[Cabs-talk] {Disarmed} Fwd: NFB Jernigan Institute Newsletter - March...Marching On

[Darian Smith]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Mark Riccobono" <JerniganInstitute at nfb.org>
> Subject: NFB Jernigan Institute Newsletter - March...Marching On
> Date: February 28, 2014 at 1:45:25 PM PST
> To: Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com>
> Reply-To: "Mark Riccobono" <JerniganInstitute at nfb.org>
> 
>  
> Imagineering Our Future 
> 
> Issue 62
> 
> March 2014
> 
> In this issue:
> 
> Message from the Executive Director
> What's News at the NFB
> Profiles
> Education
> Braille Initiative
> Advocacy
> Product and Access Technology Talk
> From the tenBroek Library
> Independence Market
> Imagination Fund
> NFB Calendar
> Citation
>  
> 
> Message from the Executive Director
> 
> Dear Friends,
> 
> The phrase “our cause goes marching on” has been around the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) since at least 1969 when our national convention adopted "The Battle Hymn of the Federation" (a.k.a. "Glory, Glory, Federation") as a primary song of our movement. And our march has continued in many ways, in many places, and with many different groups of blind people. That we keep marching on through all varieties of situations is as true today as it has always been. This is particularly true in Baltimore where the month of February was largely spent marching through snow banks.
> 
> 
> My twenty-month-old Elizabeth is now coming into her own and certainly marching to her own drummer. Her white cane can be found in her hand whether she is traveling outside at the playground or riding in her stroller. As she creates her own path in life, her little cane is giving her the freedom to explore new things. It is fun to observe how my daughter naturally learns to utilize the cane as a detector to expand the boundaries of her freedom. She is starting to go from approaching new stairways by sitting down and scooting, to using the cane to feel for the next step before stepping with confidence.
> 
> As we march toward spring, I am eagerly awaiting the family walks around the neighborhood where we can enjoy Elizabeth’s expanding independence with her white cane. Yet there are still many young blind children who do not know about the NFB, as well as many blind seniors who have limited their independence because they have not connected with blind role models. I recently spent time gathering stories about blind children being limited in recreational situations and heard heart-breaking tales of blind youngsters being prevented from carrying their cane in museums, schools, and on playgrounds—limiting their ability to participate fully and actively with their peers. We need to march on to find these blind people and get them connected with the network of hope and opportunity that is the National Federation of the Blind.
> 
> As we welcome in the month of March, let us rededicate ourselves to finding blind people who do not yet know about the resources available in the network of the NFB. The more blind people we can add to our march for independence the stronger our future will be and the more opportunities we will create.
> 
>  
> March on,
> 
> 
> 
> Mark A. Riccobono, Executive Director
> NFB Jernigan Institute
> 
> 
> 
> 
> What's News at the NFB
> 
> NFB Scholarship Application Deadline is March 31
> 
> Each year, the NFB awards scholarships to blind college students in the United States and Puerto Rico. This year, there are thirty merit-based scholarships available worth from $3,000 to $12,000. All scholarships awarded are based on academic excellence, community service, and leadership. Information about the scholarship process, including eligibility requirements and application instructions, can be found at www.nfb.org/scholarships.
> 
> Glory, Glory, Federation; Our Cause Goes Marching On
> 
> Since 1969, “The Battle Song of the NFB,” or “Glory, Glory, Federation,” as it's most popularly known among Federationists, has been our battle cry from the convention hall to the picket line. Now, on the cusp of our seventy-fifth anniversary, the National Federation of the Blind is launching a contest to discover a new NFB song! The goal is to find a song that encompasses our history while at the same time embracing the bright future that lies ahead; and the exciting part is that you have the opportunity to be a part of it!
> 
> For more information about the contest or to get involved, visit the blog post, www.nfb.org/blog/vonb-blog/glory-glory-federation-our-cause-goes-marching.  
> 
> NFB Internships
> 
> There are several openings for interns this summer at the NFB headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. The deadline to submit application materials is March 14. The internship period will be June 2 through August 8.  More information can be found at www.nfb.org/summer-internship-opportunities.
> 
> Blind Entrepreneurs: Earn an Entrepreneur of Excellence Certificate While Building Your Business
> 
> The Hadley School for the Blind and the National Association of Blind Merchants (NABM), together with the National Federation of the Blind's Entrepreneurs Initiative, are partnering to offer free online business education. Enroll now to complete a two-part series of Hadley courses without taking time away from your business, and NABM will award you with an Entrepreneur of Excellence Certificate. Individuals who earn the certificate will be recognized at NABM's Business Leadership and Superior Training Conference, or at its annual meeting held in conjunction with the convention of the NFB. (Attendance at these events will not be a requirement for certification.)
> 
> NABM and Hadley will also offer “Randolph-Sheppard on the Web,” which consists of regularly scheduled webinars focusing on business trends and challenges pertinent to all blind operators. These live online discussions will enable you to work with other merchants and Business Enterprise Program professionals to solve the pressing concerns that affect your business. If you don’t have time to participate live, the seminars will be archived on the Web so you can listen at your convenience.
> 
> To learn more about how you can earn your certificate and keep current in your industry, visit www.hadley.edu/nabm and enroll today!
> 
>  
> 
> Profiles
> 
> Who Are the Blind Who Lead the Blind?
> 
> Although many organizations and agencies for the blind exist in the United States today, there is only one National Federation of the Blind. This organization was established in 1940 when the blind of seven states—California, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—sent delegates to its first convention at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Since that time, progress has been rapid and steady. The Federation is recognized by blind men and women throughout the entire country as their primary means of joint expression; and today—with active affiliates in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico—it is the primary voice of the nation's blind.
> 
> Our march to first-class citizenship and full participation in society has had many great leaders. Thus we find it fitting to profile the leaders of our movement as printed in the February issue of the Braille Monitor in "Who Are the Blind Who Lead the Blind"?
> 
>      
> 
> Education
> 
> Read Across America Day is Approaching Quickly
> 
> Once again, the NFB will be joining people all across the country in a celebration of literacy for Read Across America Day on March 3. The National Education Association started this event to commemorate Dr. Seuss’s birthday, as well as to encourage a love of reading among children. As we all know, Braille literacy is the key to education and opportunity for the blind.
> 
> Check with your local affiliate to find out if there will be a Read Across America Day event in your area. Everyone is encouraged to celebrate by throwing a birthday party for Dr. Seuss and by reading with a friend. Most Dr. Seuss books are available in Braille through Bookshare. In addition to birthday parties and Dr. Seuss-related activities, we are also asking everyone to submit pictures of someone reading Braille near a notable landmark. We will be sharing pictures of people reading Braille across America on social media to show our love of reading. You can submit your picture or video to us through the Read Across America media submission form on our Web site at www.nfb.org/readacrossamericavideouploadform.
> 
> If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Spann at 410-659-9314, extension 2418, or by e-mail at espann at nfb.org.
> 
>      
> 
> Braille Initiative
> 
> Braille Certification Training Program
> 
> Under a contract with the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress (NLS), the NFB administers the courses leading to NLS certification of Braille transcribers and proofreaders. Successful completion of these rigorous courses requires a great deal of time and effort on the part of the students. We congratulate the following individuals who earned certification during the month of December 2013:
> 
> Literary Braille Transcribing
> 
> Arizona
>    Jill Sales, Tucson
> 
> Georgia
>    Nathan Brown, Macon 
>    Martin Santiago, Macon 
>    Stephen Wells, Macon 
> 
> Missouri
>    Jesse Nichols, Jefferson City
> 
> Nebraska
>    Taira Nystrom, Eagle 
> 
> North Carolina
>    Timothy Maxwell, Laurinburg 
>    Malcolm Pfeiffer-El, Laurinburg 
>    Tyrus Winslow, Laurinburg
> 
> Texas
>    Donna Rogers, Gatesville
> 
> Wisconsin
>    Sam Otto, Medford
>   
> 
> Literary Braille Proofreading
> 
> Washington
>    Robin Johnson, Vancouver
> 
> Wisconsin
>    John Field, Oshkosh
> 
>  
> Mathematics (Nemeth) Braille Transcribing
> 
> Nebraska
>    Gregory Tylka, Lincoln
> 
>  
> 
> Advocacy
> 
> NFB is continuing to gather critical information regarding the accessibility features of emerging technology. Your support in this effort is essential in that it provides the NFB with real-time information, including the frequency and manner in which new technology is introduced into areas including education, employment, healthcare, and banking.
> 
> To that end, the NFB requests that members who have experienced or been affected by the topics below contact Valerie Yingling, paralegal, at Vyingling at nfb.org, or 410-659-9314, extension 2440.
> 
> • Electronic Health Records - We are seeking information from employees and students required to use electronic, health-record systems on the job or for school purposes.
> • Pre-employment Testing - We are seeking information from anyone who has attempted to fill out an online job application or take an online employment test with screen access software, or expects to do so in the near future. If the test you have taken or plan to take was developed by Kenexa, or if the job you have applied for or will be applying for is with a federal government contractor, we would be especially interested in speaking with you.
> • Online and Mobile Banking - We are gathering information pertaining to account management and other features.
> • Technology in Higher Education - We are gathering information from college and university students regarding Web applications for assignment collaboration and other technologies. See, also, the NFB’s online survey at www.nfb.org/digital-tech-access.
> • Common Core State Standard Assessment Field Tests - We are seeking information regarding K-12 students that will be taking a field test or have been excluded from taking the test due to blindness. See, also, the NFB’s online survey at www.nfb.org/common-core-state-standards-testing-accessibility.
> 
>  
> 
> Product and Access Technology Talk
> 
> South by Southwest (SXSW) has long been a conference that brings some of the best, brightest, geekiest, and most innovative people to Austin. This combination of traits has made it an event to watch for anyone working in access technology. This year, the access technology team is doing more than observing, however.  Anne Taylor, our director of access technology, is taking part in a panel on “Education for All: Accessibility Innovations” as part of the Edu (Education) section of SXSW. Anne will be sharing the stage with David Rose, founder and chief education officer of the Center of Applied Special Technology; John Baker, president and chief executive officer of Desire2Learn; and Kel Smith of Anikto LLC. Education innovation is a very compelling subject and one for which SXSW offers a great platform; we’re delighted to be taking part.
> 
> No matter how exciting SXSW is, March still belongs to CSUN--the 29th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference, which is still known to everyone in the field by the host’s (California State University at Northridge) acronym. CSUN is access technology’s big hub and big event of the year, and as has become customary, the team takes a very active part in the proceedings. Below is a list of our presentations, in chronological order:
> 
> Wednesday, March 19, 2014 
> 1:50 p.m. PST
> Nonvisual Access to Cloud Productivity Suites on Desktop Computers
> 
> Thursday, March 20, 2014
> 3:10 p.m. PST
> Phones for Low-vision and Blind Seniors
> 
> Friday, March 21, 2014
> 9:20 a.m. PST
> 3D Printing and 3D Creation for Tactile Graphics
> 
> 10:40 a.m. PST
> Communication Technologies for Those Who Are Deaf-Blind
> 
> 3:10 p.m. PST
> Nonvisual Access to Cloud Productivity Suites on Mobile Devices
> 
> If you attend CSUN, please do stop by--there’s sure to be one or more topics of interest in that list! If you can’t attend, but will attend our national convention in Florida this July, note that we will have a technology seminar session based on the 3D-printing talk listed above. If you’re not attending either event, and missing out on both San Diego and Orlando, but find that you have an interest in one of these topics, do feel free to contact us at 410-659-9314, option 5, and leave us a message (just don’t do it while we’re at CSUN!), and we’ll get back to you with further information wherever we can.
> 
> March, month of geeky conferences, also holds Pi Day, 03/14, which is not only a terrific excuse to eat some pie, but an excellent reason to focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), especially in education. In honor of the day, we will be posting a number of technology tips on STEM topics at www.nfb.org/blognames/attips-blog. We hope you will find them useful.
> 
>  
> 
> From the tenBroek Library
> 
> The tenBroek Library serves as a repository of the history of the organized blind by collecting NFB literature and maintaining the Federation's archives. However, the Jernigan Institute also recognizes that much of the history of the blind resides in the lived experiences of the blind, and we are committed to recording that history.
> 
> From time to time over the years, Federationists have tapped the memories of their friends and colleagues by conducting oral history interviews. And, in 2012, the tenBroek Library formalized this activity through the establishment of the Jernigan Institute Oral History Program. Since then we have organized all existing recordings of oral history interviews and have encouraged Federationists throughout the country to capture and send in more of them. During the last two years, library staff members have also expanded the program by collecting twelve new interviews with Federation leaders, including four members of the NFB board of directors and four NFB state presidents. In the future, these interviews will not only provide an inside view of the Federation as it stands today, but also a look at the lives of blind Americans during the last fifty years! 
> 
> We look forward to continuing this highly successful program as we forge ahead in 2014. But there are too many stories for the tenBroek Library alone to record and that is why we need your help. If you are interested in contributing your own story, or the story of a blind person you know, to the Jernigan Institute Oral History Program, then break out your recorder and get cracking! Gathering oral history interviews is simple and fun. To help get you started we have prepared a document, "A Guide to Oral History Interviewing," which will provide a basic understanding of best practices, as well as some tips for success. 
> 
> For more information, and to access our sample release form and sample oral history transcript, please visit www.nfb.org/jacobus-tenbroek-library#Oral-history. For questions regarding our oral history program, please send an e-mail to jtblibrary at nfb.org, or contact NFB archivist, Anna Kresmer, at 410-659-9314, extension 2310.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Independence Market
> 
> Each year in February, we invite members of the LEADERship, a program of the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC), to the Jernigan Institute.  The GBC is a prestigious network of Maryland-based leaders in the business, government, and nonprofit sectors.  It operates an annual leadership program in which selected individuals participate in a ten-month series of classes, seminars, and other activities designed to enrich their understanding of the diverse community in which they live and work.  Several Federation leaders have graduated from this program.  
> 
> GBC's LEADERship program participants are introduced to the NFB’s empowering philosophy of blindness and learn about the techniques blind and low-vision individuals use to function independently and successfully at work, at home, and in their communities.  Participants also hear about the work of the NFB and the issues that concern the blind as a whole.  We hope to foster a positive understanding of blindness in many current and future community leaders in the greater Baltimore area. 
> 
> As part of this year’s three-hour NFB program, staff from the access technology team and the Independence Market collaborated on a presentation to demonstrate some of the techniques and devices that blind individuals use every day at work and at home to function independently.  Our explanations ranged from basic (no-tech) strategies, such as folding money to keep banknotes organized, to high-tech solutions, such as using computers with screen access software and accessible smart-phones to check calendars, manage e-mail, and read and create documents.
> 
> The products drawn from the Independence Market inventory generally fell into the low-tech spectrum.  Here is a list of the Independence Market items we demonstrated during our presentation.  
> 
> • Talking Clock:  a great way to wake up in the morning
> • Braille Watch: a discrete way to check the time without disturbing those around you
> • Stick-on Bumps and Liquid, Tactile Marker:  a simple way to mark some home appliances, such as microwaves and washing machines
> • Large-print Planner: a way to keep appointments organized
> • Click Rule: tactile measuring tool used by blind carpenters and hobby woodworkers
> • Talking Calculator: a way to do basic math functions and keep your financial life in order 
> • iBill Bank Note Identifier: a way to identify bills, if your money folding system has broken down
> • Signature Guide: a way to easily sign on a straight line
> • Slate and Stylus with Transparent Labeling Tape or a Braille Label Writer: a way to label files at work and your cooking spices at home
> 
> For more information about the above items or about any other products and literature available from the NFB Independence Market, please contact us via e-mail at IndependenceMarket at nfb.org, or by phone at 410-659-9314, extension 2216.
> 
>  
> 
> Imagination Fund
> 
> Uncle Whozit needs you!!!
> 
> We are currently recruiting Imaginators to voluntarily serve in our army of fundraisers for the NFB. Many of you are already soldiers in our effort to fund our movement as monthly contributors through the NFB Pre-Authorized Contribution (PAC) plan. The NFB Imagination Fund is an opportunity for you to raise your rank in the movement by engaging others and encouraging them to assist us to fund our Jernigan Institute and our affiliate programs. Half of the funds raised through the Imagination Fund campaign support the development of groundbreaking programs at our NFB Jernigan Institute. The other half will be used to support the innovative projects of our state affiliates and other partners.
> 
> Our Jernigan Institute programs, like the NFB BELL program, Early Explorers, and STEM programs, are creating opportunities for blind youth to participate in their education in new and exciting ways that will allow them to achieve goals they have yet to imagine. We must continue to use our imaginations to dream of additional innovative strategies and programs that challenge the systems currently being used to educate, rehabilitate, and employ blind people. In order for us to effectively transform these dreams into reality, we must continue to raise the funds required to develop, implement, and replicate the strategies and programs across the country.
> 
> There are countless individuals that would love to be a part of the social change we create, but they have not been educated about what we do. This is why we need an army of Imaginators to help us spread the word about the NFB and ask potential partners to fund our movement.
> 
> We will be launching a three-month-long Imagination Fund campaign starting March1 and running through May 31, 2014, to achieve a fundraising goal of $300,000. We will have a variety of incentives that Imaginators can use to encourage people to donate to the NFB Imagination Fund. We will be working together to meet this goal by using our personal relationships, our professional networks, and a variety of social media tools.
> 
> Are you a #TrueBlue Imaginator? Donate to win travel on @JetBlue. To kick things off, we have two round-trip tickets to anywhere Jet Blue flies. (Note: The round-trip travel must be taken before July 1, 2014, and travel is subject to blackout dates.) The name of the individual that will be awarded these tickets will be drawn from the names of individuals that donate to the NFB Imagination Fund (#NFBIF) at www.nfb.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=5 during the month of March 2014. 
> 
> Individuals that would like to actively participate as Imaginators for this campaign should e-mail Anil Lewis at imaginationfund at nfb.org. You will then need to complete a form with information that will be used to set up your personal Mobile Giving page. We will have Imaginator conference calls throughout the campaign.
> 
> Imagine the future full of opportunities we will create together.
> 
>  
> 
> NFB Calendar
> 
> Upcoming Events
> 
> Preregistration for the 2014 National Convention opens - March 1
> 
> Imagination Fund Campaign kicks off - March 1
> 
> Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium, "Disability Rights in the 21st Century: Creative Solutions for Achieving the Right to Live in the World" – April 24-25, 2014
> 
> NFB National Convention at the Rosen Center - July 1-6, 2014
> 
> Web Accessibility Day at NFB Jernigan Institute - September 9 
> 
> NFB Technology Train the Trainers - October 15-17
> 
> Start of the NFB's 75th year – November 16, 2014
> 
>  
> State Conventions
> 
> NFB of Alabama - March 7-9
> 
> NFB of Tennessee - March 7-9
> 
> NFB of Louisiana - March 14-16
> 
> NFB of Idaho - March 28-30
> 
> NFB of Mississippi - March 28-30
> 
> NFB of Missouri - March 28-30
> 
> NFB of Oklahoma - April 4-5
> 
> NFB of New Mexico - April 4-6
> 
> NFB of Delaware - April 11-12
> 
> NFB of New Hampshire - April 11-13
> 
> NFB of Wisconsin - April 11-13
> 
> NFB of South Dakota - April 25-26
> 
> NFB of Utah - May 8-11
> 
>  
> 
> Citation
> 
> Battle Song of the NFB
> (or Glory, Glory Federation)
> 
> Copyright Joseph Huff and Floyd S. Field, 1969
> (Tune:  Battle Hymn of the Republic)
> 
> Blind eyes have seen the vision of the Federation way;
> New White Cane legislation brings the dawn of a new day;
> The right of the blind to organize is truly here to stay;
> Our Cause goes marching on.
> 
> Chorus:
> Glory, Glory, Federation;
> Glory, Glory, Federation;
> Glory, Glory, Federation;
> Our Cause goes marching on
> 
> We have seen it in the actions of four hundred chapters strong;
> Good leadership and courage have righted many wrongs;
> Let’s aid NFB’s program and join in its Battle Song;
> Our Cause goes marching on.
> 
> Chorus
> 
> tenBroek has sounded trumpet which shall never sound retreat;
> We have sifted out the hearts of blind before our Judgment Seat;
> Oh, be swift all blind to answer and be jubilant your feet;
> Our Cause goes marching on.
> 
> Chorus
> 
> To aid the blind’s long struggle we have formed the NFB;
> To free them from their bondage of workshop and agency;
> To give a hand to all the blind wherever they may be;
> Our Cause goes marching on.
> 
> Chorus
> 
>  
> 
>  Thank you for reading the NFB Jernigan Institute’s Imagineering Our Future.
> 
> Help make a significant difference in the lives of blind people across the country.
> 
> 
> Make a Gift Today
> 
> Back to Top
> 
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
> Make a Gift Today
> 
>  
> To donate a vehicle to the NFB, call toll-free 
> 1-855-659-9314
> or visit our 
> vehicle donation 
> page.
> 
>  
>  
> 
>  
> If this issue was forwarded to you and you would like to subscribe, please e-mail JerniganInstitute at nfb.org.
> 
>  
>  
> 
>  
>  
> Please check with your company to see if it offers a matching program that will match your gift.
> 
>  
> 
> Interesting links:
> 
> Archive of Straight Talk About Vision Loss videos
> 
> National Center for Blind Youth in Science
> 
> Access Technology Tips
> 
> TeachBlindStudents.org
> 
>  
> 
>  
>  
> Blogs:
> Access Technology
> 
> Voice of the Nation's Blind
> 
>  
>  
>  
> 
>  
>  
> Support the NFB Jernigan Institute through the Imagination Fund.
> 
> Unsubscribe 
> National Federation of the Blind
> 200 East Wells Street
> at Jernigan Place
> Baltimore, MD 21230
> United States
> 410 659-9314