THE TEXAS STAR

Vol. 23, No. 2 April 2015

Neil Finley, Editor
Expressions from the Presidents Desk Kenneth Semien,
Sr.
Fundraising Spring into Action Kevin Ratliff
Tales from the Treasurer Sheila
Derrick
ACBT 2015 State Conference/Convention Peggy R. Garrett
ACBT Annual Awards
ACBT Advocacy Services/Legislation Committee Paul Hunt
Historical Highlights from ACBT Pioneers Blake Lindsay
Alamo Council Rosalyn Benavides
Austin Council Teamwork Dennis
Sims
Dallas Area Council Ana
Russo
El Paso Council Dianna Carter
Fort Worth Council Jean Russell
Houston Council Happenings Bob Bartlett
ACBT Scholarships Cynthia Julun
Nominating Committee Report Dennis
Sims
Braille Revival League of Texas Gigi Firth
Guide Dog Users of Texas Cindy Finley
2015 ACB Presidents Meeting Michael and Peggy Garrett
Constitution and Bylaws Amendments Chris Prentice
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Scott
Bowman

Toll-free number: 866-929-2228

[Note: Articles printed in The Texas Star are submitted by the
subscribers and are not necessarily reflective of the membership
as a whole. The articles express only the opinion of the author.]
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Expressions from the Presidents Desk Kenneth Semien,
Sr

Greetings Members, Colleagues, and Friends:

We have launched into spring and I am pretty sure that most
of you would join me with excitement and high expectations for
brighter, sunnier days than we have had during the past few
months.
Special appreciation goes out to Paul Hunt, ACBT Advocacy
Services/Legislation Committee Chair, and his wife, Sheryl, of the
Austin Council for their participation in the ACB Legislative
Seminar. Thanks to the Austin Council for financing their trip.
Michael and Peggy Garrett of the Houston Council also are
appreciated for their support by participating in all of the ACB
Mid-Year meetings, which included the ACB Board Meeting, the
Affiliate Presidents Meeting, and the Legislative Seminar, in
Arlington, Virginia. Due to a flight cancellation, I was able only to
join in on the Legislative Seminar. The meetings concluded with a
day at our nations Capital to make visits to the offices of the
Texas Representatives in the House in an effort to present the
ACB Imperatives you will read below in Paul Hunts article.
During the latter part of February, I accepted an invitation to
speak to a group of students at the Texas School for the Blind
and Visually Impaired through a monthly Student Advancement
initiative offered by the Austin Council. This meeting was led by
Dennis Sims with the assistance of other willing members. It was
truly a great experience.
I also had the privilege of being a guest during the Carolyn
Garrett Youth Leadership Conference in Austin, March 7-9.
Activities focused on the areas of Advocacy, Community, and
Education with an emphasis on the conference theme, Are You
Linked In? The eighteen students, who were all blind or visually
impaired, had several opportunities to become familiar with ACB
and ACBT. The students were very engaged in a full weekend of
activities that are sure to promote positive outcomes in their
personal lives. The conference ended with a visit to the State
Capitol. Special appreciation is extended to the Austin Council for
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their generous financial contribution to support this endeavor.
We have other great activities to look forward to; therefore, I
encourage you to read each chapter, special interest affiliate, and
committee article below. If you are a member who is not currently
serving on a committee and would like to, feel free to send an
email message to semien@sbcglobal.net or call (409) 866-5838.
By sharing your skills and abilities, you help to ensure that ACBT
will achieve its goals and objectives. By the next time I write to
you, we will be well into summer and experiencing the ACB
Conference and Convention in Dallas. I would like to extend best
wishes to you throughout all your endeavors for the upcoming
months. Thanks to the members of the Dallas Area Council and
the Fort Worth Council, acting as the 2015 Host Committee, for
their hard work in assisting the national convention committee to
ensure that the entire event is memorable.

Fundraising Spring into Action Kevin Ratliff

Spring is once again upon us, and with the welcomed

change in weather comes a renewed excitement and motivation
about things ahead, such as, the national convention in July and
our very own state conference and convention in September. The
fundraising committee is excited about a few current and future
projects that we hope you also will be excited about, and that you
will be motivated to help us make them huge successes.
The Dine and Donate Events have gone over so well in the
past that we are continuing to have more this year. For our first
one, we are working with Chick-fil-A. This particular Dine and
Donate works a little differently from our previous events in that
we receive a percentage of all receipts collected in a designated
box. The day of the event will be called ACBT day, and anyone
who visits the selected store can choose to put his/her receipt in
the box. Check your email often for more details, including the
specific times and locations of your local event.
 -4-
The Fundraising Committee also is really excited about our
newest project and a first for ACBT, a self-published electronic
cookbook! In September, you will be able to go to your favorite E-
Book Store and purchase a Texas-themed cookbook produced by
ACBT that you can read on your phone, tablet, or other E-
Reading device. There also will be an audio version on CD for
purchase. We are requesting your assistance with this project.
Please submit your mouth-watering, Texas-size recipes to be
included in the cookbook. Email: kevin.ratliff512@gmail.com
Space is limited, so I will talk briefly about our other big/huge
project for 2015 with just one word AUCTION!!! You already
know what we want! Give us your stuff! We will take anything
gently used or brand new. We already have some great items,
including some fabulous trips, but we still need more. Please
email me; lets talk.

Tales from the Treasurer Sheila

Derrick

Hello everyone and Happy Spring. The warm weather sure

is welcome here in Fort Worth. I want to send out a BIG thank-
you to all the treasurers and membership chairpersons who
worked so hard to send in accurate and timely membership lists.
ACB certification is complete for another year, BUT, please
remember, new and late-renewing members can be added at any
time. Prompt notification of street and email address changes
also helps save time and money both for ACB and ACBT. We
submitted 424 members to ACB.
Another BIG thank-you goes to President Semien for his
work in securing sponsorships again this year for The Texas
Star. Our sponsors are Cigna HealthSpring and Superior
HealthCare. We appreciate their generosity.
Lastly, I encourage everyone to read Kevin Ratliffs article in
this issue. He has details on an exciting new fundraising
campaign and, also, dont forget this is auction year at our annual
conference. Please read for more information.
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ACBT 2015 State Conference/Convention Peggy R. Garrett

The theme for the 2015 Conference/Convention is: Beach-

building, Educating, Advocating, Celebrating in Harmony.
Corpus Christi, Texas, is the place to be this fall! The
Conference/Convention Committee is working hard to plan
programs and sessions that will inform, educate, and entertain
attendees. Some of the sessions include Services and
Resources For Seniors, Accessing Social Media, Fraud/Identity
Theft, How To Become a Smart Traveler, Resolving Advocacy
Conflict, and back by popular demand, Ballroom Dancing!
Of course one of the highlights is always the exhibit hall. In
addition to having hands-on experiences with the latest
technology and equipment designed to create more
independence for people who are blind or visually impaired, there
will be opportunities to purchase jewelry, clothing, purses,
fragrances, and much more! The 2015 Conference/Convention
promises to offer something for everyone. It is shaping up to be
an event you wont want to miss!
The 2015 Annual State Conference/Convention is scheduled
to be held at the Holiday Inn Downtown Marina, located at 707 N.
Shoreline Boulevard in Corpus Christi, TX 78401, on September
17-20. The room rate is $97.00 per night plus 15% tax ($111.55
per night) for up to four people. Room reservations may be made
by calling 361-882-1700. Remember to mention that you are with
the American Council of the Blind of Texas to ensure that you
receive the group rate.
For more information, contact Peggy R. Garrett at 281-438-
9665 or via email at prcgarrett@sbcglobal.net.

ACBT Annual Awards

 The ACBT Awards Committee, Joan Cox, Cindy Finley,
Cynthia Julun, Bernice Klepac, and Barbara Stockford are asking
for nominations for the following awards. After reading the
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requirements for each award, please send your letter of
nomination or application to the Awards Committee at
cjulun@sbcgloal.net. If there is a need to mail your computer
generated nomination, you may call 409-866-5838 to request a
physical address for mailing. All letters of nomination or
application must be received or postmarked by July 20, 2015.
Dont delay, submit your nomination today!
ACBT Outstanding Member of the Year Award
One deserving member will be presented with the
Outstanding Member of the Year Award on Sunday, September
20, 2015, during the annual Awards Breakfast. Members are
encouraged to nominate a worthy individual to be considered for
this special award. Your letter of nomination should include your
reasons for nominating this individual, how they have contributed
to the success of, and furthered the mission of ACBT on the state
and local level, as well as any other information that could assist
the Awards Committee in making an informed decision. You are
invited to nominate an individual who was nominated previously if
they were not selected. Who knows, this might be the year they
could be chosen.
ACBT Ed and Linda Bradley First Timer Award
If you are a current ACBT member and were also a member
in 2014, reside in Texas, are legally blind, and have never
attended a state conference/convention, you possibly could be
the next recipient of the American Council of the Blind of Texas
Ed and Linda Bradley First Timer Award.
This award was established to provide a way for a member
who has never attended an ACBT conference/convention to have
an opportunity to do so. The Awards Committee will consider all
who apply, however, only one individual will be selected. The
recipient of the First Timer Award will have his/her conference/
convention registration, two nights lodging, and travel expense
covered. To apply, send a letter to the Awards Committee. This
letter must include your name, address, telephone number, email
address (if you have one), ACBT affiliation, visual status, and
other information about yourself, including activities which are
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important to you. Also, tell us why you would like to attend the
conference/convention and how you think it will benefit you and
your participation in ACBT. The recipient will be contacted no later
than August 15.
Who's Who Among Blind Texans Award
The American Council of the Blind of Texas (ACBT) will
promote and acknowledge positive contributions made to the
State of Texas and local communities in Texas by persons who
are blind or visually impaired through advocacy, awareness,
education, and other meaningful volunteer efforts. Three
individuals will be honored with the 2015 "Who's Who Among
Blind Texans Award" during the annual Sunday morning Awards
Breakfast held in conjunction with the ACBT conference/
convention scheduled for September 17-20, in Corpus Christi,
Texas. Two of the three awardees will be ACBT members.
Each recipient will receive a Certificate of Membership into
the prestigious ACBT Honor Society and receive special
recognition in the "Who's Who Among Blind Texans" Honor
Showcase of The Texas Star newsletter, the ACBT website, and
through various group discussion lists and publications.
Nominations for "Who's Who Among Blind Texans" will be
accepted beginning April 20, and will conclude on July 20. Each
nominee will be officially notified of the opportunity to become
one of the top three awardees once the Awards Committee has
reviewed nomination letters and selected recipients.
Family members, friends, or organizations that have
witnessed any person meeting the above criteria are encouraged
to submit nominations. Each nomination should contain the
name, home and email address, phone number, and a brief
synopsis of why the person being nominated should be
considered.
Historical Highlights from ACBT Pioneers Blake Lindsay

The American Council of the Blind of Texas Public Relations

Committee proudly presents stories relating to one-of-a-kind
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experiences through being involved with ACBT. Here is an
example of what to look forward to in the coming months.
Graduating from college, mothering two sons, being
grandmother to two grandkids, and being a dependable
participant with ACBT are some of the examples of how ninety-
year-old Nadine Saffell is living her life to the fullest.
For thirty-five years, Nadine Saffell has been a dedicated
member with American Council of the Blind of Texas (ACBT).
In 1988, Nadine was one of the key ACBT team players who went
to Washington, DC, to personally speak with our famous senator,
Lloyd Benson. He was chairman of the banking committee. She
and other ACBT go-getters talked with Mr. Benson and his staff
about currency recognition. I remember how impressed Mr.
Benson was with our message and thought it was a marvelous
idea.
ACBTs diligence in dealing with this barrier produced
effective results. Today, paper currency readers are provided at
no cost through the initiative lead by ACB. Those who are blind or
visually impaired receive a free currency reader by contacting the
Texas State Library at 800-252-9605.
There also is a free App in the Apple App store that identifies
paper currency and more. It is called Viaptadaily. So, once again,
ACB is leading the way with worthwhile progress supporting
freedom for people who are blind. Nadine wants to reassure us
that It can take a long time, and you have to stay vigilant. Make
them aware of the need as often as you possibly can in a positive
way, Nadine suggests.
She wants us to appreciate the progress we have made
through our advocacy during her lifespan, because she still
remembers a time when people scarcely expected anything
useful from people who were blind. Keep on it, its paying off,
Nadine proclaims.
 Stay tuned for more great stories from ACBTs greatest
contributors. If you have been a member in this tremendous
group for twenty years or more with an experience to share, email
or call Blake Lindsay, Blake.lindsay@dallaslighthouse.com .
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Alamo Council Rosalyn Benavides

Hello and Happy Spring from the San Antonio Alamo

Chapter! I am happy to report that our Sensitivity Training with the
Star Shuttle paratransit drivers has started off this year very well.
We are working with new material based on our knowledge as
riders and best practices as confirmed by contacts and
information from the internet. We provide a handout with general
information and details, and a short feedback form. It has been
super gratifying that we are able to talk to groups of drivers about
this subject that is very important to us, to have them be engaged
during the workshop, and also to see in their feedback that they
appreciate knowing more about people who are visually impaired!
Not only is it a win-win experience for us as presenters, but in
addition, our chapter benefits financially from our doing this fun
work. If any of you are considering this and interested in more
information, our chair for this project is Donna McBee, who is
obviously doing a great job; her phone number is 210-518-9890.
Special thanks go to Jose Rangel, who has updated and
maintains our website, acbsatx.org, and also chairs our
Fundraising Committee. We received some good attention at the
recent Low Vision Expo where Jose set up our table with new t-
shirts, brochures, and other attractions. So, thanks to Jose and
helpers, we are ready now for upcoming events.
Last, and certainly not least, I must mention that our groups
morale is very good. There is a healthy sense of camaraderie and
freedom of expression that makes all the difference. Thank you
and enjoy the better weather.

Austin Council Team Work Dennis Sims

 The Austin Council of the Blind (ACB) Board of Directors
would like to take this opportunity to thank members and friends
of the Austin Chapter for the great job you are doing under the
most difficult of circumstances, and for delivering yet another
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impressive, productive year in spite of tedious tasks and past
losses. Two of our dearest members, Andy Lang and Eric
Williams, have advanced to a higher calling, and yet, we have
risen to the occasion to assist the Austin community and protect
the integrity of our dynamic chapter. For this and much more, we
salute you. Since the Austin Council Board was created by cutting
edge leaders in the early 1980's, our goal has been to provide
long-term, strategic direction to the blind and visually impaired
community; so that Austin may better serve and meet the needs
of young blind and visually impaired Texans while ensuring that all
pave the way for future leadership. Under new leadership, you
are doing just that. The collective achievements of Austin Chapter
can be seen and felt in virtually every Austin operating division,
function, program, and initiative. We applaud you for your hard
work and commitment on behalf of Austins blind and visually
impaired community. Lastly, we would like to tell you that the
Board will continue to advocate for restoring the misconceptions
of various entities within the city views of the past few years. As
we have told this awesome city, it is time to invest in the youth
and our country's future. It is time to give them the resources they
need to improve quality of life, increase knowledge, and continue
to modernize the world systems and processes. Again, thank you
for your diligence, determination, and dedication to achieving the
mission of the ACB. It is deeply appreciated.

Dallas Area Council Ana Russo

Spring has arrived in Dallas "unbeknownst" to those pesky

mosquitoes, bless their little hearts. Temps are in the low 70s,
grasses are greener, blooms are popping, and humidity is not yet
bothersome. What a wonderful time to be in Dallas.
 Once again, we will be sponsoring the Tech Olympics to
recognize blind and visually impaired students this April. Our
annual picnic will be held in May at the Dallas Lighthouse and
catered by our own Steve Saltzman. DACB is actively involved in
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ACB National Conference preparations. Our monthly meetings
this year have been well attended, and we are having fabulous
fun and profitable success with our mini auctions. While bringing
in some much needed funds for the presentation of the
Conference Welcome Party, President Stuart Swartz is given the
opportunity to polish up his auctioneer skills. Welcome bags for
the conference still need goodies, so we're calling on ACBT to
help us show a BIG TEXAS WELCOME with any small, wrapped,
practical, usable items that we all forget in our packing. We will
be stuffing from 1,200 to 1,500 bags on Thursday, July 2, from
8:00am to 2:00pm. If you are at the hotel at that time and are
willing to help, please get in touch with Becky Collier at 972-333-
8921. A Blessed and Happy Easter season to all.

El Paso Council Dianna Carter

Happy Spring ACBT members! The year seems to be flying

by. The second quarter kept us as busy as ever. Several of our
council members were invited by the management of Cinemark
Theaters to provide sensitivity awareness and training to their
employees for the audio description devices. This training was a
big step in making employees more aware of the needs of blind
and visually impaired customers. It also showed them the
importance in consistently providing the correct device.
Additionally, we received an invitation to participate in a
walking tour of our Triple-A baseball stadium to observe
accessibility details throughout. This meeting was attended by the
El Paso mayor, representatives of the city council, city
engineering, ballpark staff, additional disability organizations, and
several reporters. Our Board Director, Andrew De Avila, made
several requests in the form of Braille signage and stairway
markings that were noted by the city engineering department. In
March President Dianna Carter participated as a panelist at an
International Womens Day film festival. It was a pleasure
meeting the wonderful women who participated in the discussion
about
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their strengths and abilities. Our Council members also worked
on a letter-writing campaign to voice their concerns about HB
2463. We also held the third in a series of many more iPhone
and iPad classes. There is always so much more to learn. The
biggest reward was witnessing a young TSBVI student learn to
make his first FaceTime call to his mother. We all shared in this
great moment between mother and son.

Fort Worth Council Jean Russell

A new year and new challenges await our new officers. Led
by President James Goin, they are Ed Henderson, First Vice
President; Allen Cole, Second Vice President; Sheila Derrick,
Treasurer; and Heidi Swan, Secretary. They are ready for the
challenge! Congratulations also to Ed Henderson on his
appointment to the ACBT Board of Directors. We are very
excited.
In February, Nancy Fisher from the Lighthouse for the Blind
gave us news of recently added programs which are now
available. The March meeting gave us very valuable information
from David Jeppson of Computers for the Blind. Thank you,
David and Nancy. Fundraising will be a major effort with many
events being planned. Transportation, which has always been a
huge problem for the disabled and blind community, also will be
addressed. Hopefully, this year will bring some resolution to this
problem. Lets make it happen!!! Happy Easter everyone!

Houston Council Happenings Bob Bartlett

 We recently had several questions answered about the
iPhone, thanks to the iBUG team. They presented at a recent
meeting and showed off their smart phones, and those gadgets
were plenty smart! If you would like to contact the iBUG team,
call Michael McCulloch at 832-453-7139. The iBUG team can
help you with the learning curve associated with getting familiar
with
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your smart phone. They also have a jump start program that can
get you signed up with a mentor to aid your learning.
We had a special birthday recognition during our February
meeting as we got to wish Nadine Saffell, one of our pioneers, a
happy ninety years. This was a rare treat for us. We also listened
to some poetry as our program during that meeting, another treat!
We have a bake sale coming up in May, and we also have a
spaghetti dinner combined with storytelling. If you are going to be
in Houston on May 15, join us for a great evening!

ACBT Advocacy Services/Legislation Committee Paul Hunt

The American Council of the Blind of Texas (ACBT)

Advocacy Services/Legislation Committee coordinates ACBT
advocacy initiatives. This year we have been addressing the
reorganization of the Division for Blind Services and the programs
it manages. We also have been advocating on the American
Council of the Blind (ACB) 2015 legislative imperatives.
On February 2, 2015, the Texas Sunset Commission issued
its report to the 84th Legislature. In its report, the Commission
recommended that the Legislature merge the Department of
Aging and Disability Services, the Department of Assistive and
Rehabilitative Services, the Department of Family and Protective
Services, and the Department of State Health Services into the
Health and Human Services commission. It also recommended
that the Vocational Rehabilitation programs and the Business
Enterprise program be transferred to the Texas Workforce
Commission and that the remainder of DARS be transferred to
the Health and Human Services commission and place most of
its functions under a Medical and Social Services division. Finally,
it recommended that the Legislature contract the Older Blind
Independent Living program to the Centers for Independent
Living (CILS.)
Although ACBT believes that some administrative functions
can be reorganized and consolidated, it is opposed to the splitting
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of programs for the blind across several agencies. In addition,
ACBT believes that the CILs as a whole are not equipped to
provide the specialized services that older blind and visually
impaired people need. Instead, ACBT has been telling our
legislators to maintain a seamless service delivery system and
transfer it to a single agency. We have been asking, and will
continue to ask, all of you to let your representatives and
senators know that we need a seamless service delivery system
transferred to a single agency.
On February 23 and 24, Kenneth Semien, Michael Garrett,
Peggy Garrett, Sheryl Hunt, and Paul Hunt attended the ACB
2015 Legislative Seminar. On Monday, we were briefed on the
following Imperatives:
1. Reintroduce the Alice Cogswell Anne Sullivan Macey act into
the House of Representatives
2. Pass HB 3729, the Five Year Medicare Demonstration
project
3. Ratify the Marrakesh Treaty
The Cogswell Macey act would ensure that people with
multiple disabilities, including blindness and visual impairments,
be properly counted. It also would require more accountability
from the states and give service providers the tools they need to
do their jobs.
HB 3729 creates a five-year demonstration project to cover
low vision devices, such as magnifiers, under Medicare. This
project would create a reliable data set to support permanent
changes to the Social Security act.
 The Marrakesh treaty would allow accessible books,
magazines, etc. to be shared by signatory countries.
On Tuesday, February 24, we visited members of congress
to let them know about these important imperatives.
The Advocacy Services/Legislation Committee will keep you
informed via the ACBT mailing list. Also, please watch the Braille
Forum and the E-Forum for more details. Finally, if you are
attending the ACB National Convention, please plan to attend the
legislative briefing.
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ACBT Scholarships Cynthia Julun

The 2015-2016 ACBT Scholarship Committee is honored to

present you with a terrific opportunity. Each year, ACBT awards
scholarships to Texas students who are college bound,
individuals who are attending college, and persons enrolled in a
vocational or technical program. In order to be considered as a
candidate for an ACBT scholarship, applicants are required to
submit a completed application, documentation of legal or total
blindness, a high school or college transcript, and have a
cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. An applicant also
must have an acceptance letter of admission or documentation of
current enrollment at a college or vocational/technical school, and
two to three letters of recommendation that are no more than one
year old. One of the letters should be from an administrator,
teacher, or rehabilitation professional. An applicant must prepare
a one to two page typed autobiography telling the scholarship
committee about himself/herself. Suggestions include family,
hobbies, activities, and community service. Please include
educational and career goals. Proof of Texas residency also is
required.
The application is available now, and it can be obtained by
contacting DARS/Division for Blind Services, Lighthouses for the
Blind, Regional Education Service Centers, Centers for
Independent Living, the Texas School for the Blind and Visually
Impaired, and offices of disability services located at some
colleges and/or universities. Applications are also available at
www.acbtexas.org. Scholarships will be disbursed at ACBTs
state conference/convention September 20, 2015, in Corpus
Christi. All recipients are encouraged to attend the
conference/convention. The deadline for submitting the
application is June 30, 2015. If the application is being submitted
through the United States Post Office (US mail), it must be
postmarked no later than June 30, 2015. We look forward to
hearing from you. For further information or questions you may

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contact committee chair Cynthia Julun via telephone at 409-924-
9803 or by e-mail at cjulun@sbcglobal.net.

Nominating Committee Report Dennis Sims

This is the final request from your Nominating Committee

regarding the 2015 election of officers. We would like to thank
Cindy Finley for her hard work and the original production
of this article, now being revised by the current Nominating
Chair. Our 2015 ACBT State Conference and officer elections
are less than six months away, and we need some interested,
committed people to step up to run for these very important
positions. Also, the Nominating Committees deadline for
candidates wanting to be considered for the ACBT 2015 elections
slate of officers is May 31, 2015. Thus, we need your help!!!
The bottom line to this entire election process is electing a
group of people who will work hard for the American Council of
the Blind of Texas. Our organization does not need people who
just want to be able to say, I am on the executive board of
ACBT. Our organization needs a group of people who are
committed to working toward ACBT becoming a stronger
organization, as well as leading our membership in a positive,
proactive direction. That does not mean that we always will agree
with each other, but it does mean we need to partner together for
the good of ACBT.
 First, you may submit your own name or the name of
someone else as a candidate for an office. If you would like to
recommend someone for an officer position, you must have
talked with that person beforehand. All persons seeking to run for
a position must submit a biographical sketch. Of course
nominations can be made from the floor; however, you must have
talked with the person you nominate to be sure that that person is
willing to serve and fulfill the duties of that office. Also, he or she
must have a current bio that can be read on the conference floor
during elections.
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Your bio should consist of a brief introductory paragraph
which includes the office to which you are seeking election, and
the answers to the following questions. The nominating
committee article will state the questions being responded to;
thus, candidates do not need to restate the questions before their
responses, but do need to answer the questions consecutively.
Please limit your bio and question responses to two pages in Arial
font, 16-point. It is imperative that each candidate be familiar with
the duties of and any items relating to the office being sought, as
stated in the ACBT Constitution and Bylaws, as well as the entire
Constitution and Bylaws.
Below are the questions to be completed for submission to
the nominating committee, along with each candidates short bio.
1. What is(are) your reason(s) for seeking this office?
2. What experience and expertise can you contribute to this office
and ACBT?
3. What action steps would you take to assist ACBT in fulfilling its
mission and achieving its goals?
4. Fundraising is vital to keeping any organization alive. Also, it is
not the sole responsibility of the Second Vice President/ fund-
raising chairperson and the fundraising committee to raise funds.
Therefore, name two possible fundraising events and tell how you
would personally contribute to the success of these events.
5. When do you feel that it is necessary for change to take place
in an organizations practices and procedures?
6. What do you see as the biggest challenges facing ACBT over
the next two to three years, and how would you help ACBT deal
with these challenges?
All candidate bios and answers must be submitted no later
than May 31, 2015, by email. Please send all candidate bios and
answers to dennislsims@gmail.com, with the subject line as
follows: Candidate for the Board of Directors Position.
Thank you for your cooperation and participation.

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Braille Revival League of Texas Gigi Firth

We soon will begin to make our plans for the upcoming

conference. BRLT hopes to offer two scholarships again this year.
If you know of a student who may be eligible, please contact one
of our board members for details or check the ACBT web site for
information.
The BRLT approved a donation to ACBT to pay for the
brailling at our next state conference. This includes the braille
paper and other materials necessary to produce our hard copy for
the conference.
Although plans are in the preliminary stages, I hope we can
present to the membership issues regarding certification of
transcribers and proofreaders. A few years ago, the National
Library Service approved the National Federation of the Blind as
the only contractor approved by NLS to provide services to those
seeking certification. In my opinion, this decision brings about
new challenges for those updating or starting their certification in
all areas of braille transcription and proofreading. So stay tuned
for what I believe is a hot topic. Unified English Braille is starting
to put more pressure on the system. We should brainstorm ways
ACB can help with this dilemma.

Guide Dog Users of Texas Cindy Finley

 Spring is here and what a wonderful time of year it is. With
spring comes new growth, and Guide Dog Users of Texas needs
your help to win one of two categories of this years ACBT
membership drive.
In the January 2015 Texas Star, ACBT First Vice President
Peggy Garrett announced that the ACBT Membership Committee
is hosting a membership drive that began February 15 and will
end August 31. She stated that the purpose of the drive ending
on August 31, is so that the chapter or special interest affiliate
with the largest growth can be recognized during the 2015
conference/
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convention. Membership growth will be measured by both the
number of new members and by the percentage of growth, and
recognition will be given in both areas. The First Vice President
stated that in order for a chapter or affiliates new members to be
counted, the ACBT treasurer must receive dues for all new
members by August 31, 2015. So, guide dog users, interested
parties, and supporters of those using dog guides for mobility,
listen up. Guide Dog Users of Texas cordially invites you to
become a part of our great GDUTX family. It is a win-win
situation. You become a part of an organization whose members
are dedicated to their four-legged companions, while helping
GDUTX work toward winning a category in this years ACBT
membership drive.
Past members, if you need to pay your GDUTX dues, or
interested individuals, if you would like to become a member of
Guide Dog Users of Texas, please send your dues to our
treasurer, Neil Finley, 4831 52nd St, Lubbock, TX 79414. For
more information please call Cindy Finley, GDUTX president at
806-795-0216 or email her at cpfinley@sbcglobal.net.

2015 ACB Presidents Meeting Michael and Peggy Garrett

 The 2015 ACB Presidents meeting was opened by ACB
President Kim Charlson welcoming attendees, and Melanie
Brunson, Executive Director, giving an overview of the program.
There were informative presentations throughout the day
including such topics as:
*Paths For Delivering the ACB Message consisted of social
media, ACB radio, the ACB Braille Forum and the E-Forum;
*Using Paypal, Credit Cards, Authorize.net, Shopping Carts, and
Online Registration: Can Your Affiliate Do It? gave tips on how
these tools can be useful to affiliates;
*ACB Affiliate Board Liaison Program: What Is It and How Does It
Work? an ACB Board member is assigned to each affiliate;

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*Affiliate Liability Insurance: A Possible Group Solution
discussed a group solution offered by the A. J. Gallagher Agency;
*Affiliate Grant Writing Assistance Program: How ACB Can Help;
*Shortening the ACB Convention a committee has been formed
to work on this task.
These and other topics will be discussed in more detail in
future issues of The Texas Star.

Constitution and Bylaws Amendments Chris Prentice

If you wish to propose an amendment to the ACBT

Constitution or Bylaws, proposed constitutional amendments
must be submitted to Chris Prentice, Chairman, by midnight,
CDT, May 23, 2015. The proposed amendment must be written in
good form. Suggestions will not be accepted. Proposed
amendments will be published in the July issue of The Texas
Star, as required by the ACBT Constitution.
Amendments to the ACBT Bylaws are presented as
prescribed in the ACBT Constitution. According to Article VII,
Section B, (t)he Bylaws may be amended at any regular or
specially called conference/convention by a simple majority vote.
Proposed Bylaws amendments must be presented to the
Constitution and Bylaws Committee by 9:00 a.m. on Friday, read
to the conference/convention once on Saturday, then voted on at
the Sunday morning business meeting. Chriss email address is
cprentice61@att.net.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

Scott Bowman, Interim Assistant Commissioner DBS

There are exciting changes in the world of Vocational

Rehabilitation (VR) as we move into the 21st century. These
changes are focused on ensuring that adults and teens with
disabilities are trained and prepared to meet the ever changing
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work world. New federal legislation has been enacted to give
every state in the nation new tools to build a qualified workforce. I
would like to share some information about this new law and how
it will impact people with disabilities.
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was
signed into law by President Obama on July 22, 2014. This law
replaces the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and amends the
Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, the Wagner-Peyser Act,
and the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998. WIOA makes
significant improvements for individuals with disabilities, including
students with disabilities, as they make the transition from
education to employment.
There are three major themes to this law. First is to be
responsive to the business needs of the 21st century. It is
important to be able to fill in-demand occupations with qualified
workers and to collaborate with employers. Second is to
emphasize services to students and youth with disabilities. This
includes pre-employment transition services and dedicated
supported employment funds. Third is that the Department of
Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) will collaborate with
a group of core partners, including several programs run by the
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). Together we will build a
partnership to ensure that Texans with disabilities will have the
support/training they need to be successful in the world of work.
Business Needs
In order to meet the demands of a changing job market, it is
important to prepare an educated and skilled workforce. WIOA
directs the workforce system to be more responsive to the needs
of business and industry, including providing training that
addresses the skill needs of specific industries or employers, on-
the-job training, customized training, and increased development
of employer partnerships. It is necessary that counselors
delivering vocational rehabilitation services have a 21st century
understanding of the evolving labor force and the needs of
individuals with disabilities. Counselors will need to provide to
consumers training that meets not just current, but also future
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employer needs guiding applicants towards in-demand jobs and
training that produces the skills that industry needs.
One of the things on which WIOA will measure VR
effectiveness is the wages earned by the people we serve. To
help in that area, WIOA encourages VR to consider helping
eligible qualified individuals to pursue advanced training in the
fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (including
computer science), medicine, law, or business. VR programs
have always worked with employers to identify competitive,
integrated employment opportunities for individuals with
disabilities. The new definition of competitive, integrated
employment is full or part-time work at minimum wage or higher
and with wages and benefits similar to those without disabilities
performing the same work, and fully integrated with co-workers
without disabilities.
Pre-Employment Transition Services
Vocational Rehabilitation agencies are required to make pre-
employment transition services available to students with
disabilities (in Texas age 10 through 22, which will include DBS
transition students) in order to make the transition from
secondary school to post-secondary education programs and
competitive, integrated employment. These services include job
exploration counseling, work-based learning experiences,
counseling on post-secondary opportunities, workplace readiness
training, and training on self-advocacy. There will be a focus on
internships, apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships, extended
summer work programs, group skills trainings and workshops to
address life skills, social skills, and the soft skills needed to be
successful in a work environment. WIOA requires that VR
agencies set aside at least 15% of their Federal VR program
funds to provide these pre-employment services.
WIOA also requires that VR programs will spend 50% of
their supported employment grant on youth with disabilities (ages
14-24). Supported employment services, including extended
services, will be provided to youth with the most significant
disabilities in order to assist those youth in achieving an
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employment outcome in supported employment. The law also
focuses on customized employment which is defined as
competitive, integrated employment for an individual with a
significant disability. Customized Employment is based on an
individualized determination of the strengths, needs, and interests
of the individual with a significant disabilitydesigned to meet the
specific abilities of the individual with a significant disability and
the business needs of the employer and carried out through
flexible strategies.
Collaboration of Core Partners
DARS and TWC are working closely to develop a framework
for increased coordination at the state and local levels. DARS is
coordinating with the Texas Education Agency to assess and
implement the provisions of WIOA related to serving transition-
age youth. We also will continue to collaborate with business
throughout the state to develop a business relations system that
is responsive to the needs of businesses and consumers.
We are excited to see how these changes will increase the
opportunities for Texans with disabilities to be successfully
employed.
 Projects and activities are financed by annual dues,
fundraisers, and tax deductible donations made to ACBT by
members, friends, and other interested persons. ACBT
appreciates the continued support of its members and friends.
For more information about ACBT, please contact any state
officer, director, or your nearest chapter, call 866-929-2228 and
leave a message, or visit www.acbtexas.org.

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American Council of the Blind of Texas, Inc.

 President Kenneth Semien, Sr.
1st Vice President Peggy Garrett
2nd Vice President Kevin Ratliff
Secretary Mary Alice Gary
Treasurer Sheila Derrick
Past President Carol Edwards

A publication of the American Council of the Blind of

Texas, an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind