From JFreeh at nfb.org Sat Aug 1 20:10:42 2009 From: JFreeh at nfb.org (Freeh, Jessica) Date: Sat, 01 Aug 2009 15:10:42 -0500 Subject: [Ccb-alumni] National Federation of the Blind Files Complaint with Maryland Department of Education Message-ID: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Melissa Riccobono, President National Federation of the Blind of Maryland (410) 235-3073 president at nfbmd.org Sharon Krevor-Weisbaum, Attorney (410) 962-1030 skw at browngold.com National Federation of the Blind Files Complaint with Maryland Department of Education Advocates Say Baltimore Schools Not Educating Blind Children Baltimore, Maryland (July 29, 2009): The National Federation of the Blind and its Maryland affiliate have filed a complaint with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) alleging violations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and parallel state law by the Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS). The complaint addresses systemic problems that prevent blind students in the BCPS from receiving a free, appropriate public education as required by law. Among other things, the BCPS has failed to: ? Properly assess students who are blind or have low vision to determine their educational needs; ? Properly train blind students in the skills of blindness, especially Braille and travel with a white cane; and ? Provide access to appropriate assistive technology, such as Braille printers, Braille note-taking devices, print magnification devices, and text-to-speech screen access technology for computers. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: ?Blind students can compete on terms of equality with their sighted peers and go on to lead productive and successful lives, but only if they are provided with an equal education. The National Federation of the Blind will do everything in our power to ensure that every blind child receives the educational services he or she needs to succeed, and that is why we have taken this action.? Melissa Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, said: ?Baltimore schools have produced blind students who are functionally illiterate, cannot travel independently outside of their homes, and do not possess other critical skills that they need to compete on an equal basis with their sighted peers. The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland has a responsibility to advocate for the needs of blind students, and we cannot and will not tolerate the failure of the BCPS to abide by state and federal law and provide these students with the education they need in order to live independent and productive lives. We hope that the BCPS will accept our proposals to expand and improve their programs for blind students and work with us to ensure that blind children in Baltimore receive the equal education to which they are entitled.? A press conference about this action will be held today at 1:45 p.m. in the Members Hall of the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230. ### No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.392 / Virus Database: 270.13.32/2266 - Release Date: 07/27/09 05:58:00 From JFreeh at nfb.org Sat Aug 1 20:53:30 2009 From: JFreeh at nfb.org (Freeh, Jessica) Date: Sat, 01 Aug 2009 15:53:30 -0500 Subject: [Ccb-alumni] National Federation of the Blind Youth Slam Ends with March and Ceremony in Washington 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 Youth Slam Ends with March and Ceremony in Washington NASA to Present Braille Coins That Flew in Space Washington, D.C. (July 31, 2009): Two hundred blind high school students and their mentors from across the nation will close out the second National Federation of the Blind Youth Slam in the nation?s capitol this afternoon. The students will begin their visit to Washington at 2 p.m. with a rally at the Lincoln Memorial followed by a march down the mall to the brand new Capitol Visitors Center, where the closing ceremonies of the Youth Slam will take place at 6 p.m. The closing festivities will include a presentation by the students about their week of scientific study, as well as a special presentation by senior officials of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA will present the NFB with two Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollars that flew aboard space shuttle Atlantis on its mission to the Hubble Space Telescope in May 2009. Astronaut Gregory H. Johnson will be among the dignitaries in attendance. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "The National Federation of the Blind is thrilled that our second Youth Slam will conclude with a ceremony in our nation?s capitol and will feature a presentation by leaders in the field of space exploration. This is doubtless an experience that the Youth Slam students?and everyone involved with the Youth Slam?will never forget. This closing event will symbolize the belief of the National Federation of the Blind, and all of our partners in the Youth Slam, that blind people, like everyone else, have a spirit of adventure, a willingness to explore new ideas and new worlds, and a boundless capacity to imagine a future full of possibility." "I?m so proud of all the Youth Slam partners here today and the work you do every day, in every way. I?m also so proud of the students who?ve traveled from all over the country for a week of intense STEM training. You have so much to offer and deserve the opportunity to earn your stars in STEM fields. I am committed to making sure you have that opportunity," said Senator Mikulski, Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that funds NASA. "I was proud to put $600,000 in the federal checkbook to support NFB's Youth Slam and to develop teaching and training techniques for the blind and visually impaired. I will continue to fight for federal investments in key programs like this one. # # # 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 info at michaelhingson.com Sun Aug 2 22:54:26 2009 From: info at michaelhingson.com (Michael Hingson) Date: Sun, 02 Aug 2009 17:54:26 -0500 Subject: [Ccb-alumni] KnfbReader Mobile pricing and seminar announcements Message-ID: Just before the NFB national convention I announced that the price for the KnfbReader when purchased from the NFB and The Michael Hingson Group was decreasing. Since there have been some questions about pricing after the convention I want to clarify that this price decrease is permanent so long as we continue to receive our present costs from our suppliers. The pricing is as follows: The Basic KnfbReader Mobile including software and the Nokia N82 phone, $1,370.00. Talks screen reader optional add-on when purchased at the same time as the Reader, $225.00. Talks screen reader when purchased at another time, $295.00. MobileSpeak screen reader purchased at any time, $295.00. WayFinder Access GPS option for the KnfbReader system, $395.00. NEW! Extended battery for the Nokia N82, $35.00. New! Bluetooth headset with ear buds, model BH-201, $50.00. New! Nokia Bluetooth headset with ear covers, $75.00. New! Nokia Bluetooth keyboard model SU-8w, $125.00. All prices are plus shipping and tax in California. If you have questions about the Reader or would like to order one please email me at info at michaelhingson.com and I will get back to you or have one of our NFB KnfbReader dealers contact you. Also, don't forget that the National Federation of the Blind has a %3 low interest loan program for those who need help in purchasing the Reader. I also want to ask if anyone would be interested in attending either an upcoming online audio seminar or a conference call teleseminar to demo the KnfbReader Mobile? If so, please email me off list at info at michaelhingson.com and tell me some times convenient for you to attend either demo and which one you would be interested in attending. Finally, over the summer many readers were sold at the various national organizational conventions. We are contemplating holding online or conference call training sessions to help people get started using their Readers. Please email me at info at michaelhingson.com if you would like to attend either kind of seminar. Please include times convenient for you to attend and which kind of seminar would be best for you. All seminars are free to everyone. I will announce the status of the seminars as soon as I get a sense from you about when and how to hold them. Please send this on to others whom you think might be interested in knowing more about the KnfbReader Mobile. Happy reading to all. Thanks for your attention and time. Best, Michael 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 __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4296 (20090801) __________ From graduate56 at juno.com Wed Aug 5 16:36:47 2009 From: graduate56 at juno.com (Melissa Green) Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2009 10:36:47 -0600 Subject: [Ccb-alumni] Fw: Cabs mentoring program Message-ID: <5C432BDC768C4FC5802C3C05DECA59AE@melissa> We are still seeking mentors. Please post on relevant websites. Feel free to distribute to other lists and interested parties. The Colorado association of blind students CABS Is looking for a few good men and women to become Mentors for young blind students. Mentors should be: Legally blind; High school graduate Reside, attend school, or training in the state of Colorado Interested in working with blind youth or young adults Attend mentor training sessions and other related activities Communicate with both the mentee and other mentors Good listener Encouraging Supportive Patient Flexible Dependable Committed Possess a positive attitude about blindness Demonstrate good blindness skills and, be: Tolerant and respectful of individual differences If you are interested in becoming a mentor and influencing the lives of blind students. Complete the application below. Submit completed application by August 3. Email completed applications to the following address. Melissa Green Graduate56 at juno.com P.S. The application is also attached. Cabs Mentor application Name: Address: Home Phone: School Phone: Cell Phone: Email address: What is your course of study in school? List your hobbies, and interests. Why do you want to be a mentor for blind students? Have you ever been a mentor? Have you ever had a mentor or mentors in your life? if so, how would you describe their impact on your life? Do you have any mentors in your life right now? What do you believe the role of a mentor is? Do you understand the commitment that being a mentor requires? Do you believe that you can make this commitment? Do you have volunteer/ work experience? Do you have experience working with blind children or youth? Cordially, Melissa Green Without Christ I am nothing, Without me Christ is still God. It's because of Christ I am able to stand!!! ____________________________________________________________ Counseling Debt Top Counseling Debt Offers. Check The Site for Counseling Debt http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=tVZb7jRvqVnB5BYZSbLH5gAAJ1D9cwZoFzPm39wYOgoMCAX7AAUAAAAAAAAAAMGtOz7uObX_b9cGgGVdSd-NW9gkAAAAAA== -------------- next part -------------- An embedded and charset-unspecified text was scrubbed... Name: Cabs_Mentor_application.txt URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Cabs_Mentor_application.doc Type: application/msword Size: 28672 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Cabs_Mentor_application.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 7025 bytes Desc: not available URL: From PMaurer at nfb.org Thu Aug 6 15:58:58 2009 From: PMaurer at nfb.org (Maurer, Patricia) Date: Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:58:58 -0500 Subject: [Ccb-alumni] How many children in America are not taught to read? Message-ID: ---------- From: Marc Maurer [mailto:outreach at nfb.org] Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 3:14 PM To: Maurer, Patricia Subject: How many children in America are not taught to read? The answer is 90 percent if the children are blind. Most Americans are shocked to hear this statistic. And we should be. The blind read and write using Braille, so why is our educational system failing to teach Braille to so many children? Why are these children being denied the opportunities that come with a proper education? What if you could not read and write? Where would you be today? There are three primary reasons for this educational crisis: (1) there are not enough Braille teachers; (2) some teachers of blind children have not received enough training; and (3) many educators do not think Braille instruction is even necessary. To bring critically-needed attention to this educational crisis, the United States Congress authorized the minting of the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar with a portion of the sale of each coin going toward a revolutionary and comprehensive Braille literacy campaign. Learning to read and write is fundamental to education, which in turn is paramount to full and equal participation in American society. This coin, the first U.S. coin to have proper tactile Braille, symbolizes independence, opportunity, and the potential of blind people to make significant contributions to society when they are taught to read and write using Braille. To learn more, read our report The Braille Literacy Crisis in America, or watch our video Making Change with a Dollar. Please purchase this unique and beautiful coin now and help solve this educational crisis for blind children in America. The law authorizing this 2009 silver dollar requires that any coins not sold by midnight on December 31, 2009, be melted down. Time is of the essence--a 90 percent illiteracy rate is not acceptable and the opportunity to purchase this coin will soon be gone. Be part of the solution. Give the gift of literacy. Create new opportunities. Buy the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar today. Marc Maurer, President NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND From graduate56 at juno.com Mon Aug 10 07:05:57 2009 From: graduate56 at juno.com (Melissa Green) Date: Mon, 10 Aug 2009 01:05:57 -0600 Subject: [Ccb-alumni] Final message. Message-ID: The colorado association of blind students(CABS) is still looking for mentors. If you are interested please contact me at: graduate56 at juno.com By noon on thursday. I have pasted the information before my signature. If expressed yor interest to become a mentor to a blind student in colorado. Please drop me an email expressing your interest. If you have submitted an application and haven't heard back from me. Email me your application again. If you know of someone that would be good for this program also let me know as well. We do need some more women. Currently, there are only four women. The Colorado association of blind students CABS Is looking for a few good men and women to become Mentors for young blind students. Mentors should be: Legally blind; High school graduate Reside, attend school, or training in the state of Colorado Interested in working with blind youth or young adults Attend mentor training sessions and other related activities Communicate with both the mentee and other mentors Good listener Encouraging Supportive Patient Flexible Dependable Committed Possess a positive attitude about blindness Demonstrate good blindness skills and, be: Tolerant and respectful of individual differences Melissa Green Without Christ I am nothing, Without me Christ is still God. It's because of Christ I am able to stand!!! ____________________________________________________________ 3D Conservatory Design Service CRSmith Scotland - fast, free 3D computer design service. Get a Quote Online Now! Buy Now, Pay Later http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=6c0b3yFLf0IS4JBJF4gA0wAAJ1CiJJfKdJEYzfkzgB1nTvZYAAUAAAAAAAAAAFD8mD1kssanp5HXVK8C8vKQ5i8hAAAAAA== From jsorozco at gmail.com Fri Aug 14 16:14:21 2009 From: jsorozco at gmail.com (Joe Orozco) Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:14:21 -0400 Subject: [Ccb-alumni] NABSLink Under New Management Message-ID: Hello all, NABSLink, the official site of the National Association of Blind Students, is now under a new webmaster. Juan Del Rosario, who also serves as president of the Texas Association of Blind Students, will now be in charge of updating and maintaining the website with the assistance of NABS Board Member Meghan Whalen. For work on the website up to this point I want to Thank Peter Donahue and Angela Fowler for their technical assistance and editorial review. I also want to thank Terri Rupp for making it a point under her administration to see the website a developed product. No past NABS president cared enough about the website to see it through its completion, and even though there is still some work to be done on the site, I think anything that comes out of it going forward will be owed to the wisdom of the NABS board of 2007-2009. So here's to the upcoming phase of NABSLink, and may the results prove every bit as exhilarating as it was to launch it. Best, The Website Team "A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd."--Max Lucado __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4335 (20090814) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com From JFreeh at nfb.org Tue Aug 25 21:49:28 2009 From: JFreeh at nfb.org (Freeh, Jessica) Date: Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:49:28 -0500 Subject: [Ccb-alumni] Unable to Read or Write, New High School Graduate Details Struggle 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 Unable to Read or Write, New High School Graduate Details Struggle Baltimore, Maryland (August 25, 2009): Denzel Ferges graduated from high school on June 6. But when he was asked to address a gathering of students on July 29, he had to memorize his speech rather than reading it. Denzel does not have enough vision to read print effectively, and he was not taught to read Braille. For all practical purposes, he graduated from high school unable to read. ?I wish that I could be reading my remarks to you in Braille, but I am not able to do so because I was not given the opportunity to learn Braille in school,? Ferges told an audience of two hundred blind students and their mentors gathered for the National Federation of the Blind Youth Slam, a summer science academy for blind high school students. ?So with that being said, I have to seek further training to learn Braille and other important blindness skills.? Denzel is not alone. In fact, nine out of ten blind children in America?s public schools do not know and are not being taught how to read and write using Braille. But reading Braille, especially when learned at an early age, is just as effective as reading print. Braille is also the only system that allows blind people to write and to read what they have written with speed and efficiency. That is why the National Federation of the Blind wants to make sure that young people like Denzel graduate from high school with the ability to read and write, and that every blind child in America and every adult losing vision is given the opportunity to learn Braille. But blind Americans need your help to address the crisis in Braille literacy. Congress authorized the minting in 2009 of 400,000 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollars to mark the two-hundredth anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille (1809?1852) and to support the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind?the nation?s leading advocate for Braille?to promote literacy among blind Americans. This unique and beautiful commemorative coin is the first U.S. currency to feature tactile, readable Braille. These coins will no longer be available after December 31, 2009. Today the National Federation of the Blind is kicking off a national campaign in which its affiliates in each state (plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) and over seven hundred local chapters will sell 100,000 coins by November 1, 2009. A portion of the money from sales of the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar will be used to support the NFB?s ?Braille Readers are Leaders? campaign, a national initiative created to double the number of blind children learning Braille by 2015, improve certification standards for teachers of Braille, and conduct innovative programs to support Braille literacy. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: ?The Braille Readers are Leaders literacy campaign and the sale of these beautiful Louis Braille silver dollars are among the most important initiatives the National Federation of the Blind has ever undertaken. The education of tens of thousands of blind children across the nation and the successful rehabilitation of adults who are losing vision depend on our success. We are asking all Americans to help us in ensuring literacy, education, productivity, and success for every blind American by purchasing a Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar today.? Those interested in ordering a Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar should visit www.braille.org or call 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). For more information about the National Federation of the Blind and the Braille Readers are Leaders campaign, visit www.braille.org. ### 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.