« ACB Maine Newsletter July 2023
Welcome to the ACB Maine Newsletter - July
2023
President's Message
Happy Independence Day to the members and friends of ACBMaine! It seems like only yesterday that I was writing my first President’s message and here we are approaching another convention and election to end my second year as ACBMaine’s President. President. I had so many plans and thought they could be so easily achieved; however, time has slipped away so quickly, and I feel like I’m just beginning with so much more to accomplish. We would like your feedback on what you want from ACBMaine. Remember this is your organization and the board wants all of you to be involved in what we do!
The Officers and Board of Directors of ACB of Maine would like to know your thoughts about the convention in the Fall.
1. Which do you prefer?
a. virtual
b. in person convention
2. What about past conventions did you like and would like to see again?
3. If we were to have an in person
convention, would you want it to be a. one day or b. two day
event?
4. Outdoor or Inside Convention?
Please, reach
out to your board and tell us what you think.
On October 14, The Iris Network is hosting the White Cane Walk of Awareness. We are counting on you to be there. Do you want to go but need help with transportation to Portland. ACB Maine is researching transportation resources to help people get to the Walk. Contact one of us and express your transportation concerns.
You can read more
about the event in this newsletter and on ACBMaine’s
website.
This year all Officer positions are up for election as well as 2 (3-year) board of Director positions
ACB Maine would like you to consider running
for one of these positions. It’s a commitment of attending meetings once
a month and committee work between meetings. It’s not always easy,
however, it can be very rewarding, knowing that you are making a
difference. If you have never been in attendance of one of our board
meetings and would like to see what we do, send an email
to
Cheryl Peabody at the following
address:
Treasurer@ACBMaine.org
Friends please
be safe out there during this Holiday week. If you have pets, please be
aware that the loud noises associated with July 4th celebrations can be
very frightening. Keep them safe and always on leash while
outdoors!
One last thought- We are all in this together so let’s work together to make ACBMaine the best organization for the blind and visually impaired citizens of Maine!
Leona
McKenna
President, ACBMaine
White Cane
Walk
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Disney Adventures
Recently my family and I went to Disney World in Florida - and our entourage included my wife, my daughter, and three grandchildren ranging in age from 22 to 2. It’s an adventure.
But as a Blind and Visually Impaired Person (BaVIP), I thought that the experience might be worth a few notes of review for other folks who are also VIPs.
We had no problems navigating the airport. It was all easy. Of course, there were several “eyes on the prize” with lots of helpers. On the other hand, I was certain to wear my VIP jacket with its logo and I was sure to carry and use my cane. I was a reluctant cane user at first, but have become a real advocate for cane use. It’s not just the assistance the can provides the user, but also as a real signal to others. The cane saves all sorts of embarrassing interchanges.
And honestly, Disney was fine as well - provided I used the cane. The can is so very important to send a signal to everyone there. And honestly, the Disney personnel were wonderful and very helpful. I never once felt excluded. Additionally, Disney has several helpful hints and policies which can be found at this website [https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/guests-with-disabilities/disabilities-visual/]
But, here’s the rub. Here’s what I noticed.
Disney does not have a universal way of identifying bathrooms. There is no “plan” or “label” that is universal. Restrooms are located where they fit into the design of the park, and they are not labeled with a recognizable sign. And for some bizarre reason, the entry ways into the restrooms are not well lit - they are often dark.
More than once I had to rely on help or my cane to navigate the entrances to restrooms - providing of course that I found the right one!
And the rides? I’m not a big fan of amusement parks anyway, but Disney’s model for rides seems to be a long dark waiting line that leads to a long dark ride entry that goes through a long dark tunnel. No, I’m not a big fan of rides at Disney.
But the grounds, the scenery, and the transportation systems were impressive. I loved the gondolas. I loved wandering in Epcot.
Disney was easy to navigate. Don’t be shy. But do take your cane - even to the pool; as well, I did manage to topple over a toddler I didn’t see. Poor kid, I felt terrible, but it all worked out.
Most things usually do work out.
