AS EYE SEE IT

Summer Greetings to all! By Chelle Hart

As we send out our greetings, Keith and I are just three weeks back from the American Council of the Blind Convention in Las Vegas. Five of us from South Dakota had the opportunity to attend. As usual, it was full of exciting programs and interesting exhibits. President Chris Gray informed the convention goers that this years ACB National Convention was the largest in history. Many of the speeches and programs can be viewed on the ACB website. Members of SDAB have been very busy this past spring and summer. Just last week, we sponsored a supper for the students attending the computer class held at Dakota State University. Ten of the students taking the course, which was designed and taught by co-president Keith Bundy, ate supper at the Pizza Ranch in Madison with several SDAB members. The class has been very successful and the students indicated they have learned so much and have had a great time in doing so. This summer’s class at DSU is certainly something by which people who are blind or visually impaired can improve their professional and personal lives with the use of computers. SDAB will continue to support this endeavor. Of course, we must also mention the success of our first "CraftAbility Fair" which was held at the Center for Active Generations in Sioux Falls on April 16. Many hard working SDAB members put in long hours to make it so successful. Thirty-five vendors purchased tables to sell their crafts and goods. The Fair was very successful for being the first such event SDAB has sponsored. The Board is very interested in making this an annual event. In looking ahead, we would be lax in not mentioning the upcoming State Convention. It will be held in Watertown this year, and it sounds like the Program/Social Committee is putting together a great weekend. There is more about it elsewhere in this newsletter, so mark your calendars for the last weekend in October. It will be great! As always, we are always trying to increase the membership of SDAB. If you know of someone to invite to the annual State Convention, please do so. The strength of SDAB is in the hands of its members. Have a great summer in 2005!

Sale of Building By Gaye Mattke

The Division of SBVI has been notified that the South Dakota Lion’s Foundation Board of Directors and the Executive Board for the Sioux Council Boy Scouts of America have signed an agreement that will transfer the ownership of the South Dakota Lion’s Foundation building. According to the “South Dakota Lion” newsletter, the sale process is to be completed over the next 90 days with the Sioux Council operations taking over the building throughout late 2005 and early 2006. A letter to the Division of SBVI simply stated that the closing date is scheduled on or before September 16, 2005 and that the Sioux Council of Boy Scouts will assume all leases. The Division of SBVI is exploring options to continue services provided to South Dakotans with vision loss in light of this recent news. At this time it is not known whether operations will continue at the current site or whether an alternate site for the SD Rehabilitation Center for the Blind will be needed. The mission of the Division of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired is “To provide individualized rehabilitation services that result in optimal employment and independent living outcomes for citizens who are blind or visually impaired.” The comprehensive services provided at SDRC are an integral part of meeting this mission. SD Association of the Blind members, most notably Howard Hanson and Arnold Auch, worked painstakingly to bring the vision of a rehabilitation center to a reality. Their commitment to the blind of South Dakota will not be forgotten. The Division of SBVI will keep SDAB members informed of developments concerning the SD Rehabilitation Center for the Blind. Although this recent news is unsettling, we are committed to continuing the vital services provided through the blindness skills training and vocational services units housed at the SD Rehabilitation Center for the Blind.

Change By Toby Fladmark

Change is a word that can evoke a wide range of emotions. But change is what has been happening at the South Dakota Industries for the Blind (SDIB) since 1997 when it became a private non-profit industry. Privatization meant that there was no longer a financial safety net and that the employees had to “make it on their own”. SDIB and its workers have indeed done so. Since 2001, the Industries have made a small profit and have found new ways for its workers to apply their handiwork. Several months ago, it appeared that the SD Lion’s Foundation was changing its Mission Statement and was no longer interested in supporting sheltered-workshops (technically what SDIB is classified as by the US Department of Labor).

At that same time we also started to hear rumors that the Foundation were going to sell their building. We did make an offer to purchase the portion of the building we were leasing, but it was rejected by the Lion’s Foundation. This led us to start looking for a new home, in the event that the building was sold out from under us. We were fortunate to find a new location and moved in on June 1. By the end of June, the Lions Clubs of South Dakota were informed that the building, which housed the Rehab Center for the Blind, at 800 West Avenue North had been sold to the Boy Scout Council. Our new building is at 701 East 52^nd Street North in the Sioux Falls Industrial Park. It was within our price range and offered the square footage we required. The building was built and previously occupied by Framer’s Supply, which moved to Canton. The building is 11 years old but required only minor modifications to accommodate our work. We even have our own sign that gives SDIB its first public identity! It has been a big change with new surroundings, new bus routes, new sidewalks to navigate, and new neighbors. Sioux Falls Transit does serve our new property and all of our employees are making the adjustment to working in a new location. Many of them had been in the Rehab Center for most of their working lives. No longer are the bus stops immediately outside the building, but are now one block away, meaning that everyone practices new mobility skills. We aren’t completely unpacked yet as we have been so very busy. In June, we packaged and exported over one million photo postcards for a customer. This is as much as we had previously done in two years, so you can imagine the level of activity. There has been so much work that we added 5 more part-time employees to accommodate the workload. Products are even being sent to England, Germany, France, and New Zealand. We have been manufacturing crosses and crucifixes for the funeral industry for many years, an operation that is getting more detailed. The new facility will allow us the space in which to take on even more new jobs. We think that the location will enhance that part of our operation. We invite any SDAB member to call and arrange a tour of our new place. We already have a couple of Lion’s Clubs wanting to hold open houses. We would be more than happy to open our doors for tours, like we always have, that will NOT change.

Thoughts and Prayers

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the following families and friends on the passing of some very special people.

Denise Zebell of Estelline passed away on May 12, 2005 at the age of 84. Denise worked for the Service to the Visually Impaired in Sioux Falls and Aberdeen for 18 years. Grateful for having shared her life are three sons, Douglas (Rose Marie) Zebell (graduate of SDSB), Cranberry, PA; James (Dot) Zebell, Parker; Jeff Zebell (attended the SDSB) of Sioux Falls; grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many relatives. Over the years, Denise touched the hearts of so very many people!

David Vogel of Pierre passed away on May 27, 2005. He spent many years as Division Director of SD Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired. He was also project manager for the Black Hills Cooperative. He is survived by his wife Jeanne; daughters, Alizabeth (Brian) Rasmussen of Seattle, WA and Sarah (Walter) Gould of Albany, NY, three grandchildren and numerous close friends and co-workers. He was recognized at the national, state, and local levels for his commitment to empower and further the rights of the disabled. He will be greatly missed by everyone whose lives he touched.

Paul N. Pirtle of Sioux Falls passed away on June 8, 2005 at the age of 78. Paul was a Rehabilitation Counselor for the Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired, where he worked for 24 years. He was active in the Siouxland Lions Club and the SDAB. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Joyce (who proceeded him), a daughter, Anita Sue, and a son, Paul E, both of Sioux Falls; 3 brothers and a host of other relatives and friends. Paul had a way of always helping others to see the possibilities in life.

Matt Ducheneaux of Eagle Butte passed away on May 23, 2005, at the age of 41. Matt worked at the Prairie Freedom Center after an automobile accident left him a quadriplegic. He was well respected and very active in advocating for the rights of people with disabilities.

Larry “Mac” McIntyre of Sioux Falls passed away on June 30, 2005 at the age of 54 after losing the long battle with diabetes and the complications of the disease. Mac had a generous heart and was very patient with everyone. Grateful for having shared his life are his brother, Dean (Jane) McIntyre, Butte MT; and many close friends and relatives. Mac was truly a friend of many.

Marion Hogarth (Jack’s mother) of Chamberlain passed away at the grand age of 91 years old on July 13, 2005. She was blessed with 5 children, 8 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.

Rehab Center News By Dawn Backer

Greetings from the SD Rehabilitation Center for the Blind! We are having a busy summer with a variety of activities taking place. Planning continues for transition week July 24-29, 2005. A variety of activities are planned for students, including tours of Sioux Falls businesses, a tour of Augustana College, attending the ADA celebration self-advocacy training, life skills training, as well as evening activities at Wild Water West Water Park, a hay ride and movies. A full update will be included in the next edition of “As I See It”. I am please to announce Katrina Wendel, certified O&M Specialist, returned to SDRC to provide orientation and mobility for approximately 6 weeks starting June 27. It is also a pleasure to announce that Bob Smith is attending the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to pursue a Master’s degree in Orientation and Mobility. He is completing this through on-line coursework and two summers of on-campus training. Bob is currently in Little Rock and will return around July 19. Bob stated he is excited about getting this training, as this is something he has always wanted to do. The Orientation and Mobility position continues to be announced but we have not had qualified applicants apply. We were also fortunate to hire a summer intern, Amanda Hofer. She is helping in all areas of the Rehabilitation Center and will be here until sometime in August. She attends the University of South Dakota and is majoring in social work. In spite of recent news of the sale of the building, staff continues to provide high quality comprehensive services to those attending the SD Rehabilitation Center for the Blind. SDRC is more than a building; it’s the dedicated staff and consumers who complete the center.

Blind Blunders By Lerae Olesen

"Where's the Beef" - one summer, Deb VerSteeg and I shared an apartment. Being young and inexperienced in cooking, I was quite happy to hear about how to cook a roas