THE TEXAS STAR

Vol. 24, No. 1 January, 2016

Neva Fairchild, Editor

Expressions from the Presidents Desk Kenneth Semien, Sr.

Tales from the Treasurer Sheila Derrick
Guide Dog Users of Texas LouAnn Williams
Braille Revival League of Texas Neva Fairchild
Alamo Council Rosalyn Benavides
East Texas Area Council Michelle Boyd
El Paso Council Dianna Carter
Houston Council Happenings Bob Bartlett
ACBT 2016 State Conference/Convention Peggy R. Garrett
ACBT First Timer Award Cindy Finley
ACBT Advocacy Committee Paul Hunt
2016 "Who's Who Among Blind Texans" Cindy Finley
Member Morale Committee Cindy Finley
ACBT Membership Peggy R. Garrett
ACBT Scholarship Program Cynthia Julun
ACBT Nominating Committee Michael Garrett
OUTSTANDING MEMBER AWARD Michael Garrett
Collaboration Is Key for Success Olivia Chavez
DBCP: Services Available through Division for Blind Services
Scott Bowman, Interim Assistant Commissioner, DBS
Preparing for a sightless future Larry Johnson
Note from the Editor
Thanks to Our Sponsors

Toll-free number: 866-929-2228

[Note: Articles printed in The Texas Star are submitted by the

subscribers and are not necessarily reflective of the membership
as a whole. The articles express only the opinion of the author.]
Expressions from the Presidents Desk Kenneth Semien, Sr.
Greetings to All,
I invite you to join me in making a grand entrance into this new year with
enthusiasm and determination to make it the best year of all. Its a new day,
and new opportunities are on the way. Its a great time to identify areas of
which you may be able to serve within ACBT while sharing your skills and
abilities. Recently, the board of directors worked together to develop an
ACBT Vision Statement to set the tone for future efforts. The statement
reads as follows: Texans who are blind or visually impaired will have equal
access to all of the resources that will allow them to lead productive and
independent lives. This statement is in accordance with our mission and
purpose, and we appreciate Michael Garrett for contributing the selected
statement. Moreover, please be informed that the board of directors has
elected to discontinue the Post Conference Board Meeting, effective during
this years Conference/Convention.
Congratulations to Neva Fairchild of Carrollton and Paul Hunt of Austin for
their recent appointment to the Rehabilitation Council of Texas by Governor
Abbott. Their willingness to serve and make a difference in the lives of all
Texans with disabilities is highly commendable. Lets also express gratitude
to Mike Firth for his service as ACBTs Web Administrator for a number of
years. Due to health complications, he chose to resign as of December
31st. Additionally, the South Plains Council of the Blind opted to disband as
of December 31st. We are hopeful that they will choose to become
members at large. Much appreciation goes to Neil and Cindy Finley for their
longtime efforts to keep the chapter going. Cindy Finley should also be
commended for her excellent article submitted to the October 2015 issue of
the Texas Star. Her article is the first to receive the Article of the Quarter
recognition.
Several of our members will join the advocacy committee in traveling to
Washington, D.C. in order to participate in the ACB Mid-Year Meetings and
a day on Capitol Hill from February 27th to March 1st. The April issue of the
Texas Star will include highlights from our experiences. When more news is
available, it will be shared on the ACBT List Serv and/or the ACBT
Announce List. Send email or call at any time to share concerns or ask
questions, and be sure to read all articles in this issue for encouragement
and enlightenment.
All the Best,
semien@sbcglobal.net (409) 866-5838

Tales from the Treasurer Sheila Derrick

Now is the time to prepare your membership lists for delivery to me by
Feb. 15, 2016 along with the dues for your members. Please help by
sending ONLY information for members who have actually paid their dues
for 2016. Again this year, in an effort to contain costs, ACBT is asking each
member who has email access to please request their publications by email,
so it is more important than ever to verify each members demographic
information AND their Texas Star and Braille Forum formats. For each
member I need: full name, address, home phone and cell phone number,
email address, vision status (totally blind, legally blind, visually impaired or
fully sighted), Texas Star format (email, large print, or CD) and Braille Forum
format (email, Braille, large print, 4 track cassette or non-audio computer
data CD). Membership lists can be sent by paper or electronically in word
document, or excel spread sheet. Dues are as follows: chapter members
$7.00, Special Interest Affiliate members $2.00, at-large members $10.00,
Junior members $3.00, ACB Life member $2.00, ACBT Life member $5.00,
and life member of both $0.00. Please remember to include life members on
your list even though you may not collect any dues for them. Please mail
dues and/or membership lists to: Sheila Derrick 309 Paloverde Lane Ft.
Worth, TX 76112-1122. My email is sjderrick212@hotmail.com and my
phone is 817 507-3964. Please contact me, if you have any questions.
On December 15, 2015 the ACBT Board of Directors voted to approve
and adopt the proposed budget for 2016. We are still working with a very
fiscally conservative budget and again, I will encourage all members to
support the ACBT statewide fundraising activities to the best of your
abilities. One of our newest projects is the Youth Advantage Program
whose goal is to bring blind and visually impaired high school students to
our annual conference and expose them to the mission of ACBT. The first
two years of the YAP were very successful and we are striving to be bigger
and better in 2016.

Guide Dog Users of Texas LouAnn Williams

Happy New Year to all! Thank you Cindy for your welcome in the last issue
of the STAR. I look forward to getting better acquainted with each of you.
Please, remember to send your dues in for 2016, if they were not paid
during the 2015 conference. And please encourage others who may want
to join for the first time. Dues are $15 and checks are payable to GDUTX
and should be mailed to our treasurer, Neil Finley, 3710 70th St, Lubbock,
TX 79413.
GDUI held a teleconference on December 17, 2015. Alice Ritchhart, Past
President of the Georgia Affiliate, Doug Hall, President of the Florida
Affiliate, and Betsy Grenevitch, President of the Georgia Affiliate gave their
presentations, sharing experiences of working with those in local, state and
the Federal arenas. I will share a few of their pointers with you. 1. Work on
being buddies with key officials or legislators. Search for ways to connect.
Volunteer during their campaigns or special projects. This provides
opportunity to gain their interest in your causes or projects. 2. Always
acknowledge the efforts of all those who have helped in your causes with
thank you notes regardless of the outcome of their assistance. 3.
Remember to accompany your ask with a thank you for something that
they have done, in a positive manner in the past, whether or not it directly
concerned your specific issue.

If you would like me to email the complete notes of the conference call
please contact me.
LouAnn Williams 210-884-7778, la.lozano.williams@gmail.com
Braille Revival league of Texas Neva Fairchild
Many thanks to members of ACBT and friends who purchased chances on
the iPod Touch at our conference last fall. Dont dismay, you didnt lose! You
supported a scholarship for an eager braille reading student and once we
sell just 18 more tickets, well have the drawing. Dont fret about the iPod
wasting away, were not going to buy it until we have a winner, so youre not
getting old dusty out-of-date equipment. If you would like to purchase a one
in one hundred chance to win a brand new iPod Touch64 GB, send a $10
check to Neva Fairchild, 2008 Reagan Blvd, Carrollton, TX 75006. Make the
check payable to Once we have sold all 100 tickets, the winner will be
chosen and announced far and wide. Thanks again. And, if youve thought
about starting to use your braille skills again and youre not a member of
BRLT, please join us. Well help you put your fingers back in touch with
reading. You can reach me at 972-897-4171 to ask questions or you can
send $15 to the address above to join this dynamic affiliate.

Alamo Council Update Rosalyn Benavides

Happy New Year!! Our first monthly meeting of 2016 will begin with the
installation of our new officers:
Donna Mc Bee President
LouAnn Williams First Vice President
Pegie Gonzalez Second Vice President
W. Kevin Dunlop Treasurer
Rosalyn Benavides Secretary
Congratulations to all and special thanks to our new Immediate Past
President, Barbara Stockford for her efforts and ideas throughout 2015.
Also, Thanks go to our out-going Immediate Past President, Larry Roser for
his untiring work in helping our chapter.
Our Christmas/Holiday Party was enjoyed by all! Besides the good food,
and the crazy white elephant exchange, counting our new members, we
now have twice the number of members we started the year with!
The other high point of the party was when Lou Ann Williams, the programs
originator and organizer, explained how our Childrens Christmas Giving
Program works. Alamo Council builds up the fund during the year, the
teachers compile wish lists from their neediest low or no vision students, 17
this year, then share the list of items with Lou Ann. Almost single-handedly,
she goes shopping and has it all ready to be turned over to the teachers at
the December party. Listening to the teachers, its clear that the presents
mean a lot to the kids. We are grateful too that there is so much caring work
done by those teachers who make this program a reality.

East Texas Area Council Update Michelle Boyd

Greetings from the East Texas area Council of the Blind. Great news as we
continue to engage in the community with our presence and member
involvement. As we continue to stay relevant and to grow in membership,
we share the celebration of the accomplishments of 2 of our members, the
first, Wendell Jeffery, who still strives to advocate and to show what blind
Americans can do. In November he was inducted into the Angelo State
University hall of Fame for his football success. Wendell graduated from
ASU and later played for the San Francisco 49ers. He later taught fifth
grade science before losing much of his sight to diabetes. We further
celebrate with Wendell who also had a successful kidney transplant this
past year. Our second member, who was quite visible and active this year
is John Geter. . He is in the Generation Y or Millennial category. He has
received a number of awards this year, including A DARS-Goodwill
Consumer of the Year award and now works in the dairy section of Walmart.
John also hosts a radio show on Kingdom 1 Radio called, Life with John
Geter, which airs on Wednesdays and is re-cast on Thursdays, from 1:15-
1:30 p.m. Here is the web link (www.kingdom1radio.com . Both members
are active in their local churches. We continue to meet and participate in
community fairs and other events to stay visible and to help educate the
community and region about blindness.

El Paso Council Update Dianna E. Carter

The council ended the year in a whirlwind of activities. In October, in honor
of White Cane week, we hosted our second annual Braille for Badges event
at a local police department. Local scouts and the public were invited to
participate in our interactive booths, which included hands on activities such
as Braille decoding, vision simulators, technology exhibits, a White Cane
obstacle course and tactile challenges to name a few. The big stars of the
event were Guide Dogs Abraham and Izzy at the guide dog meet and greet
area. The Police Explorers partnered with us and provided tours of police
patrol units, a SWAT van and a prisoner transport vehicle. We received
media coverage by several news stations, to include on-air interviews. This
is a great program that helps bring awareness to the public about the
abilities of persons with vision loss. Several council members also
participated in the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Abilities Fair. Our
Plinko board made our booth quite popular with the college students as they
played for a chance to win an EPCB backpack. November arrived and
found us just as busy. Thanks to our community partnerships, we were able
to provide Thanksgiving dinners to 100 families in our community. The
dinners consisted of a turkey and groceries for side dishes. Our program
provided these dinners to families experiencing vision loss. We were
honored to meet so many awesome families. After the hard work came play
time. We ended the year with a large Christmas party that included lots of
food, a white elephant gift exchange and an ugly sweater contest. As we
began 2016, our first iPad shipment arrived and we will be giving iPads to
local students who are Blind or visually impaired. Stay tuned for an update!

Houston Council Happenings Bob Bartlett

During the October meeting, we celebrated Bernice Klepac's 80th birthday.
She is one of our charter members. Several of our HCB members attended
METROLift Town hall meetings to advocate for keeping the fare increases
affordable and the continuation of monthly and yearly passes. This
culminated in presentations before the METRO Board where our efforts
were successful. HCB was also a participating sponsor of the 2015 White
Cane Safety Day Celebration in Houston. This year's celebration was the
largest yet with more than 500 participants including 32 vendors, musicians,
keynote speakers and volunteers.
The highlight of this report is about our Christmas gathering. We
met in the big room at the Houston Lighthouse again this year. The food
was catered by Joseys and it was traditional fare with both turkey and ham,
dressing, greens, mashed potatoes and gravy, and it was delicious. Council
members brought their favorite holiday treats for the dessert table. We had
singing and fellowship and it was enjoyed by all. New officers for 2016 were
installed by Bob Bartlett. The officers are President, Michael Garrett; First
Vice President, Gayle Metoyer; Secretary, Thomas Morrison; and Treasurer,
Karen Sprague. Directors Bernice Klepac, Michael McCulloch, and Sandhya
Rao were also installed. Peggy Garrett continues as immediate Past
President. Their terms became effective on January 1, 2016. Our service
project for last year was collecting food for the Houston Food Bank. We
donated over 90 pounds of food to that most worthy organization. We also
had several Council members go to Sheltering Arms and sing Christmas
Carols for them as well as pass out goody bags. We are sad to report that
First Vice President Gayle Metoyer lost her husband, Joseph Metoyer,
recently. Our condolences to Gayle and her family.
2016 Conference/Convention Peggy Garrett, Event Coordinator
The 2016 ACBT Conference/Convention will be held at the Holiday Inn
Austin Midtown located at 6000 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin, Texas 78752.
The Conference/Convention is scheduled to be held September 22-25,
2016. The room rate is $99.00 plus 15% tax ($113.85). Reservations can
be made by calling the hotel at 512-451-5757. The deadline to make
reservations and receive the group rate is September 2, 2016. Remember
that in order to be assured that you receive the group rate, you must
mention that you are with ACBT when you make your reservations.
The theme for 2016 is Serving, Inspiring, Making a Difference. There will
be sessions focusing on employment, education, advocacy, independent
living, money management and much, much more!
This is also the year for our walk/Run. While this is a fund raising activity, it
is also a fun event that allows for some friendly competition. Its not too
early to start seeking sponsors and donations for this fun event. So, dust off
those tennis, walking or running shoes and start getting in shape!
The Conference/Convention Committee is full speed ahead with plans for
the 38th annual state Conference/Convention. Start planning now to join us
in Austin for an event you wont want to miss! Stay tuned for updates.

ACBT First Timer Award Cindy Finley

Have you ever considered applying for the American Council of the Blind of
Texas Ed and Linda Bradley First Timer Award? Because of budget
constraints, this years First Timer Award will fund conference registration,
two nights lodging, and travel expenses for one member (or possibly two) to
attend the ACBT state conference to be held in Austin, September 22-25,
2016.
The First Timer Award was established so that members who have never
attended an ACBT conference could have an opportunity to attend. To be
eligible to apply, you must have been
a member in 2015 as well as being a current ACBT member in good
standing. Also, you must never have attended an ACBT state conference
and must be a Texas resident who is legally blind.
If you would like to apply for the 2016 Ed and Linda Bradley First Timer
Award, please submit your letter of application to the Member Morale
Committee. This letter needs to include your name, address, phone number,
email address, ACBT affiliation, visual status, and other information about
yourself, including activities which are important to you. Also, tell us why you
would like to attend the conference and how you think it will benefit you and
your participation in ACBT.
All application letters must be received by July 18, 2016, if sending your
application by email, or postmarked by July 18, 2016, if using snail mail. The
Member Morale Committee will review all applications and notify the
recipient of this years award no later than August 10, 2016. Please send all
applications to: Cindy Finley, Member Morale Committee Chair, 3710 70th
St, Lubbock, TX 79413, phone 806-795-0216, email:
cpfinley@sbcglobal.net.

ACBT Advocacy Committee Paul Hunt

The 84th session of the Texas Legislature opened in January, 2015 and
closed at the beginning of June, 2015. During this session, Advocacy
committee members testified at many hearings conducted by both houses
of the Texas Legislature. During these hearings, the committee members
opposed the transfer of the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative
Services programs to the Texas Workforce Commission. The Advocacy
Committee also encouraged ACBT members to communicate with their
legislators about this important issue. The legislature, however, mandated
the transfer of most of our programs to TWC. Now, its our responsibility to
make sure that the transition goes smoothly and that we retain all of our
services. As a result of ACBTs advocacy efforts, Governor Abbott appointed
Neva Fairchild and Paul Hunt to the Rehabilitation Council of Texas. We are
responsible for advising the Governor on issues that are important to
Texans with disabilities.
During 2015, Kenneth Semien, SR., Peggy & Michael Garrett, and Sheryl &
Paul Hunt attended the ACB Legislative Seminar. We talked to members of
Congress about the Low Vision Device Exclusion, Alice Cogswell and Anne
Sullivan Macy Act and the Ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty legislative
imperatives. Finally, the Advocacy committee conducted an advocacy
workshop at the ACBT convention. During 2016, the Advocacy committee
has three initiatives. First, we will continue to participate in the transition of
the DARS programs to TWC. We will also participate at the ACB Legislative
seminar. Finally, we will conduct an advocacy workshop at the ACBT
convention in Austin.

2016 "Who's Who Among Blind Texans" Cindy Finley

Put on your thinking caps and help the Member Morale Committee
continue the Who's Who Among Blind Texans award program. The
American Council of the Blind of Texas will honor three individuals with the
2016 "Who's Who Among Blind Texans award during the Sunday morning
Awards Breakfast at the ACBT state conference to be held in Austin,
September 22-25, 2016. Two of the awards must be given to ACBT
members, and the third award will be given to a nonmember. This award
promotes and acknowledges positive contributions made to the State of
Texas and local communities by persons who are blind or visually impaired.
These contributions can be made through advocacy, education, outreach,
public awareness, and other meaningful volunteer efforts. Each recipient will
receive a Certificate of Membership into the prestigious ACBT Honor
Society and receive special recognition in the "Who's Who Among Blind
Texans" Honor Showcase of The Texas Star newsletter, the ACBT website,
etc.
Family members, friends, or organizations that have witnessed any
individual meeting the above criteria are encouraged to submit nominations.
Each nomination should contain the name, phone number, email and home
address, as well as a one to two page narrative of the nominee's
contributions. If you have submitted a name in the past and that person was
not chosen, feel free to resubmit that persons name this year. All
nominations must be received by July 18, 2016, whether emailed or
postmarked. Please send all nominations to: Cindy Finley, Member Morale
Committee Chair, 3710 70th St, Lubbock, TX 79413, phone 806-795-0216,
email: cpfinley@sbcglobal.net.

Member Morale Committee Cindy Finley

Hello and Happy New Year from your Member Morale Committee. We hope
that each of you are having a great beginning to 2016. Yet, for at least three
members of our ACBT family, that is not the case. We extend our deepest
sympathy to Gail Metoyer on the death of her husband, and Becky and
David Collier in the tornadic destruction of their home. Please keep these
people in your thoughts and prayers, as well as those about whom we are
not aware.
The Member Morale Committees "ACBT Caring and Sharing Program"
needs your help as we try to show more concern toward our fellow
members. So, if you know of an ACBT member who is ill, a member who
has left our ACBT family through death, or a member who has lost a family
member or close friend, please contact me at 806-795-0216 or
cpfinley@sbcglobal.net. This will allow someone from the M&M committee
to contact them and let them know that we care and are thinking of them at
this challenging time.
I would like to recommend a book to you that I am reading. The title is The
Gratitude Diaries: How a Year Looking on the Bright Side Can Transform
Your Life, written by Janice Kaplan and read by the author. At this time, it is
available from NLS in download only. The number is DB82454. Kaplan
chronicles a year in which she vows to live gratefully. Researching positive
thinking and promising herself to focus on the good things in her life, the
author discovers the importance of attitude. She believes gratitude can
transform every aspect of your life. How appropriate when beginning a new
year!!!
Last, but not least, I would like to recognize the Member Morale Committee
for 2016. The members are Joan Cox, Karen Eitel, Cynthia Julun, Bernice
Klepac, Lori Naiman, and Cindy Finley, Chairperson.

ACBT Membership Peggy R. Garrett, Membership Chair

It is that time of the year again for renewing your membership in ACBT,
Chapters and Special Interest Affiliates and of course our parent
organization, the American Council of the Blind. I was asked recently by a
perspective HCB member what are the advantages of joining our
organization. Here are some of the advantages of belonging to
ACBT/ACB: offers members the opportunity to network with other people
who are blind or visually impaired and share the same concerns and ideas
relevant to Improving the quality of life for all people who are blind or
visually impaired; works to educate the public about the abilities of people
who are blind or visually impaired; provides annual scholarships to
individuals who are blind or visually impaired and attending post-secondary
educational institutions; provides list servs, newsletters and websites to help
keep the blind community informed; advocates for the rights of people who
are living with little or no sight to live work and play as people who are fully
sighted.
So, as you pay your dues for 2016, remember that you are part of ACBT,
Advancing the Cause of Blind Texans with a vision that Texans who are
blind or visually impaired will have equal access to all of the resources that
will allow them to lead productive and independent lives.
ACBT Scholarships Cynthia Julun
The 2016 ACBT Scholarship Committee is honored to present you with a
terrific opportunity. Each year, ACBT awards scholarships to Texas students
who are college bound, individuals who are attending college, and persons
enrolled in a vocational or technical program. In order to be considered,
applicants are required to submit a completed application, documentation of
legal or total blindness, a high school or college transcript, and have a
cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. An applicant also must have
an acceptance letter of admission or documentation of current enrollment at
a college or vocational/technical school, and two to three letters of
recommendation that are no more than one year old. One of the letters
should be from an administrator, teacher, or rehabilitation professional.
Applicants must prepare a one to two page typed autobiography. Please
include educational and career goals. Proof of Texas residency also is
required. The application will be available by February 29, 2016, and it can
be obtained by contacting DARS/Division for Blind Services, Lighthouses for
the Blind, Regional Education Service Centers, Centers for Independent
Living, the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and offices of
disability services located at some colleges and/or universities. Applications
also will be available at www.acbtexas.org. Scholarships will be disbursed at
ACBTs state conference/convention September 25, 2016, in Austin. All
recipients are encouraged to attend the conference/convention. The
deadline for submitting the application will be announced on the application
and in the April edition of the Texas Star.. We look forward to hearing from
you. For further information or questions you may contact committee chair
Cynthia Julun via telephone at 409-924-9803 or by e-mail at
cjulun@sbcglobal.net.

ACBT Nominating Committee Michael Garrett

This year, all officer positions will be up for reelection. So, we must begin
thinking about these very important positions, and who will fill them. All
current office holders are eligible for reelection, (there are no term limits for
the Secretary and Treasurer) but if you or someone you know is interested
in running, now is the time to prepare your candidacy. You may submit your
own name or the name of someone else as a candidate for an office. If you
would like to recommend someone for an officer position, please make sure
that person is willing to run. All persons seeking to run for a position must
submit a biographical sketch. Nominations can be made from the floor, but,
again, the person nominated must be willing to serve and fulfill the duties of
that office. Also, he or she must have a current bio that can be read on the
conference floor during elections. The bio should consist of a brief
introductory paragraph which states the office to which you are seeking
election, followed by answers to the questions which have been crafted by
the Nominating Committee., Please limit your bio and question responses to
two pages in Arial font, 16-point. It is also imperative that each candidate be
familiar with the duties of the office being sought, as stated in the ACBT
Constitution and Bylaws. Below are the questions to be completed for
submission to the Nominating Committee:
1. What are your reasons for seeking this office?
2. What experience and expertise can you contribute to this office, and
ACBT?
3. What actions would you take to assist ACBT in fulfilling its mission and
achieve its goals?
4. Fundraising is vital to keeping any nonprofit organization alive.
Therefore, name two possible fundraising events and tell how you
would personally contribute to the success of these events.
5. When do you feel that it is necessary for change to take place in an
organizations practices and procedures?
6. What do you see as the biggest challenges facing ACBT over the next
two to three years, and how would you help ACBT deal with these
challenges?
All candidate bios and answers must be submitted no later than May 31,
2016, via email, or postmarked by May 31, 2016, by regular mail. Please
send all candidate bios and answers to: megarrett4443@sbcglobal.net. Or,
mail them to: Michael Garrett, Nominating Committee Chairman, 7806
Chaseway Drive, Missouri City, Texas 77489. It is important for us to elect
officers who are willing to work diligently for the American Council of the
Blind of Texas. Our organization needs a group of people who are
committed to working toward ACBT becoming a stronger organization, and
helping us to fulfill our motto which is (ACBT) Advancing the Cause of Blind
Texans.

OUTSTANDING MEMBER AWARD 2016 Michael Garrett

Since 1987, ACBT has recognized an outstanding member who has gone
above and beyond the normal call of duty. At this years Conference and
Convention, another worthy recipient will join this prestigious group. If there
is someone you believe should receive this years award, send a letter of
nomination to the Nominating Committee. The submission should consist of
reasons why you believe this person should be a recipient, how they have
served ACBT at the local and state levels and other characteristics that
show the nominees willingness to serve. All letters should be submitted by
July 22, 2016.
Send submissions via email to:
Megarrett4443@sbcglobal.net
Or by U.S. post (printed please) to:
Michael Garrett
Nominating Committee Chairman
7806 Chaseway Drive
Missouri City, Texas 77489

Collaboration Is Key for Success Olivia Chavez

For 2 years ACBT has promoted a Youth Advantage Program for students
between the ages of 13 and 18 or for students enrolled in high school
beyond the age of 18. Four students participated during our Conference in
San Antonio in 2014. Dennis Sims provided a program for the students
which included recreational activities and participation in ACBT workshops.
The Second Youth Advantage Program was held during the ACBT
Conference last September in Corpus Christi. A committee prepared a
proposal and sent letters to friends and agencies to bring 22 youth to attend
our conference. The Division for Blind Services provided the majority of the
funding and brought volunteers to help with the program. The Education
Service Centers Region 1, 2 and 19 provided materials and funds for meals
and activities, along with many other donors. My daughter, who is a Certified
O&M Specialist, donated her time and financed her trip from Dallas to
assist. She and Judy Jackson developed an orienteering activity. Other
activities included: a presentation by President Kenneth Semien, Sr., who
spoke on what is ACBT?; attending the luncheon, banquet, candidates
forum; and exploring the exhibit hall. Students proposed and voted to follow
a set of house rules. There were no incidents other than some students
oversleeping the morning after a full day of activities. Recreational activities
included: swimming and a cruise on a small yacht. Some of the teens, and
yours truly, experienced driving the yacht. Finally the students and one
volunteer were awarded trophies. Working together made it possible for
teens to make new connections, learn about ACBT and advocacy and have
fun, all at the same time.

Deafblind Community Program (DBCP): Services Available through the

Division for Blind Services (DBS)/Texas Department of Assistive and
Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
Elaine Sveen, Manager, Deafblind Services
Gail Ploman, Case Manager, Deafblind Services
Parents, professionals and students often question what life will be like after
high school for young adults who are deafblind. How does a young adult
successfully move (cut the strings) from the support of family and the
education system to the world of work and independent life? For young
adults who have both a vision/hearing loss, age eighteen years or older and
are committed to work, DBCP offers a training program in Austin, Texas,
geared to assist in building confidence and skill development to meet those
challenges of getting a job and developing independence. Training focuses
on the Big Six areas of Adjustment to Deafblindness, Independent Living,
Travel, Communication, Support Systems and Vocational Skills; and is
designed to meet the individuals communication requirements by
knowledgeable staff.
Here is a story of one consumer that demonstrates how DBCP services can
assist individuals who are deafblind. Jessy Dussetchleger started the
training program this past April at the age of 21. He was born deaf and is
legally blind. With the aid of a cochlear implant and American Sign
Language (ASL), he can communicate with speech in quiet environments
and uses ASL in noisy environments. Jessy was not ready to move into an
apartment when he started the program, but he took full advantage of the
training programs available to learn to live independently and prepare to get
his first job.
After six months of training, Jessy started to cut the strings from his family
he loves through a four day experience living by himself in a studio hotel
room equipped with a full kitchen. The DBCP training prepared him for this
experience through a series of real life classes such as learning to:

Open a checking account and manage his own finances,

Use a First Aid Kit,
Know what to do in an emergency and how to call 911,
Travel by bus to the local HEB food store and shop for meals, and
Develop a checklist of items to bring for his hotel stay.

Once Jessy, Jessys parents, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and

Deafblind Services staff members agreed he was ready, the hotel was
booked and the journey was about to begin. Jessy was a bit scared at the
thought of being on his own, but held to his commitment to show he was
capable of living by himself. In November, Jessy arrived at the hotel with
everything that he needed.
Jessy utilized his skills in problem solving, time management and his self-
determination to:
 Check in and pay for the hotel,
Arrange his transportation,
Ride the bus to HEB and navigate grocery shopping,
Cross a major intersection,
Set up his Silent Call door pager and his wake up alarm,
Cook his meals, and;
Entertain himself.

The next day, he chose to sleep most of the day. In the evening, he
successfully prepared dinner and served his parents. That night, he set his
own Silent Call alarm clock to wake him up on time so he would be ready for
his driver to pick him up to attend training at the DBCP.
As individuals begin to cut those strings to our families, young adults face
challenges, with or without a disability. Jessy too, experienced the
temptation of staying up late, having no parents around to tell him to go to
bed, and resulted in him oversleeping the next morning, He kept his driver
waiting and he arrived late to training. Jessy said in his own words, I need
to go to bed early when I have an early appointment the next day.
Later, during a debriefing with Jessy where he talked about his experience
living alone in a hotel studio, he said it was a good experience and he now
knows he can live alone but he prefers to have a roommate. A roommate
will help me not to be bored or get lonely. At the end of our discussion, he
added with a smile but it is important to never give up and to always have
hope!
Jessys journey is continuing as he works on landing a job. He is preparing
his resume, learning more about how to organize his information and
actively talking with employers. With several applications submitted, his
DBS team and family is confident that work is in his future. Jessy is striving
to reach his vocational goal. One of the key elements of his vocational
program is that the DBCP program staff know how to interact with Jessy.
Are you interested in knowing more information about interacting with
people who are deafblind?
The Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services is pleased to
announce the release of its newest brochure: Resources for Interacting with
People who are Deafblind. This 18-page, full color brochure presents the
diverse nature of what it means to have both hearing and vision loss,
provides communication options and strategies to interact. Resources are
listed to obtain more information on deafblindness. The brochure is printed
both in English, Spanish and available in accessible formats.
Our new brochure offers insight into the variety of ways to interact with
people who are deafblind. When in doubt, just ask the individual, said Scott
Bowman, Interim Assistant Commissioner, Division for Blind Services, Texas
Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services. Proper interaction can
ensure that the independence and abilities of people who are deafblind are
respected. For a free copy of this brochure, you can contact the DARS
Deafblind Services at: 512-416-5450 (phone) or
deafblindservices@dars.state.tx.us (email).

Preparing for a Sightless Future Larry P. Johnson

San Antonio Express-News, December 19, 2015

I was thinking about how lucky I am. I am already a senior, and I am already
blind. This means I know about the challenges, the inconveniences and the
limitations that loss of vision and getting older present.

Ive also figured out pretty much how to adapt and how to adjust. I know
whom to call to arrange for transportation, where to call to borrow books in
audio or Braille format, whom to ask for help when my special computer
software stops working. Ive learned to do my own cooking, laundry and
housecleaning, pay bills, go shopping, read most of my mail and be
independent enough to live in my own home. Yes, I am one of the lucky
ones.
But then I think about the 400,000 other legally blind seniors in Texas, and
about the thousands of baby boomers beginning to join the senior
population. What about the fact that many of them, a quarter-million in
Texas, during the next 15 years will experience loss of vision? They will be
your family members, your friends, your neighbors maybe you.

They will face the prospect of no longer being able to drive, no longer being
able to read their personal mail or the newspaper. They will be afraid to do
their own cooking afraid of cutting themselves or burning themselves on
the stove. They will feel angry, scared, depressed. Its a frightening
experience for someone who has had sight all his or her life who has
been able to jump in the car and drive to the corner store to pick up a gallon
of milk on the spur of the moment, read their daily newspaper, see the faces
of their kids to suddenly go blind.

Going blind is a devastating, traumatic experience. Some people, when

going blind, even think about ending their lives. During the next 15 years,
the number of people older than 65 is expected to grow by 60 percent. This
means there will be some 628,000 legally blind seniors in Texas by 2028.
And, right now, there is no plan to meet this challenge. Agencies charged
with providing services to this population lack either the staff or the
resources.

Older Texans who lose their vision need to receive:

In-home orientation and mobility training.

Hands-on instruction on how to carry out daily activities without vision.
One-on-one training on the use of special adaptive aids and
technology.
Information and techniques on how to locate and use viable
transportation alternatives.
Psychological and emotional counseling.
The goal is for seniors with loss of vision to age in place, to live
independently and with dignity, and stay out of nursing homes. Low vision
among seniors is most often caused by age-related visual disorders, such
as macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and cataracts.
Visual impairments increase the risk of falls and injury, and can contribute to
depression and poor general health.

Current resources and funding are woefully inadequate to address the need,
let alone the projected future need. State agencies and nonprofits presently
are able to provide services to just 10 percent of this population.
Facing this challenge with bold initiatives and a comprehensive statewide
master plan is imperative. And thats how I see it.
Editors Note
Thank you for your patience as I attempt to follow in the footsteps of the
hard-to-fill shoes of our former Texas Star Editor, Neil Finley. My hat is off to
you sir.
The initial email distribution of this issue of the ACBT Texas Star resulted in
over 100 undeliverable messages, indicating that over 1/3 of the email
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I hope you find this issue informative, inspiring and impossible to put down.
Many thanks to the contributors who make the Texas Star possible.

Projects and activities are financed by annual dues, fundraisers, and tax
deductible donations made to ACBT by members, friends, and other
interested persons. ACBT appreciates the continued support of its members
and friends. For more information about ACBT, please contact any state
officer, director, or your nearest chapter, call 866-929-2228 and leave a
message, or visit www.acbtexas.org.
American Council of the Blind of Texas, Inc.

President Kenneth Semien, Sr.

1st Vice President Peggy Garrett
2nd Vice President Kevin Ratliff
Secretary Mary Alice Gary
Treasurer Sheila Derrick
Past President Carol Edwards
A publication of the American Council of the Blind of Texas, an affiliate of the
American Council of the Blind
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