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<DIV><SPAN class=792430812-15072011><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Ashley
and others, </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=792430812-15072011><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>I am
sending you the following as it will give you some sense of why I started
volunteering. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=792430812-15072011>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=2>After graduating from college, most
people start searching for jobs. The college environment prepares them to find
employment in an entry level profession of their choice. However, this is not
true for <SPAN class=792430812-15072011>the blind</SPAN>. The employers are
looking for experience of one or more years and <SPAN
class=792430812-15072011>the blind may not </SPAN> have the means to
get experience. <SPAN class=792430812-15072011>We the blind </SPAN>to prove
their capabilities have to get over qualified to get a job.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">My name is Yasmin Reyazuddin and I live in Montgomery
county. MD. I graduated with two Bachelors degrees from University of Maryland
college park, in 1998. The two degrees were in Sociology and English. As a blind
individual, I had to struggle to get equal treatment like other students from
faculty members at the university. when a faculty</SPAN> Member told me that he
could not deal with my disability, or another faculty member asked someone in
the class to put me in a corner, I had to resist them. Many times, I was told
not to take a class and to get a waver for the requirement. College life Is not
easy and it should not be for me. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>My response was very positive and
assertive. We want to compete on terms of equality and should be treated
equally. I took the initiative to join and participate in campus programs
related to disabilities. I even acted in a short video related to diversity and
disability. I Joined the National Federation of the Blind and am still active
with the organization. <SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2>When I applied for
jobs, I never disclosed my <SPAN class=792430812-15072011>blindness</SPAN>.
This caused some problems when I went for the interview. The employer were not
ready to interview a person with disability, even when they claimed to "promote
full and equal participation and contribution of America's 54 million men women
and children with disabilities." This organization never hired me or even sent a
letter of rejection. I searched and applied for many jobs for two years. People
suggested that I should do volunteer work to build up my resume. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2>I went to the
Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution. At first there were some
doubts about my ability to give information to the visitors, but I proved my
abilities. <SPAN class=792430812-15072011>I volunteered as an information
specialist at both places. At the Library of Congress, for one year and at the
Smithsonian for 10 years. </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=792430812-15072011><FONT size=2>These jobs were at the information desks
to meet and greet visitors. I answered their questions, directed them to
sections of the buildings or out around the city and other such things. The
visitors came to know that there was a blind person who could work just like
others. At the Smithsonian, I had applied for an internship in the Accessibility
office and was rejected. Working for the Visitor Information center has been
more rewarding as we change the attitudes of the general public.
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Volunteer positions are very
helpful as they provide the experience which is missing in the educational
background of a <SPAN class=792430812-15072011><FONT size=2>blind
person</FONT></SPAN>. I <SPAN class=792430812-15072011>appreciate the
role</SPAN> the National Federation of the Blind <SPAN
class=792430812-15072011>played in</SPAN> helping me to realize my dreams.
Today I have a job, because people noticed my hard work and the will to be equal
with others. </P></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=792430812-15072011>Any
type of community service is better than staying at home. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Yasmin Reyazuddin </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Aging & Disability Services
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Montgomery County Government
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Department of Health & Human
Services </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>401 Hungerford Drive (3rd floor)
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Rockville MD 20850 </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>240-777-0311 (MC311) </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>240-777-1556 (personal) </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>240-777-1495 (fax) </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>office hours 8:30 am 5:00 pm
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Languages English, Hindi, Urdu, Braille
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=left>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-no-proof: yes">This message may
contain protected health information or other information that is confidential
or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender
by return mail and destroy any copies of this material.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-no-proof: yes">Thank
you.</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B>
community-service-bounces@nfbnet.org
[mailto:community-service-bounces@nfbnet.org] <B>On Behalf Of
</B>bookwormahb@earthlink.net<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, July 14, 2011 7:40
PM<BR><B>To:</B> Community Service Discussion List<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re:
[Community-service] great meeting<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'">
<DIV>Yasmin,</DIV>
<DIV>Yes it would be good to have the minutes, but maybe they are only given to
group members.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>A familiar story. Many college grads couldn’t find a job. I graduated
in 2009 from Marymount university with a BA in liberal studies, mainly a mix of
social science classes. When did you graduate?</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Yes its good you volunteered and thereby impressed employers. What did you
do for Smithsonian and library of congress? You are fortunate to volunteer
for not one but two large government institutions.</DIV>
<DIV>Actually I work temporarily for LOC in NLS but that ends in
september.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I’ve faced barriers to volunteering because it seems like the staff aren’t
willing to find work I can do or train me to do it; might take a little longer
with a screen reader since I got to tab through stuff rather than
skimming. I have to explore line by line to familiarize myself with a new
website or database.</DIV>
<DIV>I’m sure they train other volunteers; everyone starts at the
beginning.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I wanted to volunteer at well known places such as Red cross and
Smithsonian. Red cross gave me the run around, unfortunately. I have good
writing skills and a pleasant voice. Red Cross could have used my
communications skills in their development and communications team.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I did all the volunteer background steps: the criminal background check,
filling out paperwork, attending a volunteer orientation, interviews etc.</DIV>
<DIV>But once jaws was installed at a computer there, the head of development
just kind of ingnored me when I came to work even though in the meeting he said
the right stuff. Another volunteer showed me the database sort of but I needed
training and assignments to do and all I did was help stuff envelopes wich
needed no vision and prior training.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>You are fortunate to volunteer with Smithsonian. I also wanted to volunteer
there. Again, I did the process: the application, interview, the check, and even
got a badge. They told me I’d work in the Accessibility office at the National
american history museum and I’d work on editing/transcribing documents into
braille; that would be my main task. Well when I interviewed with the
accessibility department they were noncommital and could not tell me a start
date, could not even load the demo of jaws because they didn’t have admin
rights,</DIV>
<DIV>could not tell me what assignments I’d have, etc. They failed to
follow up with me or return emails, so it didn’t work out; I called the program
coordinator requesting another volunteer placement, but she had none because it
was summer and they had interns.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Later I wanted to volunteer again and when I contacted her, she said they
didn’t have a position. So that makes me wonder what you did for them? I
wanted to use my writing, research, and personal skills for them; I wanted to
assist them in the office doing tasks like answering phones, copying, maybe
delivering mail and other projects. I felt SI was a good place as it is well
known and I figured the government would find a placement for someone like me to
diversify their volunteer pool. Not the case.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>That said, I’m looking to volunteering </DIV>
<DIV>with the park service; so we’ll see. First I’m finishing my job.</DIV>
<DIV>As for coming to the meeting, ah that is quite a treck; I’m in the DC area,
not exactly in DC and that is a very long metro ride down there.</DIV>
<DIV>Thanks though.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Ashley</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: small; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; TEXT-DECORATION: none">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt tahoma">
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #f5f5f5">
<DIV style="font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=Yasmin.Reyazuddin@montgomerycountymd.gov
href="mailto:Yasmin.Reyazuddin@montgomerycountymd.gov">Reyazuddin, Yasmin</A>
</DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, July 13, 2011 8:23 AM</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=community-service@nfbnet.org
href="mailto:community-service@nfbnet.org">Community Service Discussion List</A>
</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Community-service] great meeting</DIV></DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: small; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; TEXT-DECORATION: none">
<DIV><SPAN class=274260912-13072011><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Hi
Ashley and others, </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=274260912-13072011><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>It
will be a great idea if we have the minutes of the organizing meeting posted on
the list. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=274260912-13072011><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Ashley
You live in D.C. you can come to our chapter meeting this Saturday at the Silver
Spring Library. The meeting will be from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm. I have some ideas
for a service project for our chapter and we may discuss them.
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=274260912-13072011><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>When I
finished school, I could not find a job. I volunteered at some well known places
such as Library of Congress and Smithsonian. That is how I got the job in
Montgomery county. My employers were impressed that I could volunteer my time
and to get to places. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=274260912-13072011><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Now I
want to do more than just volunteer. I want to give back as we are having a
tough economic time. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=274260912-13072011><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Also
there are legally blind or blind veterans who are in need of services.
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=274260912-13072011><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Yasmin Reyazuddin </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Aging & Disability Services
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Montgomery County Government
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Department of Health & Human
Services </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>401 Hungerford Drive (3rd floor)
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Rockville MD 20850 </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>240-777-0311 (MC311) </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>240-777-1556 (personal) </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>240-777-1495 (fax) </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>office hours 8:30 am 5:00 pm
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Languages English, Hindi, Urdu, Braille
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=left>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial; mso-no-proof: yes">This message may
contain protected health information or other information that is confidential
or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender
by return mail and destroy any copies of this material.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial; mso-no-proof: yes">Thank
you.</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT> </P></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B>
community-service-bounces@nfbnet.org
[mailto:community-service-bounces@nfbnet.org] <B>On Behalf Of
</B>bookwormahb@earthlink.net<BR><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, July 12, 2011 7:03
PM<BR><B>To:</B> Community Service Discussion List<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re:
[Community-service] great meeting<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'">
<DIV>Yasmin,</DIV>
<DIV>I am glad you had a good time. I may not make it to conventions due to
expense and other obligations at home not to mention the fear of the new
invasive TSA security measures when flying. Anyway, I too, hope this list is
more active.</DIV>
<DIV>What do you do for community service?</DIV>
<DIV>I’m going to make the next call, when you all have one.</DIV>
<DIV>I’ve always enjoyed volunteering and after my temporary four month job
ends, I’ll do more. I’m a young adult who needs a job but I don’t have much
experience. I see volunteering as a way to show my skills, try new ones,
network, and possibly get a job since volunteering can turn into a job.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>I’ve volunteered for political candidates, at my talking book library,
served food at a shelter with my church and did a few projects with campus
ministry such as stuffing backpacks after Huricane Catrina.</DIV>
<DIV>Actually I’m in the DC area not far from Rockville where you work.</DIV>
<DIV>Your name sounds very familiar; were'n’t you in a press release for
NFB?</DIV>
<DIV>I could actually get to rockville via metro. If your agency has openings
for someone doing clerical or communications work, let me know. We can chat off
list further, perhaps.</DIV>
<DIV>I have a general BA from Marymount university in
communications/psychology.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Ashley</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: small; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; TEXT-DECORATION: none">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt tahoma">
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #f5f5f5">
<DIV style="font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=Yasmin.Reyazuddin@montgomerycountymd.gov
href="mailto:Yasmin.Reyazuddin@montgomerycountymd.gov">Reyazuddin, Yasmin</A>
</DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, July 12, 2011 10:01 AM</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=community-service@nfbnet.org
href="mailto:community-service@nfbnet.org">community-service@nfbnet.org</A>
</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> [Community-service] great meeting</DIV></DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: small; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; TEXT-DECORATION: none">
<DIV><SPAN class=089475313-12072011><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hi Everyone,
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=089475313-12072011><FONT face=Arial size=2>What a great meeting
we had last weekend at the convention. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=089475313-12072011><FONT face=Arial size=2>Yesterday, I signed
up for the list and thought about some service projects. I hope that there will
be some activity on this list. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=089475313-12072011><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=089475313-12072011><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=089475313-12072011><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Yasmin Reyazuddin </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Aging & Disability Services
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Montgomery County Government
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Department of Health & Human
Services </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>401 Hungerford Drive (3rd floor)
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Rockville MD 20850 </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>240-777-0311 (MC311) </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>240-777-1556 (personal) </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>240-777-1495 (fax) </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>office hours 8:30 am 5:00 pm
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Languages English, Hindi, Urdu, Braille
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=left>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial; mso-no-proof: yes">This message may
contain protected health information or other information that is confidential
or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender
by return mail and destroy any copies of this material.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial; mso-no-proof: yes">Thank
you.</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT> </P></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<P>
<HR>
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