FCB is supported by Community Donations, and Partnerships with:
United Way of Marion County
FLORIDA DIVISION OF BLIND SERVICES Department of Education
FCB is celebrating 20 years of service in Marion County
Florida Center for the Blind Staff
Gwain A. Davis, Executive Director
Joanna Taylor, Administrative Assistant
Mary Jane Anderson, Certified Orientation & Mobility Instructor
Butch Scott, Orientation & Mobility Instructor
Angela Hammond, Independent Living Instructor
Norma Jean Stone, Cooking Instructor
Jackie Mayberry, Computer Lab Supervisor
David Marlin, Computer I Instructor
Ethelle Johnson, Computer Intro. Instructor
Kevin Bailey, Braille Instructor
WHAT IS FCB?
The Florida Center for the Blind, Inc. (FCB) is a non-profit organization that teaches alternatives to performing daily tasks with a minimum of inconvenience to the individual. This is accomplished through training in life-sustaining skills. Becoming self-sufficient and teaching the individual to physically and emotionally cope with his /her blindness. The Center also aids its clients in locating and qualifying for services available to them. The blind person and their sighted family members are counseled to understand and accept their blindness, in addition to providing educational programs for the general public. The Center is a liaison between the client and other agencies such as the State of Florida, Division of Blind Services, the Veterans Administration, area school systems and the Social Security Administration.
Education and training are provided in Braille, mobility skills, daily living skills, cooking, and leisure time activities. FCB also provides training in employability skills, such as, typing, introduction to computers and the use of specialized software to assist the blind person in the operation of the computer. Included also is the use of peripheral devices such as printers, scanners with speech synthesizers and more. Upon successfully demonstrating competence with the equipment and software, the individual can continue training in word processing, spreadsheet and database applications, in addition to becoming skilled in the use of the Internet.
The Florida Center for the Blind, Inc. provides a class for group support. The Center is not just a place for information or training but much more. We understand the needs and desires of the blind person. This understanding comes from 40% of the members of the Board of Directors, some support staff and many volunteers who are blind. We are committed to the belief that with a positive attitude and training blindness can be reduced to a "mere inconvenience", allowing the individual to lead a normal, productive life.
Purpose
The mission of the Florida Center for the Blind, Inc. is to facilitate the complete integration of blind people into society on a basis of equality. The specific and primary purpose of the Center is to develop and administer programs for people who are either totally or legally blind. FCB is focused on the rehabilitation and assistance of blind people in adjusting to their environment. The Florida Center for the Blind, Inc. is committed to a positive and progressive philosophy about blindness. We are helping to change what it means to be blind. We are taking the "dis" out of "disability."
History
The Florida Center for the Blind, Inc. is a non-profit agency funded though the Division of Blind Services and community contributions. The Center was founded in 1987 under the name Citrus Center for the Blind by a small group of blind people who realized that thousands of blind residents had virtually no services available to them. Our experience supports the belief that blindness can be reduced to a "mere inconvenience." Given the proper training and opportunity (and these are important), the average blind person can lead a normal, independent life. In 1992, the name was changed to the Florida Center for the Blind, Inc. In 1993, in order to be more geographically accessible to the blind, the Center was relocated to its present location.
The Center offers its services at NO CHARGE to any blind or visually impaired person.
Leadership
The Board of Directors governs the Florida Center for the Blind, Inc. The Board is comprised of local citizens representing business, professional, volunteer and consumer groups. It is a requirement that forty percent of Board members be blind or have members of their immediate family who are blind.
Members of The Board of Directors
President: Cecil A. Jones Jr. Phd. Vice President: Fred Penney Treasurer : Bernice McDonald Secretary: Patricia Blackmer Director: Joe Wilkaitis Director: Winona Wilson Director: Estelle Clark Director: Susan Minogue Director: Jim Culmo Director: Robert Mawhiney Director: Wendy Phillips
Florida's Newest License Plate
Benefiting Blind & Visually Impaired Floridians
Next Time You Renew Ask For "A State Of Vision" Plate
FCB Graduates, Spring 2007
Volunteer Driver, Bob with FCB Van
Norma Jean with Cooking Class Students
Transportation:
Marion County Transit Services provide the majority of transportation for clients attending FCB.
FCB provides limited pick up for some clients.
Financial Support
A percentage of funding received by FCB comes from public contributions, grants and bequests. In addition, FCB is supported by the United Way of Marion County, and the Lions Clubs of District 35L. FCB also is contracted by the State of Florida Department of Education, Division of Blind Services to provide training and in-home services to the blind and visually impaired in our service area.
Volunteers
Each year, the Florida Center for the Blind, Inc. uses over 12,000 hours of volunteer services. If you would like to become a volunteer, please contact the Center and request a Volunteer Application Form and arrange for a tour of the facility. The Center will then complete an FDLE background check. It is important for all volunteers to share the Center's goals and philosophy.
Volunteer's Are Always Needed for the Following :
Clerical, Receptionist, Computer Instructor, Cooking Instructor Assistant, Van Drivers, Facility Maintenance, Fund Raiser, Grant Writer and/or Grant Researcher, Newsletter assistance, Group Support Instructor, Keyboarding Instructor, Web Page Administrator.
The Florida Center For The Blind has been determined a 501(c)3 organization by the IRS, March 1990
