[tabi] Fwd: FRCB Annual Report
- From: Lighthouse of the Big Bend <lighthousebigbend@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: tabi <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:51:05 -0500
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dill, Phyllis [mailto:Phyllis.Dill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 11:53 AM
Please know that the Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind's Annual
Report for federal fiscal year 2010/2011 has been posted on the DBS Website.
It can be found in the link to the Council under the Main Menu on the left
of the main page.
http://dbs.myflorida.com/rehab-council/annual-report-survey.php
Thank you.
Phyllis Dill
Administrative Assistant
Florida Rehabilitation Council f/t Blind
Division of Blind Services
325 W. Gaines St., Room 1114
Tallahassee, FL 32399
850/245-0392
FAX: 850/245-0363
Phyllis.Dill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
ANNUAL REPORT FOR FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2010/2011
FLORIDA REHABILITATION COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND (FRCB)
In 1969 after the creation of the Bureau of Blind Services, the Bureau
operated with a five-person Advisory Council that had been appointed by
former Governor Claude Kirk. In 1998 the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, As
Amended stated that for the designated State agency to be eligible to
receive financial assistance under Title I the agency’s State plan shall
establish a State Rehabilitation Council that meets the criteria set forth
in section 105 of the Act.
The Governor appoints the members of the council in accordance with Section
105 of the Rehab Act and Chapter 413.011, Florida Statutes. Appointments
are for 3 year terms. A majority of the council shall be persons who are:
(1) Blind, and (2) not employed by the division.
The council is composed of one representative from the following:
- Independent Living Council (ILC)
- Parent Training & Information Center
- Client Assistance Program (CAP)
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) (ex officio if staff)
- Community Rehabilitation Program Service Provider (CRP)
- Former applicant of VR services (2)
- State Educational Agency (IDEA)
- State Workforce Investment Board (SWIB)
- Four with Business, Industry & Labor
- Disability Advocacy Groups (5)
* Florida Council of the Blind (FCB)
* National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
* Blinded Veterans Association (BVA)
* Florida Association of the Deaf-Blind (FADB)
* LIONS
- Director of Division of Blind Services (Serves Ex Officio)
One Division of Blind Services employee serves as the Council’s staff.
The Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind (FRCB) meets quarterly
(January, April, July and October) at various locations around the state. A
Public Forum is held at each meeting to receive consumer input on the
effectiveness of services provided by the Florida Division of Blind Services
(FDBS) in assisting individuals with visual impairments achieving employment
and independence under Title I of the Rehab Act.
FRCB Advocates for the recognition of the needs, wants and desires of
individuals with visual impairments and providing the means for their
independence and social standing.
MISSION STATEMENT
“The Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind is committed to
increasing employment, enhancing independence, and improving the quality of
life for Floridians who are blind or visually impaired.”
The FDBS website provides a link to the current Council directory:
http://dbs.myflorida.com/
Summary of Accomplishments and Activities for Federal Fiscal Year 2010/2011
- Governor Crist reappointed 3, and appointed 5 new members, to
FRCB November 2010.
- A new Advocacy Group was added to FRCB to represent the
Deaf-Blind consumers.
- Orientation for new members included an overview of the Sunshine
Law presented by Department of Education Legal Counsel during the February
2011 quarterly meeting.
- Election of Officers occurred during the February quarterly
meeting.
o FRCB Officers for 2011 are: Paul Edwards, Chair; Bruce Miles, First
Vice Chair; Paul Kaminsky, Second Vice Chair
- FRCB attended the Vision Summit on February 8th held in the House
Chambers of the old Capitol.
- The FRCB and FDBS presented plaques of appreciation for employing
individuals with visual disabilities to the following employers:
o Marriott Hotels Global Reservations in the Miami-Dade area in April.
o Lee Memorial Health Systems, Ft. Myers in July.
o SunCoast Blood Bank, Ft. Myers in July.
- FRCB schedules four quarterly meetings and conducts a Public
Forum during each meeting.
- FRCB continues to contract with Dr. Mary Strutzman, Director of
the Florida State University (FSU) Survey Research Laboratory to conduct the
Client Satisfaction Survey. Results of the Survey can be found on the FDBS
website: http://dbs.myflorida.com <http://dbs.myflorida.com/>
- Quarterly Meeting Agenda Items included:
o Election of new officers – February 2011
o Orientation for New Council Members
o Committee Break-Outs (Planning Committee & Evaluation Committee)
o Local Community Rehab Program reports at each meeting
o Updates with FSU concerning data on the Client Satisfaction Survey.
o Presentation from the new Bureau Chief and Update on the Braille and
Talking Book Library.
o Update on the Daytona Beach Complex
o Tour of the new student dormitory at the Rehab Center
o Vision Summit Updates
o Presentations by other state agencies and professionals from the
private sector
* Bureau Chief of the Bureau of Exceptional Education (IDEA)
* Director of Vocational Rehabilitation
* Director of Volunteer Florida
o Employer Recognition
* April 2011 meeting in Miami
* July 2011 meeting in Ft. Myers
- Agenda Items conducted by DBS included:
o Director’s Report (each meeting)
o Report from the local District Administrator (each meeting)
o Contract Management; Quality Assurance
o Strategic Planning asking Council to identify the critical needs
where FDBS needs to improve; where FDBS is doing well; FDBS opportunities
and any future threats.
o Policy Reviews to receive Council input.
o FDBS Budget Report and Legislative updates.
o Discussion of the State Plan for Council input.
o Discussion of the Needs Assessment for Council input
o Report from the Chair of the Blind Services Foundation.
The FDBS obtained a contract with Florida State University (FSU) Department
of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies to conduct this year’s Needs
Assessment. The FRCB has taken an active role in participating with the
process. The FRCB Evaluation Committee took part in one of four focus
groups FSU conducted.
The Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind continues to collaborate
closely with the Florida Division of Blind Services and plays an active role
in marketing FDBS.
Highlights of Meetings and Public Forums FFY 2010/2011
(Complete minutes of meetings and public forums can be found on the FDBS
website: http://dbs.myflorida.com <http://dbs.myflorida.com/>
FRCB held its quarterly meetings in Daytona Beach, Tallahassee, Miami and
Ft. Myers.
The District Administrator of each district gave an overview of the District
and its goals and accomplishments. Reports were given by each Community
Rehab Center in the area of the meeting.
The FRCB attended the annual Vision Summit held in the House Chambers of the
Old Capitol February 8th and the legislative Breakfast prior to the Summit.
During the breakfast, Joyce Hildreth, Director of FDBS was presented with
the Leadership in Education Award from the Hadley School for the Blind in
Winnetka, Ill.
The FRCB and FDBS agreed to begin acknowledging employers for their
partnership with FDBS and local Community Rehab Programs for hiring and
supporting individuals with visual impairments. The first recognition and
appreciation award was presented during the April meeting in Miami.
The FDBS provided numerous policy updates and new policies requiring FRCB
input and comments during each quarterly meeting. The following policies,
reviewed by FRCB, may be found on the FDBS website with all FDBS policies:
http://dbs.myflorida.com/policies/index.php
Policy #2.10 – Self Employment Services
Policy 8.19 – Cataract surgery Procedure
Policy 2.25 – Exceptions to policies
Policy 8.18 – Medical Consultation Fee
Policy 2.29 - Timeframes for developing amended plans
Policy 2.26 – Client’s Rights to Records
Policy 2.10 – Self Employment Services (second review after changes)
Policy 2.27 – Transporting Clients (deferred to April meeting)
Policy 2.30 – Review of Inactive Cases
Policy 2.31 - Eye Reports within 1 year for eligibility determination
Policy 2.33 - DBS and CRP AWARE Access
Policy 6.5 - Payment for Services/Fee Schedule
Policy 6.21 - Co-payments and Deductibles
Policy 2.34 – Purging In-active Vendors in AWARE.
Policy 2.20 – Reopening Successful Closed Cases for Additional Placement
Services
and Post-Employment Policy.
At the request from the FRCB, the FDBS issued the District Administrators
guidelines for notifying clients and consumers of the public forum being
conducted in the district by the FRCB.
State Plan FFY 2011
A Summary of the Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind’s
accomplishments and activities for FFY 2010/2011 was provided FDBS as part
of Attachment 4.2 (c)
The FRCB continued its collaboration and working partnership with the FDBS
and played an active role in marketing FDBS.
The FRCB Planning Committee participated in reviewing minor changes in the
VR State Plan update involving corrections with typos and staff and
placement numbers. The Committee also reviewed FDBS updated and/or new
policies and gave its recommendations or acceptance. The Committee was
informed of the Needs Assessment material and its status to date.
The FRCB Evaluation Committee assisted with the planning of this year’s
Needs Assessment which is being conducted by FSU’s College of Education.
The Committee also addressed the timeframe with obtaining the Client
Satisfaction Survey and requesting a review of a draft survey before it is
finalized.
Budget Federal Fiscal Year 2010/2011
FLORIDA REHABILITATION COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND - TOTAL EXPENSES FFY 10/11
EXPENSE
COUNCIL TRAVEL
PCAs (TRAVEL)
MISC EXPENSES
TOTAL
OCTOBER
Daytona Bch
$4,281.78
$742.12
$90.00
$5,113.90
FEB.
Tallahassee
$11,185.93
$1,453.70
$2,314.76
$14,954.39
MAR.
$63.25
$63.25
APRIL
Miami
$8,255.26
$358.27
$2,370.00
$10,983.53
JUNE
CSS Contract*
$15,730.00
$15,730.00
JULY
Ft. Myers
$6,974.56
$1,344.22
$2,376.33
10,695.11
TOTAL EXPENSES
$30,697.53
$3,898.31
$22,964.34
$57,560.18
*Client Satisfaction Survey contract with FSU
FLORIDA REHABILITATION COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND – AUGUST 2010 APPOINTMENTS
(appointed November 2010)
DEMOGRAPHICS
NAME
CATEGORY
Voting
Member
BLIND
DEAF-BLIND
SIGHTED
MALE
FEMALE
CAU- CASIAN
AFRICAN- AMERICAN
HIS-PANIC
NATIVE
AMERICAN
COUNTY
TERM EXPIRE
Jesus Garcia
Independent Living Council
1
1
1
1
Dade
2013
Sue Townsend
Parent Trng Ctr
1
1
1
1
Volusia
2012
Christopher White
Client Assistance Program
1
1
1
1
Pasco
2013
Daniel O'Connor
Voc Rehab Counselor
0
1
1
1
Duval
2012
Sylvia Perez
Community Rehab
1
1
1
1
Pasco
2013
Joe Minichiello
Business/Industry
1
1
1
1
Duval
2012
Ted Hull
Business/Industry
1
1
1
1
Hills-borough
2013
Henry Alexander
Business/Industry
1
1
1
1
Dade
2012
Sheryl Brown
Business/Industry
1
1
1
1
Hills-borough
2012
Paul Edwards
Advocacy - FCB
1
1
1
1
Dade
2011
Dwight Sayer
Advocacy -NFB
1
1
1
1
Orange
2011
Paul Kaminsky
Advocacy -BVA
1
1
1
1
Clay
2011
Bruce Miles
Advocacy -Lions
1
1
1
1
Collier
2011
Victoria Magliocchino
Advocacy –
Deaf-Blind
1
1
1
1
1
St. Johns
2013
Rufus Brown
Parent of Blind
1
1
1
1
Hills-borough
2012
Donte Mickens
Former Client
1
1
1
1
Palm Beach
2013
Andrew Raines
Former Client
1
1
1
Escambia
2013
Michele Polland
State Educational Agency (IDEA)
1
1
1
Leon
2013
Ben Grzesik
State Workforce Investment Board
1
1
1
1
Brevard
2013
Joyce Hildreth
Director
0
1
1
1
Leon
9999
TOTALS
18
11
1
8
14
6
15
3
1
1
MEMBERSHIP BIOS
HENRY L. ALEXANDER - MIAMI
Henry Alexander is one of the four Business/Industry representatives on the
Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind.
Henry has been employed with the Social Security Administration since May
1969. He has extensive skills in communications and informing the public
about the Social Security Act, as amended. He graduated from Florida A&M
University with a B.S. degree in Sociology. He currently hosts a weekly TV
program and is a weekly contributor of Social Security articles to several
newspapers. Henry was presented the Outstanding Handicapped Employee of the
year award by the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare in Washington,
D.C. He also received the Federal Executive Board, Handicapped Employee
of the year in Miami.
Henry is a member of the National Federation of the Blind. Black Affairs
Advisory Council and cable Tap Advisory Board.
Henry was born in Blakely, Georgia, the youngest of three children. He
graduated from the Georgia Academy for the Blind in Macon, Georgia. He is
married to Bertha and they have four children. He enjoys fishing and
amateur radio
SHERYL K. BROWN - TAMPA
Sheryl Brown is one of the four Business and Industry representatives on the
Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind.
Sheryl is the Rehabilitation Services Manager at the Tampa Lighthouse for
Blind, supervising the rehabilitation programs in Tampa and Winter Haven.
She has a Master’s Degree in Visual Disabilities from Florida State
University and has worked at the Lighthouse for 23 years. During her years
at the Lighthouse, Sheryl assisted in the addition of programs such as
Supported Employment, Rehabilitation Technology and Computer Training.
Sheryl continues to work closely with the Florida Division of Blind Services
and the school vision programs in both Hillsborough and Polk Counties. This
close working relationship has been a win-win for everyone involved. Each
school year, all three entities meet for training and networking. In
addition, she has also served on numerous work groups for the Florida
Division of Blind Services.
Sheryl is active in her community and serves in the following areas:
President-Elect of FAER, Secretary of Hillsborough Advocates for Improved
Transit, Member of the Hillsborough County Alliance for Citizens with
Disabilities, Treasurer of the Kappa Delta House Corporation at USF, Parent
volunteer with the Gaither Chorus booster group, Committee member of her
Carrollton HOA and a First grade Sunday School teacher. In her spare time,
she enjoys water skiing, boating and trips to the beach.
Sheryl resides in Tampa, and her extended family was born and raised in
Tampa. She has been married to husband (Larry) for 25 years and has a
daughter (Jenna) who is a junior in high school.
RUFUS BROWN – LADY LAKE
Rufus Brown represents the Parent of Blind on the Florida Rehabilitation
Council for the Blind.
Rufus hold a Masters Degree in psychology from the University of Northern
Colorado and a BS from Chaminade College of Honolulu in special
education/psychology.
Rufus lived all over the world during his 42 years of service for the
federal government. He inspected the drug/alcohol programs at army bases
throughout the world as a Drug/Alcohol Specialist with the U.S. Army. He
retired as an Air Force officer and in November 1997 he retired as an
employee with the federal government.
After retirement in 1997, he and his wife moved to Valrico. His son moved
in with them after he became blind and returned to college.
Rufus and his wife are active with the local chapter of the National
Foundation for the Blind.
PAUL A. EDWARDS - MIAMI
Paul Edwards is an Advocacy Group representative on the Florida
Rehabilitation Council for the Blind representing the Florida Council for
the Blind.
Paul has held the position of the Director of Access Services at the North
Campus of Miami-Dade College since 1986. He is responsible for providing
services to approximately six hundred students each year who, because of
their disabilities, need special accommodations at college.
Paul was born in San Francisco, California on December 29, 1945 and because
of prematurity became totally blind by six weeks. At age seven his family
moved to Canada. At the age of 13 his family moved to the island of Jamaica
where he attended regular high school. At eighteen, he won an open
scholarship to the University College of the West Indies, then a branch of
the University of London, England. He graduated three years later with
upper second-class honors and a special honors history degree. Paul’s next
move was to Trinidad to attend the University of the West Indies, Institute
of International Relations of Geneva, Switzerland where he met and married
Helen Johnson and became a father.
Paul and his family returned to the United States in 1976 and eventually
ended up in Daytona Beach, Florida where he began his work with blind
people. In 1980 Paul became a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. In 1983
he moved to Jacksonville to become the director of a private agency serving
the blind, Independent Living for the Adult Blind, which operated in
conjunction with Florida Community College of Jacksonville. In 1986 Paul
moved to Miami and assumed the position he has held since.
Paul became active in the Florida Council of the Blind in 1977. He was
elected President of ACB in 1995 after serving a six-year term as First Vice
President. He is currently Vice President of Library Users of America, is
chair of the Board of Publications of ACB and is immediate Past President of
the Florida Council of the Blind. He also serves on the Program Committee
of the American Foundation for the Blind and is a member of the Board of
Directors of the National Accreditation Council for Agencies serving the
Blind and Visually Impaired.
Throughout his adult life Paul has been active in his community. He has
produced radio programs for the Catholic Church; he has chaired a broad
range of local and state disability committees; he has been active in
promoting library services, access technology, and equitable transportation
for people with disabilities and in particular, has worked tirelessly to
improve education for children with disabilities.
Paul is an avid reader of science fiction and fantasy and is also a devotee
of folk music. He continues to be fascinated with what technology can do.
His latest special interest is audio on the World Wide Web. Paul has hosted
a weekly program called Tuesday Topics on the internet for the ACB’S radio
station on the Internet called ACBRADIO (http://www.acbradio.org).
Paul continues to work on blindness issues because, as he often says, “We
have a responsibility to advocate for ourselves and to convince society that
we have a right to fully participate at work and at play in our
communities.”
JESUS GARCIA - HIALEAH
Jesus Garcia is the representative for the Independent Living Council on the
Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind.
Jesus is employed with LogistiCare, a company specializing in
transportation. LogistiCare provides management services for government and
private transportation systems. He graduated from Florida State University
with a Bachelor in Science and Business administration and a minor in
computer science. Hobbies include reading, music, politics, and all fields
in the sciences. Jesus has been totally blind since birth and is active in
the blind consumer movement; he is a member and past president of the
Florida Council of the Blind and also a member of its parent organization
the American Council of the Blind.
BENEDICT F. GRZESIK - MELBOURNE, FL
Ben Grzesik is the State Workforce Investment Board representative on the
council.
Ben’s experience in the business community is weighted in strategic human
resource positions, risk management and a registered rep on the NYSE.
Ben holds an undergraduate degree in Organizational Behavior and masters in
International Administration. He currently serves on the board of Workforce
Florida, Inc. and several committees and for nine years has been adjunct
faculty in the virtual classroom for the University of Maryland University
College.
JOYCE HILDRETH - TALLAHASSEE
Joyce Hildreth was appointed the Director of the Division of Blind Services
on September 8, 2008. Prior to her appoint, she held the position of Former
Client representative on the council.
Joyce served as the Associate Executive Director of Lighthouse Central
Florida located in Orlando before being appointed as the director of DBS.
She was responsible for overseeing all services for the children and adult
programs. She began her employment at Lighthouse as a teacher in 1998 and
received her Master’s Degree in Vision Rehabilitation from Florida State
University in 2000. Joyce is certified as a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist
(CVRT) by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and
Education Professionals (ACVREP). She has participated in statewide work
groups focusing on the provision of quality services to visually impaired
adults and children throughout the State and she presently serves as a board
member for the Florida Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the
Blind and Visually Impaired (FAER).
Joyce is a native Floridian and currently resides in Tallahassee with her
husband, Bob and her guide dog, Justice.
TED E. HULL - TAMPA
Ted Hull is one of the four Business and Industry representatives on the
Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind.
Ted, who is legally blind, recently retired from the Division of Blind
Services after serving fifteen years as the District Administrator in
District 07, located in Tampa. He has a bachelor’s degree in special
education for the blind from Michigan State University, and a master’s
degree in human services administration from DePaul University.
Ted has owned three businesses in his lifetime, and he currently serves as
an expert witness of issues pertaining to education and employment of the
blind and visually impaired as well as other disabilities. He is also an
author, having published his book entitled, “The Wonder Years, My Life and
Times with Stevie Wonder”. During the early growth of Motown, Ted spent six
years helping to shape Stevie Wonder’s life, as his teacher and road
manager. Ted has appeared on Stevie’s behalf at functions, including the
1976 American Music Awards. In May 1996, he was an “alumni” at ceremonies
opening the Motown Historical Museum. In 2003, Ted was presented the “Man
of Motown Award” for his contribution to Stevie’s education and to Motown.
Ted is married to Margaret, and they have two sons, Ted Cordell and Robert
John. He also has two grandchildren, Kyle who is seven and Ryan, who is
five. His interests include World War II history, reading, remote control
airplanes and traveling, among others.
PAUL W. KAMINSKY - MIDDLEBURG
Paul Kaminsky is an Advocacy Group representative on the Florida
Rehabilitation Council for the Blind representing the Blinded Veterans
Association (BVA).
Past member of the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) National Board of
Directors.
Trustee BVA National Life Membership Fund.
President BVA Florida Regional Group.
Jr. Vice Commander, Disabled American Veterans Blind Veterans National
Chapter.
Vice-President, Clay County Chapter of the Florida Council of the Blind.
Graduate Boca Ciega High School, Gulfport, Florida, 1965.
AS/EET Florida Junior College 1974
B.S.B.A., and LA from Jones College, Jacksonville, Florida (Summa Cum Laude)
1998.
Graduate of the Birmingham, Alabama Blind Rehabilitation Center.
30-year Navy veteran 1965 to 1995.
Enlisted pay-grades held: E-1 through E-9.
Officer ranks held: O-1 through O-5.
Blindness service connected.
Though legally blind, remained on active, fit-for-full, duty 1987 to 1995.
Life Member: VFW, DAV, MOAA, BVA.
VICTORIA A. MAGLIOCCHINO - ST. AUGUSTINE
Victoria Magliocchino is an Advocacy Group representative on the Florida
Rehabilitation Council for the Blind representing the Florida Deaf-Blind
Association.
Vicky was born at an army base in Columbus, Georgia and grew up in Thornwood
and Hawthorne, New York. She attended New York School for the Deaf from
1961 to 1975, Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. from 1975 to 1979,
and Western Maryland College (currently McDaniel College) in Westminster,
Maryland in the summers of 1980, 1981, and 1982. She earned her BA in
English from Gallaudet and MA in Deaf Education from Western Maryland.
Vicky has been teaching the Deaf Department High School at Florida School
for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine for 31 years.
Vicky has three grown children. She was married for 21 years.
DONTE A. MICKENS - TALLAHASSEE
Donte’ Mickens is a Former Client representative on the Florida
Rehabilitation Council for the Blind.
Donte’ is a graduate of Florida State University where he received
Bachelors of Science Degrees in Finance and Risk Management. He is also a
graduate of the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine, FL.
Donte’ previously worked for the Division of Blind Services as an analyst,
primarily assisting the Division’s budget officer. He also mentored fellow
university students and Division clients in previous years.
Donte’ is a Paralympics medalist as a member of the Men’s U.S. National
Goalball team, competing in the Paralympics Games in Athens, Greece and
Beijing, China. He currently lives and works in the Delray Beach/Boca Raton
area as a Senior Financial Analyst with NCCI, Inc.
BRUCE A. MILES - MARCO ISLAND
Bruce Miles is an Advocacy Group representative on the Florida
Rehabilitation Council for the Blind representing the Florida Lions Club
(LIONS).
Bruce moved to Florida from Chicago Illinois in 1972, along with his wife,
Sheila and son Troy. He has been actively engaged in the Real Estate
Business on Marco Island since 1974. Owned and operated Gulf Coast Realty
of Marco Inc. for many years. Now associated with Anchor Real Estate of
Marco.
He is a charter member and past president of Marco Island Area Association
of Realtors. He was past president of Marco Island Multi List Inc. He has
served on many committees with the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR) and
was chairman of The Professional Standards and The Resort and Second Home
committees.
Bruce was very active on the local level, including Director of The Marco
Island Fair Water Defense Fund committee (negotiating a buy out of the local
water utility). He is a three term past president of the Marco Island Lions
Club, currently serving as their Tail Twister and a Board Member. He is
currently a director on the board of the newly incorporated Lighthouse of
Collier.
Bruce Miles is no stranger to The Division of Blind Services, he served on
their advisory council from 1985 to 1995 and then on Fl. Rehab Council for
the Blind from 1995 to 2001. His current appointment was made October 2008.
In his spare time Bruce enjoys travel (particularly cruising), swimming,
boating and cooking.
JOSEPH B. MINICHIELLO - JACKSONVILLE
Joe Minchiello is one of the four Business and Industry representatives on
the Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind.
Joe received his Bachelor’s Degree in history from Binghamton University in
1993. In 1995 he was hired by the Internal Revenue Service and moved to
Jacksonville, Fl. He is currently serving as President of the National
Federation of the Blind Greater Jacksonville chapter and Second Vice
President of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida.
Joe was born and raised in Watkins Glen, New York. He is married and has
worked actively in the community for many years to improve the lives of
individuals who are blind.
DANIEL W. O’CONNOR - JACKSONVILLE
Dan O’Connor is the VR Counselor representative on the Florida
Rehabilitation Council for the Blind.
Dan has been working for Division of Blind Services (DBS) for about 4 ½
years since July, 2005 as a Senior Rehabilitation Specialist in Jacksonville
/ District 3. His current caseload is mostly working with the Transition
(high school students). He is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, and has
a master’s degree in mental health counseling.
Dan is actively involved in many disability and advocacy groups such as the
Jacksonville Mayor’s Disability Council, Jacksonville Human Rights
Commission, Duval County Transportation Disadvantaged Coordinating Board,
Duval County Elections Advisory Panel, and the First Coast Disability
Advocates.
Dan is also a past president of the Jacksonville Council of the Blind, and
has a good relationship with both the local ACB & NFB chapters. He takes an
interest in community issues, and believes in empowering the disadvantaged
and encouraging independence and community integration.
MICHELE S. POLLAND - TALLAHASSEE
Michele Polland is the State Educational Unit (IDEA) representative on the
Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind.
Michele has been employed by the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of
Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS) since 1980. She is
currently the Bureau’s Educational Policy Analyst. Michele has been
involved in all aspects of state-level policy development and implementation
pertaining to the provision of special education and related services for
students with disabilities.
Michele earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Special Education from
Florida State University. Prior to joining to the Department of Education,
Michele was employed for eight years as a district-level staffing/curriculum
specialist and a high school special education teacher in a local Florida
school district.
ANDREW J. RAINES - PENSACOLA
Andrew Raines is a Current VR Client representative on the Florida
Rehabilitation Council for the Blind.
Andrew was born and raised in Pensacola Florida. The University of West
Florida awarded him a Master’s Degree in Public Administration in 1999 and a
Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science in 1996 with an emphasis in
Communication Arts.
He has worked at the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition
(IHMC) four separate times dating back to August 1994.
Andrew is currently tasked with administrative coordination including event
preparation and logistical support. In 1998-2001, he served United States
Senator Connie Mack as his Northwest Florida Regional Aide. He is the Board
Secretary for the Community Drug and Alcohol Council, Inc. (CDAC).
In his free time Andrew enjoys biking and visiting state parks.
DWIGHT D. SAYER - WINTER PARK
Dwight Sayer is an Advocacy Group representative on the Florida
Rehabilitation Council for the Blind representing the National Federation of
the Blind (NFB).
Dwight is a Strong blind advocate and is currently serving as president of
the National Association of Blind Veterans/A Division of the NFB, First Vice
President of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida, Treasurer of
the Greater Orlando Chapter, state registrar for NFB Newsline-reg, First
Vice President of the Ocoee Lions Club, life member of the Alumni
Association of the VA’s Southeastern Blind Rehab Center in Birmingham, Ala.,
a life member of the Blinded Veterans Association, a life member of the
Disabled American Veterans, a Director on the Board of Lighthouse Central
Florida, a Director on the Board for the Central Florida Center For
Independent Living ,a Corporate officer of the Freedom of Mobility
Foundation, Inc.
Dwight holds a BS and MS in Business Administration. He was
Honorably/Medically Discharged from the Air Force in 1969.
Dwight was awarded the West Orange Community Champion of the Year Award
presented by the West Orange Chamber of Commerce in 2006.
In his spare time, Dwight holds down a full time job with MV Transportation,
Inc as their Community Relations Manager and is responsible for activities
from coast to coast that impact the disabled communities they serve.
Prior to his current responsibilities, he was medically retired, due to
blindness, from his position as national traffic and logistics manager at
Aftermarket Technology Corp., where he created and led the transportation
systems of this worldwide automotive parts supplier based in Chicago, Ill.,
with annual sales of $760 million.
Dwight also volunteers his time at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, the
Orlando VA Medical Center and is a past wish granter for the Make-A-Wish
Foundation of Northeast Ohio.
Dwight was born in Rochester, N.Y., and raised in Orlando. He now lives in
Winter Garden, Florida with his wife Patty and two children, Austin and
Amanda, and their pet dog
Pearl.
SYLVIA STINSON-PEREZ - PORT RICHEY
Sylvia Stinson-Perez is the Community Rehab Center representative on the
Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind.
Sylvia is the Executive Director of the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired
and Blind (LVIB), which serves Pasco, Hernando and Citrus Counties. She has
over 12 years in the field of vision rehabilitation. She has Master’s
degrees in Social Work and in Visual Disabilities from Florida State
University. She is actively involved in Florida Association of Education
and Rehabilitation for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Sylvia is herself visually impaired, and it is one of her goals to ensure
that persons who are blind or visually impaired receive the training that
will ensure they will live independent and successful lives, and to help the
general community realize that persons who are blind can be and are
competent, normal, successful people.
Sylvia is the proud mother of Olivia, 11 years old, and a guide dog named
Carmel.
SUZANNE TOWNSEND - ORMOND BEACH
Suzanne Townsend is the Parent Training Center representative for the
Florida Rehabilitation for the Blind.
Suzanne is the Executive Director of Florida Families of Children with
Visual Impairments (FFCVI). She was President and co-founder of FFCVI in
1999 and became the Executive Director in 2004.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida State University
(1980) and has an active R.N. license. She is a member of NAPVI (National
Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments) and the
Statewide Vision Leadership WorkGroup. The WorkGroup is currently working
on Florida's Response to the National Agenda for the Education of Children
and Youths with Visual Impairments, Including Those with Multiple
Disabilities.
Sue resides in Ormond Beach, married to Clay for 24 years and mother of 4
children (ages 14 - 22). Two younger daughters were diagnosed with
retinitis pigmentosa at age three.
CHRISTOPHER WHITE - LAND O’LAKES
Christopher White is the representative for the Client Assistance Program on
the Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind.
Christopher White is the attorney-advisor for the Client Assistance Program
for the State of Florida. He is also a litigator at the Advocacy Center for
Persons with Disabilities, Inc., Florida’s Protection and Advocacy system.
A graduate of the University of Florida and Chicago-Kent College of Law, Mr.
White resides in Land O’ Lakes with his wife and two children.
Council Staff:
Phyllis A. Dill
Administrative Assistant II
Division of Blind Services
Room 1114, Turlington Building
325 W. Gaines Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
OFFICE: 850/245-0392
FAX: 850/245-0363
--
Lighthouse of the Big Bend
Guiding People Through Vision Loss
3071 Highland Oaks Terrace
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 942-3658
www.lighthousebigbend.org
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