FLORIDA REHABILITATION COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND (FRCB)
QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES

 

FLORIDA REHABILITATION COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND
(FRCB)
QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
325 WEST GAINES STREET, TURLINGTON BUILDING ROOM 1721-25
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA  32399

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Meeting called to order at 9:00 AM with the Pledge of Allegiance following roll call.

Attendance

COUNCIL MEMEBERS PRESENT: 8
Robert Kelly, Mickey Wiseman, Patricia Lipovsky, Sylvia Perez, Vickie Magliocchino, Lenora Martin, Bruce Miles, Donte Mickens, Robert Doyle

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT VIA TELEPHONE: 1
Gloria Mills

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: 5
Jesus Garcia, Leanne Grillot, Benedict Grzesik, Revered Charles Brooks, Sandra Burke

COUNCIL STAFF: 1
Sharon Scurry

DBS STAFF: 1
Walter Blackmon

ATTENDEES: 1
Paul Edwards

ATTENDEE VIA TELECONFERENCE: 1
Howard Bell

Council Business

Approval of October Minutes

Sylvia Perez moved and Mikey Wiseman seconded the motion to approve the October 2015 meeting minutes.  The motion was approved unanimously.

Discussion

The Council Members had a discussion regarding the May meeting taking place at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine. The council decided to proceed with having the meeting at FSDB and look for an alternative location to have the public forum such as the public library close to FSDB. The council agreed to add agenda items for the May meeting for promoting the forum and reviewing the manual for planning meetings.

Agenda Items for May 11-13, 2016 – Nominations were made to include the following items:

Location and Date of February 2017 Meeting

Sylvia Perez moved and Mikey Wiseman seconded the motion to have the meeting in Tampa.  The motion passed unanimously.

Bruce Miles moved and Mikey Wiseman seconded the motion to have the meeting on February 8, 9, and 10, 2017.  The motion passed unanimously. 

DBS Policy on Assistive Technology Training

Sylvia Perez -There was a discussion between the council members regarding the need for smart phone training for DBS clients. Some advantages of knowing how to operate a smart phone outlined included improved communication through email and text, effective time management using calendar, the ability to manage finances and appointments, as well as the capability of storing numerous amounts of data such as contact information. It was agreed that the smart phone is an essential tool not only for one’s job but also in all areas of life.  Follow up discussions will need to take place to determine the best way for blind and visually impaired citizens to gain information about how to use devices. Some suggestions/goals moving forward include improved training/education of front line service personnel, continuing a dialogue in order to explore a resolution, and looking at adult education and continuing education classes as an alternative resource.

Conflict Resolution: Walter Blackman

The Conflict Resolution Process:

Report on FRC Meeting – Bruce Miles, FRC Representative

Term Vacancies/Appointments

No Updates

Old Business

There is no old business to report.

New Business

There was a brief discussion to look at travel going forward.

Open Discussion

There was a brief discussion regarding the need to communicate with FILC (Florida Independent Living Council) regarding scheduling meetings.

The meeting adjourned at 11:00 AM

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