VISIONARY |
April 2014 |
Table of Contents
Spotlight
Personnel Actions
- Meet Our New State Office Staff
- We welcome our newest employees to the DBS family
- We wish our retirees the best in their future endeavors
Tech Tip
Success Stories
Around the State
- Jackie Robinson Ballpark Recognizes Volunteers
- Even Hands Can See
- Developmental Disability Day
- Dining in the Dark a Grand Success
- Life Saving Collaboration
End Zone
Spotlight
Haye named Bureau of Operations and Compliance Chief
Personnel Actions
Meet Our New State Office Staff
Cyndi Chandler, administrative assistant II - Tallahassee
We welcome our newest employees to the DBS family
- Amanda Honingford, rehabilitation specialist - Tampa
- Richard Johnson, clerk specialist - Library
- Lynn Seavey, rehabilitation specialist - Jacksonville
We wish our retirees the best in their future endeavors
- Patrick Regalado
Tech Tip
Security Shortcut
By Amanda Freeman
Did you know you can hit “Ctrl Alt Del” keys on your keyboard any time for a quick and easy way to lock your computer? By locking your computer when you walk away, you ensure there will be no unauthorized use. You can also use this shortcut to do a handful of other tasks such as changing your password.
Success Story
Marine Corps Looking For a Good Man
By Janet Chernoff
The U.S. Marine Corps is not only looking for a few good men to serve in the military forces, it is also looking for good men and women to serve their food. Patrick “Hugh” Mansfield has taken up the challenge by opening his food service business at the Marine Corps Support Facility at Blount Island near Jacksonville, Fla.
Mansfield earned his Bureau of Business Enterprise (BBE) license in June 2011 and started a challenging vending route in downtown Jacksonville. Six months later, he began the Blount Island food service and vending site. One year afterward, he received a glowing letter from the commanding officer stating that the operation was phenomenal. The commander went on to write that as a result of Mansfield’s hard work and dedication, the business had increased by 50 percent.
He spent 20 years as a carpenter when he began to lose his sight and started to look at other career options. His second career in landscaping lasted 22 years. Now Mansfield is planning for 17 years in the BBE program and then will look at possible retirement when he is 80. He is an example of how hard work and dedication can lead to a successful career in the BBE program.
Around the State
Jackie Robinson Ballpark Recognizes Volunteers
By Kara Riley
Volunteer Recognition Night at the Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Fla. April 10 was a success. the Braille and Talking Books Library had more than 35 attendees representing library volunteers, staff, friends and family members. Our very own Carol Hawkins had the honor of throwing the first pitch and we received a couple of shout outs from the Daytona Cubs announcer. Everyone had a great time and we look forward to repeating the event next year with even more participants.
Even Hands Can See
By Peter Cerullo
Bureau Chief Edward Hudson at the DBS Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Daytona Beach, Fla. welcomed world renowned artist Horst Mueller from Homburg Germany. Mueller’s specialty is creating and teaching tactile art to the blind, conducting workshops all over the world in countries such as Russia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Spain and the United Sates. His belief is that this creative process instills confidence in the person who is blind that they can do most anything, conveying a pertinent message through this proven technique “That Even Hands Can See.” Hudson thanked Peter Cerullo for introducing Mueller to the Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired and for arranging an effective afternoon workshop to engage students with a creative and stimulating experience. For more information, visit www.evenhandscansee.com.
Developmental Disability Day
By Rashad Morgan
Developmental Disability Day was very informative and exciting. We had the opportunity to meet and network with various agencies such as the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and various nonprofit and community organizations that serve individuals with disabilities. The people we met were very enthusiastic and eager to learn more about DBS. Attending this event opened my eyes to the awesome support and efforts people are making to assist individuals with disabilities to accomplish their goals and dreams.
Dining in the Dark a Grand Success
By J. Mitchell Haley
Lighthouse of Southwest Florida’s (SWFL) Dining in the Dark annual fundraiser was held this year in the Cohen Center Ballroom at Florida Gulf Coast University. The event garnered $43,000 – its best proceeds to date for the four-year-old event. All proceeds go to support the services and clientele of Lighthouse of SWFL.
More than 200 attendees at this year’s dining event enjoyed a silent and live auction, live music and dancing. They then experienced a blindfolded sit down dinner to experience the challenges faced by people who are blind and visually impaired. “It was a wonderful evening and a great success for our agency,” said Doug Fowler, executive director of Lighthouse of SWFL. “The catering staff at FGCU embraced the event and provided excellent service and our staff, volunteers and board of directors treated all attendees with hospitality and gratitude.”
Life Saving Collaboration
By Kathleen Peck
The Safe and Healthy Children’s Coalition and Lighthouse of Collier collaborated to provide lifesaving water safety skills to blind and vision impaired children from March 3 – 14. The program, titled Collier County SWIM Central, was led by the professional team of Mercedes Puente and Lynn Clarke of River Park Community Center; Pamela Demeo, fire inspector; and Lead Guard Dawn Hickey and Nikki Brundage, water safety instructors. The program was made possible by the Naples Children and Education Foundation-Founders of The Naples Winter Wine Festival.
SWIM Central provided 10, 30-minute lessons over a two week period. Each session began and ended with an evaluation of each child’s water safety skills. The children were split into groups and worked individually to develop water safety skills at their own pace. At the end of the session, the children were evaluated again. While the children learned lifesaving skills, they also started to develop a healthy relationship with the water. . After the two weeks, each child received a certificate of participation.
End Zone
Publication and Submission Information
We hope you found this month’s newsletter interesting. Remember, we need your submissions each month. Let us know what’s going on in your district or facility. The publication date for the Visionary newsletter is the first week of each month. The deadline for submissions is the 15th of each month. Comments, suggestions, and submissions should be directed to:
DBS Communications: Communications@dbs.fldoe.org
Additional useful links and telephone numbers:
To request a Braille version of this edition of the Visionary contact the Braille and Talking Book Library: al.peterson@dbs.fldoe.org or call 800-226-6075.
MIS Help Desk:
Phone: 850-245-0360
Email: DBS.HelpDesk@dbs.fldoe.org
AWARE Help Desk:
Phone: 850-245-0395 or 866-841-0912
Email: Aware.support@dbs.fldoe.org
Division of Blind Services website (external): dbs.fldoe.org.
