Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind

The Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind consists of 20 members appointed by the Governor with the majority being blind or visually impaired.   

Mission Statement

The Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind reviews, analyzes & advises on the policy decisions and evaluates the effectiveness of the Florida Division of Blind Services to ensure meaningful access to and use of vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs for Floridians who are blind or visually impaired.

Vision Statement

The Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind functions to create a positive impact on the fairness, efficiency, and accessibility of services through the evaluation of consumer feedback and the Florida Division of Blind Services performance.

Council Officers

Jorge Hernandez (Council Chair)

Contact Information:
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
601 SW 8 Avenue
Miami, FL 33130
Office: (786) 362-7547
Email: jhernandez@miamilighthouse.org

Representing: Community Rehab Provider

Term: 2025

Donte Mickens (First Vice Chair)

Contact Information:
4635 Danson Way
Delray Beach, FL 33445
Home: (561) 450-6149
Email: Donte.Mickens@yahoo.com

Representing: Current/Former Client

Term: 2025

Douglas Ingram (Second Vice Chair)

Contact Information:
4060 Deer Lane Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32312
Cell: (850) 567-8123
Email: Dingram59@comcast.net

Representing: Advocacy Group (BVA)

Term: 2023

Council Members

Misty Porter

Contact Information:
Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind
207 N San Marco
St. Augustine, FL 32086
Office: (904) 827-2988
Email: porterm@fsdbk12.org

Representing: Parent Training

Term: 2024

Arthur Moody

Contact Information:
Disability Rights Florida
1000 North Ashley Drive, Suite 640
Tampa, FL 33602
Office: (850) 617-9786
Email: arthurm@disabilityrightsflorida.org

Representing: Client Asst. Program

Term: 2025

Nancy Bateh

Contact Information:
Division of Blind Services
1809 Art Museum Dr. Suite 201
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Office: (904) 348-2730
Email: Nancy.Bateh@dbs.fldoe.org

Representing: VR Counselor

Term: Ex Officio

Paul Edwards

Contact Information:
11681 Lois Jerry Road
Jacksonville, FL 32258
Phone: (305) 692-9206
Email: Edwards.paul955@gmail.com

Representing: Business/Industry/Labor

Term: 2023

Robert L. Doyle III

Contact Information:
Division of Blind Services
325 West Gaines Street Suite 1114
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Office: 850-245-0300
Email: Robert.Doyle@dbs.fldoe.org

Representing: Director

Term: Ex-Officio

Bruce Miles

Contact Information:
509 Hammock Court
Marco Island, FL 34145
Cell: (239) 272-3446
Email: brokerbruc@aol.com

Representing: Advocacy Group (FL Lions)

Term: 2023

Patricia Lipovsky

Contact Information:
1129 Brandenton Road
Daytona, FL 32114
Cell: (386) 212-6627
Email: plipovsky@cfl.rr.com

Representing: Former Client

Term: 2025

Ciwanda McDonald

Contact Information:
44A Karat Path
Palm Coast, FL 32164
Home: 850-251-1802
Office: 386-255-1812 ext. 307
Email: ciwandamcdonald@gmail.com

Representing: Independent Living Council

Term: 2025

Roxann Mayros

Contact Information:
6073 Fall River Drive
New Port Ritchey, FL 34655
Cell: (727) 505-5801
Email: roxannmayros@gmail.com

Representing: Business/Industry

Term: 2024

Sead Bekric

Contact Information:
1728 Sanctuary Pointe Court
Naples, FL 34410
Cell: (727) 504-7268
Email: seadbekric@gmail.com

Representing: Business/Industry

Term: 2024

Denise Valkema

Contact Information:
5201 Atlantic Blvd. Unit 108
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Cell: (305) 972-8529
Email: valkemadenise@aol.com

Representing: Adv. Group:

Term: 2023

Sophia Eccleston

Contact Information:
9901 Woodworth Ct,
Wellington, FL, 33414
Cell: (561) 267-3760
Email: Sophia.Eccleston@gmail.com

Representing: St. Work Invest Board

Term: 2025

Paul Martinez

Contact Information:
12603 Blue Roan Court Apartment 101
Tampa, FL 33625
Office: (813) 390-5270
Email: paul09ms@gmail.com

Representing: Adv. Group-Deaf/Blind

Term: 2025

 

 

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DISCLAIMER: Links on the Florida Division of Blind Services (DBS) website that are directed toward websites outside the DBS, provide additional information that may be useful or interesting and are being provided consistent with the intended purpose of the DBS website. DBS cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by non-DBS websites. Further, providing links to a non-DBS website does not constitute an endorsement by DBS, the Florida Department of Education or any of its employees, of the sponsors of the non-DBS website or of the information or products presented on the non-DBS website.