Welcome to the newsletter for ACB Maine - February
2026.
The newsletter is
designed for accessibility and contains very few graphics. In the
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newsletter to any interested people or relevant agencies.
President's
Message
from Amanda Frost
Greetings to all!
Wow! What a wonderful year 2025 was. ACB Maine accomplished
some important items of business.
First, some big updates on the website. Roger Fuller
transferred the platform to North Star Works and has updated a lot of
information. Though it needs a bit more work it is coming along nicely.
Thank you, Roger for your time and devotion to the website.
Second, our very first Bud Lewis community service award was
presented to Carolyn Bebee. Thank you Carolyn for your many years of
support and encouragement to all members every step of the way, and your
love and passion to help others.
Finally, fundraising
was a financial success. ACB Maine was able to complete two fundraisers
that raised $644 in 2025. Thank you to Linda Richards and Julie Welsh for
your diligence with planning and pulling together some great
fundraisers.
Now moving into some fantastic news for our current year,
2026. Please welcome our treasure Lolita Hodson who has graciously
volunteered for the treasurer position. We have also pulled together an
outreach group to coordinate some get-togethers this year. These
get-togethers will foster relationships within the community of limited
vision persons and allow us to distribute a brochure of resources to
locations for visually impaired and blind individuals. We will also
provide information around the state of Maine to places such as eye
doctors, senior centers, and other various important locations.
Last but not least, please take part in our current Little
Caesar's Pizza fundraiser taking place at this time through the month of
March. You can choose to pick up your pizza and appetizers at a nearby
Little Caesars location or have your frozen pizza and appetizers shipped
to your home address to enjoy at your convenience. Stay tuned for updates
in upcoming newsletters inregards to convention 2026. Be patient spring is
right around the corner! We could really appreciate some warm weather to
go with the sunshine.
Fundraiser
To all Pizzas and cookies fans, take
this opportunity to order kits that is prepared to deliver to your home by
FedEx. There is a shipping cost of $9.99. Every kit you
purchase gives six dollars towards the ACBMaine. Here is the customer
service you can call at 888-452-5487. This will end March 23, 2026.
here is the link. https://fundraising.littlecaesars.com/products?support=0bc917fd-9a53-41a7-acf7-7b47c5d8aa42&utm_id=SellerQRPurchase&c=10
LIttle Ceasar's Fundraiser
Please note - There are
two ways to participate. You can purhase "Pizza Kits and Bundles"
which are delivered via UPS. You can also select Meal Deal Codes for
PIck Up in Store" and then pick up the purchase at your local Little
Caesars.
Webpage Update
We always work to make progress on the webpage for ACB
Maine. We have updated and added almost all the board meeting
minutes for the past four years. You can check out the website at ACBMaine
Facebook
Did you know that we have a Facebook page? It's located
at this link -Facebook-ACBMaine
or at this link - https://www.facebook.com/ACBofMaine/
The Facebook page
contains links to national ACB and other important information for the
blind and visually impaired. Feel free to check us out.
Reminder - Tech Talk
ACB of Maine is continuing its new
technology-related program called Tech Talk, hosted by Steve Sawczyn. Tech
Talk is a program that will allow ACB of Maine members to join, get
technology questions answered, and have an opportunity to learn something
new. Tech Talk will take place via Zoom on the second Tuesday of each
month. Information for joining the Zoom meeting will be sent out prior to
each program.
Updates
Tech up and go. Have you downloaded Indigo
Nav, the free accessible GPS app designed specifically for the blind? Take a closer look at how this
app supports outdoor exploration through real-time feedback, detailed
spoken instructions, and more.
Unexpected vet expenses for your guide dog?
Handlers who live in Maine may apply to the Pine Tree Guide Dog Users
Emergency Veterinary Fund for financial assistance of up to $2,500 for
their working guide dogs. Find out
more about the fund to see if you qualify.
SLAM THE SCAM
On March 5, 2026, during National Consumer Protection
Week, the Social Security Administration (SSA) and its Office of the
Inspector General (OIG) will lead National Slam the Scam Day.
Take part by using tools
from SSA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to recognize imposters —
including Social Security-related scams — and stop scammers from
stealing your money and personal information.
Click this link to read all about the SLAM THE SCAM DAY - March 5, 2026
A special Thank YOU
from Carolyn Bebee
Thank-You American Council of the
Blind of Maine for the honor to be the first recipient of the Bud Lewis
Community Service Award!
It was so wonderful when the American Council of the Blind
of Maine created the Bud Lewis Community Service Award. The
Award recognizes his great leadership in all ways and ensures his legacy
will be carried on every year at our fall
Convention.
To be the first
recipient of Bud’s award and have it presented by his wife and children
was a gift beyond words.
I so welcome this
opportunity to share why receiving this honor, truly belongs to all of the
blind and visually impaired individuals who were instrumental in changing
how services were offered and provided in Central Maine and how it brought
so many of us together statewide.
Many of you may remember when the specialty of Low
Vision Services was added to some of the Medical Eye Care Practices eons
ago.
At that time services by the Division
for the Blind and Visually Impaired were provided only in a person’s
home. The Vocational Counselor would travel to the home to meet and
explain services, complete the application and medical releases and obtain
the needed signature. When found eligible, again all services took place
in the individual’s home and community one on one with the specialists.
Individuals with the Vocational goal of Homemaker were part of the
Vocational program. The Center based program in Portland was not an option
as the numbers were so great and elders for many reasons could not
consider a residential program living away from their
home.
The waitlist to apply for services during that time
was over a year. Then there was another long wait to begin receiving
services.
One night about 7:00 PM in
calling to let someone know it would be a long while until a home visit
was possible to apply for services, she said, “I don’t need your
money, I need help now or I will be going to a nursing
home.” She is the leader who turned the tide and started the
Augusta Team changes. With her permission that night, the application and
medical releases were completed on the phone and mailed for
signature. Staples and a black felt tip line were put on
the signature line and she said she had someone who could assist next
door if need be.
With the waitlist for
services, it was so clear something had to change. K through 12 and
post secondary education takes place in classrooms. Our services
are “education” and for some reason we were going door to door
one student at a time? Maybe classes were possible and the long delay in
folks receiving services could change?
We explored with eight individuals if
they would consider meeting as a group to begin the basic
services in order for them to not have to wait any longer. All
were so hesitant to go to an unknown place, be with a group of
people they did not know, eat together as a group and be
trapped there all day. We reviewed if at any time they did not feel
okay, they could choose to leave and we had the transportation in
place for them to return home. We would then return to all services
provided at their home. We were so lucky as everyone agreed to give it a
try!
The first class was Monday thru Friday at the
Episcopal Church in Gardiner. Marj Awalt, who many of you remember, was so
active with her husband Hugh in the church. They allowed us to be
there with no charge at all. It was perfect as there was a large room
for us all to be together around a table. Also, there were many small
rooms for private sessions with the teachers. The kitchen was perfect
for the services needed there and a place for the teacher to set up all of
the devices and adaptive equipment too. The Tech specialist, Low Vision
Specialist and Adjustment Counselor were all set as well! The church was
large with long flights of steps and many rooms in the midst of a small
neighborhood with a circle of quiet streets to begin indoor and
outdoor Orientation and Mobility lessons.
As you can guess, the Augusta Team could not provide
all these services alone. The Maine Institution for the Bind, now The Iris
Network, specialists were able to join us with the first class. We all
learned from each other as we only knew how to go door to door and they
were used to providing services at the center and in the Portland
community. This was not only new for the class members but for all of us
as well.
We shared that at the end of each day
we would need them to tell us what worked and what did
not work. Not only would it be helping to make it better for
them, it would so help others in the future. They took that as
a serious responsibility and oh did they have suggestions! It made
such a difference as so many positive changes were made during that first
class. Later in the week there were family sessions with the
adjustment counselor and with each of the specialists in each area to
introduce them to all their family member had learned and walk through
some of the lessons too.
In all of the responses from the participating
members, the number one thing that they said meant the most was the
opportunity to share amongst themselves at lunch, in the group sessions
with all specialists and especially in the adjustment counseling
sessions. There was always a round robin table short message from
each member to start and end of each day.
After the class completion members so wanted to stay
in touch. Two members reached out and created the monthly Lunch Club that
became the Sunshine Club in Waterville with over 50 members at one time.
After the Augusta class, the Rainbow Club formed so all could
continue to meet regularly. Both groups scheduled speakers for each
meeting along with birthday and fun celebrations.
None of this would have been possible without the Okay
from Bud! We were totally outside of the usual way to provide services. As
you can guess there is so much more with federal and
state funding along with other services offered in different ways
over time.
Thanks again as it means so much to receive this award
on behalf all individuals who expressed their ideas and ways for The
Augusta Team to change and respond to meet the needs in more ways than we
ever could have imagined!
Thanks to All
with Gratitude,
Carolyn
