From JFreeh at nfb.org Fri Feb 6 20:35:42 2009 From: JFreeh at nfb.org (Freeh, Jessica) Date: Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:35:42 -0600 Subject: [Blindvet-talk] National Federation of the Blind Rejects Nelson-Collins Amendment Message-ID: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Chris Danielsen Director of Public Relations National Federation of the Blind (410) 659-9314, extension 2330 (410) 262-1281 (Cell) cdanielsen at nfb.org National Federation of the Blind Rejects Nelson-Collins Amendment Urges Senate to Retain Rehabilitation Funding Baltimore, Maryland (February 6, 2009): Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, the oldest and largest organization of blind people in the United States, said: "The purpose of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 currently being debated in the United States Senate is to reduce unemployment and to restore economic security for all Americans. In order to accomplish this goal for Americans who are blind or have other disabilities, state vocational rehabilitation programs must be adequately funded. The National Federation of the Blind urges all members of the United States Senate to reject the Nelson-Collins Amendment and retain the $500 million currently allocated for vocational rehabilitation. By doing so, the Senate will ensure that all Americans have the training needed to work and contribute to this nation's economic prosperity." # # # About the National Federation of the Blind With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind. From hlsnider at verizon.net Fri Feb 6 21:49:03 2009 From: hlsnider at verizon.net (HAROLD SNIDER) Date: Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:49:03 -0600 Subject: [Blindvet-talk] Fw: UPDATE: Invitation""Actuality of Braille in Different Socio-economic Settings" - February 10, 2009 World Bank HQ 9:30-12:00 Message-ID: ----- Original Message ----- From: To: "Global Partnership for Disability and Development" Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 11:28 AM Subject: UPDATE: Invitation""Actuality of Braille in Different Socio-economic Settings" - February 10, 2009 World Bank HQ 9:30-12:00 >Attached please find an updated agenda for the discussion "Actuality >of Braille >in Different Socio-economic Settings" > >In-person participation is for registered guests. To register, please send an >email to Merced Blanquita Doroteo at Mswan at worldbank.org by Sunday, >February 8. > >The event will be webcast at: > > http://vcg01.worldbank.org/vc/ > or > http://wbgvsivn.worldbank.org/starbak/default.jhtml > > >Karen Peffley >Disability & Development, HDNSP >The World Bank > >(See attached file: Invite Feb. 10, 09.doc) > > > > > > Maria Veronica > Reina > U> GPDD at LISTSERV.SYR.EDU > Sent by: Global cc > Partnership for > Disability and Subject > Development [GPDD] FW: Invitation""Actuality of > EDU> Settings" - February 10, 2009 World > Bank HQ 9:30-12:00 > > 02/02/2009 11:14 AM > > > Please respond to > Global Partnership > for Disability and > Development > EDU> > > > > > > >fyi > >From:] mnicoli at worldbank.org [mailto:mnicoli at worldbank.org] >Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 11:10 AM >Subject: Invitation""Actuality of Braille in Different >Socio-economic Settings" >- February 10, 2009 World Bank HQ 9:30-12:00 > > >You are cordially invited to participate in a workshop on "Actuality >of Braille >in Different Socio-Economic Settings" for the celebration of Louis Braille's >bicentennial. >The workshop is sponsored by: World Bank HDNSP & Education for All - >Fast Track >Initiative, the Global Partnership For Disability & Development and >the National >Federation of the Blinds. >The event will be organized at the World Bank HQ in Washington D.C. with >videoconference connections with Lagos, San Paulo, and webcast >External participants should use the visitor entrance at 18th Street NW room >(Room MC 13-121) >Please RSVP for logistics and special accommodations to Merced >Blanquita Doroteo >at Mswan at worldbank.org >Best regards >Marco > > > > >Marco Nicoli >Senior Knowledge Management Officer >THE WORLD BANK >HDNSP - Disability & Development Team >1818 H Street, NW >Washington D.C. 20433 > >Contact Info: >MNicoli at worldbank.org >Phone 202-473-0304 >Fax 202-614-0471 >Skype marco_nicoli_worldbank >www.worldbank.org/disability[attachment "Invitation Workshop Braille.doc" -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Invite Feb. 10, 09.doc Type: application/msword Size: 30720 bytes Desc: not available URL: From egoodland at hotmail.com Sun Feb 8 02:08:30 2009 From: egoodland at hotmail.com (Emily Goodland) Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2009 18:08:30 -0800 Subject: [Blindvet-talk] New Program for Veteran's at Guide Dogs of the Desert Message-ID: Attention Veterans with visual impairments and individuals/agencies that serve them: My name is Emily Goodland, I am an Orientation and Mobility Specialist at Guide Dogs of the Desert in Palm Springs California, and I would like to announce our new program. Guide Dogs of the Desert would like to help serve our injured veterans who have experienced vision loss. For over 35 years, we have provided services directly related to guide dogs to the general blind community. We train and match up guide dogs with the vision impaired to improve dramatically the human handler?s safety and independence as he/she moves back into the mainstream of society. Last year, we expanded our program to include Mobility Instruction and Independent Living Skills, offered both in our residential environment as well as in the client's own locale. We have two phases to our classes: Core Skills and Guide Dog Handling. The Core Skills include using a white cane within one?s home, neighborhood and workplace, as well as basic daily living skills like cooking, laundry, computer skills, and managing currency. This phase is custom designed for each student?s skill level but usually lasts from 4 - 8 weeks. The Guide Dog Handling includes everything the student will need to care for, bond with and safely work with their assigned guide dog. This phase takes between 4 weeks to complete. Both phases of training are available in residency on our campus or in some cases even in the student?s home environment. All classes are kept small to ensure the highest quality of training. Classes have a maximum of six students. All training is free to every student. This includes the provision of the guide dog, accommodation in residence, all meals, and in cases of need, travel to and from our school. Students may maintain their relationship and status with any other agency. We strive to augment the services that veterans receive without placing any financial burden on the veteran or society. Because of the significant increase of veterans returning from the Gulf Wars with vision loss, we have decided to reserve an entire guide dog class cycle per year strictly for veterans, to be trained by licensed instructors who are also veterans. We would like to invite veterans who might benefit from our services or individuals and agencies that serve veterans with visual impairments who use your services also to benefit from our services. Our invitation can take several forms: veterans can contact us directly; referrals from your agency to us; a representative of our agency presenting to a group at your agency; dissemination of brochures and other information. Our next guide dog handling class begins March 9th. We have veterans from World War II and the Vietnam War, and would like to find veterans from the current wars. Our Orientation and Mobility and Life Skills training courses are ongoing. Please contact me for more information or to apply to our program at personal email: egoodland at hotmail.com, work email: egoodland at gddca.org, or work phone: 760-329-6257 We look forward to working with you to meet the needs of veterans with visual impairments. _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live?: E-mail. Chat. Share. Get more ways to connect. http://windowslive.com/explore?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t2_allup_explore_022009 From dandrews at visi.com Mon Feb 16 18:43:22 2009 From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews) Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:43:22 -0600 Subject: [Blindvet-talk] Talking Glucose Meters Message-ID: I have been asked to circulate the following: Dave Ladies and Gentlemen: My name is Bernadette M. Jacobs. I am a member of the National Federation of the Blind, (NFB), and have been for many, many years. The NFB believes that blind people have a right to use accessible glucose monitoring meters. If you or someone you know has been denied the right to an accessible meter, the NFB should be notified. I am currently working as a "Consultant" with Diagnostic Devices, INC., (DDI), makers of the "New Prodigy Voice," the very newest of the Talking Glucose Monitoring Systems for the Blind/Visually Impaired diabetic. As everyone here that we are addressing is well aware, independent monitoring of one's blood sugars is vital and of utmost importance in our diabetes management!!! "A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH!!!" We of the NFB are well aware that there are many, many blind/visually impaired diabetic patients who not only do not have meters they can independently use, but they are unable to receive such a meter because many insurance companies, brokers, and managed care facilities do not have these meters either on their formularies, or simply do not consider us "In Network." DDI, and NFB are currently working together with insurance companies and other managed care facilities in an effort to make things happen so that the "New Prodigy Voice" is available to anyone and everyone who needs a talking meter which he/she can use completely independently After all, Independence is what we're all about!! For those of you who need a talking glucose monitoring system and need more options available to you, I would cordially, as well as personally invite anyone to contact me or Charlie Brown off list at: You may contact Charlie Brown at cbrown at actionfund.org or by calling him at 410 659 9314, ext. 2206. You may reach me as follows: Bernadette M. Jacobs 1501 Langford Road Gwynn Oak, MD 21207-4958 Home Phone: 410-455-5311. Email: bandbjacobs at verizon.net For anyone who doesn't have computer access, I am a Grade Two Braille reader. Also for those with Limited Long Distance, you can call me and I'll simply offer to call you back to help you. Cordially, Bernadette M. Jacobs From qmsingleton at comcast.net Tue Feb 17 10:44:07 2009 From: qmsingleton at comcast.net (Quintina M. Singleton) Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 04:44:07 -0600 Subject: [Blindvet-talk] Thruoureyes with Joe Ruffalo Announcement, Jim McCarthy Interview Message-ID: The next "Thruoureyes with Joe Ruffalo" live internet radio show is scheduled for February 18, 2009 at 8:00 PM EST. Mr. Ruffalo will be interviewing director of governmental affairs for the National Federation of the Blind, James McCarthy. A brief summary of this year's Washington Seminar, what listeners could be doing to assist in legislative initiatives presently, and advisement concerning how to stay informed with legislative issues year round are topics that will be discussed on the evening's show. I invite you to visit www.thruoureyes.org or to hear the program live via telephone dial 201 793 9022 with the access code: 2400484. From NABlindVets at aol.com Tue Feb 24 15:57:27 2009 From: NABlindVets at aol.com (NABlindVets at aol.com) Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:57:27 EST Subject: [Blindvet-talk] Fwd: Vets Vexed By Report Of Stingy Army Charity Message-ID: ____________________________________ From: flmom2006 at gmail.com To: Undisclosed-Recipient:; Sent: 2/24/2009 7:25:06 A.M. Eastern Standard Time Subj: Vets Vexed By Report Of Stingy Army Charity You might want to pass this along. Thought this was very interesting. Sherri WFTV.com Vets Vexed By Report Of Stingy Army Charity Army Charity Reportedly Hoarded Millions Of Dollars Tuesday, February 24, 2009 ? updated: 1:27 am EST February 24, 2009 Veterans advocates are expressing anger toward the biggest charity within the U.S. military. The source of the anger: Revelations that Army Emergency Relief has been packing more money into its reserves than it's spent on aid during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The chairman of Veterans United for Truth said that's "despicable" with so many in such dire need. Bob Handy was reacting to an Associated Press investigation that examined five years of tax returns by Army Emergency Relief. The AP interviewed dozens of soldiers, veterans and officials from other military charities. Records show that from 2003 to 2007, the charity put $117 million in reserve while spending just $64 million on direct aid. AER is defending its record. The charity's national treasurer said no soldier or family member has ever been denied financial assistance for a valid need due to a lack of funds. During the same period, the smaller Navy and Air Force charities both put far more of their own resources into aid than reserves. The Air Force charity kept $24 million in reserves while dispensing $56 million in total aid, which includes grants, scholarships and loans not repaid. The Navy charity put $32 million into reserves and gave out $49 million in total aid. AER executives defend their operation, insisting they need to keep sizable reserves to be ready for future catastrophes. "Look at the stock market," said retired Col. Dennis Spiegel, AER's deputy director for administration. Without the large reserve, he added, "We'd be in very serious trouble." According to 2007 U.S. Census Bureau figures, 1.3 million veterans -- or 6 percent -- lived in poverty, with 537,000 unemployed. Previous Stories: * February 23, 2009: _Army Charity Reportedly Hoards Millions_ (http://www.wftv.com/money/18774306/detail.html) Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, Sherri _Flmom2006 at gmail.com_ (mailto:Flmom2006 at gmail.com) Check out the link and send your used cell phones to help the blind (http://www.wirelessfundraiser.com/WFR_Quickship.aspx?customerid=2010&LocationID=1223) ____________________________________ A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. _See yours in just 2 easy steps!_ (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1218822736x1201267884/aol?redir=http://www .freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=62&bcd=febemailfooterNO 62) **************You're invited to Hollywood's biggest party: Get Oscars updates, red carpet pics and more at Moviefone. (http://movies.aol.com/oscars-academy-awards?ncid=emlcntusmovi00000001) From PresidentNABV at aol.com Tue Feb 24 16:25:06 2009 From: PresidentNABV at aol.com (PresidentNABV at aol.com) Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:25:06 EST Subject: [Blindvet-talk] 2009 Membership Drive Message-ID: 2009 Membership Drive! Join the National Association of Blind Veterans Now Before our Detroit Convention and Receive the Following! The First 100 who join us will receive the following! 1. 2009 Dues Paid in Full 2. 2009 Membership Package 3. 3 Button Official NABV Polo Shirt with Logo! Sizes available Medium, Large, Xlarge and XXLarge Send your Check or Money Order for $20.00 plus $6.50 shipping via US Postal Service Total $26.50 to: Dwight Sayer 259 Regal Downs Circle Winter Garden, Fl. 34787 Yall come and join the most happening division in the NFB! Dwight Dwight D. Sayer National President, The National Association of Blind Veterans A Division of the NFB presidentnabv at aol.com president at nabv.org _www.nabv.org_ (http://www.nabv.org/) **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1218822736x1201267884/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID %3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62) From PresidentNABV at aol.com Tue Feb 24 16:39:23 2009 From: PresidentNABV at aol.com (PresidentNABV at aol.com) Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:39:23 EST Subject: [Blindvet-talk] 2009 Membership Drive Message-ID: Hi David, Could we put this notice out on all the lists? Thanks Dwight Dwight D. Sayer National President, The National Association of Blind Veterans A Division of the NFB presidentnabv at aol.com president at nabv.org _www.nabv.org_ (http://www.nabv.org/) In a message dated 2/24/2009 11:25:43 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, PresidentNABV at aol.com writes: 2009 Membership Drive! Join the National Association of Blind Veterans Now Before our Detroit Convention and Receive the Following! The First 100 who join us will receive the following! 1. 2009 Dues Paid in Full 2. 2009 Membership Package 3. 3 Button Official NABV Polo Shirt with Logo! Sizes available Medium, Large, Xlarge and XXLarge Send your Check or Money Order for $20.00 plus $6.50 shipping via US Postal Service Total $26.50 to: Dwight Sayer 259 Regal Downs Circle Winter Garden, Fl. 34787 Yall come and join the most happening division in the NFB! Dwight Dwight D. Sayer National President, The National Association of Blind Veterans A Division of the NFB presidentnabv at aol.com president at nabv.org _www.nabv.org_ (http://www.nabv.org/) **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1218822736x1201267884/aol?redir=http: %2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID %3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62) _______________________________________________ Blindvet-talk mailing list Blindvet-talk at nfbnet.org http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindvet-talk_nfbnet.org **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1218822736x1201267884/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID %3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62) From info at michaelhingson.com Thu Feb 26 02:24:19 2009 From: info at michaelhingson.com (Michael Hingson) Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:24:19 -0600 Subject: [Blindvet-talk] Announcing the New KnfbReader Mobile Sales Program Message-ID: Announcing the New KnfbReader Mobile Sales Program National Federation of the Blind Sales Initiative Fellow Federationists and Friends: On last month's presidential release Dr. Maurer announced the launch of a new program through which the NFB would be selling the KnfbReader Mobile. I am excited to announce that the National Federation of the Blind KnfbReader Mobile sales program is now under way. Beginning at the Washington Seminar the KnfbReader Mobile became available under this program. All attendees of Washington Seminar had an opportunity to see the reader and to purchase it. We got off to a good start at the seminar with several sales and a lot of demo time. As you may have heard, the price for the Reader has dropped significantly over the past few months. The price for the Reader software is now $995. By the time you receive this announcement all readers will be shipping with a new and improved version of the KnfbReader Mobile software. This latest edition of the program offers many fabulous improvements including: ? significantly better character recognition, ? a new and improved user interface, ? language translation with the purchase of an extra language package, and ? Support for the new Nokia 6220 Classic cell phone. Add the cost of the cell phone for $350, thus making the cost for the complete KnfbReader Mobile $1,345 and you have the most affordable and portable reading system available on the market. Under our sales program we will also be offering both Talks and MobileSpeak screen readers for the KnfbReader Mobile. With either Talks or MobileSpeak, all of the standard functions of the cell phones used in the KnfbReader Mobile system become fully accessible to blind people. We are excited to be able to offer not only the Reader but several ways to make the rest of the cell phone?s functions talk. The price for either Talks or MobileSpeak is $295. This means that for $1,640 you can have the latest and most advanced reading system available on the market today, as well as a fully accessible cell phone. After you have purchased your new reader, the support team and I will be ready to give you all the technical assistance and encouragement you need. We're always ready to answer any questions. You can purchase your KnfbReader Mobile with MasterCard or VISA or by check. Please contact me with any questions you may have at (888) 965-9191. There?s even more great news to share: The purchase of your KnfbReader Mobile can be financed under the NFB Technology Loan Program. If you wish to finance your purchase under this program, the interest rate for your loan will be 3 percent (the best rate in town!). To learn more about the loan program and to download an application, or to learn anything else about the NFB sales effort and the KnfbReader Mobile visit the special KnfbReader Mobile Web page at http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com. Finally, I'm pleased to tell you that I will be looking for some people to help sell the KnfbReader Mobile. If you're looking for extra income or something that can turn into a full-time job and if you believe that you can sell this product, please call me. I can be reached at (888) 965-9191 any time from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM Pacific Time. If you need to leave a voicemail, rest assured that I will call you back as soon as possible. You also may reach me at mailto:info at michaelhingson.com. I look forward to hearing from you and to helping you with your purchase of a KnfbReader Mobile as well as to supporting you as you learn to use your new device. I believe that this is a very exciting program that promises to be fruitful for the NFB. We all helped make the KnfbReader Mobile a reality. Because of the unwavering commitment of the National Federation of the Blind and Ray Kurzweil, the dream of a pocket-sized reading machine has now come to life. We have the opportunity to make this revolutionary technology available to blind people everywhere. I look forward to your help in making the KnfbReader Mobile the most widely-used product among blind people in the United States. Best wishes for your success, Mike Hingson The Michael Hingson Group ?Speaking with Vision? Michael Hingson, President (415) 827-4084 info at michaelhingson.com www.michaelhingson.com for info on the new KNFB Reader Mobile, visit: http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com http://michaelhingson.com/images/knfbReader-michael_hingson.jpg From KBowman at nfb.org Fri Feb 27 20:52:32 2009 From: KBowman at nfb.org (Bowman, Kristi) Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:52:32 -0600 Subject: [Blindvet-talk] Assisting the March for Independence in Detroit Message-ID: Greetings: Do you have a friend, business associate, old high school buddy, or family member in the Detroit metro area? If you do, please let me know about them. As we approach our national convention in Detroit, we are again working to make our annual March for Independence ? A Walk for Opportunity an extraordinary success. One of the ways we have found to be very effective is to seek the support of local political, community, civic, and corporate leaders. Our Michigan affiliate is already working hard to do this. Noor Allain, Kristi Bowman, and myself are also spending time in Detroit. We are still developing the route, we are still seeking community leaders to serve as co-chairs for the event, we are looking for imaginative ideas to make the event empowering and distinctive, and we are seeking financial sponsors. So search your memories. If you have an uncle who is a marketing director, a cousin who works for traffic engineering, a friend of a friend who is the president of the downtown Lions Club, and so on and so forth. Please let me know. No idea is too silly. Some won't work out, but I'd rather have them. Send me an e-mail please or call my office at (866) 543-6808. We will be in Detroit next week, working with our Michigan affiliate leadership, the Chamber of Commerce, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and others. Thank you and stay imagining. At Your Service, Kevan Worley CEO,Worley Enterprises kevanworley at blindmerchants.org (866) 543-6808