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.
Can someone tell me how we got to my seventh President's Message already? Because I feel like I just got here! But here we are—with elections on the horizon this October and nearly two years of leadership under my belt. What a journey it has been.
I’m not going to dive into my full origin story here (I’ll save that for the October Chronicle—consider this "to be continued" moment) but let me just say: this role has changed me.
Being president of NJCB has taught me more than I ever expected. It has taught me patience, humility, and the fine art of juggling ten things at once—while still remembering to unmute on Zoom.
This position pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me confront something I wasn’t always ready to admit, I am legally blind. I can’t exactly brag about being president of the New Jersey Council of the Blind without owning that fact. And once I did, everything shifted.
This experience has helped me stop viewing my blindness as a limitation or something to be ashamed of. Of course, I still have those moments (who doesn’t?). But this message isn’t about sympathy. It’s about strength.
Here’s something many of us have had to explain, why your extra-thick glasses don’t work. You know the look you get when someone insists, "Well, my cousin wears glasses and he drives just fine!" That look.
Or the awkward moment when you ask where the bathroom is, and someone stares at you like you just asked for directions to Narnia. And then they point. Like that helps.
That’s why NJCB matters. It’s not just about advocacy or awareness. It’s about community. It’s about having a safe space where people get it. A space where no one needs to justify using a cane or explain why they need assistance at the grocery store or on public transit. We understand each other—and that’s powerful.
Speaking of powerful, our next general meeting is on July 26th, and you won’t want to miss it. We’re thrilled to welcome John McEwen, Executive Director of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, as our guest speaker. John will share how theaters across the state are expanding their efforts to be more accessible and inclusive for blind and visually impaired patrons.
So, join us—bring your questions, bring your curiosity, and get ready to learn about the arts in a way you might not have considered before.
The American Council of the Blind National Convention begins virtually on June 23rd, and it's packed with valuable content.
Here's what to look out for: voting on national board positions (for seats that aren’t running unopposed), constitutional and bylaw debates, including a big resolution that could potentially eliminate the affiliate vote, candidate promos running daily, and educational sessions on leadership, advocacy, and tech.
You can tune in via ACB Media 1 and ACB Media 2. Not sure which channel? Just tell your smart speaker to play ACB Media 1. If nothing happens, keep going—“Play ACB Media 2,” and so on. Eventually, you’ll hit gold. (And if you don’t, at least you got some bonus cardio running through the numbers.)
Remember: NJCB members are automatically members of ACB. If finances are tight, we sponsor two members to attend virtually each year. If you’re not chosen this time, apply next year. And even if you can’t attend live, most sessions stream for free via ACB Media.
Now let’s bring it back home. The NJCB Grassroots Revival Convention is happening on Saturday, September 27th, our first convention in over 15 years!
This is more than just a meeting, it’s a statement. A declaration that NJCB is back, stronger than ever, and ready to lead.
We’ve lined up dynamic speakers, engaging topics, and opportunities to reconnect, reflect, and reignite our mission. After this message, you’ll find a full list of speakers, short bios, and a quick look at what each one will be discussing.
If you’d like to help out at the convention—or just have an idea—let me know! Want to run for a board position? Even better. Our October elections are coming up, and we want you to get involved.
To help you explore new tools, we’re offering a $5 promo code for first-time users of INNOsearch.ai. Just use the code NJCB at checkout by July 31st. Whether you use it to get $5 off or to grab something that’s exactly $5 for free—be savvy!
Because of my role with NJCB, I was honored to be selected as an ACB JP Morgan Chase Leadership Fellow and will attend this year’s national conference in Dallas, Texas. I’m proud to represent our state and bring back ideas, resources, and new energy to share with all of you.
And please remember I am here for you. If you’ve got something on your heart—whether personal or organizational, call me. If you want to run something past me, need a letter of support on NJCB letterhead, or even just want to talk, I will listen. If I can’t answer right away, I will absolutely call you back.
To our board: I would be lost without you. Your support means everything.
To our members: Thank you for showing up. For believing in our mission. For reminding me, every day, why this work matters.
And to those still unsure about stepping into leadership, remember this quote:
"Apply for something you feel unqualified for—because what makes you qualified is your willingness to learn and grow."
So let’s keep growing—together.
Be bold. Be great. Be safe.
Keep advocating.
Our July Quarterly meeting will be held by conference call on Saturday,
July 26, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Call 719-300-3278, no passcode required.
Our guest speaker
Guest Speaker John McEwen
John McEwen is a nonprofit arts executive with over 35 years of experience in the areas of fundraising, program planning, board development, and strategic planning. Currently, John serves as the Executive Director of New Jersey Theatre Alliance, a service organization for the state and region’s 42 professional theatres. Under John’s leadership the Alliance completed a successful endowment campaign and has led several initiatives benefiting the state’s entire arts sector in the areas of equity and access. John founded the Cultural Access Network Project, a program of New Jersey Theatre Alliance and New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
Prior to the Alliance, John served as Vice President for Development of the New Jersey Network Foundation. Prior to joining NJN, John served as the Director of Development for Paper Mill Playhouse.
John is a trustee of the Fund for New Jersey Blind and serves as the Secretary of the Board for MidAtlantic Arts, a regional arts service organization.
John has been recognized by numerous state and national organizations for his work in the areas of arts access, fundraising, and advocacy. Among John’s honors are the Excellence in Accessibility Award from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Robert Smythe Award for Outstanding Fundraising Professional from the Association of Fundraising Professionals/New Jersey Chapter, and the Byrne/Kean Arts Advocate Award from Paper Mill Playhouse.
NJCB is proud to announce our winner for the Bernard Zuckerman Scholarship Award for the 2025-26 school year. Congratulations to Elizabeth (Ella) Wilson.
Scholarship Finalist
Elizabeth (Ella) Wilson is a graduating high school senior who will be attending Rowan College of South Jersey this coming Fall 2025. She plans to study psychology in the hopes to become a Child Life Specialist, who helps children undergoing chemotherapy with psychological support and fun activities. When she was five, doctors diagnosed her as visually impaired due to an optic pathway glioma, brain tumor pressing on the optic nerve. As a six-year-old who went through chemotherapy herself, Ella knows firsthand how crucial a Child Life Specialist is to a child’s successful treatment plan. She anticipates her many hobbies including creative writing, theater, drawing, painting, ceramics, karate, hip hop and Polynesian dancing along with her life experience will equip her for this career path.
Ella is a kind energetic outgoing, and resilient, young woman whose life mission is to make the world a better place. Accordingly, she has volunteered for several organizations including Ronald McDonald House, Kisses for Kyle (raising funds for cancer), and For the Love of Pete's Pantry (feeding the homeless). Respectively, she has planned and implemented crafts, hosted bake sales and made PB&J sandwiches for the homeless. Additionally, she has published and illustrated a children’s book, titled I Sold My Sister, honored with the TD Bank Young Heroes Award, and featured at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia. WE are proud of all your accomplishments. Congratulations!
Nominating Committee Update
By Jim Dougherty
During our October Quarterly meeting, NJCB will hold elections for our Executive Board. We currently have openings for President, 1st Vice-Président, 2nd Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Any NJCB member in good standing may be eligible to run for office as long as they meet the descriptions below for that position.
Anyone interested in becoming a candidate for one of the above positions, please contact Jim Dougherty at or call me and leave a message on my cell at 1(732)589-5619. We will also accept nominations from the floor for any open position. Anyone being nominated must have been approached beforehand.
ARTICLE VII - DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1 - President
The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation; he/she shall preside at all meetings, shall be Chairperson of the Executive Committee, and appoint all committees. The President shall serve no more than two consecutive elected terms and shall be legally blind.
Section 2 - First Vice-President
The First Vice-President shall assume all of the duties of the President when he/she is unable for any reason to fulfill them. This person shall be legally blind.
Section 3 - Second Vice-President
The Second Vice-President shall assume all of the duties of the President when both President and First Vice-President are unable for any reason to fulfill them. This person shall be legally blind.
Section 4- Secretary
The Secretary shall be responsible for receiving and sending all correspondence carried on in the name of the Corporation. He/she shall maintain custody of all said correspondence. The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping a record of all meetings of the Assembly and Executive Committee. He/she shall have custody of all minutes and correspondence of the Corporation.
Section 5 - Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be responsible for receiving and disbursing the funds of the Corporation, subject to the supervision of the Executive Committee and in line with the general policies of the Corporation, as set forth by the General Assembly. Such funds are to be deposited in a bank approved by the Executive Committee, and easily accessible by the Treasurer. He/she shall have custody of all financial and corporate records of the Corporation.
Jim Dougherty
Nominating Committee Chair
Hi There, I’m Your Neighbor With Vision Loss.
Can You See Me?
By Miss Ruth
Governor Phil Murphy is leaving office, and my “quick and dirty” take on his legacy is that he was was great on the arts, but but fair-to-middling on Disability Community matters.
I was thinking of attending an event at which Governor Murphy would be honored for his support of the arts last week, but I knew I had a couple of bones to pick with him and would probably end up giving him a piece of my mind. I decided against going, because it was hosted by a group I respect and I didn’t want to rain on their parade.
But, if I had attended, I’d have asked him why he'd never responded to any of the messages I’d sent him on the state website, such as:
If PASP (a state program that funds a personal assistant for those with disabilities who work, volunteer, or attend school at least 20 hours per month) participants are required to work independently as part of the program, why isn’t the application in a format accessible for those of us with vision loss so we can complete it by ourselves?
Was anyone in the community of People With Disabilities consulted before you decided to ban plastic straws, which many rely on to consume sustenance and nutrition?
Didn’t you realize that banning plastic bags would actually harm the environment as we’ve now all got so many “reusable” bags that we discard them and they end up in landfills
Like Governor Murphy, many claim to want to help our community, but when the rubber meets the road, it is often only lip service.
Then there are others who really want to lend a hand, but don’t always know how. That’s why it’s important to find the right way to advocate, even if an issue is really pressing.
At an event held recently by an organization dedicated to making the arts accessible, the photographer asked those of us who were on the committee to take off our nametags, presumably for aesthetic reasons.
Then he proceeded to bark at me, “You there! Can you turn her?”
I almost did a Robert DeNiro on the guy, but my Lyft was waiting outside, and this group picture was taking forever. “Are you…talking…to me?!?” I said in my mind.
He was ordering me to “turn” my blind friend who was standing next to me. I have some vision, so I could see he was pointing to me. “Can you turn her?” he asked impatiently.
Normally, I would tear him a new…aperture. That's a photography term!
But I didn’t want to miss my Lyft, because because AccessLink's Rider's Choice 2.0 voucher would provide me with a discount of $30 per ride. I'd have to take that Lyft to my son’s former school, which is a pick-up point for that program, and my son would take me home from there. He’d be on his lunch hour, so I was really threading the needle already, standing here, waiting for a photographer to take a picture.
To take a picture. You know, for people with vision.
So, a group of us with vision loss were waiting for a photographer to move us around like chess pieces so that those with full sight would have something to remember us by.
At the time, I was just so stressed about possibly missing my Lyft, this enjoyable event was somewhat diminished in my mind.
I did end up missing my Lyft, and my son couldn’t wait any longer for me at the school, since his lunch hour was over. I had to wait for another Lyft and pay full price, which was $78.
That next Lyft driver arrived and texted me: "I’m here. Where are you?" I was waiting in front of the building, but he was nowhere to be found. It turns out he had pulled up to a different entrance of the building and I had to guide him to find me. "I think I’m next to a statue of Zeus or something," I told him on the phone. I started waving my hands. "Can you see me?"
And oftentimes I think the same thing as I face various situations. You say you want to help, but can you really see me?
After the event, it took me a good couple of weeks before I was in the right state of mind to send an email to the organizer. I knew that it had been a marvelous day and I’d got to spend time with friends, including Wanda, whom I adore, but don't get to see in person that often. The panel of presenters was terrific. There was entertainment and food. The whole nine.
Luckily, when I finally sat down to write the email, I knew that the person I'd be sending it to believes in our community and wants to improve the lives of people who are blind or have low vision.
He was grateful for my feedback and pledged to make changes for the next event. His organization even reimbursed me for my missed ride home. I was so glad I’d taken the time to breathe before I emailed him.
When someone is an ally and listens to you fully, you feel seen.
You know that, even if you can’t see the world well, if at all, there are still kind, decent people in it who want to open it up to you. And once you feel seen, it’s that much easier to see what others are going through and help them if you can. Grace and goodwill are always the best way to change the world.
Mercer County Happenings!
By Wanda Williford
Push-up Pops and Acoustic Rock will define summer 2025 for the Mercer County Association of the blind. The summer season is a time of fun, relaxation and spending quality time with friends and family. MCAB will lean into the summer fun with our upcoming speakers and events.
First up, we will get advice on building a healthier body. RWJ Fitness of Hamilton will join us to share information on their state of the art gym and wellness facility. RWJ offers a myriad of ways to support a healthy body and lifestyle. Aqua walking, cooking classes and heart health seminars are just a sampling of the offerings at RWJ, that can help you to embrace a healthier life.
Next, we will party like it's summer 1999! MCAB's annual picnic will take place on August 9th, 2025 at the Elks Lodge in Ewing NJ, from noon to 4:00 p.m. there will be great food, great fun and door prices. Additionally, singer Lisa Bouchelle will perform for us.
Lisa has sung backup for Bruce Springsteen, dueted in concert with Jon Bon Jovi, and has toured with and/or opened for The Wallflowers, Train, Blues Traveler, Jason Mraz, Colby Caillat, Bryan Adams, Don Felder of The Eagles, Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze, Steve Miller, and The Wailers, among others.
Lisa’s latest album, Jump In!, yielded two Billboard A/C Top 25 singles, including "Love Is For The Making," which reached the Top 20 and stayed on the chart for over 4 months, an impressive feat for an indie artist. The video for the song has over 2.5 million views, and videos utilizing the song garnered over 4.6 million views on TikTok.
Jump In! is a testament to positive vibes and inspiring messages. American Songwriter Magazine called it “An invaluable message of positivity and uplifting inspiration... that’ll get stuck in your head for days"; and Philadelphia’s Out On The Town described her as “Larger than life with a voice that could fill an amphitheater and still make you feel like you’re the only one she’s singing to.”
The music of Lisa Bouchelle unapologetically encompasses a wide variety of genres, including Americana, pop, singer-songwriter, classic rock, gospel, and more, and the songs are all based around her unique acoustic guitar grooves. She was named a Relix Magazine “Artist On The Rise,” and The Aquarian Weekly stated, "An outstanding album from one of music's best voices... inspiring songs and hooks galore.”
If you are interested in attending the picnic, contact Wanda Willowford, at 609-375-6682 for additional details and to reserve your space.
To round out the summer, the SAVE organization of Skillman New Jersey will join us to share the joys of pet adoption. SAVE is a no-kill shelter, which provides adoption for dogs and cats. SAVE will bring several furry friends for us to pet, cuddle and possibly rescue. We are excited to share some time and love with some furry friends. And maybe become a mom or dad to a fur baby.
The Mercer County Association of the blind has a fun-filled summer in store and we plan to eat plenty of those delicious creamy push-up pops while rocking to some acoustic guitar, with a furry friend by our side.
The NJCB 2025 Virtual Convention: A Grassroots Revival of Insight, Inclusion, and Innovation
By Sabastian Warren, President, New Jersey Council of the Blind
After more than 15 years, the New Jersey Council of the Blind is proud to bring back its state convention—this time as a fully virtual event accessible to everyone. On Saturday, September 27, 2025, members and allies will gather online for a day of learning, inspiration, and community. With dynamic speakers and powerful topics, this year’s theme emphasizes grassroots transformation and forward momentum.
Dr. Bernice Davis
Executive Director, NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI)
Dr. Davis brings over 25 years of experience to her role and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She will discuss recent CBVI initiatives focused on education, outreach, and compliance, highlighting how the agency continues to support independence for blind and low vision individuals across New Jersey.
Debra Erickson
Executive Chef & Founder, The Blind Kitchen
Debra, who is blind and the only blind graduate from her culinary school, will showcase adaptive tools and techniques that empower individuals to cook safely and independently. Her session, “Cooking with Vision Loss,” emphasizes practical strategies and renewed confidence in the kitchen.
Maggie Felton, FNP-C
Clinical Nurse Educator, Vanda Pharmaceuticals
Maggie will present on Non-24-Hour
Circadian Rhythm Disorder, a sleep disorder that affects many in the blind community. She will explain its impact, treatments, and how Vanda Pharmaceuticals partners with advocacy groups to raise awareness and support.
Patrick Long
Co-Founder, InnoSearch AI
Patrick created InnoSearch AI to make the internet more accessible to screen reader users. He will give an overview of the platform’s functionality, upcoming features, and how it enables more inclusive web navigation.
Special Offer: First-time users can receive $5 off with promo code NJCB (all caps), valid through July 31, for an introduction to the site at innosearch.ai.
Erica Saganowski
Deputy Director, Mercer County Human Services & Director, Office on Aging/ADRC
Erica will provide an overview of local aging and disability services, including transportation, nutrition programs, and referral systems. Her focus will be on supporting independence and care coordination for older adults and people with disabilities in Mercer County.
Ardis Bazyn
Motivational Speaker, Business Coach & ACB Membership Chair
Blinded in early adulthood, Ardis has dedicated her life to mentoring others and building leadership. She currently serves as the ACB Membership Chair and holds leadership roles in several national organizations. Her talk will focus on empowerment through self-advocacy and business development.
Ardis will also highlight benefits of ACB membership, including:
Salvador “Sal” Lopez Lorenzo
Home Instructor, NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Sal’s work centers around teaching independence and confidence to those with recent or long-term vision loss. With a background in business and a deep knowledge of assistive tech, he’ll present on modern solutions for modern low vision challenges, including individualized action planning and the latest tools.
Dave Schleppenbach
Founder & CEO, Tactile Engineering
Dave is the creator of the Cadence tablet, a game-changing full-page refreshable braille and tactile display. He demonstrate its capabilities and explain how it’s transforming access to digital content for blind users in education and daily life.
Final Thoughts
This convention marks a powerful return and forward leap for NJCB. With expert speakers, engaging presentations, and meaningful resources, it promises to energize, inform, and unify the blind and visually impaired community in New Jersey and beyond.
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
Location: Online via Zoom
Registration: Free and required
Contact: njcounciloftheblind@gmail.com
Let’s build the future—together.
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 September 27 Virtual Conference
Saturday October 25th location TBD
Saturday January 24th Conference call
Saturday April 26th location TBD
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 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
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.
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Make check payable to NJCB and send to:
Treasurer- Steven Sowa
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