program

by Lori Trujillo-Roush

Sponsored by the Des Moines Chapter, the ICUB Ambassador Program continues to be a valuable way to introduce people to our organization, raise awareness about blindness, and support local events in a variety of settings. While much of our work involves attending and organizing activities, the program also serves as a resource for any member looking to make a difference or get involved in their own communities.

Over the past twelve months, our ambassadors have taken part in more than 21 events covering a wide range of outreach efforts. At the Iowa Department for the Blind, we have facilitated business classes, supported new staff trainings, attended senior luncheons, and joined students for a “Getting to Know You” meal. We also participated in the Braille Challenge, an event focused on Braille literacy for blind children.

We have participated in other activities, too, including panel discussions with high school students and their parents, Breakfast with Santa, and community events like the Polk County Senior Fest. We have introduced Braille to children and parents at the Altoona Public Library and we took part in the Des Moines University Health Fair.

Other events we have participated in are the Valley Junction farmers market, Kids’ Fest, senior community center programs, the Five Senses program at a local church, Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, (IESBVI) Family Day, Iowa Department for the Blind, (IDB), Learning through Exploration and Active Participation, (LEAP), activities, and the IDB Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics learning, (STEM), Festival. We have presented at a Secretary of State Conference, a diversity-focused speaking engagement hosted by Wells Fargo, a panel on accessibility with Senator Tom Harkin, and the Association of Attorneys about accessible absentee ballots. Finally, we met with staff from the Iowa Department for the Blind to discuss the possibility of launching a mentoring program.

Beyond our own events, we provide supplies, materials, and volunteer support to other Chapters and organizations. This includes supplying resources for two library events hosted by the Dubuque Chapter, donating bracelets to a K-12 school in northeast Iowa, contributing items for the scavenger hunt at this year’s ICUB State Convention, and providing volunteers for the Nebraska High School and Families Symposium.

The Ambassador Program isn’t limited to scheduled events. If you have an idea for something that will benefit your own community, we’d love to help. We can assist with planning, providing volunteers, donating supplies, and even helping offset transportation costs. Whether it’s a small gathering or a larger event, we are here to support efforts that align with ICUB’s mission. If you’d like to become an ambassador or learn more about how the program can support your ideas, please reach out to ICUB. We’re always looking for new ways to connect and collaborate.

The success of the Ambassador Program over the last twelve months was made possible by a grant from the Des Moines Chapter and a dedicated group of twenty volunteers who gave their time and energy to represent ICUB. We’re especially grateful to the following volunteers: Carrie Chapman, Cody Dolinsek, Bettina Dolinsek, Elantra Van Gorkom, James Buffum, Laura Johnson, Rosemary Russell, Rick Collins, Steve Hagemoser, Don Wirth, Robert Martin, Karen Keninger, Linda Gonzalez, Thomas Topping, Monica Carpenter, Norma Boge Conyers, Eldon Conyers, Mary Haupt, Sarah Baebler, and Matt Ver Huel.

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2025-2026 Officers, Board, and Chapter Presidents effective August 23, 2025

Officers:

President, Lori Trujillo-Roush (elected 2024; 2 yr. term)

Immediate Past President, Bettina Dolinsek (Service 2022 - 2024)

Vice President, Bob Martin (re-elected 2025; 2 yr. term)

Treasurer, Jeana Mowery (re-elected 2024; 2 yr. term)

Secretary, Liz Soenen (re-elected 2025; 2 yr. term)

Directors:

Don Wirth (re-elected 2025; 2 yr. term)

Elantra Van Gorkom (elected 2025; 2 yr. term)

Mary Haupt (elected 2024; 2 yr term)

Karen Keninger (re-elected 2024; 2 yr. term)

Kay Merz (elected 2024; 2 yr. term)

Donna Seliger (re-elected 2025; 2 yr. term)

Chapter Presidents:

Don Wirth, Across Iowa Chapter President

Cody Dolinsek, Des Moines Chapter President

Kristen Steele, Dubuque Chapter President

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2025 ICUB Resolutions Adopted at the 2025 State Conference and Convention

Iowa Council of the United Blind

Resolution 2025-1

Subject: Inaccessibility of Hy-Vee Mobile Application

Whereas, the Iowa Council of the United Blind (ICUB) is a statewide organization committed to advocating for the rights, equality, and full inclusion of blind and low-vision individuals across Iowa; and

Whereas, digital accessibility is essential to the independence and equal participation of blind and low-vision individuals in everyday life; and

Whereas, Hy-Vee is one of the largest grocery store chains in the Midwest, serving thousands of Iowans, including many who are blind or have low vision; and

Whereas, the Hy-Vee mobile application continues to present serious accessibility barriers for blind and low-vision users, including but not limited to unlabeled buttons, lack of screen reader compatibility, and an overall confusing and inaccessible user interface; and

Whereas, multiple ICUB members have attempted to engage Hy-Vee about these accessibility concerns through in-store visits, phone calls, and direct communication with Hy-Vee managers, including a Senior Vice President of Strategy and Planning; and

Whereas, although Hy-Vee initially acknowledged the concerns and indicated that an accessibility team had been established, all communication has since ceased, and no meaningful improvements have been made; and

Whereas, ICUB has repeatedly offered guidance and assistance to Hy-Vee in identifying and addressing these accessibility issues and remains committed to working in partnership with companies that serve our community.

Now therefore, be it resolved by the Iowa Council of the United Blind in convention assembled this twenty-third day of August, 2025, in the city of Urbandale, Iowa, that the Iowa Council of the United Blind formally expresses its deep disappointment in Hy-Vee’s lack of meaningful progress and engagement in making its digital platforms accessible; and

Be it further resolved that ICUB calls upon Hy-Vee to renew its commitment to accessibility, including immediate action to fix critical barriers in the mobile application and the active inclusion of blind and low-vision users in the development and testing of future updates; and

Be it further resolved that ICUB requests a public response from Hy-Vee outlining specific steps and timelines it will take to ensure its digital services comply with accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG); and

Be it finally resolved that ICUB will continue to advocate for equitable access and will encourage our members and the broader blind community to hold Hy-Vee and other companies accountable until true digital inclusion is achieved.

Iowa Council of the United Blind

Resolution 2025-2

Subject: Accessible Voting

Whereas, the right to vote is a right of every citizen of the state of Iowa regardless of gender, race, religion, disability, or educational attainments; and

Whereas, the right to vote independently and confidentially is a nonnegotiable cornerstone of democratic government as currently understood in the United States; and

Whereas, Iowa’s citizenship includes those who are blind and those who are physically disabled; and

Whereas, all citizens, no matter their choice of voting method, must be guaranteed an independent, secret and confidential ballot; and

Whereas, citizens should not be deprived of the right to vote in whatever way they choose, whether in person or by absentee ballot; and

Whereas, accessible electronic absentee ballots now in use have not been shown to compromise the security of the voting process; and

Whereas, astronauts and military personnel already exercise the right to vote by electronic absentee ballot; and

Whereas, states such as Colorado, New Mexico, and North Carolina have passed legislation allowing voters to vote via electronic absentee ballots.

Now therefore be it resolved by the Iowa Council of the United Blind in convention assembled this twenty-third day of August, 2025, in the city of Urbandale, Iowa, that, in their next session, the Iowa House and Senate pass legislation allowing Iowans who are blind or otherwise disabled to vote by filling out an accessible electronic web-based absentee ballot; and

Be it further resolved that the president of ICUB share this resolution with Iowa’s legislators, governor, and secretary of state before the next legislative session begins in January 2026.

Iowa Council of the United Blind

Resolution 2025-3

Subject: Commendation of Governor Reynolds in Appointment of New Iowa Department for the Blind Director

Whereas, Emily Wharton resigned her position as Director of the Iowa Department for the Blind as of July 18, 2024; and

Whereas, Governor Reynolds now has sole authority to appoint a new Director of the Iowa Department for the Blind; and

Whereas, at its Thirty-Sixth Conference and Convention in August, 2024, the Iowa Council of the United Blind (ICUB) passed Resolution 2024-4 requesting that Governor Reynolds consider the following qualifications in hiring a successful Director:

1. a blind person who has intimate and valid knowledge of blindness;

2. a person with a thorough knowledge of and belief in a positive philosophy of blindness and substantial and successful experience in implementing this philosophy in blind rehabilitation programs; and

3. a person aware of the importance of current technologies in use by the blind who will further the technological education of blind Iowans; and

Whereas, the Governor considered these qualifications in the hiring of Stacy Cervenka as the new Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) Director effective July 8, 2025.

Now therefore be it resolved by the Iowa Council of the United Blind in Convention assembled this day, August twenty-third, 2025, in the city of Urbandale, Iowa, that Governor Kim Reynolds be commended for her willingness to consider ICUB’s recommendations in the selection of the new IDB Director; and

Be it further resolved that the President of ICUB deliver a copy of this resolution to Governor Kim Reynolds and the three Commissioners by August 31, 2025.

Iowa Council of the United Blind

Resolution 2025-4

Subject: Nonvisual Accessibility for Prescription Medications

Whereas, access to essential prescription medications is a crucial component of public health, well-being, and critical to life; and

Whereas, blind, low-vision, and print-disabled individuals are responsible for both their own healthcare and for those they care for, including their children, spouses, and parents; and

Whereas, free and equal access to prescription warnings, side effects, dosage, and directions is a fundamental right; and

Whereas, significant barriers currently exist that impede equal access to necessary prescription drug information; and

Whereas, the lack of timely and accessible directions in Braille, large print, and audio formats for drug information, warnings, and directions on prescription medications can lead to adverse health outcomes, increased healthcare costs, allergic reactions, emergency room visits, reduced productivity, and decreased independence; and

Whereas, technological advancements and innovation in healthcare offer opportunities to broaden the availability of accessible labeling for pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies; and

Whereas, the Iowa Legislature recognizes the importance of Iowans with disabilities to have access in all sectors, including healthcare; and

Whereas, Senate File 202 seeks to mandate the Iowa Board of Pharmacy to develop and implement rules for accessible prescription drug labels and related materials at no additional cost and in the same timeframe as other consumers enjoy; and

Whereas, this legislation aligns with the principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is similar to legislation passed by other states, including Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Colorado, Minnesota, Ohio, and the territory of Puerto Rico.

Now therefore be it resolved by the Iowa Council of the United Blind in Convention assembled this twenty-third day of August, 2025, in the city of Urbandale, Iowa, that this organization ask the Health and Human Services subcommittee members--Senator Klimesh, Senator Costello, and Senator Petersen--to recognize the urgent need to ensure equitable access to prescription drug labels, warnings, side effects, directions, and dosage information for individuals with print disabilities; and

Be it further resolved that the Iowa Council of the United Blind impel the Health and Human Services Committee to pass Senate File 202 and place it on the legislative calendar to be voted on and passed by the Iowa State Senate; and

Be it further resolved that the Iowa Council of the United Blind call upon all members of the Iowa Senate to vote in favor of Senate File 202 to promote the safety, independence, and well-being of all Iowans; and

Be it finally resolved that the Iowa Council of the United Blind advocate to Iowa’s legislators that they swiftly pass this bill, finally making accessible prescription information and labels a reality for blind, low vision, and print-disabled Iowans.

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Those We Have Lost in 2025

Roger Christenson

Tom Davis

Beth Erpelding

Mary Farrell

Ronald Greene

Brad Herring

Ronald Hurd

John Martin

Grant Metcalf

Sharon (Waits) Newman

Reed Newstrom

Dolores Reisinger

Thomas Scheibeler

Creig Slayton

Gary Thierer

Julie Toyama

Kasey Walker

Mary Colleen (Teneyck) Tanner Woeste

Henry (Dave) Wohlers

Jeff Young

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Iowa Department for the Blind Director's Report by Stacy Cervenka

This quarter has brought many exciting opportunities, partnerships, and innovations to IDB. From strengthening our relationships with state and community agencies to developing new programs and services for our clients, these new initiatives underscore our commitment to innovation, partnership, and results.

Audio Darts- An audio dart league will be held on Monday nights in October and November from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the IDB first-floor assembly room. Come give it a try!

Running Club- We’re excited to announce that IDB will be partnering with Team Run Free on a running club for IDB clients, staff, and community members. The purpose of the club will be to encourage physical and mental wellness. Some participants might prefer to train for local races; others might have personal fitness goals; and others might just enjoy a brisk walk with friends. We are currently recruiting sighted running guides. No experience necessary! Our first meeting will be on Tuesday, October 21, at 5:00 p.m. at the 4th Street entrance to IDB. We’ll be going down to the river to run or walk on the trails.

Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization- We are working with Des Moines MCO to advocate for expanded bus service, more innovative paratransit programs, and travel trainers for people who need assistance learning to ride the bus. We will be providing some additional training for their staff on the challenges blind pedestrians face and what we find helpful while traveling in the community.

Meeting with Education Secretary McKenzie Snow- We met with Director Snow to discuss the Instructional Materials Center and our Pre-Employment Transition Services. We look forward to partnering with Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired in several of our programs.

Learning From Others in the Field- Our training center staff has had the opportunity to meet with administrators and staff from the Sacramento Society for the Blind, the Criss Cole Center in Texas, and the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired. All of these centers serve 30 to 85 students at a time and have a high percentage of student buy-in for using sleepshades as a recommended learning tool.

The ARC of Iowa- We met with the Director of the ARC of Iowa to familiarize him with our programs and services. We may use ARC as a consultant when working with some of our clients who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. We also look forward to providing consultation to them on how to best serve their clients who are blind or low vision.

Meeting with the Director of Iowa Workforce Development Beth Townsend- We are excited about future partnerships with IWD on job fairs for our consumers and seminars on how to best navigate and take advantage of job fairs. They will be partnering with our training center to either offer our students weekly dedicated programming or to introduce them to the resources the workforce centers currently offer. We also look forward to training their staff on how to best serve blind job seekers.

Paul McCartney Concert- Paul McCartney offers 20 tickets at each of his shows to people who are blind, low vision, deaf, or hard-of-hearing. IDB will be the beneficiary of tickets to an October concert at Casey’s Center. Fifteen senior clients and five IDB staff will be attending the concert.

ICUB and NFBI Listening Sessions- Members of IDB’s leadership team held 90-minute listening sessions with the Iowa Council of the United Blind and the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa. Sessions were well-attended and offered the community opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback on proposed center policies.

ICUB Convention- Many IDB staff participated in the ICUB convention. The leadership team and I offered another listening session; I spoke at the Saturday luncheon; the Library staffed a booth in the exhibit hall; Mark Edge served as an emcee, and several other IDB staff spoke, volunteered, and otherwise participated actively.

State Workforce Development Board- I now serve as IDB’s representative to the Workforce Board, which oversees federally funded employment programs in Iowa.

All-Staff Training- We held a 2.5-day all-staff training. The first day focused on strategic planning, our mission, vision, values, and culture. The second day focused on day-to-day work, such as communicating effectively and serving older adults with vision loss, etc. On the third day, staff focused on serving clients with additional disabilities and learned about the American Printing House for the Blind Connect Center.

Inside IDB- We have developed a new online video series called “Inside IDB.” Each episode will focus on an IDB staff member, program, or a different aspect of living life as a blind person. Our first episode features Orientation Center for the Blind woodshop instructor Darren Lee.

NLS Regional Conference- The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled’s Midlands and Southern regions held their annual conference at IDB in September. We enjoyed showing off our building and programs while learning from other libraries across the country about their programs and services.

Retreats- Our new retreat team will be traveling throughout the state of Iowa, hosting one weekend-long youth retreat and one week-long adult retreat each month. Youth retreats will focus on college and career exploration. Students will tour college campuses, meet blind adults in a wide variety of careers, and try various sports and physical fitness activities. The adult retreats will focus on the alternative skills of blindness, such as cane travel, Braille, technology, and home management. Our first youth retreat was held in Dubuque; our first adult retreat will be held in Council Bluffs.

Easter Lake Park- I enjoyed spending a morning with the adjustment-to-blindness center students at Easter Lake Park. We worked with the Great Plains ADA Center and Uncurbed to make recommendations on making signage and park information accessible to people who are blind and low vision.

Vanderbilt- We are excited to be working with the EMPOWER VI program at Vanderbilt University, which provides college and career readiness resources for blind youth and also offers free training to staff who provide Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS).

Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School (FMDG)- We are partnering with FMDG to offer a variety of group classes and individual music lessons to IDB clients through our library, adjustment-to-blindness center, and summer youth programs.

Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation- Earlier this month, I went to Boston, Massachusetts, for the 35th Anniversary Convening of the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF). MEAF is the philanthropic arm of Mitsubishi Electric and funds programs that empower youth with disabilities. I sit on its advisory committee and was honored to speak on a panel entitled “The State of Disability Employment.” Iowa was well-represented as Daniel VanSant of the Harkin Institute spoke on the same panel.

Drake University- Former CSAVR Director Steve Wooderson is now teaching a disability policy class at Drake University. He’s invited me to serve as a guest lecturer in late October to discuss how policies and practices impact informed consumer choice.

As we look ahead to the next quarter, I look forward to continuing to engage with ICUB members on how IDB can provide the best possible service to blind and low vision Iowans. Together, we are expanding what’s possible, one connection, one opportunity, and one success story at a time.

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Discover, Learn, and Connect At the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabledby Sarah Willeford

The IDB library was excited to host the Midlands and Southern Regional Library conference in Des Moines on September 15th and 16th. National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) regional libraries from the midland and southern states traveled to Des Moines for a two-day conference hosted by our library and the department. Over 60 attended in person or via Zoom to share information and ideas, get NLS updates, and more. Also in attendance were members of the NLS staff, including NLS director Jason Broughton. Our library staff were able to provide tours and answer questions about our services, programs, processes, and more. It was a great opportunity for us to share our library and the department.

The Instructional Materials Center has had a busy year. For the 2024-2025 school year, 891 projects were completed for students in Braille, large print, electronic Braille, and print/Braille, totaling 37,320 total print pages transcribed into accessible educational materials for students.

The start of the 2025-2026 school year is proving to be just as busy. As this article is being written, 108 Iowa students have been served and 475 accessible educational materials have been checked out from the library for students. Updated information on the work being done by the Instructional Materials Center can be found on the library’s blog (iowalibrary.blog) under the “Schools” section.

In September the library wrapped up celebrating National Literacy Month and Library Card Sign-up Month and launched our fall, winter and spring programming. Watch the library blog (iowalibrary.blog) or check out our Library News podcast for more information about the library’s upcoming programs.

Youth Programs

The Braille Babies Program combines the library’s Braille Babies Activity Box and Alphabet Corner videos with a weekly program held virtually and in-person on Thursdays at 10:00 am for ages birth to four years old. It includes beginning Braille skills; the importance of exploring touch, textures, and tactiles; monthly activities; and parent resources.

The Crafting Your Story Afterschool Program is held Tuesdays at 4:15 pm via Zoom and includes special guests, book discussions, art activities, STEM activities, and more. Activity boxes are sent out ahead for each month's activity, so everyone has the supplies they need. A parent activity letter is included.

Makerspace Mondays are held on the second Monday of the month at 6:00 pm in-person and virtually. The program features special guests and activities focused on STEM and the arts. All ages and their families are welcome. Activity boxes with supplies and activities are mailed to virtual participants prior to the program.

Beyond the Book Teen Book Club is Held on the fourth Thursday of each month. A book title, monthly booklists, and discussions are highlighted.

Through the Book Bundles and Pen Pal programs for schools and students, schools receive monthly book bundles in Braille and large print for their libraries and classrooms. Students can also sign up for the Pen Pal program. Students send letters back and forth in the Book Bundles Box each month, thereby encouraging students to read and write in Braille.

Adult Programs

Each month, Adult Book Clubs are held via Zoom on Tuesday or Thursday, depending on the days scheduled. Each club discusses a different book.

Our newest book club, the No-Book Book Club, meets on the third Wednesday of every other month via conference call. This is a book club designed for individuals who like to talk about books and share what they are reading.

The eReader Essentials with Leland Program is held the first Thursday of the month at 1:00 pm via Zoom. Staff member Leland Smith explores everything eReader, shares tips, and gives time for questions.

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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 you have questions or your wishes are more complex, you or your attorney can contact ICUB by calling 515-605-0756 or through the webpage at: www.icublind.org.

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Technology: Love It or… by Don Wirth

As blind folks, we are living in the golden age of assistive technology. We have numerous types of equipment, including accessible appliances, audio and Braille-reading and writing tools, navigation tools, and many other devices. All of these help us to be more independent. But what happens when we have trouble with these great tools, especially when they seem to be ganging up on us by being mischievous, sometimes more than one at a time? Well, do I have some stories to tell you about that!

You may have heard that Microsoft is ending its support of Windows 10in mid-October. This means that if you have a computer that can’t be upgraded to Windows 11, you are operating without a security net. That was me. So, I contacted my son—who also serves as my IT Department—for a solution. After some research, he determined my computer was incompatible with the free one-year extension Microsoft was offering. Now what?

Finally, my son looked over a shelf of equipment marked

“For Sale or Donation,” where he found a laptop with Windows 11 already installed. SALVATION!!! He not only gave it to me--he set it up for me. Crisis averted with days to spare. But wait….

NLS decided to update the eReader the day after I had dealt with my computer issues. I got the update downloaded and installed with no problem. As part of the update, though, I needed to login to BARD again. No problem. I know how to enter my username and password in Braille. Or do I? My password includes letters and numbers. I even remembered that the at-sign is dot four, dot one. But I couldn’t recall how to indicate letters following numbers.

After trying to enter my password about 10 times and failing, I decided to call on my personal Braile advisor –the teacher who first introduced me to the beauty of Braille. She told me the sign indicating letters is dots 5,6. Great. She stayed on the line while I made several attempts at entering my password—a failure every time! We even tried entering the numbers in Nemeth code—another failure! I got so nervous that I started saying the dot positions of each Braille character as I entered them. Failure again!

My teacher’s husband happened to be setting up his eReader when I called. He was getting as nervous as I was just listening to our conversation. I heard them confirm to each other what his username and password were as he entered them. “Login successful.”

I must be a really lousy student. We decided I should stop for now and try again tomorrow when I might be a little calmer.

After I hung up, I decided to try one more time. I entered each character slowly and carefully, reading and rereading my entries. I pressed the enter key and read “Login successful.” I decided I had been so nervous that I wasn’t pressing all of the dots correctly or proofreading carefully enough. When I called my teacher back to give her the good news, she gave me an “F” for the phone session and an “A” for my bravery in following up. A C-average isn’t too bad. Two crises were averted—but there was another one on the way.

I have a Victor Reader Stream 3 that I use several hours a day. This morning while I was using it, it began to repeat the same sound over and over again, just like the sound an old LP makes when the needle gets stuck in a groove. (Ask your grandparents if you don’t know what I’m talking about). After about a minute and a half, I began punching buttons out of frustration. The noise finally stopped, but I couldn’t get the device to start up again.

I called my Victor Reader Stream advisor in Cedar Falls. The same thing had happened to him. Like me, he kept pushing buttons until the noise stopped. He got it to start working again by setting it aside to rest for a few days. When he picked it up again, it started up right away and now works fine. It apparently just needed some time alone to get its head together. So now I am in waiting mode, hoping I don’t have to go into replacement mode.

It has been a wonderful four days wrestling with technology. I know I am lucky to have all of these devices that really do make my life more productive, independent, and enjoyable. And I’m equally lucky to have a network of friends I can rely on for assistance when I need it.

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News You Can Use

by Norma A. Boge

ViddyScribe is an AI audio description generator for blind and visually impaired viewers. With the free plan, you get fifty minutes of service a month, and you can upload videos up to 5 minutes in length. For more information, visit

https://www.viddyscribe.com/individuals .

Speakaboo is an intuitive app for iOS designed to help you interact with your surroundings by providing real-time descriptions and answers to questions about the world around you. If you are blind or low vision, Speakaboo makes daily tasks easier and more accessible. If you have not tried it yet, find it on the Apple App Store by searching with the word “Speakaboo.”

Meta's Refurbished AI Glasses store is a hidden gem. It offers new devices in the original packaging at a lower price. Refurbished technological products are typically devices that have a small defect or that a customer has used lightly and returned or traded in. They go back to the manufacturer for inspection, cleaning, any necessary repairs, and another round of quality assurance. These like-new products are also backed by a one-year limited warranty. For more information, go to https://tinyurl.com/y8z5ah3f .

Chef Debra Erickson of The Blind Kitchen invites you to browse her hints and tricks on her website, Cooking Safely with Vision Loss: https://tinyurl.com/4v7ms9tb .

During a September media event, Apple announced that AirPods Pro 3 can be used to track your fitness. Heart rate sensors and accelerometers work together to monitor how hard you're exercising, estimate calories burned, count steps taken, and more. You can start and stop workouts from the Fitness app on your phone. The Workout Buddy feature coming in the next OS updates will work with these AirPods, even if you don’t have an Apple Watch. If you're someone who wants to track your progress in exercising but otherwise doesn't want to wear a tracker, the new AirPods might be a good option.

ConnectAlt is a Hub for blind and low-vision events, programs and resources, built by and for the community. It simply complements the great local newsletters and specialized lists we all rely on. You can search by date, location, and category. The site features in-person and virtual events and much more. Go to:

https://connectalt.com/Calendar .

Fact or myth: You shouldn’t charge your iPhone overnight. Debunked: Not true. Modern iPhones are smart enough to manage overnight charging. They now include a feature called Optimized Battery Charging, which teaches the phone your daily habits and slows charging once it reaches eighty percent, finishing the last twenty percent just before you typically unplug it. This process reduces battery aging. Make sure it’s enabled under Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging.

The Seeing AI App has launched its most noticeable upgrade yet. While the functions of the app remain the same, how you access them and the lay-out has changed. This tutorial is for anyone new to the app or familiar with it but not sure how features work since the update.

https://tinyurl.com/3fk6azew .

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Donating Your Vehicle to Benefit ICUB

Do you need to dispose of a used vehicle? ICUB's Used Vehicle Donation Program offers a perfect solution. Your vehicle will be picked up from your home and sold at auction. A portion of the proceeds go directly to ICUB. You can claim a tax deduction equal to the dollar value of the vehicle. Call 866-616-6266 for more information.

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Cheeseburger Soup

by Carrie Chapman

Ingredients

12-ounce package bacon

1 pound lean ground beef

2 teaspoons hamburger seasoning (or just season with a little salt and pepper)

1 Tablespoon minced garlic

10.5 ounce can cheddar cheese soup (can use low sodium)

2 cups beef broth (can use low or no sodium)

5 cups O'Brien diced potatoes with onions and peppers (you do not need to thaw first)

8-ounce block (2 cups) medium cheddar cheese, shredded

½ cup heavy cream

Optional toppings: chopped green onions and/or extra shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Cook the bacon in a large stock pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until crispy. Depending on how crispy you like your bacon, this can take 8–15 minutes. Remove the bacon to a plate lined with clean paper towels and allow to cool.

Add the ground beef and hamburger seasoning to the bacon grease. Brown and crumble for 5–7 minutes or until cooked through. Drain off and discard excess grease.

Reduce heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the beef, sautéing for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add the cheddar cheese soup, beef broth, and potatoes O’Brien. Gently stir the mixture until combined and smooth. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are heated through, about 7–10 minutes. Crumble the bacon well and add half to the soup, reserving the other half for topping.

Once the soup and potatoes are heated through, add the shredded cheddar cheese, a handful at a time, stirring well to melt and combine. After all the cheese has been incorporated, slowly stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture just to a simmer. Simmer for 1–2 minutes until thick and creamy. Do not boil or the cream may curdle.

Remove from heat and serve topped with the reserved bacon and chopped green onions. Optional: add extra shredded cheese for garnish.

Notes: I used ground pork instead of beef because it was cheaper. I used vegetable broth since that’s what I had on hand. I used a full cup of heavy whipping cream instead of half a cup. I topped the soup with green onion and crumbled bacon to serve.

Recipe adapted from The Country Cook: https://www.thecountrycook.net/cheeseburger-soup/

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Across Iowa Chapter Report

by Don Wirth, Across Iowa Chapter President

The Across Iowa Chapter held its annual in-person meeting and pizza party on August 22 as the kick-off to the 2025 ICUB State Convention. At the meeting, we elected our officers for the next 2 years. They are:

Don Wirth, President

Carrie Chapman, Vice President

Kristin Steele, Secretary

Jeana Mowery, treasurer

The meeting marked the end of Mary Haupt’s term as Secretary. We appreciate Mary’s diligence and thoroughness in minute-taking and presentation.

We will continue to meet on the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. via ICUB zoom.

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Des Moines Chapter Report

by Cody Dolinsek, Des Moines Chapter President

The Des Moines Chapter of ICUB offered several scholarships for members to attend the ACB National Conference and Convention this past summer. The recipients were Carrie Chapman, Donna Seliger, Norma Boge Conyers, and Mo Carpenter. Norma and Mo provided us with reports of the Convention in August at our Chapter meeting, and Donna and Carrie submitted reports in September to the Des Moines Chapter President. The Convention was a productive time of learning for all involved, and it provided opportunities to see old friends and make new ones.

The Des Moines Chapter held its annual picnic on September 13 at the American Legion Park in West Des Moines. We also held our September meeting at which Kevin Hircock of team Run Free talked to us about the Team Run Free Try it Day, also held on September 13. Some of our members who are interested in participating in guide running attended the Try It event.

Our Des Moines Chapter meeting on October 13 will feature Kyle Kuhlman and his wife Erica, who will demonstrate and ask for our participation in accessible darts. At our November meeting, we will elect a treasurer, secretary, and vice president.

Our Felix and Oscar’s Trivia Bowl will be held on Saturday, November 8, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Arrangements for our holiday party have not yet been made.

To obtain a current list of State Board members and Chapter Presidents, including their contact information, go to our website, icublind.org, and click on the “Who We Are” link. You can also get this information by emailing us through the form at the bottom of our website page.

The ICUB Bulletin is available in large print, by e-mail, and on an NLS-compliant digital audio cartridge. To subscribe to the cartridge edition, please contact the Iowa Department for the Blind Library at 515-281-1323 or 800-362-2587, option 2. Please direct other questions about format choice and address changes to Co-Editor Sandy Tigges.

ICUB offers a BIG thank you to Catherine Witte for so meticulously proofreading each issue, as well as to everyone else who plays a part in producing the Bulletin.

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ICUB BULLETIN Fall 2025

Table of Contents

President’s Report

Seliger-Slayton-Stratton Long-Term Service Award Presented at 2025 ICUB State Convention

Honored with the Linda Dietrich Award

Davenport Youth Receives 2025 Brailler Award

Ambassador Program

2025-2026 Officers, Board, and Chapter Presidents effective August 23, 2025

2025 ICUB Resolutions Adopted at the 2025 State Conference and Convention

Those We Have Lost in 2025

Iowa Department for the Blind Director's Report by Stacy Cervenka

Discover, Learn, and Connect At the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabledby Sarah Willeford

Selecting ICUB as a Beneficiary

Technology: Love It or… by Don Wirth

News You Can Use

Donating Your Vehicle to Benefit ICUB

Cheeseburger Soup

Across Iowa Chapter Report

Des Moines Chapter Report

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