In This Issue

Thriving Through Action. 7

New Cab Company in Richfield Area. 10

Usability Sciences’ Paid Website Research Opportunity. 11

GoGoGrandparent 12

Thanks to Wonderful Program Sponsors. 12

Activities Calendar 14

Board of Directors Meetings. 14

The UCB Buzz. 15

UCB Annual Business Meeting

The Annual Business Meeting of the Utah Council of the Blind will be held at the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 250 N 1950 W, Salt Lake City, UT at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2024. Reservations are required so that we can have enough food for everyone. Please call the business office at 801-245-9264 or email utahblind@gmail.com with your name, the names of others in your party, and your telephone number, no later than Friday, September13th. When you make your reservation, please indicate whether or not each person in your party is a member of the UCB, whether each person uses large print or braille and if you will need an asl interpreter, assistive listening device or any other accommodation.

Watch future issues of The UCB Buzz for information regarding participation by Zoom link and absentee voting procedures.

Call for Nominations

During this year's Annual Business Meeting we will be electing the president, secretary, and approximately half of our directors.

As specified in the UCB Bylaws: "Section 3.2. … All Officers and Directors must be paid-up members of the UCB, at least 18 years of age, and support its purposes. A majority of the Board of Directors must be legally blind. No more than two members of the Board of Directors may be close family members, i.e. spouse, child, grandchild, sibling, aunt, uncle, first cousin, etc., and no more than one family member may hold an officer position.

“Section 4.1. … In order to be eligible for election to an officer position a person must have been a member of the organization for not less than one year and served on a committee. In order to be elected to a board position a person must have been a member of the organization for not less than six months.

"Section 4.2. … No member who agrees to serve on the Election Committee may run for office in the current election. Any member of the organization may nominate themself or another qualified member by submitting a written statement of not more than one page concerning the qualifications of the nominee. Should more than one statement be received for an individual, the Election Committee shall determine which one statement to publish, giving priority to one personally written by the individual… No nominations from the floor or write-in candidates will be allowed…

"Section 4.3. Officers and Directors elected at the annual business meeting are expected to attend meetings of the Board of Directors and training activities held between the time of their election and the date they take office…

"Section 4.4. The regular term of office for each Officer and Director shall commence January 1st and be two years or until a successor is elected or appointed as outlined in these Bylaws.”

In addition to the above requirements, please be aware that by far most board meetings are held via Zoom, correspondence between meetings among board members is conducted via group text messages and email, and most of the informational materials to be utilized and considered by board members and in board discussions are presented in electronic formats such as Word documents, Excel workbooks, and pdf documents. For this reason, it is fairly important that board members have access to and be capable of utilizing technology effectively.

Election Committee: The Election Committee chair for this year is Vicki Flake. Her committee members are Donni Mitchell and Cindi Vega.

Nomination statements must be submitted to the Election Committee by email to:

utahblind@gmail.com

or by standard mail to:

UCB Election Committee

PO Box 1415

Bountiful UT 84011-1415

Nomination statements must be received no later than July 15, 2024, in order to be processed and published in the August newsletter.

Bylaws Amendments

Proposed Bylaws amendments may be submitted to:

Utah Council of the Blind

Secretary

PO Box 1415

Bountiful UT 84011-1415

or by e-mail to:

utahblind@gmail.com

Proposals must be received on or before July 15, 2024, in order for them to be prepared for publication in the August newsletter.

Thriving Through Action

Utah Council of the Blind State Training Conference 2024

Date: November 1 -2, 2024

Location: Davis Conference Center
1651 N 700 W
Layton UT 84041

Price: $50 – includes registration, Friday lunch, Friday evening ice cream social, Saturday lunch, and banquet

Lodging Accommodations: Hilton Garden Inn
762 W Heritage Park Blvd
Layton UT 84041
Phone: 801-461-8899
This beautiful hotel is connected to the conference center and has reserved a block of rooms for us at the rate of $107 plus tax per night. Amenities include indoor pool and whirlpool, fitness center, restaurant which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, room service, and free WiFi. Connecting rooms are available.

Transportation: Front Runner stop is located just in front of hotel and conference center.

Thriving Through Action – join us at the Utah Council of the Blind State Training Conference. Calling all members of the blind and visually impaired community, advocates, and allies. The Utah Council of the Blind is proud to announce its highly anticipated state training conference themed “Thriving Through Action.” This empowering event is set to inspire, educate and equip all attendees with the tools needed to excel in all aspects of life.

Highlights will include presentations and demonstrations from local scholars, a published author, professional chef, accessible gamer, martial artist, and cardio enthusiast who will be highlighting cycling, running and rock climbing.

Children are welcome! On Friday we will provide activities that children will enjoy in a supervised space. They can look forward to a professional storyteller, sensory activities, described movie, and more!

Whether you are a member of the blind community, a family member, caregiver, or ally, the Utah Council of the Blind welcomes you. The conference focuses on people from all walks of life who are passionate about empowerment, positive quality of life, and advocacy. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a transformative experience that celebrates resilience, fosters growth, and encourages action.

To register, please call our office at 801-245-9264 Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

New Cab Company in Richfield Area

The UCB has contracted with a new cab company in the Richfield Area called Trip Taxi. They're a small family-owned transport service. They have agreed to accept the UCB white cab coupons as payment from blind individuals in the surrounding cities. The coupons can be purchased by calling 801-245-9264. The cost is $50 for $100 worth of coupons plus $5.00 for priority mail. Each coupon is worth $1.00. These can be used for the fare and tip. You can pay with a credit card or debit card. Trip Taxi will drive up to a 500-mile radius, so if you live in the Delta area, for example, they will come to you, charging to get to you, of course. They are based out of Monroe, Utah and their business line is 435-896-7719 to make reservations. If the dispatch does not answer, leave a message and they are quick to respond.

Usability Sciences’ Paid Website Research Opportunity

Reprinted from ACB Dots and Dashes of June 3, 2024

Do you enjoy visiting websites, but sometimes get frustrated that they are not user friendly? Usability Sciences conducts one-on-one user experience research discussions on websites and other digital products, and we sometimes have clients who are interested in hearing feedback from those who are blind or have low vision.

We have a research study coming up where users will participate in a 90-minute Zoom session and provide feedback on a financial services website. Remote sessions will occur July 16-18 and those who qualify and participate will receive a $150 online gift card for their time. You will have hundreds of choices for your online gift card, such as Amazon, Visa, Target, Walmart, Starbucks, etc.

If you would like to determine if you fit into a needed segment for this research – or if you would like to hear about other research studies in the future, complete our online screener here: https://bit.ly/usabilitysciences_B_LV.

If you need assistance, contact us via email, recruiter@usabilitysciences.com, or call us at (972) 550-1599.

GoGoGrandparent

GoGoGrandparent turns on demand transportation companies like Uber into services that help families take better care of older adults. Available in all 50 states and Canada!

Call (855) 464-6872 and select a service

Press 1 to get picked up at home

Press 2 to get picked up where we dropped you off

Press 6 to request an operator

Pickups happen within 15 minutes. To schedule in advance, speak to an agent.

Thanks to Wonderful Program Sponsors

The Utah Council of the Blind would like to recognize the wonderful foundations that have supported the organization's programs through generous grants. Please share your gratitude to:

The Christ Foundation of Ohio for the generous grant to support the Subsidized Transportation Program

The Sorenson Legacy Foundation for the grant to continue the Skills Development Program

Taste of India Restaurant in Bountiful for their generous regular on-going donations

The State Employee Charitable Fund for their generous donations

Live Earth Products for their generous grant towards Community Projects

Rocky Mountain Power Foundation for the generous grant to support the Subsidized Transportation program

The Michael Foundation for the grant to provide adaptive technology grants

All of these wonderful foundations are to be commended for their support of the blind and visually impaired communities.

Activities Calendar

July 5-12, 2024, Jacksonville, Florida – American Council of the Blind Annual Conference and Convention

August 10, 2024, tentative – Seaquest Aquarium Activity – watch for updates

September 9, and September 11, 2024, tentative – Utah State Fair – watch for updates

September 21, 2024, 10:00 a.m., DSBVI – Annual Business Meeting

November 1-2, 2024, Davis Conference Center – Statewide Training Conference – watch for updates

December 7, 2024, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., DSBVI, – Holiday Celebration – watch for updates

Board of Directors Meetings

Members are invited to attend meetings of the Board of Directors. Meetings will typically be held on the first Thursday of selected months at 4:45 p.m. via Zoom. To be placed on the agenda or attend a meeting, e-mail utahblind@gmail.com or call 801-245-9264.

August 1, 2024, 4:45 p.m. – Board Meeting – Zoom

October 12, 2024, Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. – Budget and Training Meeting (by invitation only)

January 2, 2025, 4:45 p.m. – Board Meeting – Zoom

The UCB Buzz

The UCB Buzz is available in large print, Braille, audio CD, and by e-mail. If you would prefer to receive your newsletter in a different format, please call the UCB business office at 801-245-9264 or send an e-mail to utahblind@gmail.com and let us know.

To submit materials for publication, e-mail them to utahblind@gmail.com or mail to UCB Buzz, PO Box 1415, Bountiful, UT 84011-1415.

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