ICUB BULLETIN Spring 2025

In this report, I am focusing on the 2025 American Council of the Blind (ACB) Leadership Conference, which I attended in March. I would like to begin by extending my deep gratitude for ICUB's support, which made it possible for me to attend. This Conference has always been a unique and transformative experience, one that has shaped and strengthened my commitment to advocacy and reinforced the mission we share.

This year, from March 14 to March 18, I had the privilege of joining five fellow ICUB members on this journey to Alexandria, Virginia. Leading up to the conference, the contrast between this year and previous years was apparent. The atmosphere carried a palpable sense of urgency and a recognition of the importance of addressing the issues we face and a renewed determination to engage with members of Congress on behalf of our community.

This recognition of the importance of advocacy led us to Capitol Hill, where we met with aides from the offices of Representative Zachary Nunn, Representative Ashley Hinson, Senator Joni Ernst, and Senator Chuck Grassley to discuss three legislative imperatives: the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act; the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act; and the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act. These initiatives address the need for accessibility in digital platforms, modern communications, and essential medical devices, ensuring equal access and independence for individuals who are blind. We emphasized how these measures build upon the strong foundation of existing legislation, such as the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. These significant laws are vital to ensuring access to education, employment, and public spaces for individuals who are blind, while empowering independence through accommodations like accessible technology and materials. Collectively, these laws have opened doors to new opportunities and safeguarded many of our essential rights.

Overall, the conference provided an enriching experience through engaging sessions, keynote speakers, and panel discussions with disability rights advocates and government officials. Participants benefited from leadership development opportunities, access to valuable resources for affiliates, and tools to enhance their legislative skill-building and advocacy efforts.

The ACB Board of Directors meeting reflected both progress and challenges while highlighting the organization's mission to empower its 8,000 members with a voice and to maintain transparency. Membership increased by 5.34% in 2024, despite the loss of three affiliates: Blind Pride International, Blind Veterans of ACB, and the Nevada Association of the Blind. The launch of feedback@acb.org, powered by Google Workspace, marked an important step toward fostering engagement by providing members with the opportunity to directly share their input with board members. Leadership guidelines were updated, limiting affiliates to three leaders on the listserv, with DKM (Durward K. McDaniel) First Timers and JP Morgan Leadership Fellows granted two-year access. Due to state tax considerations, the Braille Forum raffle will be discontinued, but affiliates may continue supporting ACB and the Forum through direct donations. The ACB national conference affiliate roll call will now take place virtually on June 23, marking the official start of the Convention, while the opening ceremonies will follow on July 5, kicking off the Convention’s in-person portion in Dallas.

The President’s meeting provided valuable insight into the structure and goals of ACB, offering an in-depth review of programs and services designed to benefit affiliates and members. Fundraising opportunities, such as the Brenda Dillon Memorial Walk and the ACB monthly monetary support program, were discussed as initiatives offering a 50% return to state affiliates.

Updates to the Audio Description Project (ADP) website were shared, introducing expansion of the current ADP list to include TV, with 30 different channels featured. Additionally, the ADP website features a directory of entities offering audio description services, and members are encouraged to notify ACB of any performing arts centers, parks, or museums not already on the list that provide these services.

To ensure members stay informed and to streamline communication, ACB underscored the value of its publications, Dots and Dashes, and the Braille Forum, as well as its email lists. The importance of the Announce list was emphasized, as it delivers accurate updates and vital information on legislative issues impacting our community.

The session introduced the new Accessibility and Services Training Program, designed to promote and ensure equal access to websites and applications. This program provides organizations with remediation, testing, and training to address accessibility challenges and ensure all users can access essential information. Members are encouraged to report any accessibility concerns by emailing accessibility@acb.org.

The luncheon speaker, Dey Al Mohamed, is an author, filmmaker, and senior political advisor for the government, currently working with OSHA. She shared her insights from her remarkable career in advocacy and politics, as well as her experiences in becoming a filmmaker. Of all the lessons she offered, the one that stood out most was her emphasis that, as leaders, it is our responsibility to invest in others. By empowering and uplifting those around us, we not only contribute to their growth but also create a ripple effect of positive change that strengthens us as a whole.

The afternoon session highlighted ACB's dedication to ensuring affiliates have a voice and active participation in the decision-making process. This feedback session fostered discussion between affiliates and the national organization, focusing on four key areas: governance and oversight, communication and coordination, policy, and branding and identity. The primary goal was to align objectives while respecting each affiliate's autonomy, fostering collaboration and mutual understanding.

The legislative seminar began with an in-depth discussion on the three imperatives, followed by role-playing exercises using a range of scenarios. Participants heard from a federal panel featuring representatives from the Disability Rights Office of the FCC, the National Disabilities Council, and the Access Board. The keynote speaker, Jeff Mittman of Bosma Enterprises, delivered a profoundly moving message of resilience. He described his experience as a Sergeant in the Iraq War, traveling in a convoy when an IED exploded, causing shrapnel to rip into his vehicle and through his face. Mittman shared the bravery of his fellow soldiers who risked their lives by going back under fire to rescue him. He recounted the heroic efforts of a new medic and a helicopter crew who saved him when his heart stopped twice, as well as the surgeons in Germany and at Walter Reed Hospital who performed over 40 reconstructive surgeries on him. Mittman also spoke of his wife’s unwavering support as she cared for him and stood by his side throughout his recovery. His message was simple: “We are all here because of others.” His story stands as a reminder of the strength found in human connection and the importance of community.

The seminar ended the day with a presentation by Mike Rubanka, Product Development Chief Consular of Affairs, Department of State, and his colleagues, who shared their commitment to an accessibility-first approach in redesigning the passport application process. They are partnering with ACB to ensure their digital platforms are accessible and are currently focusing on improving accessibility for passport renewals, with plans to expand efforts across all passport services. The next phase of testing will include a desktop version that incorporates screen-reader compatibility and low-vision technologies.

For those interested in learning more about the leadership conference and the legislative imperatives, I encourage you to join the Des Moines chapter meeting in June for a discussion, download the ACB Advocacy podcast, or visit www.acb.org.

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2025 ICUB State Convention Reminder

By Carrie Chapman

Don't forget to reserve your room for the 2025 ICUB State Convention. This year’s theme is “Making the Future Bright: A Vision for Tomorrow.” Join us for an inspiring weekend filled with insightful discussions, valuable networking, and informative presentations.

Dates: August 22-23, 2025

Location: Holiday Inn Des Moines-Northwest

Address: 4800 Merle Hay Road, Urbandale, Iowa

Room Rate: $109 plus tax

Call the hotel at 515-278-4755 to book your room. Be sure to mention you are with the ICUB State Convention to receive the group rate.

We’re thrilled to welcome Steve Sroka from the Foundation Fighting Blindness as one of our featured speakers. Steve brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field of vision research, advocacy, and advancements in treatment.

A big thank you to the Greater Iowa Credit Union (GICU) and Democracy Live for sponsoring us again this year. If you’d like to be an individual sponsor, visit www.icublind.org and click the donate button. Be sure to note you’re sponsoring the 2025 ICUB State Convention.

Stay tuned for more details. We look forward to seeing you there!

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Those We Have Lost

R. Creig Slayton

Roger Creig Slayton (Creig), 84, passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa, while surrounded by loved ones. His obituary, as published in the Des Moines Register, follows.

Creig was born February 4, 1941 to H. Clifford and Helen (Sroufe) Slayton in Pocahontas, Iowa. He graduated from the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School, and earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of Iowa. He married Jo Ann (Jones) on September 5, 1964, in Des Moines. The couple made their home in Coralville, until moving to Des Moines in 1984. Creig and Jo raised two children together, Kevin and Kamela.

Creig was employed by the state of Iowa Department for the Blind for 36 years as a vocational counselor - then director before retiring in 2001. He was a devoted member of the Iowa Council of the United Blind and the East Des Moines Lions Club. He could often be found cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes, LA Dodgers, and the Kansas City Chiefs. When not listening to sports broadcasts, Creig enjoyed woodworking, reading, and spending time with his beloved family.

Those left to cherish Creig’s memory include his wife of 60 years, Jo; son Kevin Slayton; daughter Kamela Bain; grandchildren Jenna, Brandon, and Jared Bain; several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law Linda Slayton; and brothers Jerry and Dennis Slayton.

Suggested memorial contributions may be directed to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, the Lewy Body Dementia Association, and the Iowa Council of the United Blind.

The family would like to thank caregivers, Calvin Community staff, and Hospice of the Midwest for Creig’s care.

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R. Creig Slayton: Mentor, Friend, and Director

By Sandy Tigges

As I stood at the microphone at Creig’s memorial service, I wondered how I could get across to the audience how truly wonderful this man was and how much he had meant to me and to the blind of Iowa. After all, the room was filled with people ready to share their own tributes. Choking back tears, I decided it was best to start at the beginning, when I first met Creig almost sixty years ago.

I first became acquainted with Creig in 1966 when he was a new vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselor assigned to cover the southeastern part of Iowa for what was then called the Iowa Commission for the Blind. Part of his territory was Davenport, my hometown. We sat in the living room, getting to know each other and discussing my plans to go to college after high school graduation. I didn’t realize then that this young counselor would have such a tremendous impact on my life as a mentor, friend, and director.

I started losing my vision when I was fourteen. The only knowledge I had about blindness came from books and television—pretty scary! I went to the Iowa Braille and Sight-Saving School for two years, where I met other blind kids my age, but I wanted to return to the Catholic high school in Davenport I had attended in my freshman year. Bob Rucker, my VR counselor at that time, thought the transition would be easier if I spent that summer in the Commission’s Orientation and Adjustment Center. He was right, but I still needed more training. My blindness skills were fairly good, but I lacked the self-confidence and positive attitude I needed to make good use of them, especially in public.

Creig agreed, and I returned to the Center for nine more months of training after high school. In the meantime, he often stop by the house for long conversations. He talked about attending the University of Iowa, his marriage to wife Jo, his hobbies, and taking care of his home. He seemed to take his ability to do these things as a blind person for granted, and eventually I thought maybe I could come to feel that way about myself, too. He never questioned that I could achieve my chosen vocational goal—psychologist? lawyer? teacher?—and that I could eventually have a house and family of my own. Being blind really had nothing to do with it.

Through Creig and my Center training, I learned about the importance of consumer organizations of the blind. Creig and Jo generously spent much of their time and energy getting blind consumers involved. They gave up many of their evenings and weekends to attend meetings around the state and have cookouts at their home in Coralville. They even held what would become known as mini-orientation center sessions at their house. I recall once staying overnight at their home, startled to find their cat Chakeeta nesting in my suitcase in the morning. The night before, I had helped Jo make hamburgers for Creig to grill for dinner, and the next morning, I watch Creig whip up pancakes in the blender for breakfast. By example, they demonstrated to others that they didn’t have to be limited by blindness and that there was value in belonging to a blind consumer organization. Through the efforts of the Slaytons and others in getting the White Cane law passed, for instance, blind Iowans could no longer be discriminated against when buying life insurance, getting a loan, or renting an apartment.

Creig was officially my VR counselor from 1966 to 1981. In 1968 I married my husband, Dan, who is also blind. After getting a Master’s in English at the University of Iowa, my husband Dan and I moved back to Davenport, where he got a job as a social worker. I had chosen becoming an English professor as my career goal, which meant pursuing a Ph.D. and commuting back and forth to Iowa City from Davenport to take and teach classes. While writing my dissertation, I taught classes in the Quad-City area and had a daughter. Later Creig often laughed that I had been a perpetual student and my case file was so thick you could hardly lift it. He always supported me through these life decisions, though, even when they got difficult.

I was awarded a doctorate in English in 1981 and had a son the next year. I had taught college for fourteen years when I decided to make a career change. I was grateful for how rehabilitation services had benefited me, especially those I had received through the Department and Creig, with whom I continued to stay in touch. I applied for openings at the Department and at some of the rehabilitation agencies in the Davenport area. Fortunately, a Department for the Blind position opened up in southeastern Iowa, and Creig, who was now the Director of the Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB), hired me as a VR counselor. Creig was now not just my mentor and friend, but also my boss.

Through this position, I learned what a tremendous positive impact Creig had on blind rehabilitation throughout the country. He knew and was respected by national and state leaders in rehabilitation. He was active in the Lions and in organizations of the blind. He maintained a good relationship with Iowa’s ever-changing governors, legislators, and agency directors. Because he had built these relationships, his opinions were taken seriously when legislation was proposed that would affect blind people. In 1988, when Congress was considering passing a law that would limit the cost of rehabilitation for one client to a $2500 voucher, Creig gathered forces across the country to protest. The bill failed.

As my boss, Creig continued to mentor me. He taught all of his staff that the priority of the Department is to serve blind Iowans. He showed me how to meet and talk to legislators and professionals in rehabilitation without feeling intimidated. He taught me to be respectful of the blind individuals I served, and he always had his door open for advice if situations got tough. One of his favorite sayings was, “Don’t do anything you don’t want to read in tomorrow’s Des Moines Register.” I didn’t.

In 1995, I was honored when Creig appointed me as director of the Orientation Center. Jim Witte had left behind very big shoes to fill, but I knew that Creig trusted me to fill them adequately. He knew that the best way to manage staff was to take advantage of their abilities as much as possible, and I tried to apply this concept to the people I now supervised. When he retired at age sixty, I was sad, but I knew he had built a strong agency and had trained his staff to uphold his principles and values. After retiring, he continued to be my friend and mentor, giving me advice and support when I needed it. Because Creig and Jo had dedicated so much of their lives to building such solid foundations under the Department and ICUB, these organizations remain strong despite the storms they sometimes have had to weather. Through their hard work, Iowa is now a better place for its blind citizens to live. Thank you, Creig, for all you have done.

In honor of Creig’s accomplishments, the college scholarship offered each year by ICUB will now be known as the R. Creig Slayton ICUB College Scholarship.

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ICUB Contribution to ACB’s 2025 Silent Auction

By Liz Soenen

This year ICUB is contributing a fun and unique gift to the ACB silent auction. It’s a coffee-time pair of puppets ,including a cup-of-coffee puppet and a piece-of-cake puppet. Here’s the description:

Item: Puppet Pair: Birthday Cake & Coffee Mug Duo puppets and one $15.00 Dairy Queen gift certificate

Description: One puppet looks like a Double layer slice of cake, cut from a round, sitting on a yellow plate. There’s white frosting on the angled sides while the top and back side of the slice is bright shaggy fur red. There are four decorative icing pieces in white at the top of the back curved edge. The nose and eyelids are green with black pupils and eyelid edged in black. Black eyebrows stand up from each eyeball. The eyes give the puppet a pleasant, older gentleman type of look. There is a large yellow candle decorated with a green stripe standing right behind and between the eyes. The mouth is bright red. To operate the puppet, one’s hand is inserted at the back and up through the bottom of the plate.

The other puppet is a bright red coffee mug with dark brown coffee in it. The eyes are round balls of white with black pupils that are playful looking. They have an Elmo look about them. The mouth is black with a pink tongue. It has a red handle coming out of the side. To manipulate it, the hand is inserted from the bottom of the mug with the fingers going on top of the mouth plate but under/inside the foam covering it. The thumb inserts onto the bottom mouth plate into a hole in a round foam tube.

The cake slice moves mostly with the top piece, while the mug can be manipulated by pulling the bottom jaw down to talk. They love to tell birthday and coffee jokes. A list of jokes is included with the puppets.

The puppets are the creation of ICUB member Liz Sonen, a puppeteer and storyteller from Goldfield, Iowa.

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Iowa Department for the Blind Director’s Update

By Sarah Willeford, Acting Director

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend the IDB Centennial Open House. We had over 200 people attend, including legislators and Governor Kim Reynolds. It was an honor to celebrate IDB’s rich history, and it was an honor to celebrate the 100 years of service to Iowans with our guests.

Over the past century, countless individuals have benefited from our programs, gaining the skills and confidence needed to lead fulfilling lives. Through vocational training, orientation and mobility services, educational support, and employment initiatives, we have championed the right of every person to pursue their aspirations without limitation. Our partnerships with businesses, educators, and advocates have strengthened our mission and expanded opportunities for inclusion in every aspect of society. This year we honor our past and embrace our future. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported, participated in, and contributed to the Iowa Department for the Blind. Thank you for helping us continue making strides and moving forward.

Here are a few more updates from the Department:

The Governor's Office is moving through the hiring process for the IDB Director and is currently conducting interviews.
The IDB state budget continues to move through the approval process. Our full asking budget has been recommended by the Governor and is now with the Legislature.

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Planting the Seeds of a New ACB Families Chapter

By Moe Carpenter

Are you, or someone you know, a blind parent raising a sighted child or a sighted parent raising a blind child? If so, I invite you to help us grow something special. We've begun planting the seeds for a new Chapter under ACB Families called Inclusive Visionary Parents. Our roots are already starting to take hold as we work toward officially chartering this Chapter, and now we’re sending our runners out to find others who want to flourish with us.

So far, we have sprouted with our monthly ACB Community Call Visionary Parents Chat Circle, held on the first Thursday of each month at 4:00 p.m. CT. This is our growing space—where we water ideas, pull out doubts, and nurture each other’s growth. We hope this seedling will blossom into more events and opportunities for connection in the future.

Our plot is already filled with parents in all stages of the journey—blind parents, sighted parents of blind children, moms of adult children, moms with kids of all school ages, and, yes, dads have been joining us too! We’re all different flowers in the same patch, united by our belief in the power of connection, care, and community.

We are tilling the way and dreaming of future harvests with such ideas as a lending library with Braille books, accessible toys and games, and movies with audio description. We’d love to emerge from the soil with tip guides for new parents—whether you're welcoming a new baby or just learning your child is blind. We want to cultivate an environment where no parent feels like they’re going through this alone and to show the world that blind children with sighted parents and sighted children with blind parents can and do bloom into successful, capable adults.

Have seeds of ideas to plant? Want to help us cultivate this Chapter? Consider being part of our garden of support. There are many options for reaching out to us. Visit our online community at: ivpofacb@gmail.com . Check out our ebook group at: www.facebook.com/groups/ivpofacb . Or join our email list by sending a blank email to: inclusivevisionaryparents+subscribe@groups.io .

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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 866-436-0141 or through our webpage at www.icublind.org

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News You Can Use

By Norma A. Boge

Author’s Note: Announcements are provided as a courtesy to our readers and should not be considered as endorsements by the Iowa Council of the United Blind or its officers and directors.

Ophthalmic Edge has compiled a comprehensive list of specialized support lines for customers who are blind or have low vision. Listed companies include Amazon, American Airlines, Comcast, United Airlines, and Verizon. To view the directory, visit: https://tinyurl.com/2swexfy6 .

Iowa PBS visited the 2025 Iowa Regional Braille Challenge held in February and did an amazing segment on the event in their Iowa Life program. Through heartwarming interviews and live footage of the event, audiences could witness the hard work, passion, and excitement that fuel the Braille Challenge each year. To view it, go to: https://tinyurl.com/2s38ux5a .

A tip from BuzzFeed: If you put something down temporarily, verbalize the action—by saying, for example, “I’ve put my cane next to the recliner.” Doing so engages many more areas of the brain (particularly the language centers), which creates a richer memory, making it less likely you'll forget where you put the item. For more tips, go to: 21 Useful Everyday Life Hacks That Are Worth Memorizing .

A guide from the University of Maine discusses fake news and misinformation, aiming to help readers distinguish between fact and fiction and to improve their information navigation skills. It categorizes different types of fake news, such as satire, clickbait, and propaganda, and provides current news examples related to fake news and misinformation. Go to: https://tinyurl.com/2exndeym .

Is it a myth that Alexa is recording everything? Smart speakers are indeed always passively listening—because, if not, the devices wouldn’t hear the “wake word,” which is typically “Alexa" on an Echo device. The wake word tells the device to actively listen and help you with a query. The devices record only what you say after you say the wake word.

If even that much listening-in is too much for you, go into the Alexa mobile app to More > Settings > Alexa Privacy > Review Voice History to delete one or all queries, even just those within certain date ranges. You can also do it from the Amazon.com website. Or you can also say “Alexa, delete everything I said today” (once you enable that function in the app). Best of all, you can set Alexa to never save your recorded voice—and even tell it to never send improvement data to Amazon, ever. Go to: https://tinyurl.com/m633bhaa .

If you’re a senior or a person with a disability, Instacart has a dedicated line to assist you in getting started with the service or placing an order. It is available from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Call 1-844-981-3433 for more information.

The Braille Institute's Wildfire Relief Fund is designed to provide critical support to those affected by the Los Angeles area fires. Every dollar donated will go directly to individuals living with vision loss to help them recover and rebuild their lives. Donations can be made online at: brailleinstitute.org/la-wildfires , or by contacting the Braille Institute directly at 1-800-272-4553.

Ed Potter, perhaps best known for Playback Magazine, died this past January at age 92. Playback was the go-to source for information about the newest consumer electronics of the day from a blindness perspective. It was published on cassette tape with contributions from Ed’s many listeners. His obituary is at: https://www.acb.org/memoriam-edward-lex-potter .

You may also listen to an interview or read the transcript of a 2020 interview Ed did with FS Cast at: https://tinyurl.com/3m8a75jj .

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Library Update

By Sarah Willeford, Library Director

2025 Regional Braille Challenge: The 2025 Iowa Regional Braille Challenge was held on Saturday, February 22nd, at the Iowa Department for the Blind. Congratulations to all the participants. Thank you to our students, families, staff and volunteers for making the Iowa Regional Braille Challenge such a great success! Check out our Braille Challenge page (iowalibrary.blog/braille-challenge) for more information and this year’s results.

National Library Week: The library celebrated National Library Week April 6th-12th. National Library Week is a time to celebrate the many ways libraries bring people together, spark imagination, and support lifelong learning. Whether you’re a long-time patron or haven’t visited in a while, now is the perfect time to explore all the library has to offer. Our library provides books and other materials in accessible formats, programming for youth and adults, and educational materials for students, ensuring that everyone has access to resources that educate, inspire, and connect. Whatever draws you in, the library has something for everyone.

Whether you’re preparing for a career change, launching a business, raising a family, or embracing retirement, the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled is here to support your journey. Libraries serve as hubs for learning, creativity, and connection, helping people of all ages explore new ideas and opportunities. Please help in celebrating the work of our library team for serving as community compasses that lead users to endless opportunities for engagement, enrichment, and development.

Other Library News: The library has been chosen to be part of a pilot by the National Library Services for the Blind and Print Disabled for the new digital audio player (DA2). Library staff are currently receiving training on the new player and should be able to start checking them out to patrons by the end of April. The DA2 is a different design with some new features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and internal memory. Watch for more information.

The library has completed its blog redesign project. The project updated and brought together the library and Instructional Materials Center blogs to provide one location to find information on all the services provided through the library. It also includes the online learning management system which is currently being used for the Braille Transcriber Course for Educators. Other highlights include a page for library podcast episodes, a calendar of events, a way to highlight different areas of the collection, and library and IMC blog posts. The new blog can be found at iowalibrary.blog.

On Friday, April 25th, the library and IDB will honor the work of our volunteers and the Elizabeth Perowsky Workshop and Luncheon. We would like to give a huge thank you to our volunteers for all that they do and for their willingness to share their time and talents with our library. Without them we would not be able to provide the services that we do to Iowans.

Watch the library blog (iowalibrary.blog) or check out our Library News podcast for more information about the library’s upcoming summer programs.

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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 800-899-4925 for more information.

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Ham and Cheese Sliders

By Carrie Chapman

Ingredients

• 12-count package King's Hawaiian rolls

• ¼ cup butter, melted

• ½ teaspoon garlic salt

• 6 slices sharp cheddar cheese

• 12 slices cooked ham

• 6 slices provolone cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter and garlic salt. Set aside.

3. Remove the Hawaiian rolls from the package. They will come out as one solid block. cut them horizontally as if making one large sandwich bun.

4. Place the bottom half of the rolls in the prepared baking dish.

5. Layer with the cheddar cheese, then the ham, and finish with the provolone cheese.

6. Place the top half of the rolls on top and brush evenly with the melted butter mixture.

7. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

8. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.

9. Remove from the oven, slice, and serve warm.

Note: You can use leftover ham and swap in different types of cheese to suit your taste. You can also just use meats or cheeses you have on hand.

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Across Iowa Chapter Report

By Don Wirth, Chapter President

The Across Iowa Chapter meets the first Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. via the ICUB zoom line. Everyone is welcome.

In March, Karen Keninger talked about her time as Director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), including the development of the Braille eReader. She gave background information about the decision-making process involved in its development and design, as well as her hoped-for benefits of making a refreshable Braille machine available to everyone.

In April, Monica (MOe) Carpenter talked about her career in financial counseling. She talked about looking for a career that she could manage with the flexible schedule she needs to work around her growing family and educational goals. She spoke about the training and certification program she worked through. She also outlined some of her goals now that she is a certified financial counselor. Included in her work are 2 community calls each week on the ACB community call schedule.

Topics for future meetings include the new audio book player coming from NLS, discussions about the people who have impacted your life and the choices you have made, sharing interactions with the medical community, and preparation for the State and National Conventions.

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Des Moines Chapter Report

By Cody Dolinsek, Chapter President

At the first meeting in January, I presented to our Chapter my desire that we do more to be in the public eye. This past summer, I read The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Malcolm X passionately advocated for the view that black people are beautiful, that they are every bit as deserving of the good things in life as are their white counterparts. His passion inspired me with a similar thought about the blind of Iowa. We are beautiful, too, and we don’t need to wait for someone else to give us permission to occupy public space or to tell us what to do when we are in it.

On March 1, our Chapter enjoyed a day at the movies at Flix Brewhouse. The movie was the family-friendly film, Dog Man. This event brought in adults and children who otherwise were not as familiar with our ICUB or our Chapter.

At our February meeting, Lori Trujillo Roush and Bettina Dolinsek talked about their respective ICUB presidencies. Lori shared the experiences she has had during the first six months as state president, and Bettina passed on her thoughts about the lessons she took away from her time as the previous state president.

In our March meeting, a former student of mine, Chloe Lepak, talked about her work as an intern with the Harkin Center, speaking to us about her desire to make a difference as a disability lawyer.

On March 26th, the Des Moines Chapter participated in President Trujillo Roush’s state initiatives around Capitol Day. Some of us got to speak to our local representatives. Senator Sarah Trone Garriott read our state imperatives to her fellow senators at their recent meeting. We also took a tour of the Capitol in the afternoon.

The Des Moines Chapter continues to foster hope and to strengthen the resolve of blind Iowans to live the lives they want to live and to give back to the communities in which they are involved.

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’s home page.

The ICUB Bulletin is available in large print, via 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. ICUB also wishes to thank the Greater Iowa Credit Union for funding the cost of printing and mailing the large-print copies of this publication.

ICUB BULLETIN Spring 2025

Table of Contents

President’s Report

2025 Washington D.C. Leadership Conference

2025 ICUB State Convention Reminder

Those We Have Lost

R. Creig Slayton: Mentor, Friend, and Director

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Iowa Department for the Blind Director’s Update

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Donating Your Vehicle to Benefit ICUB

Ham and Cheese Sliders

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