I want to extend a sincere thank you to our membership for providing me with the opportunity to attend the American Council of the Blind National Conference and Convention in Dallas, Texas. The virtual portion of the Conference began on June 23, and the hybrid portion took place from July 4 to July 11. I'm pleased to share that seven of us attended this year's Convention in person.

This event is an opportunity to connect, learn, and represent our ICUB community. I especially enjoyed attending sessions that offered valuable insights, reconnecting with fellow ICUB members, and meeting as a group with our ACB liaison, Kenneth Semien. I’m excited to bring back information that will support our membership and guide us as an organization.

During the virtual sessions, members had the opportunity to vote on six resolutions, including:

• Resolution 2025-02: Standardizing the placement of wall-mounted dispensers in hotel guest rooms

• Resolution 2025-03: Commemorating the Knights of the Blind challenge issued to Lions by Helen Keller

• Resolution 2025-05: Reinstating NLS Committees

• Resolution 2025-09: Expanding the availability of Braille titles

• Resolution 2025-07: Addressing the impact of recent executive orders on the blind and low vision community

• Resolution 2025-11: Preserving the National Eye Institute

All resolutions passed and did not require an affiliate vote.

In addition, two proposed amendments to the ACB Constitution and Bylaws were presented, for which votes were cast June 30:

1. Bylaw amendment 2025-01: Reducing the required notice for meetings and agendas from fifteen days to five business days

2. Constitutional amendment 2025-02: Eliminating the affiliate vote by reclassifying affiliated organizations as nonvoting members, except for participation in the nominating committee

Amendment 2025-01 passed with an overwhelming majority vote. Amendment 2025-02, while it received a majority vote, fell short of the two-thirds threshold needed for the passage of constitutional amendments. ICUB cast its four affiliate votes on both Amendments with three in favor and one opposed.

Thank you to everyone who contributed your thoughts and feedback throughout the voting process. I’d especially like to recognize Kristen Steele for stepping into the role of alternate delegate, representing us during the Constitution and Bylaws vote, and serving on the nominating committee. My thanks also go to Monica Carpenter for her contributions in keeping us well informed about the Convention and Conference.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to share details about our Thirty-seventh Annual ICUB State Conference and Convention, which will be held August 22–23 at the Holiday Inn and Suites on Merle Hay Road in Des Moines. The theme is “Making the Future Bright: A Vision for Tomorrow.” There will be a mix of education, community connection, and opportunities to give back. From sessions on disaster preparedness and estate planning to conversations around advocacy, fellowship, and accessible tech, the agenda is designed to inform, engage, and bring us together in meaningful ways.

Convention highlights will include presentations from Claire Stanley, ACB Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, and a team from Microsoft showcasing the Seeing AI app. You’ll also hear directly from Iowa Department for the Blind Director Stacy Cervenka, who will lead both an interactive panel and serve as Saturday's luncheon speaker. We're also thrilled to welcome the Foundation Fighting Blindness, which will share updates on recent medical breakthroughs.

Our pre-Convention activities kick off Friday with such options as a NaviLens-guided tour of the State Historical Society of Iowa, a movie and lunch outing at Flix Brewhouse, and a lively scavenger hunt. Be sure to visit the Exhibit Hall on Saturday afternoon to explore a diverse range of services and products, including Vision in Motion, Oak Street Health, Team Run Free, the Harkin Institute, and many more. In the spirit of generosity, this year we invite all attendees to join us in giving back. You can participate by bringing a nonperishable food item or making a monetary donation during the event. All contributions will go directly to the Food Bank of Iowa, supporting its efforts to fight hunger.

Look for your registration packet in your email or snail mail. You can also find it online at icublind.org. Fill it out and join us. You’s be glad you did!

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Stacy Cervenka steps into IDB Director Role

Editor’s Note: After a nationwide search for a permanent Director, Governor Kim Reynolds appointed Stacy Cervenka to take the helm at the Iowa Department for the Blind. Stacy started her new position on July 7. The following has been taken from an interview with her in June for the Bulletin.

When asked what she believes are the primary obstacles blind people face in obtaining employment, Stacy responded:

“I don’t think there’s just one thing. It’s a huge systemic issue. There are a number of reasons. First, you have discrimination on the employer side. No matter how skilled and how well-educated blind people are, there’s always the unfortunate chance employers won’t give them a chance.”

“We also have a significant problem with low expectations in education and rehabilitation of people who are blind/low vision. From the very beginning of a child’s education, they’re not held to grade-level standards.”

“So there’s a lot. We have to improve education services. We have to improve rehab services. We have to work on the stigma and stereotypes that exist about people with disabilities.”

“Transportation is actually also one of our biggest challenges, if not the biggest. Blind people identify lack of access to transportation as the greatest barrier they face to employment. Studies show that a third of blind people turn down jobs because they don’t have ready access to transportation to get to the job on a daily basis. They might be able to get to the interview, but that differs from going somewhere Monday through Friday.”

Stacy cites orientation and mobility skills as part of the solution, making sure people can use what’s available. “I’d love to see paratransit services updated and innovated to more of an on-demand app-based model,” she says, “and I’d like to see more partnerships between paratransit agencies, private agencies, and nonprofit agencies in rural areas. It’s a lot but we need to be part of the conversation and try to create as many options for people as possible. I look forward to engaging transportation providers throughout the state and finding out how we can partner with them to serve our consumers. That’s a priority.”

“The most important thing,” Stacy continues, “is that all blind and low vision Iowans have access to quality blindness services, and that regardless of where a person lives in the state or what their circumstances are--whether they have issues with childcare, eldercare, or additional disabilities--that everyone has equitable access to quality blindness rehabilitation.”

ICUB has invited Stacy to a listening session at the State Convention in August. “I hope,” she says, “that people will come with ideas, ready to talk about strengths, what they want to see continue, what they don’t want to see changed, and what they’d like to see changed, particularly what barriers they see to people accessing services.”

Stacy has been blind since birth. She grew up in Chicago and earned a Bachelor’s degree in French and Italian Studies from the University of Minnesota. She worked as an aide to Senator Sam Brownback for five years before returning to school to complete her Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling from Texas Tech University with an emphasis on disability employment policy. She worked as a youth Programs Coordinator for the Sacramento Society for the Blind overseeing youth programming and then worked with the California Department of Rehabilitation where she served as a liaison with state-mandated advisory committees and as the Executive Director of the State Rehabilitation Council. Most recently, she held the positions of Director of Public Policy for the American Foundation for the Blind and as Senior Director of policy for Disability Belongs, a nonprofit based in Virginia.

Aside from her employment, Stacy reviews hotels for Good Housekeeping Family Travel Awards and children’s books for their Children’s Book Awards. She has co-written a middle-grade book titled Roxie in Color, which will be released next July.

Stacy, her husband Greg, who is also blind, and their children Leo (11) and Josephine (7) currently live in Lincoln, Nebraska. Stacy plans to work in Des Moines and commute to Lincoln on weekends until they can sell their house and settle the family in Des Moines.

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Power Up! Game On for Summer Reading

By Sarah Willeford

Our Youth Summer Reading program is off to a great start. This eight-week virtual program takes participants on a thrilling journey across the United States, exploring different regions through exciting games, hands-on crafts, and special guest appearances.

The summer is full of activities exploring the Pacific Northwest, the deserts of the Southwest, the Rocky Mountains, and the Great Lakes. The program meets via Zoom on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. It will run through July. It’s not too late to sign-up. To learn more about the summer reading program, go to https://iowalibrary.blog/summer-reading-program .

Another exciting Library program began last month as well. In partnership with Thrive Thursdays, part of IDB’s LEAP (Leadership, Advocacy, Empowerment Program), the Library is offering STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) focused programs. The Library has amazing guests so students can gain hands-on experience, build confidence, and explore a variety of career paths. The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled is also hosting a Summer Reading Program from Monday, June 16, through Friday, August 15, 2025. It is themed “Color My World.”

Our Youth Services Librarian, Denise Bean, has worked with Iowan and Master Gardener Roger Erpelding to create videos for the NLS Summer Reading program website. The videos and reading lists focus on all things gardening and plants. Check out the NLS Summer Reading Program and Roger’s videos on the NLS’s Summer Reading Program Page: https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/summer-reading/ .

The Library was one of four regional libraries that participated in a pilot program for the new talking book player from NLS, the DA2. The DA2 boasts significant upgrades, including built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, along with a substantial 28 GB of internal storage. Users can now directly connect to BARD (NLS Braille and Audio Reading Download) to easily download audiobooks and magazines, store them on the device, and enjoy listening through Bluetooth-enabled speakers or headphones—thereby offering an even more convenient and seamless reading experience. The device also has an excellent onboard speaker. If you are interested in receiving a DA2 player or would like more information, please call the Library. We would be happy to help.

Watch the Library’s blog, https://iowalibrary.blog/ for updates on summer programs and to get a peek at the great activities planned for the fall!

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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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Just Try It: Carrie Chapman Discusses Her Use of AI

Editor’s Note: Artificial Intelligence, (AI), has become the norm for people everywhere. For blind people in particular, AI is opening up possibilities we could only once dream of. ICUB member Carrie Chapman shares some of her experiences using AI.

“I’ve been legally blind since 2009,” Carrie says, “and, just thinking about from there to where we are now with accessibility, it’s incredible how far we’ve come.”

First of all, she says, there are the mainstream apps like Chat GPT and Google’s Gemini. She uses them for mainstream projects, but she says, she also uses them to drill down on detailed descriptions. That’s something a sighted person wouldn’t need, she says.

Along with the mainstream apps, a dozen or more AI-assisted apps specifically designed for blind users are available on smart phones and PCs. The three Carrie uses day in and day out include Seeing AI, Be My AI, and Ray-Ban Meta Glasses. Each has its particular strengths, and she says that the key to successful use is to choose the right tool for the right job. Below are a few examples of some of the ways Carrie uses these apps. You may have thought of others yourself.

1. Taking properly focused pictures.

2. Finding lost items.

3. Identifying something she’s pointing at.

4. Summarizing and reading a menu.

5. Describing and identifying her grandchildren in photographs.

6. Identifying flowers and trees on a hike.

7. Getting precise descriptions of colors and comparing shades of clothing.

8. Reading instructions on food packages.

9. Reading informational signs at a park or museum.

10. Describing scenes and landscapes of all sorts.

“But you don’t need a list,” Carrie says. “There are a million things you can do. Just take a picture and try it. See what works for you. There are so many resources; don’t limit yourself to one. Ask questions.”

When asked about the future of AI for the blind, Carrie says she thinks it will only get better. She does caution that these programs are collecting more and more information about people, so we should be mindful of what information we share.

Editor’s note: For a look at some of the newer AI-powered apps, check out the new release from National Braille Press, The Power of AI on the iPhone by Judy Dixon. It is available in hard-copy braille, BRF, (Braille formatted digital files), and Word formats. And don’t miss the Seeing AI presentation on Saturday afternoon of the upcoming ICUB Convention.

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Tips for Public Speaking

By Ardis Bazyn

Editor’s note: There’s no time like the present to make sure that our voices are heard both by our elected officials and our fellow Americans. Here are some useful tips prepared by ICUB Lifetime Member Ardis Basyn for communicating effectively with a variety of audiences.

Do you feel nervous about making a presentation for an audience of people you don’t know? How do you feel about speaking with a Senator, Congressman, or local Representative? How do you handle interviews? Some people tell me they even find simple networking intimidating. Here are some tips to make your next interview, presentation, or networking event easier.

1. Practice speaking slowly. Most people talk faster when they are nervous.

2. When you know you will have to speak, plan ahead. Write a script or just make some notes. You will be less nervous and unlikely to make mistakes or forget important information.

3. Practice as often as time permits. Just running the key points through your mind while dressing or showering helps.

4. Read through your talk before bedtime. Your subconscious will absorb the information.

5. Record yourself making your presentation. It may help you notice undesirable habits…uhs and ands. Listen for mistakes.

6. Listen to yourself as you talk to friends, clients, and family. Get into the habit of noticing when you make statements that are unclear. Most of us can improve our communication with others.

7. When planning what to say, think about the points you wish to make as well as a relevant personal story. Stories help create an emotional response that will make your audience more likely to remember what you say.

8. Visualize yourself doing well. Imagine yourself easily presenting just the right information in the most effective way.

9. Eat a light meal ahead of time. An empty stomach or having too much to eat before a presentation can be a distraction.

10. Have a glass or bottle of water near you. A dry mouth is common when you’re nervous. You can also take a drink to calm yourself while speaking.

11. Take a few deep breaths before you start speaking to help you relax.

12. Smile at the audience before you start. They will smile back and help you feel more comfortable.

13. Make good eye contact with the audience. It helps them relate to you. If it’s a large group, look back and forth to include the full audience when you can.

14. Focus on what you want the audience to learn rather than on what they may think of you.

15. Include a call to action to help guide your audience in using the information you have presented to them.

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News You Can Use

By Norma A. Boge

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

Doug Lee’s JAWS scripts for YouTube and YouTube Music enhance accessibility for visually impaired users by offering customized functionalities. These scripts provide key sequences for tasks like skipping ads, navigating content, and controlling playback, thereby complementing native YouTube keyboard shortcuts. Features include support for live chat and caption reading with continuous updates to improve user experience. See:

https://www.dlee.org/youtube/#hist .

Humanware recently announced the Stream 3 version 1.5 update, packed with improved features and bug fixes. This release brings back bookmark alerts, allows note renaming, and includes Bookshare API 2.0 support. Expect smoother performance with fixes for doubled speech and better podcast management, enhancing your overall experience. Go to: https://tinyurl.com/yc7acs88 .

The Tandem application is designed to connect smartphone users with individuals using BlindShell phones, emphasizing accessibility and seamless integration. Key features include chat, voice messages, calls, and video calls, along with a "Remote Control" function that allows permitted remote assistance for BlindShell users. Tandem ensures message security through end-to-end encryption. For more information, visit https://tandem.blindshell.com/ . And check out Sam Seavey of The Blind Life YouTube channel demonstrating Tandem at https://tinyurl.com/4fnjwh49 .

That Real Blind Tech Show, A podcast hosted by Brian Fischler, Ed Plumacher, and Allison Meloy, discusses both the good and bad of assistive technology for the low vision and totally blind user. For example, episode 181 shows iOS users how to effectively label photos with image descriptions, offering a reliable method that avoids the usual frustrations of disappearing annotations.

Ring is ushering in a new era of home security with Video Descriptions, an innovative generative AI feature designed to give you more detailed and actionable alerts. This new functionality, rolling out in beta to Ring Home Premium subscribers in the U.S. and Canada, provides concise text descriptions of motion activity captured by Ring doorbells and cameras. Instead of a generic motion alert, you'll see smart, real-time details like "A person is walking up the steps with a black dog," allowing you to quickly differentiate between urgent situations and everyday occurrences. See: https://tinyurl.com/3c5jb47h .

How is knowledge created, shared, and preserved in the digital age, and what forces are shaping its future? Future Knowledge is a new podcast from the Internet Archive and Authors Alliance. Hosted by Chris Freeland, librarian at the Internet Archive, and Dave Hansen, executive director of Authors Alliance, the series brings together authors, librarians, policymakers, technologists, and artists to explore how knowledge, creativity, and policy intersect in today’s fast-changing world. In each episode, an author discusses their book or publication and the big ideas behind it—paired with a thought-provoking conversation partner who brings a fresh perspective from the realms of policy, technology, libraries, and the arts. Whether you’re an author thinking about how to share your work, a librarian navigating digital access, or a curious listener exploring how knowledge shapes our world, Future Knowledge is for you. See: https://tinyurl.com/bdhzhd3s .

Uber has rolled out two new features, "Senior Accounts" and "Simple Mode," designed to make its ride-hailing app more accessible and intuitive for older adults. These updates aim to remove barriers to transportation by offering a simplified interface with larger text, fewer buttons, and streamlined booking processes. Senior Accounts can be linked to family profiles, allowing loved ones to book and manage rides, track progress, and even contact drivers on behalf of the senior. Alternatively, "Simple Mode" provides the same simplified experience for independent users who prefer to manage their own accounts. Additionally, Uber is now accepting Medicare Flex cards for eligible medical trips, offering more flexible payment options. These initiatives were developed in consultation with aging advocates and accessibility experts, emphasizing Uber's commitment to supporting mobility and independence for an aging global population. More information is at https://www.uber.com/us/en/ride/seniors/ .

If your TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, or other accounts show you excessive garbage, there are steps to get a fresh start. Just about everything you see in your social media feeds these days is governed by algorithms. Think of them as the digital rules and intelligence that social media companies use to deliver a steady stream of interesting content to you. They're invisible conductors that note everything you like, click, or comment on and then use that information to serve up more content you're likely to engage with.

Algorithms are far from perfect, though. Sometimes they pick up on the wrong signals and start to stuff your feed with things you don't care about (or outright hate). If you find yourself increasingly uninterested in the posts you see in your feed, it's often possible to reset those algorithms. Doing it correctly can completely change what your social networks show when you log in. Learn more at: https://tinyurl.com/3ksjdvy6 .

The fourth edition of The Windows Screen Reader Primer, a free digital book written by David Kingsbury, Assistive Technology Instructor at The Carroll Center for the Blind, is now available. The book is meant to help beginning and intermediate JAWS, NVDA, and Windows Narrator users work more effectively with the most important PC applications. These applications include the Windows operating system, the four primary Office Suite applications (Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint), popular Google applications, and the three most commonly used web browsers (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox). Cloud-based file-sharing programs such as Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive are also covered. So, too, is Adobe Acrobat Reader for accessing PDF files and participating in, scheduling, and hosting Zoom meetings.

New topics in this edition include coverage of FS Companion, the New Outlook, using advanced Excel functions, and a substantially revised chapter on artificial intelligence (AI), reflecting some of the major changes that have occurred over the past year. The book can be downloaded for free in Word and ePub formats at: https://tinyurl.com/ppdsj9uv .

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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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Recipe: Calico Beans

By Carrie Chapman

Ingredients:

1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 pound ground beef, browned and drained

1 small onion, chopped

1 can (15 oz) pork and beans, undrained

1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 can (15 oz) butter beans, drained and rinsed

1 can (15 oz) lima beans, drained and rinsed (optional)

1/2 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons yellow mustard

1/2 cup brown sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove and crumble. In the same skillet, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion. Drain excess grease.

In a large bowl or casserole dish, combine the ground beef mixture, crumbled bacon, all the beans, ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar. Mix well. Pour into a 9x13 baking dish and cover with foil.

Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until hot and bubbly. Serve warm.

Note: I’ve used multiple kinds of beans, whatever I’ve had on hand and whatever I like in this recipe. Typically, you drain the beans that are just packed in water and don’t drain beans that have a sauce, like pork and beans or baked beans.

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Across Iowa Chapter Report

By Don Wirth, Across Iowa Chapter President

The Across Iowa Chapter continues to meet the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. via the ICUB zoom line.

In April, Monica "MOe" Carpenter presented on her journey to become a Licensed Financial Counselor. She discussed the positive aspects and challenges she has encountered as she pursues this goal. To earn her license, MOe must complete one thousand hours of work with people, in addition to passing several tests. Currently, MOe facilitates two ACB Community calls about financial literacy. Tuesday's Turning Pages Book Brunch takes place at 10:00 a.m. Central time, and Money Matters Podcast Prospectives occurs every Thursday at 2:00 p.m. Central time. You can reach out to MOe's Facebook group by searching for moneymatterswithmoe .

In May, we had a presentation by two staff members of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled about the new audio book reader. Leslie Heinzler is in charge of special services at the Library, and Leyland Smith is the technology expert. They described the appearance of the reader, as well as its new technical features. It has the ability to connect to BARD via wi-fi to download books directly to the player. The player is also Bluetooth capable to allow wireless connection to speakers and ear buds. It also has internal storage for as many as two hundred books in addition to the cartridge and USB ports that were used on the previous model for accessing books. The players are now available to any patron of the library. They can be requested by calling the main library number at 515-281-1323.

In June, we shared stories about people who have made an impact on us either as models for living fully as a person who is blind, or by how they managed basic life experiences. We heard about teachers, students, families, friends, and others who have made large and small changes in how we look at life.

Because of the 4th of July holiday and the ACB Convention, we did not meet in July. In August we will have our regular first Thursday meeting as well as an in-person meeting on the first day of the ICUB State Convention.

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Des Moines Chapter Report

By Cody Dolinsek, Des Moines Chapter President

In April, the Des Moines Chapter heard from a panel organized by Bettina Dolinsek consisting of Maryfrances Evans, Executive Director of IRIS (Iowa Radio Reading Information Service), Jami Milne, Creative Director from Ballet Des Moines, and Lindsay Keast, Museum Specialist at the Iowa State Historical Society. Each of them focused on the unique things they are doing to make their work more accessible to blind Iowans. For example, Jami talked about providing opportunities for blind people to come prior to the scheduled performances to feel the costumes and other artwork involved in the ballet being performed. Maryfrances talked about her ongoing efforts to provide audio description for various productions at the Civic Center, the Des Moines Playhouse, and most recently, Ballet Des Moines’ production of Romeo and Juliet.

In May, we heard once again from Drake University’s Professor Emeritus Dr. Dennis Goldford about the political divisions that have taken hold across the country. Of particular interest was his discussion about the relationship between religion and politics. When religion informs politics or vice versa in the public arena as they have in recent elections, he said, things do not go well. Goldford put it memorably, “When you religify politics, you politicize religion, and this is good for neither politics nor religion.”

At our June meeting, attendees/scholarship winners of the March Legislative and Leadership Conference provided reports of their work with our members of Congress. We thank them for their concerns and work on behalf of blind people.

Due to the national ACB Convention, there will not be a Chapter meeting in July.

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, 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.

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ICUB BULLETIN Summer 2025

Table of Contents

President’s Report

Stacy Cervenka steps into IDB Director Role

Power Up! Game On for Summer Reading

By Sarah Willeford

Donating Your Vehicle to Benefit ICUB

Just Try It: Carrie Chapman Discusses Her Use of AI

Tips for Public Speaking

News You Can Use

Selecting ICUB as a Beneficiary

Recipe: Calico Beans

Across Iowa Chapter Report

Des Moines Chapter Report

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