February 2000
Dick A. Greco, Mayor
Tampa, Florida

NEW MEETING DAY FOR MAYOR'S ALLIANCE.

Norman Mallory, Chairperson of the Mayor's Alliance, announced at the January meeting that the Alliance would hold future meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Meetings will continue to be held at the Sandy Freedman Tennis Center on Davis Island. This is a change from the previously scheduled 2nd Wednesday of the month meeting time. Norm asked all members to adjust their schedules to fit the new meeting day.

N.O.D. PICKS FDR AS PERSON OF THE CENTURY

The National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.) has selected President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as its Person of the Century. In Time Magazine's celebrated "Person of the Century" selection, Roosevelt finished second only to Einstein among all men and women -- disabled and non-disabled. Alan Reich, President of N.O.D., stated that FDR is the only world leader in history to overcome a major disability and reach the pinnacle of global power. "Those of us in the disability community, 54 million in the United States and half a billion people around the world -- have long understood FDR's unique triumph," said Reich."And now at the dawn of the new millennium, FDR has finally been recognized for his achievements as President, accepted by all as an outstanding world leader." Although he could not stand or walk unassisted, President Franklin D. Roosevelt with dignity led America through its gravest crises of the century -- the Great Depression and to victory in World War II. Paralyzed from the waist down by polio in 1921 at the age of 39, FDR used a wheelchair every day during his twelve years in the White House. He became, through sheer determination and courage one of the country's most effective and beloved leaders -- an inspiration to all people, with and without disabilities.

FREE EYE EXAM AND PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASSES.

The city of Tampa is accepting applications for its vision program, which offers free eye exams and a pair of prescription glasses to qualified residents. Applications are available at the Office of Human Rights/Community Services, 102 E. Seventh Avenue between 8am and 5pm Mondays and Thursdays only. For more information call 274-5835.

MAYOR'S ALLIANCE BOARD MEETS
2nd TUESDAY
EVERY MONTH, 2pm.
Freedman Tennis Complex
59 Columbus Dr. Davis Island.
EVERYBODY
WELCOME.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR FLORIDA YOUTH LEADERSHIP FORUM.

The Able Trust (Florida Governor's Alliance for the Employment of Disabled Citizens) is seeking people with disabilities with an interest in youth to serve as volunteers for the Florida Youth Leadership Forum. The YLF, which will take place July 20-23 in Tallahassee, is a leadership conference of high school juniors and seniors with disabilities. Student delegates will be selected from around the state to learn the history of the disability movement, community resources, employment opportunities and personal leadership development. For more information contact Kristen Knapp at 888-838-2253.

SPORTS DAY FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES.

The third annual "No Limits" Sports Day will be held at Shriners Hospital for Children Friday, April 21 from 9am to 4pm. Hospital staff organizes the event each year to introduce sports to children with disabilities. It is open to all youth ages five and up who use orthosis, prosthesis or wheelchair and there in no charge to participate. Participants receive hands-on instructions in several areas, including basketball, karate, tennis, volleyball and hockey, while meeting local sports celebrities and having a great time with new friends. If you know any children who may be interested in attending, registration can be completed over the phone by calling Debbie Cold at (813) 975-7139.

ANOTHER WEBSITE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

Last month we told you about a website exclusively for persons with disabilities. Now we have another one right in our own backyard. Accessrd.com will be on the Internet soon and right from Tampa's Ybor City. The site will specialize in information and services for persons with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Look for this site soon on the worldwide web.

ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE MEETING.

The Accessibility committee meets the third Wednesday of the month at the Sandy Freedman Tennis Complex, 59 Columbus Dr., Davis Island. Everybody is welcome to attend, for more information call Norm Mallory at 988-4985 or Ben Ritter at 935 6540.

DATES TO REMEMBER

2ND. MON. OF THE MONTH, 7pm, THE MAYOR'S HOUR, live cable telecast on CH-15 Time-Warner in Tampa and Hillsborough County and CH-17 on Adelphia cable. Your chance to ask Mayor Greco a question or express your concern, live in the studio or by phone. To call in a question to the Mayor call 274-8328. To be part of the studio audience call Mindy Snyder at 274-7033. Program repeats on Sundays pm, Mondays at 7pm and Fridays at 3pm.

1ST. MON. EVERY MONTH, 3pm, EMPLOYMENT & JOB FAIR COMMITTEE MEETING, Promus Hotel Reservation Center, 7920 Woodland Center Blvd. for more info call Cindy Stephens at 251-2407 or Kathy McGlone at 243-7522.

3RD WED. EVERY MONTH, 2:00pm, ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE MEETING, Sandy Freedman Tennis Complex 59 Columbus Drive, Davis Island.

3RD TUES. EVERY MONTH, 7pm, FLORIDA COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND, GREATER TAMPA CHAPTER. USF Westside Conference Ctn. Section B.

3RD TUES. EVERY MONTH, 6:30pm, Tampa Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH) Group, Jefferson High School.

1ST THUR. EVERY MONTH, THERAPEUTIC FOCUS GROUP, All Peoples Life Center, call 744-5978 for more information.

4TH WED. EVERY MONTH, 2pm, COUNTY ALLIANCE MEETING, Tampa Lighthouse for The Blind, 1106 W. Platt St. For more information call Elizabeth Mueller at 273-3611 or Debra Guest at 871-7878.

3RD TUES. EVERY OTHER MONTH, 2pm, HARTLINE'S PARATRANSIT ADVISORY COUNCIL, Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind, 1106 W. Platt St. For more information contact Vasti Amaro-Dallas at HARTLINE 623-5835, ext.1171.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Hillsborough County Information Line 272-5900;

Self Reliance Cross Disability Support Group, 975-6560, Bill Renje;

VA Spinal Cord 972-2000 ext 6338 Debbie Kelley;

Arthritis Sufferers Support Group, 79-7300;

Brain and Head Injury Support, 288-0225 Jenny Paloumpis or Lisa Lowe; Multiple Sclerosis Self Help Group 287-2939 or 800-922-0170;

Statewide Advocacy Network on Disabilities, Inc. (STAND) offering education and resource services to persons with disabilities. 258-5700 Patricia Miller

Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST) learn about assistive technology 251-7591;

Amputees Together, 870-3323;

Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), 935-6540 Ben Ritter; All People's Life Center 6105 East Sligh Avenue (east of 56th St.) fully accessible recreation center.Call Al Orr at 903-2248 for more information.