The Blind Missourian
                                       March 2018

Table of Contents

My Tour of the National Center for the Blind and First 
Washington Seminar: What an experience! By Daniel Garcia     1

Blind Pension Settlement by Gene Coulter                                  4

2018 Legislative Fact Sheet by Roger Crome                              5

Jefferson City Legislative Seminar 2018 by Rita Lynch             9

Shianne Shines by Kathy Hurley                                               10

It is Happening in Columbia by Gene Coulter                           11

Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL)
    by Jenny Carmack                                                                  12
2018 Mid-West Regional Student Seminar by Denise Avant    12

Upcoming NFB Events and Standing NFB Meetings                13

NFB Pledge                                                                                 16                                                              

My Tour of the National Center for the Blind and First Washington Seminar:
What an experience!
By Daniel Garcia

My first Washington Seminar experience exceeded all expectations. It was a very exciting trip full of fun and adventure and our Missouri Team (Daniel Hodges, Julie McGinnity, Shelia Wright, Gary Wunder, and, I) got a lot of productive work done. I also enjoyed immensely the side trip I took to Baltimore, Maryland to visit the National Center for the Blind and Jernigan Institute, which would not have happened without the encouragement from a fellow chapter member and without the generosity of the National Office staff.

In 2017 I decided that 2018 would be the first year I attended Washington Seminar. In December I got my plane tickets and arranged to get a roommate. I was certainly getting more and more excited about the trip as time went by. In early January of 2018 I was talking with President Wright and she informed me that the National Office would not be providing tours of the National Center for the Blind and Jernigan Institute as traditionally happens during Washington Seminar. A few days later I was talking with another Kansas City Chapter member, Willa Patterson, who suggested that I call the National Office and asked if I could still get a tour of the building. I agreed with her that it could not hurt to try. The National Office graciously agreed to provide me a two-hour personal tour of the building; all I had to do is provide my own transportation from Washington to Baltimore.

After I arrived in Washington on Sunday, January 28, I spent the rest of the day talking with my roommate and listening to my audio book. At the time I was reading “A Sense of the World: how a blind man became history's greatest traveler.” This book recounts the biography of James Holman, a 19th century blind British explorer. Although I was a bit nervous about making a side trip to Baltimore, reading this book provided me with a sense of perspective. If James Holeman could travel the world during the 19th century, then I could certainly travel thirty-four miles to Baltimore using modern transportation. On Monday morning I got up early and took a commuter train (the MARC train) from Washington to Baltimore. I then took a short Uber ride to the National Center and arrived at exactly 9 o’clock.

My two-hour tour of the national center was guided by Susan Skaarer who is a Technical Administrative Assistant at the National Office. One of the first things I saw during my tour was the Utah Room, an auditorium that was constructed with generous funding from the Utah Affiliate. I was then shown various conference rooms and dormitory areas. We then went outside to a large deck with a nice view of the harbor where Doctor Maurer oftentimes shows blind and sighted people that blind people can safely barbecue and make a delicious meal out of it. We then went to the International Braille and Technology Center where Karl Belanger showed me various Braille displays, notetakers, embossers, and objects made with 3D printers. The one piece of technology that fascinated me the most was the Orbit Reader, a 20-cell Braille display that will retail for $449. We then made our way to the Independence Market. Ellen Ringlein showed me the great variety of products the Independence Market has: anything from accessible kitchen utensils, different types of white canes, thermostats, talking scales, etc. I spent some time examining the KNFB Reader Stand, which makes it easier to scan documents when using the KNFB Reader, and a slate designed in such a way that you can write Braille from left to right instead of right to left. We then went to the tenBroek Library where I was shown many interesting historical objects. There were two commemorative Louis Braille coins that went up into space during 2009. I also got to feel a crooked cane that Doctor tenBroek used. These types of canes were in use before the adoption of the long white cane. In addition, the library has a prototype of the buggy that was used during the Blind Driver Challenge in 2011. One of the last exhibits I got to feel shows Erik Weihenmayer’s summit of Mount Everest. Toward the end of the tour we went to Proclamation Hall which has along its walls proclamations sent from state affiliates commemorating White Cane Safety Day and other events. There is also a hall that has the charters of affiliation for the state affiliates; the state name is Brailed on the right side in the wooden frame. On the first floor there is a historical timeline of NFB history which you can read in Braille. 

I traveled back to Washington in a van with members of the NFB of Maryland. After a quick lunch, I made my way to the training seminar that was to take place from 2 to 4 p.m. The Great Gathering In would be in that same room at 5 p.m. I figured that I had time to go to my room and come back. That proved to be a huge mistake. By the time I came back, it was 4:45 p.m. The room was full and I was directed to go to the overflow room. I was obviously not going to get to meet President Riccobono that day. Even so, I enjoyed being a part of the Great Gathering In. The event was both very informative and full of NFB energy. After dinner, the Missouri Team did some roll playing for the next day. Looking back on this roll playing now, I think I was overdoing it a bit much. I anticipated dozens of questions from the legislators and staffers that never even came up.
On Tuesday we were scheduled to have five out of our ten total appointments. Washington Seminar felt a little different to me than Jefferson City Seminar. While in Jefferson City all the appointments are in the same building, in Washington we had appointments in multiple House and Senate office buildings. Sometimes we had to take cabs while at other times we could just simply walk through tunnels from one building to another. I did like the fact that we had plenty of time to discuss the issues with the various staffers. It seems to me that in Jefferson City we are always trying to rush to get to the next appointment. Our second appointment on Tuesday was with Senator Roy Blunt whom we got to meet. After our appointments were done on Tuesday, we went back to our room for a few minutes to rest. We then made our way to the Newseum for a presentation commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Huê (pronounced Hway) during the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War. This exhibit will be open until July 8 and it showcases the work of photographer John Olson. The NFB and 3D PhotoWorks partnered to make this exhibit accessible to the blind. In addition to each exhibit display having a tactile rendering of the photograph, there was a description in Braille of the photograph and audio descriptions. Due to the State of the Union speech taking place later on that night, the security perimeter in Washington was very tight and we arrived a few minutes after the presentation had started. There were hundreds, if not thousands, of visitors in the Newseum that night and even though I was in the same room where President Riccobono was giving a speech, I still did not get to meet the President that night. In fact, it was so crowded that I lost track of the rest of the Missouri team. I figured that I was now free to roam about the museum and meet people from different states. And that I did. I only got to explore three or four exhibits, but I am very excited that the NFB is sponsoring this kind of tactile exhibit because it shows the general public that blind people are indeed interested in art. Eventually, I found the rest of the Missouri team and we made our way back to the hotel.

On Wednesday we had three appointments. The last appointment was with Congressman Lacy Clay. After discussing our legislative agenda with his staffer, we took a picture that shows the members of the Missouri team next to a window with a view of the Capitol. When we got back to the hotel, we then had a legislative meeting with members of the NFB Governmental Affairs Office to learn about what kind of progress was being made in meeting our legislative objectives. We were informed that a few Representatives and Senators had agreed to add their names as co-sponsors of the Aim High (Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education) Act and the ATAA (Access Technology Affordability Act).

On Thursday we only had two appointments which we dispatched quickly. After all of us in the Missouri team had a nice lunch together, President Wright and I departed for the airport and we arrived in Kansas City later that evening. I was filled with a sense of accomplishment. Not only did Senator Blunt agree to co-sponsor the ATAA, but it seemed that many legislators were hesitant to support the ADA Education and Reform Act once they realized the harm it would cause the blind and other disabled individuals. I was also very happy about having had the opportunity to go to the National Center for the Blind for the first time. I don’t know if I will go to Washington Seminar every year, but I certainly will go again. Many people have often said that the Washington Seminar is like a mini-convention. I think this is true. I did get to meet many fine Federationists from across the country. It is also indeed true that nobody moves policy like the NFB. If you have not yet attended a Washington Seminar, I urge you to go. It is an experience that you’ll never forget.

Blind Pension Settlement
By Gene Coulter

There has been a settlement in the long-running Blind Pension lawsuit. Those who received benefits prior to 2010 may be eligible for payments ranging from $15 to $3,000 depending on how many months the recipient received benefits during the claim period. It is possible that checks could be issued beginning in August, but it could be as late as May 15 of 2019. 

These payments are conditional on appropriations from the state legislature. Further information can be found at the Department of Social Services website using the link Blind Pension Settlement at www.DSS.MO.Gov  which includes the entire settlement agreement. This settlement is not final unless the judge on the case signs off on it on March 30, 2018.

Shelia Wright, President
7928 NW Milrey Drive
Kansas City, MO 64152
Phone (816) 741-6402
www.nfbmo.org

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA OF BLIND MISSOURIANS

PRESENTED TO
THE SECOND SESSION of the NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

From: The National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
Date: February 12 & 13, 2018

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future.  Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Blindness is not what holds us back.

This is the message we bring to blind Missourians and the communities we live in.  We pledge to be a resource to you and your constituents when they turn to you for help. 

The National Federation of the Blind is a membership organization of and for the blind. As a volunteer grassroots organization, we are blind people working on behalf of blind people. We come together on the local, state, and national level to address issues of importance to our fellow blind citizens. We promote programs that encourage self-determination, independence, and equality of opportunity. 

Why a Research-Based, Standardized Reading Media Assessment Is Needed

The desirability of learning to read efficiently has never been a question in your education. Not so if one is blind. The equivalent of print for the sighted is Braille for the blind, and this is recognized in the education laws of Missouri in RSMo 167.225. Though the law says that no blind person shall be denied instruction in Braille, it does allow school districts to conduct evaluations to determine whether print or Braille is the most appropriate method for reading and writing for a given student. Far too often print is determined to be the most appropriate reading medium because the process used in making evaluations is flawed and because the strong preference of teachers and school administrators is to teach what they know and use the resources easily available to them.

The consequences for blind students are devastating. Blind people who can see enough to read some print require that it be enlarged. In the early grades this is how it is presented, but when learning to read is replaced by reading to learn, the print gets smaller and the amount of it that one must read gets larger.

It is common practice for students with visual impairments to hold reading materials very close to their face, and/or to hunch their body over the materials when reading. In addition to the posture and other health concerns these reading positions raise, years of field practice and experience have demonstrated that youth who read print materials at very close distances suffer eye strain, headache, neck and back pain, fatigue, and diminished concentration, reading speed, and comprehension. How can any positive association be formed if this is what reading means? Consequently, any valid assessment should ensure that children are evaluated when sitting up straight and with materials held or placed at standardized distances.

Senate Bill 681, introduced by Senator Jacob Hummel, is designed to modify Missouri's statutes so that Section 167.225 mandates the use of the National Reading Media Assessment (NRMA) or another research-based assessment. Knowing the resistance we have seen from special education administrators, we firmly believe that adding “standardized” to the definition of assessment to be of great importance. We know hundreds of adults and many children who have been denied the opportunity to learn Braille. A research-based, assessment could have avoided their education being compromised.   Our state must have a clear standard which is both reliable and valid to use in determining who will be taught print, who will be taught Braille, and when both print and Braille are appropriate. Bringing blind people into the workforce demands this change given that 80% of employed blind people read Braille. We urge the Missouri General Assembly to embrace literacy for the blind with the same vigor that our society embraces literacy for the sighted.

Accessible Voting In All Elections

The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) recognizes the right of the blind to vote privately and independently by requiring nonvisual access for the blind through the use of accessible voting systems in all federal elections. Electronic voting technologies, designed and properly configured with nonvisual access, provide blind voters with the ability to cast their votes privately and independently and to verify, without sighted assistance, that their ballots accurately reflect their voting choices. Electronic voting systems were certified and purchased, and Missouri received federal funds for each polling place to provide at least one accessible voting machine. All certified machines in Missouri provide a paper trail.

The Missouri Secretary of State’s Office is evaluating newer machines that mark directly onto the paper ballot. The options are there if legislation is passed to make the paper ballot the official ballot of Missouri and when the existing machines need to be replaced, the technology will be available. The accessible machines are already required for the state to comply with HAVA. Some election boards may set these machines up more frequently than others. We ask that they be used consistently in all elections. The cost of setting them up should be minimal since “text to speech” options are available. Concerted efforts are made to get voters to the polls; Missouri should assure that when they arrive, they have the means to cast their ballots privately and independently. 

Beyond the example and financial assistance HAVA has provided to emphasize accessible voting, there are two federal laws that require all elections to be accessible to bring Missouri into compliance. Voters with disabilities have the same right to vote privately and independently as do voters without disabilities. When accessible voting machines are not present in state, county, and municipal elections, blind, visually impaired, and other print disabled voters are denied an equal opportunity to cast their ballot privately and independently. This is a violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. As a recipient of federal funds, Missouri and our Election Boards are required to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Additionally, the Americans with Disabilities Act guarantees equal access for individuals with disabilities to the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity. Public entities must provide individuals with disabilities an aid, benefit, or service, that is as effective in affording equal opportunity to gain the same result or benefit as provided to others. Public entities shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to afford individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in and enjoy the benefits of a service, program, or activity of a public entity. To be effective, the auxiliary aids and services must be provided in such a way as to protect the privacy and independence of the individual with a disability.

Whether the financial responsibility falls on the State of Missouri or the County Election Boards is a technicality that must not continue to preclude the full participation of blind, visually impaired, or other disabled Missourians who could benefit from the use of accessible voting equipment. Please assert due diligence in regard to bridging the gap that has prevented this legislation from passing successfully in the past, and grant disabled voters the opportunity and the right afforded us to have the same privilege in every election that you value and take for granted as your right as a citizen of Missouri and of the United States of America.

Salary Range for Rehabilitation Services for the Blind Counselors

The National Federation of the Blind is a strong proponent of education and training, knowing that it is a window to the dream of living the lives we want.  The Vocational Rehabilitation counselors with Rehabilitation Services for the Blind are valuable assets who contribute to the success of blind Missourians.  Unfortunately, the salary afforded to these valuable professionals is markedly less than the Vocational Rehabilitation counselors for those with other disabilities through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.  Though the work is essentially the same, workers for the blind make less because of the classifications found in the Department of Social Services. However, the level of compensation for these comparative positions is not equal and is in need of your attention to address this inequity. 

For years Rehabilitation Services for the Blind has had a problem attracting and keeping highly qualified counselors with a master’s degree and a level of experience that translates into quality, competent, dedicated, and effective counselors.  The National Federation of the Blind of Missouri has encouraged raising the pay of RSB counselors to match the salary range for their counterparts in the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. This would result in retention of highly motivated and empathetic individuals.  Regrettably our suggestions have yet to be acted upon, and as a result retention of qualified counselors continues to be a problem. We urge that you increase the salary range for counselors who work at RSB so that they match those of counselors who work in the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Until you do, the agency for the blind will have trouble recruiting and keeping the counselors the blind need to get the education and training that make us productive tax payers.

Jefferson City Legislative Seminar 2018
By Rita Lynch

The National Federation of the Blind of Missouri Jefferson City Legislative Seminar was held on Monday and Tuesday February 12th and 13th. Our State Governmental Affairs Committee had met by conference call and agreed on what legislative priorities should be discussed with our state legislators. The first priority was SB 681 sponsored by Senator Hummel regarding a research-based reading media assessment which would be used when determining the reading format for blind students. Our second issue pertained to accessible voting. HB 1787, which was introduced by Representative Ellington would mandate that the accessible voting machines be available for all elections. Our third issue we wanted to bring to the attention of state legislators related to the salary range for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors for Rehabilitation Services for the Blind.
 
A few days before our event, we learned about a couple bills pertaining to the Blind Pension Program which we felt needed to be discussed with legislators as well. These are HB 2171 sponsored by Representative Wood and SB 910 sponsored by Senator Sader. The fact sheet was finalized and then the packets were assembled by the Coulters and delivered to Jefferson City. On Monday morning members from all around the state began arriving at the State Capitol with their assigned list of legislators in hand and appointments having been made, our work began. There were twenty-three members who participated. On Monday evening, we met at Madison’s Café for a dinner meeting to discuss the day’s events. Early Tuesday morning we were back at work continuing our mission to educate and inform our state legislators on these important issues.     
We will continue to monitor the progress of the activities of this legislative session and keep everyone informed. A big thank you goes out to our Governmental Affairs Chairman, Roger Crome, for his leadership and to everyone who helped in making this event very successful.    

Shianne Shines
 By Kathy Hurley

Well our little Miss, Shianne Ramsey, won first place in her category at the 2018 Regional Braille Challenge at the Missouri School for the Blind in St Louis on Valentine’s Day. She received $10 cash, a $30 gift card from Best Buy, and, a first-place certificate.  “I can’t believe I won first place,” Shianne said afterwards. She also competed last year and came in third place.

Shianne is an eight-year old second grader at Cedar Hill public school in Jefferson City. She was born with ONH and has no sight.  Her TVI (Teacher for the Visually Impaired), Louise Whitworth, has worked with her from the beginning of her education. She says Shianne is now reading at a fifth-grade level. Shianne uses a Braille writer, a Focus40 and an IPad to do her schoolwork. She has the same equipment at home and is very proficient at using them to download and read books and write. Shianne’s home equipment was provided by a grant from Lighthouse for the Blind.

Shianne has attended BELL Academy (Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning) every year since she was four.  BELL is a two-week long program each year which consists of intensive Braille learning, field trips and other experiences for blind children. I believe being with other blind children her age and being mentored by the blind adults who teach BELL has been invaluable.

Some of Shianne’s favorite things to read are the Braille Spelling Dictionary for Beginning Writers, National Geographic Kids and anything to do with the brain. In fact, she likes learning about the brain so much that Mrs. Whitworth brought a real fetal pig brain to class for all the kids to see last year. Shianne was able to examine the brain, which had the added bonus of eyes and the brain stem attached! She insisted on bringing the brain home in a jar, named it and we buried it in a place of honor in our backyard.

Shianne has a large and supportive family who make sure she gets every opportunity to experience all the things other children her age do and more. She has ice skated, swims, been to the ocean, flown in a helicopter and a plane, ridden a horse, and plays the piano. She likes to cook and helps with her little brothers. Shianne can also do dishes, mop a floor, fold laundry, and make her bed. If I sound proud of this young lady, it’s because I am!

Shianne Ramsey standing with her cane and holding her certificate

It is Happening in Columbia
By Gene Coulter

A lot is going on in Columbia and everyone is invited to join us. On September 29, 2018 our state board will meet and will be followed by our annual picnic.  As usual we will have a lot of fun and fellowship.
On November 3, 2018 we will host our annual trivia night at the Newman Center on the University of Missouri campus. Then from March 21-24, 2019 our 57th annual convention will be at the Holiday Inn Executive Center. So, mark your calendars now and come join us!

 Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL)
By Jenny Carmack
Spring is right around the corner!  Summer will be here before you know it.  Do you know what your child will be doing?  There is no time like the present to start making those summer plans for your child and we can help.  The Braille Enrichment for Learning and Literacy (BELL) Academy will be back in Missouri this summer.  Even more exciting than that, it will be offered in two different locations, St. Louis and Kansas City.  In fact, as you read this the Missouri BELL staff are hard at work planning some fun and exciting activities to do this year. 

The BELL Academy is a two-week program designed for children ages four to twelve years old.  The BELL Academy focuses on building Braille skills and learning other blindness related skills through fun hands-on activities.  Let’s not forget the friendship building that happens through games, social events and celebrating each other’s accomplishments.
Children who have attended BELL Academy in the past (referred to as Bell Ringers) have worked on their Braille skills by reading and writing stories, exploring with a slate and stylus, and playing a variety of fun games.  Past Bell Ringers have also had the opportunity to help prepare food, participate in sports related activities, create art projects such as dream catchers, and go on field trips to places such as the Zoo and the History Museum. You never know what we will do next! 

We would love for any child who is blind/visually impaired and is between the ages of four and twelve to come and join us and become one of the 2018 Missouri Bell Ringers.  For more information you can go to www.nfbmo.org to see dates and locations, follow the links to apply.   

2018 Mid-West Regional Student Seminar
By Denise Avant 

The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois, Illinois Association of Blind Students, and the National Association of Blind students are hosting the 2018 Mid-West Regional Student Seminar “What’s Next for You?”

Who: blind and low vision students (high school and up)

When: 6 PM, Friday, April 20 – 12 PM, Sunday, April 22, 2018

Where: Holiday Inn O’Hare, 5615 N. Cumberland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60631

Cost: $50 for meals and registration, $109 plus tax per night

To reserve a room, call 773-693-5800. Mention NFB of Illinois to get our special group rate! Want roommates to cut down costs? Email Kathryn Webster

WHY WAIT? Event and hotel registration is open from February 1-March 31, 2018 REGISTER!

Direct questions and special requests to Kathryn Webster either by Cell Phone at: 203-273-8463 or Email: nabs.president@gmail.com 

For financial assistance, contact your affiliate president by March 20.

This year’s regional student seminar will be a weekend of fun, engagement, and information! It’s all about the next step in your life, whatever that may look like: taking a step back, learning about options, and paving the path for your future. We will have experts from blindness training centers, working professionals, career guidance, college preparation, health & wellness, and so much more. This seminar gives students an invaluable tool: the power of networking. Both Friday and Saturday night, we will engage in activities and social events. With students traveling from neighboring states, the interactions you’ll experience will be unlike anything else!

  					Upcoming NFB Events

4/5/18 - 4/8/18 56th Annual Convention     
http://www.nfbmo.org/node/77

4/20/18 - 4/22/18  2018 Midwest Regional Student Seminar      
https://www.nfbofillinois.org/midwest-students-spring-seminar/

6/16/18  NFB of Missouri State Board Meeting - Location TBA.

6/18/18 - 6/29/18 BELL Academy - Kansas City, MO      
https://nfb.org/bell-academy

7/3/18 - 7/8/18 NFB National Convention     
https://nfb.org/convention

7/23/18 - 8/3/18 BELL Academy - St. Louis, MO      
https://nfb.org/bell-academy

9/29/18 NFB of Missouri State Board Meeting - Columbia, MO

   					Standing NFB Meetings

Mondays

2nd Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. - Show Me Chapter, Contact Dan Keller at dekeller88@gmail.com or 417-667-6208 

Tuesdays

2nd Tuesday of every month, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. - Jefferson City Chapter, contact Melissa Kane at Mdsmith32811@gmail.com or 573-473-8584

2nd Tuesday of every month at 9:00 pm - Sports & Recreation Committee, contact Robin House at robin@mindsrealm.net or 314-265-6852

Wednesdays

1st Wednesday of every month, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Mineral Area Chapter, contact Roger Crome at r_crome1@msn.com

Thursdays

1st Thursday of every month, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - Old Drum Chapter, contact Amy Wilson at olddrumnfb@gmail.com or 660-441-1907

3rd Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. - MO Association of Blind
Merchants, contact gfleeman55@gmail.com or 573-855-9667

3rd Thursday of every month at 8:00 p.m. - Transition to Blindness, Contact Debbie Wunder at debbiewunder@charter.net or 573-268-6989

4th Thursday of every month at 8:00 p.m. – Membership, contact Julie McGinnity at kaybaycar@gmail.com or 314-610-7740 

Saturdays

2nd Saturday of every month, 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Lewis & Clark
Chapter, contact Chris Tisdal at cktisdal@gmail.com or 314-440-1684

2nd Saturday of every month, 12:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Springfield Chapter, contact Ben Vercellone at benvercellone@gmail.com or 417-755-5285

3rd Saturday of every month, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Columbia Chapter, contact Dacia Cole at Daisydacia@centurytel.net or 573-289-2912

3rd Saturday of every month, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Kansas City Chapter, Daniel Garcia at Dangarcia3@hotmail.com or 816-621-0902

PLEDGE OF THE
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind: to support the policies and programs of the Federation and to abide by its Constitution.

Board of Directors
National Federation of the Blind of Missouri

Officers:
Shelia Wright, President			           Julie McGinnity, First Vice President 
Gene Fleeman, Second Vice President           Dacia Cole, Recording Secretary
Erin Magoon, Corresponding Secretary         Carol Coulter, Treasurer

Board Members:
Eugene Coulter 		Roger Crome	                      Jenny Carmack
Amy Wilson		          Chris Tisdal		 	            Melissa Kane
Daniel Garcia	          President Emeritus, Gary Wunder

Chapter Presidents
Dacia Cole, Columbia                  		   Amy Wilson, Old Drum Chapter
Melissa Kane, Jefferson City	        		   Ben Vercellone, Springfield
Daniel Garcia, Kansas City          	 	   Chris Tisdal, Lewis and Clark	  
Roger Crome, Mineral Area Chapter                Dan Keller, Show-Me State Chapter

Blind Missourian Editor Carol Coulter
Proof Readers Helen Stevens, Shelia Wright, and Gary Wunder
Read by Elisabeth Coulter                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

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BLIND AND PHYSICALLY
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1504 Furlong Dr.
Columbia, MO  65202