Approved April 18, 2008

FLORIDA REHABILITATION COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND
PUBLIC FORUM

January 17, 2008

Clarion Inn and Conference Center
7417 Newberry Road
Gainesville, FL  32605 

Jesus Garcia, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:05 PM.

Active Council members present:

Jesus Garcia, Dwight Sayer, Mike Taylor, Marilyn Palmer and Steve Ritacco

DBS staff:

State Office: Phyllis Dill, Michael Elliott, and Ed Hudson, Director, Orientation and Adjustment Center

District IV Staff: Mary Edwards, DA, David Linn, Al Olige, Madeline Davidson, Cynthia Fitz and Peggy Bowie

Sixteen consumers attended the meeting.

Jesus explained to everyone why only four members were present.  He also informed them the reason for the Rehabilitation Council for the Blind.  He stressed the importance of participating in the telephone survey conducted with closed DBS clients.

Jesus expressed his appreciation for the presence of two representatives from the local transportation company.

Public Comments

First consumer’s comments

  1. Provided Council with his written comments.  (attached)
  2. Steve read the comments to the Council.
  3. Concerned with the DOE survey included with each email sent by an employee. (comments attached).
  4. Steve read the comments to the Council.
  5. Would like for someone to alert DOE the need to evaluate the survey. 

Response to first person

Mike Taylor believes the consumer has a draft for a proposal for a grant, but it needs to be developed a little further. 

Jesus will look into the DOE survey attached to emails from DOE employees.

Second consumer’s comments:

  1. Expressed appreciation for DBS providing her cane.
  2. State she has been able to slow down traffic by waving the cane in the air.
  3. Would like for DBS to approach local police departments with having officer’s at large intersections.
  4. She mentioned that the Library had been very helpful.

Third consumer’s comments:

  1. Expressed thanks to the Council for coming to Gainesville.
  2. Hopeful the Council will make the government aware that there are children, adults and seniors in the area who need services and without transportation they can’t accomplish what they want to do.
  3. Expressed that she is very happy with DBS services.
  4. She stated that everyone needs to work together to inform and educate the general population and government officials of the blind community and need to have the accommodations to participate in community affairs, etc.
  5. The local Radio Reading Service needs guidance.
  6. Focusing on a united front leaving egos at the door and work towards making lives better.

Fourth consumer’s comments:

  1. Transportation issue in the county is a disaster.
  2. Over 4,000 blind or visually impaired individuals in Alachua County.
  3. If individual doesn’t live on a fixed bus route in Gainesville, they don’t have transportation.
  4. Because of lack of transportation he is unable to provide his computer training to the blind community.

Response to second through to fourth

Michael Elliott stated that DBS has a program for independent living services for individuals not seeking employment and can provide computer training in the home.

Jesus stated that transportation was an issue with what is legally mandated.  If a transit agency runs a fixed route system, it must provide a comparable Para Transit system within certain limits of the fixed route system.  The local government must decide to provide the transportation that is needed.  He suggested the local group join the statewide coalition that is formed from every group affected.

Dwight added that in order to fix the local transit requires packing the County Board room during County Commission meetings with the 4,000 blind.  He recommended having a local fund raiser to raise funds to pay for the transportation to the meeting. 

Rob Marivich, General Manager with MV Transportation, Inc in Alachua County, gave the group an overview of the various funding partners and what they covered.

  1. He stated that MV wanted to provide the transportation needed.
  2. The funds are limited.
  3. Yesterday a contract was signed making some funds available, but still not enough to meet the needs of those living way out.
  4. There were individuals living in the city limits of Gainesville that were listed as TD riders and should not have been.
  5. There has been a big push by the Regional Transit Systems, MV and CIL to reclassify those using the funds.
  6. 150 individuals in one nursing home were listed under TD rider ship and should not have been.
  7. MV has gotten the contract, but the funds will be prioritized until February 1st.
  8. The County has entered into negotiations with DOT for the sum of $148,000 to be made available to the rider ship in the out lying county that will not have any prioritization attached to it.

Dwight urged everyone to call their local state legislators and ask them to fully fund the request of the TD Commission for funding.

Fifth consumer’s comments:

  1. Stated she was glad she came to the forum because she was learning a lot.
  2. She stated that she has age related Macular Degeneration.
  3. She coordinates a low vision support group.
  4. Was shocked that her doctor’s office didn’t have any information to give her on low vision aids, what type of assistance was out there.
  5. Her mission is to educate those coming into the world of blindness and also the professionals who work to help the blind.
  6. She recognized the Talking Book Library for providing her the ability to at least hear the printed word.
  7. The local Radio Reading service has diminished and any suggestion made to them is taken as criticism.  This attitude stops any progress in making better service.
  8. It appears there is no oversight on the funding issued to the 9 stations statewide and she feels that the intended purpose measures up to the amount of money that is spent on it.
  9. She would like for the Council to do what they can to check on this.
  10. She stated that she has Zoom Text and has not been able to find the RRS link on the stations website.
  11. She would like to see the same set up as FSU through Google without having to go through a link.
  12. She believes RRS should be run by volunteers.
  13. Stated that she is impressed with all the agencies and services that are available for people with blindness.
  14. She set up a luncheon and invited DBS, CIL and others involved in helping the blind.
  15. She feels more efforts could be made with agencies working together.
  16. Every month a friend drives her to all local retinal specialist offices and distributes flyers announcing the low vision group meeting.

Response to fifth consumer

Jesus pointed out that the RRS wasn’t affiliated with DBS, but he did agree with her about RRS diminishing the past few years.  He stated that he didn’t have any idea on how she could get the information she was seeking.

Someone mentioned Newsline.

A member of the audience suggested getting the scheduling information on line.  He stated that RRS was a side band of WUFV that has a link to the RRS website.  He will personally contact them about the problem.

Sixth consumer’s comments:

  1. Acknowledge that her DBS counselor has been very supportive.

Seventh consumer’s comment:

  1. Stated that she was very pleased with DBS services.
  2. She acknowledged the same counselor for being supportive.

Eighth consumer’s comments:

  1. Information is vitally needed in the Community.
  2. She feels having forums was a good opportunity to provide info.

Response to sixth to eighth

Jesus urged everyone to hook up with the local chapters as an avenue to exchange information.

Marilyn stated that her office was trying to educate the staff about the information they need to provide patients.

Consumer’s comment via email read by Phyllis:

  1. Believes that some people have unrealistic expectations.
  2. When he informed his counselor he wanted to change his goal, and go into the ministry, his counselor told him that Ministry was not a realistic goal.
  3. He had his case closed with DBS, and pursued his studies with a Baptist Seminary.
  4. He received a Masters degree in theology.
  5. He stated that what might be considered a nonrealistic expectation for one person, may not be considered nonrealistic to another.
  6. Counselors should encourage clients to research their career goal and not just say, that a goal isn't realistic.
  7. He thanked the Counselor for listening to his email comment.

Response to email comments

Steve stated that he will ask Sam Atwood to research the information and speak with the Counselor.  He will get with Michael and they will put out guidance to the Districts on how they should deal with clients and specify in clearer terms on how they can meet their goals.

Jesus reminded everyone that there was a consumer advocate in the State Office, Sam Atwood to look into any problems that may occur.

Meeting adjourned at 5:35 PM.