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The New Jersey Council of the Blind
CHRONICLE
October 2024

The New Jersey Council of the Blind’s mission is to strive for the betterment of the blind and visually impaired community. The purpose of this publication is to provide a forum for the free exchange of ideas, opinions and information that concern blind and visually impaired people.

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President’s Message:
by Sabastian Warren

Dear Members and Friends of the New Jersey Council of the Blind,

As we approach the end of another remarkable year, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the many achievements and challenges we have faced together. This year has been marked by growth, community engagement, and shared successes. Our collective efforts have truly strengthened our organization, and I could not be prouder of the dedication and commitment demonstrated by each of you.

Fundraising Success

One of our greatest accomplishments this year has been the success of our fundraising efforts, which remain the cornerstone of our essential programs. From our scholarship program to the upcoming community outreach initiatives, these funds are enabling us to expand our impact significantly. I am also pleased to announce the return of our annual convention—an event we have all been eagerly anticipating.

Looking ahead, I am excited about our next major fundraising initiative, the Terry Lynn Fundraiser. This will be an ongoing campaign with no set time limit, allowing everyone to participate at their convenience and as often as they wish. The fundraiser will launch this October, and we will be sharing the participation link with all of you.

In addition, I am looking forward to seeing who will step forward to join our new community outreach program, designed to raise awareness of the New Jersey Council of the Blind and the vital work we do. I strongly encourage everyone to get involved and help us expand our reach and influence.

Personal Growth and Leadership

On a personal note, I will be spending the next nine months focused on becoming the best leader I can be for this organization. I am honored to be participating in the Inspire Program through the American Council of the Blind, where I will be furthering my leadership education. This experience will be invaluable, and I am eager to apply what I learn to benefit our organization even more in the coming year.

Looking Ahead

The year ahead holds even more promise. I am filled with excitement as we prepare for the return of our annual convention, the launch of our community outreach program, the continuation of our fundraising efforts, and the introduction of new scholarship candidates. I am also eager to hear any new ideas or initiatives our members would like to propose. As a member-driven organization, your input is nvaluable. Without you, there is no New Jersey Council of the Blind.

In closing, I want to express my deep gratitude for your unwavering support, dedication, and well wishes. This has been a truly wonderful year, and I am confident that the next will be even better.

Sincerely,

Sebastian Warren
President, New Jersey Council of the Blind

October Quarterly Meeting Notice

Our October Quarterly meeting will take place on Saturday, October 26, 2024. We will meet in person at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 1985 Pennington Rd, Ewing NJ 08618, (Find directions at the end of the newsletter.) The meeting will begin promptly at 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm. A Pizza lunch will be from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm. A cost of $7.00 per person is requested to cover the cost of the food and drinks. For those planning on attending in person and want to eat the pizza, please RSVP at 609-672-7059 no later than October 23rd. To attend virtually call 719-300-3278, no access code needed at 1:00 pm. We hope all of you will join us!

About our Guest Speaker

Harry W. Neil, Jr.: A Lifelong Commitment to Public Service and Security

Harold W. "Harry" Neil, Jr. is a name synonymous with dedication to public service, safety, and security. Recently, Harry captivated an audience at the Mercer County Association of the Blind, where he delivered a compelling presentation on identity theft prevention. The insightful session focused on how to protect oneself in both public and cyber settings. The positive feedback was overwhelming, leading to another speaking invitation—this time with the New Jersey Council of the Blind. His upcoming presentation will cover the timely and critical topic of protection during an active shooter situation. Attendees are sure to benefit from his expertise and engaging delivery.

Born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey, Harry’s journey toward becoming a public safety leader began in the 1970s after completing a degree in Civil/Construction Engineering Technology at Mercer County Community College. His early career saw him work for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection before moving to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), where he dedicated nearly two decades of service. His engineering and executive roles involved high-profile public safety and logistics planning, particularly for events such as the Men’s and Women’s World Cup Games, the NCAA Final Four Basketball tournaments, and visits from the Pope. These projects cemented Harry’s reputation as a trusted leader in transportation logistics and public safety.

The post-9/11 era marked a shift in Harry’s career toward homeland security. He became the Director of the Office of Transportation Security at NJDOT, where he managed critical risk assessments of New Jersey’s transportation infrastructure. In this role, he worked closely with federal agencies such as the FBI, Secret Service, and Department of Homeland Security to ensure the safety of the state’s highways, rail systems, and ports. His expertise in managing security for such essential assets demonstrated his ability to adapt to the evolving nature of public safety threats.

In 2008, after more than 20 years of public service, Harry founded Homeland Defense Solutions, Inc. (HDS). His consultancy provided security expertise to both government agencies and private companies, with a focus on vulnerability assessments, cybersecurity, and infrastructure protection.

Harry’s commitment to security continued when he joined the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) in 2015 as a Grants Specialist and later as a Project Manager in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. He has since overseen threat assessments, cybersecurity initiatives, and emergency exercises to safeguard key assets within the region.

In addition to his professional endeavors, Harry spent over a decade as an adjunct professor at Rutgers University and the New Jersey Institute of Technology, educating the next generation of security professionals. His achievements have earned him recognition as a Fellow at Rutgers University’s Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation and as a member of the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute.

Beyond his professional accolades, Harry remains dedicated to his community, having volunteered with Camp Iroquoina as a counselor and board member for over 50 years. Today, he lives in Hamilton, New Jersey, with his wife Rebecca, and they are proud parents and grandparents to a close-knit family.

Harry W. Neil, Jr.’s career stands as a testament to a life committed to public safety and security, leaving an enduring impact on New Jersey and beyond.

Support for Disabled Uber and Lift Riders
Shared from ACB Leadership List

To those who take Uber and Lyft and have a disability, here is information on how to request a Waiver of Wait Time Fees for Uber and Lyft.

You may have had the experience of having an Uber or Lyft driver show up at a pick-up location that is different from where you are waiting, especially at places like businesses that have multiple entrances and exits or airports with multiple pick-up spots, and you may have then had to call for another ride. To add insult to injury, you may have also incurred a charge for missing your first ride. For those who did not know, you can get a waiver of all wait fees from Uber and Lyft by certifying that you have a disability. Here are the steps to follow using your smart phone app:

Uber:

  1. Open the app.
  2. Tap the Account button in the lower right corner.
  3. Tap the Help button near the top left side
  4. Scroll down to All Help Topics and tap on the Accessibility button.
  5. Under the Resources for Riders with Disabilities heading, tap “I have a disability, how do I request a waiver of wait time fee…”
  6. On this screen, you can request a refund but then further down you can enter your initials to certify that you have a disability and you will be refunded any wait time charges you may incur. Enter your initials here and tap the Submit button

Lyft:

  1. Open the app.
  2. Tap the Menu button at the top.
  3. Scroll down to the “Help” choice and tap on it.
  4. Scroll down to “Accessibility” and tap on it.
  5. Tap on “Wait Time Fee Waivers.”
  6. Near the bottom of the screen you can follow the steps as described above for Uber to enter your initials to certify you have a disability and tap on Submit.
Clinical Lab Study Open for Low Vision Individuals

Clinilabs is conducting paid research studies for adults with vision impairment in New York City. Participants will be asked to wear Smart Glasses and use new technology. Smart glasses are a form of wearable technology powered by Meta, designed to assist with everyday tasks and improve navigation. As part of the study, you'll have the opportunity to explore how this innovative technology can enhance daily living and contribute to advancements in assistive tech. Your participation will provide valuable insights that could shape the future of vision support solutions. Below is the information for the study.

CLINILABS Smart Glasses Study for the Visually Impaired and Blind

Location/s: New York City, NY
Age Range: 22+
Sex: Male, Female
Stipend: $800+ per round plus travel

Study Schedule:

Screening Visit, Study Visit, Device Testing at Home, Follow-Up Visit. The process of Study Visit, Device Testing at Home, and Follow-Up Visit may be repeated 6 to 12 times over the course of one year, depending on the needs of the study.

Clinilabs is now enrolling healthy adults for a research study for the development of an algorithm for Smart Glasses to be used by individuals of all visual ability.

We are looking for a wide range of participants to join this study, including adults with moderate visual impairment and blindness.

There is no cost to participate. Those who qualify will receive compensation for time and participation, plus reimbursement for travel. We encourage you to review the participation requirements listed below.

Qualified participants must be:

Participants may receive compensation up to $800 for time and participation in Round 1, and up $1,200 for Rounds 2-12, plus reimbursement for travel per visit. Total compensation is dependent on the number of visits completed.

If you are interested in learning more about this study, visit volunteers.clinilabs.com for more information OR call or text 914-306-9017. Clinilabs is also reachable by email at getinvolved@clinilabs.com.

Angie Randazzo, PhD
Director | Patient Engagement & Advocacy

Clinilabs Drug Development Corporation
4 Industrial Way West, 2nd Floor
Eatontown, NJ 07724 USA
t: 1-212-981-2718
m: 1-314-863-8550
e: arandazzo@clinilabs.com
www.clinilabs.com

Nice Try, Though: 34 Years After ADA Became Law, Companies Still Don’t Make Accessibility a Priority
By Miss Ruth

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed thirty-four years ago, but we can all attest to the fact that companies — and even governmental entities — seem to disregard this federal law regularly, and with impunity.

Part of the problem is that the community a product will serve is not consulted at the point of design and manufacture; more often, some work-around is added after the fact.

One example of this is the “Accessibility Widget” called AccessiBe. Ideally, this add-on is intended to make web pages accessible to the blind user’s screen reader.

However, upon its roll-out, many consumers found, to their frustration, that the widget did not do this. In fact, it made the page even less accessible.

Consumer complaints poured in, and AccessiBe’s customer service contingent took an unusual approach: blaming the users in a harsh tone. They were insistent that the product was fine, and that the consumers must be using it incorrectly. Many users reported that the representatives were downright disrespectful.

Following this furor last year, the president of AccessiBE, Skip Ekerling, spoke at the NFB’s 2023 Convention and offered up a mea culpa. NFB President Marc Riccobono was particularly snarky as he introduced him to the crowd:

nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/2023-07/nfb23/04_rebuilding_what_i_should_have_known-0.mp3

Ekerling said he had heard all the feedback, and pledged to make improvements, both in their product, and their approach to customer service.

I wondered how that was going, until I read a post on the NFBNJ’s Technology Division listserv last week by someone who said AccessiBe is still not accessible to the three main screen readers. So a year later, nothing has changed.

At the same NFB Convention, a representative of Uber spoke and gave a similar apology to the entire community for deficiencies in their service. But here’s the thing (as our Veep, Wanda Williford, might say), nothing has changed!

Uber and Lyft drivers still routinely and illegally deny service to blind riders with guide dogs.

To protest this issue, the NFB is holding a rally outside the California headquarters of Uber and Lyft in October.

I want to note that I am including information that I've learned from being a member of the NFB here, in an ACB publication, because I believe we are all one community. If I learn something that might be useful to someone with vision loss, I intend to share it with everyone. It's important to move past the notion of separate silos and work together to make life better for all of us.

Well, how about recreational activities? Are there any accessible options for our community?

Last month, the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired of New Jersey held a baseball day for the community, but as many Council members who attended will attest, the stadium had many stairs to contend with. There are few things more treacherous for us to navigate than steep steps in an unfamiliar area, while navigating through a large crowd of people.

The theme here is that all of these companies and entities would like some credit for at least giving it a shot. We tried to be welcoming to everyone, but your needs are just too much for us to take on! Wasn’t it a nice try, though?

Really? Ensuring that everyone who pays for a ticket at a sporting event can get to their seat independently is too much to take on? It would mean confirming that they have access to an elevator instead of stairs. What if we were to mention that it would also benefit families with small children in strollers? Would it magically make it easier to take on?

What if they were reminded that making things more accessible would also increase their revenue?

Then they would be able to show smiling families enjoying their day at the game. They could pat themselves on the back in advertisements and get credit for being inclusive.

Generally speaking, people running businesses aren’t familiar with how well these things work, or don't work, for any given community of People With Disabilities. They are invested only insofar as the bottom line is concerned.

But there is a case to be made for implementing the practices of universal design and making it clear that helping our community actually helps the community writ large.

Universal design includes methods such as imprinting a perforation onto plastic packaging on products many of us rely on daily.

An example is my go-to lip balm, Chapstick. I keep it in my pocket all day long, right next to my prayer chain and my cell phone. I don’t go anywhere in my house, or out into the world, without it.

Last month was my birthday month (I celebrate all month long for the shopping convenience of my friends and familyThumbnail image of a chocolate birthday cake with candles) and I’m 59 now --- old enough to remember when each tube of Chapstick came with a perforated seal.

You could feel with your fingertips where the perforation was, so it was easy to open. Nowadays, there is no perforation, so you have to use a knife to pick at the tiny seal, hoping you don’t end up skewering your hand in the process.

The small dollar amount Chapstick is saving by not including a perforation to remove its plastic does not make sense to me. Certainly, it would help those of us with vision loss to have a tactile demarcation to open the plastic seal, but it would help everyone else as well.

It seems that by and large, products are designed to be sold and shipped. There seems no consideration given to consumer use.

Universal design means that an “accommodation” for those of us who are People With Disabilities would also be beneficial for those without disabilities, such as the use of a curb cut. It makes a sidewalk accessible for People Using Wheelchairs but is also useful for parents pushing baby strollers.

As a side rant, “accommodation” is a legal designation, and it is important to use this word as it relates to ADA compliance; however, in conversations with friends, the term I use instead is “essentials.” After all, I’m not asking for the moon and stars; just that the products I purchase are usable for me.

You may wonder where I’m going with all these disparate threads, and I’ll tell you where: I think we should shift our advocacy efforts to focus on how everything that is good for the vision loss community helps the “mainstream community,” as well. It seems that our actions as a marginalized group have been disregarded by the powers-that-be, and maybe we should instead employ a stealthy strategy of This is as good for you as it is for us, so work with us.

Only when everyone feels they are impacted will they truly get on board.

And even if this approach doesn't gain traction, at least we can say... it was a nice try.

Heartfelt thanks to all of you who had the stamina to read this massive tome all the way to the end. Bless your hearts!🌻

Take care,
Miss Ruth Thumbnail image of a sunflower
Vision Loss Community Advocate

Chapter News

Mercer County Happenings!
By Wanda Williford

Happy Fall! Some people consider Fall the 2nd New Year. A time to reset and transition into the cooler weather. Kiddos go back to school, we rake the leaves and embrace sweater weather. After a fun-filled, steamy Summer, we welcome the crisp Fall air. The Mercer County Association of the Blind is reflecting on our highly successful Summer and anticipating an awesome Autumn. Our Fall schedule is packed with events that will educate, inform and engage our members. We're leaning into the new season with excitement and anticipation.

Looking back for a moment, the annual MCAB picnic took place on a sizzling summer day. Thankfully, we enjoyed great food and fellowship indoors, in an air-conditioned space. There was water ice, juicy burgers and dancing. Lots of hands came together to make "light work" of an amazing event. Many thanks to Nicole Gorman, Angela Lampkin and Barbara Plunkett for all their hard work. And special "thanks" to grill master, Mac Williford and singer, Lynne Lockamy. Mac endured a humid August day standing over two Weber grills, while we enjoyed the sensational sounds of Lynne. Her performance was the highlight of the day. We hope she can join us in 2025 for an encore.

In addition to celebrating Summer, MCAB is reveling in receiving our 501(c)3 designation. The federal recognition as a non-profit charity. Our 501(c)3 status, will enable us to qualify for grants and other monetary support that will allow us to continue our mission to foster independence amongst our members and the blind community of Mercer County. And, moving forward any donations made to our organization are tax deductible.

Looking ahead, our Fall schedule focuses on self-empowerment. Beginning with guest speaker, Harry Neil. With over thirty years’ experience advising individuals and organizations on how to protect themselves against cyber criminals. Mr. Neil well join us to share tips on how not to become a victim of identity theft, inside and outside our homes.

One of the most empowering things that you can do as an American citizen, is cast your vote. The upcoming election is so very important. Therefore, we are thrilled to join forces with the League of Women Voters and the Mercer County board of elections to prepare us for November fifth, 2024. We will continue our preparation for this year's election by participating in a demonstration of the accessible polling machines that are used in Mercer County. This collaboration will not only enable us to get hands on the accessible machines, it will also give several poll workers the opportunity to train on the accessible equipment. We are looking forward to learning from one another and preparing for an historic election.

In November, we will host the Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County as our guest speaker. They will share with us the myriad of services they provide to seniors and individuals living with disabilities in Mercer County. Executive Director, Lauri Harbison and her team will conduct an informative discussion with the goal of sharing their mission to help individuals in need.

To wrap up the season MCAB will travel to Hunterdon Hills Playhouse on November 30th. We will attend their annual holiday show and enjoy a delicious lunch.

MCAB has a packed schedule of exciting speakers and events. Grab your pumpkin spice latte and join us for the Fall festivities.

2025 Dues are due.

At-large members please send your annual dues along with the attached membership form to our Treasurer, Steven Sowa. Annual dues for members at large are $10.00. Checks should be made payable to NJCB and mailed to PO Box 434, Woodbridge, NJ 07095. To pay dues online go to New Jersey Council of the Blind (Dues Payment)

Check out the NJCB Facebook Page

NJCB is on Facebook. Anyone interested in contributing to the success of this page please send your ideas and posts to our email address at njcounciloftheblind@gmail.com Please note all posts must be related to activities relating to your membership with NJCB or its affiliates. The page is www.facebook.com/groups/2255314534793147/. Just search for New Jersey Council of the Blind in Facebook.

Save The Date

Saturday January 25th Quarterly Meeting - Time and Location TBD

Saturday April 26th Quarterly Meeting - Time and Location TBD

Saturday July 26th Quarterly Meeting - Time and Location TBD

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The NJCB Chronicle is also available on Newsline. If you do not have a Newsline subscription, contact Reader Services at the New Jersey Talking Book and Braille Center at (800) 792-8322 to get signed up for a Newsline subscription. Four quarterly newsletters are sent to members free of charge by E-mail. You may obtain the current and back issues of the Chronicle and other information from our web site http://www.njcounciloftheblind.org. Feel free to write us at njcounciloftheblind@gmail.com

The New Jersey Council of the Blind (NJCB) is a 501 (c) 3 corporation. Much appreciated tax-deductible donations may be sent to the Treasurer of NJCB.

The NJCB officers are.

President, Sabastian Warren (609) 672-7059

1st Vice President, Wanda Williford (609) 375-6682.

2nd Vice President, Lisha Pottackal (215) 948–2210

Secretary, Dan Bausch

Treasurer, Steve Sowa (848) 999-2079 or by mail to PO Box 434, Woodbridge, NJ 07095

Directions

Get onto Route 95 heading south. (From Route 1 south, from Route 295 heading north or Route 195 heading west to Route 295 north)

Get off at Exit #4 making a left turn onto Pennington Road (Route 31 South toward Ewing)

Turn right at the 4th traffic light, Carlton Avenue. It is across the street from The College of New Jersey. Make the first left to enter the church parking lot. The meeting room entrance is close to the parking spaces and is a single door.

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NOTE: Disclaimer. The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of the New Jersey Council of the Blind officers and/or members. The editor reserves the right to edit articles submitted for both space and content.

New Jersey Council of the Blind
An affiliate of
American Council of the Blind
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