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.”

Directory of Members

The following individuals are on the Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind. E-mail addresses, where available, were provided by the Council members. Each name is followed by contact information, the category they represent, and the year their term ends. Last update: 11/15/2011.

Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind Directory of Members
Name Contact Information Representing Term
Henry Alexander 2387 NW 99th Terrace
Miami, FL  33147
(O) (305) 494-4682
(F) (303) 693-3094
Ab4zq@juno.com
Business/Industry 2012
Vacant Vacant Parent of Blind 2012
Sheryl Brown
(Chair, Planning Committee)
1106 W. Platt Street
Tampa, FL  33606
(O) (813) 251-2407
(F) (813) 254-4305
rehabmgr@tampalighthouse.org
Business/Industry 2012
Paul Edwards
(Council Chair)  
20330 N.E. Court
Miami, FL  33179
(O) (305) 237-1146
pedwards@mdc.edu or
edwpaul@bellsouth.net
Advocacy Group (FCB) 2011
Jesus Garcia 5955 W. 16th Lane, Apt. 202
Hialeah, FL  33012
(O) (800) 698-8457  ext. 435
jesusg@logisticare.com
Independent Living Council (ILC)  2013
Benedict Grzesik 499 Royston Lane
Melbourne, FL  32940
(C) (321) 446-4899
bgrzesik@cfl.rr.com
State Workforce Investment Board 2013
Ted Hull 607 South Albany Ave #2
Tampa, FL  33606
(H) 813/251-9245
hullted@verizon.net
Business/Industry 2013
Paul Kaminsky (Second Vice Chair) 4295 Powderhorn Court
Middleburg, FL  32068
(H) (904) 291-0576
pkaminsky@bellsouth.net
Advocacy Group (BVA) 2011
Victoria Magliocchino 332 Cypress Rd.
St. Augustine, FL 32086
(O) (904) 827-2540
(F) (904) 797-1940
vmagliocchino@fldeafblind.org
Advocacy Group
(Deaf-Blind)
2013
Donte Mickens 4635 Danson Way
Delray Beach, FL 33445
(H) (561) 450-6149
deeantonio@yahoo.com
Former Client 2013
Bruce A. Miles (First Vice Chair) 590 Hammock Court
Marco Island, FL  34145
(O) (239) 394-1020
(F) (239) 394-1414
Brokerbruc@aol.com

Advocacy Group (LIONS) 2011
Joe Minichiello 3617 Nightscape Circle
Jacksonville, FL  32224
(H) (904) 367-8673
jbmini@comcast.net
Business/Industry 2012
Daniel O’Connor 1809 Art Museum Drive Suite 201
Jacksonville, FL  32207
(O) (904) 348-2730
Daniel.oconnor@dbs.fldoe.org
VR Counselor
(Ex Officio)
2012
Michele Polland Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services
Rm 614, Turlington Bldg.
325 W. Gaines St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(O) (850) 245-0945
Michele.Polland@fldoe.org
State Educational Unit (IDEA) 2013
Andrew J. Raines IHMC, 40 South Alcaniz St.
Pensacola, FL 32502
(O) (850) 202-4462 araines@ihmc.us
Former Client 2013
Vacant      2011
Sylvia Stinson-Perez Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired
8610 Galen Wilson Blvd.
Port Richey, FL 34668
Pasco: (727) 815-0303
Hernando: (352) 754-1132
sperez@lvib.org
Community Rehabilitation Provider  2013
Suzanne Townsend   321 Oak Fern Circle
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
(O) 386-677-7760
Town111@bellsouth.net
Parent Training Center 2012
Christopher White, esq. 1000 N. Ashley Dr. Suite 640
Tampa, FL 33602
(O) (850) 488-9071 Christopherw@disabilityrightsflorida.org
Client Assistance Program 2013
Joyce Hildreth Department of Education
325 W. Gaines St.
Suite 1114
Tallahassee, FL  32399
(O) 850/245-0300
(F) 850/245-0363
Joyce.Hildreth@dbs.fldoe.org
Director of Blind Services
(Ex Officio)
N/A
Phyllis Dill DBS
Rm 1114, Turlington Bldg.
325 W. Gaines St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(O) 850/245-0392
(F) 850/245-0363 Phyllis.Dill@dbs.fldoe.org
Council Staff NA