[Ct-nfb] CT-NFB Digest, Vol 85, Issue 8
Sandra Streeter
sandrastreeter381 at gmail.com
Sun Apr 22 00:47:47 UTC 2018
Extremely well-spoken--read it on Newsline a few weeks ago and wish I had
read it in my 20's!
Sandra
“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he
hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however
measured or far away.”
(Henry David Thoreau)
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Today's Topics:
1. NFB Philosophy: What It Is and What It Is Not (Jim McCollum)
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Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2018 20:16:50 -0400
From: Jim McCollum <j.mccollum64 at comcast.net>
To: NFB of CT List <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [Ct-nfb] NFB Philosophy: What It Is and What It Is Not
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NFB Philosophy: What It Is and What It Is Not
by Gary Wunder, Mark Riccobono, and Marc Maurer
>From the Editor: In response to the article ?Tax Deductions for the Blind:
Are They Something We Deserve, and Should We Fight for Them?? published in
the January 2018 issue, I received a most interesting question. Boiled down
it is what is NFB Philosophy and are there things one must and must not do
to follow it. What prompted the question was the letter that talked about a
tax deduction for being blind and whether asking for this wasn?t as
contradictory as asking to preboard an airplane. The writer who inquired
wanted to know if it is an article of faith in the NFB philosophy that we
will not preboard and wonders exactly what the NFB philosophy is.
My initial email to her said that I consider the NFB philosophy less a set
of commandments and more like the application of the Golden Rule. My
understanding of what we believe is that there is no list of thou shall and
thou shalt not?s but instead a mindset that asks, ?Is this something I need
based on blindness? If it is, I will take it and advocate for it. If it is
not, I will not borrow against the goodwill and public support that people
feel about blind people. Instead, I will try to educate and will hope that I
can bank some of those good intentions for things I really need.?
Not content with my own understanding and thinking that the thoughts of
others might make an article worth publishing here, I wrote to four people
asking if they wished to try defining the NFB philosophy. Two of them
responded. It is no surprise that one of them was President Riccobono. As
one might expect, the other was Immediate Past President Maurer. Here is
what they said in response to my letter asking if they had thoughts to
share. Neither believes that he has written the definitive word on our
philosophy, and the door remains open for other thought-provoking articles
on the subject:
>From President Riccobono:
Dear Gary,
As you know from our telephone conversation, I wrote an extensive reply to
you which I lost to a Microsoft gremlin. I have been eager to get back to
this, so I took a few minutes at the question yesterday. There is definitely
more that can be said on this topic, and I think there is at least one idea
that did not come to mind in my rewrite today.
Exploring the question of what is the NFB philosophy and what elements of it
are articles of faith is a good idea. I know that my friend Marc Maurer, who
has taught me the nature and art of philosophy over the years, will have
ideas about this topic. Let me give you the thinking of where my mind went
since it strikes me that philosophy is the art of thinking about thinking.
The word philosophy comes from Latin and from the Greek word philosophia
?love of wisdom.? Today it is often defined as ?the study of the fundamental
nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as
an academic discipline.? Philosophy is about creating understanding (wisdom)
and then turning that understanding over to determine if it holds together.
Sometimes it does not hold together because it is inconsistent (logic), and
sometimes it does not hold together when tested in the real world. This
summer I described philosophy as a ?pattern of thought,? as that is how I
have come to think about it, especially in the art of attempting to
contribute to it in the form of banquet speeches.
In contrast, an article of faith is a ?firmly held belief.? One can take
something as an article of faith without having any philosophy of any type.
In fact, I am certain we all know people who have firmly held beliefs based
on some experience and not truly because they have reasoned through it
systematically. I think I take certain things as articles of faith because
of my experience with NFB philosophy. One is the idea that we, as blind
people, are best suited to determine what is best for the blind. This comes
from NFB philosophy, but I think I consider it an article of faith because I
have observed it tested out in the world, and I know how it works better
than the alternatives?both in my own life and for us as a movement. I think
Dr. tenBroek held this belief, and he did so before we had a shared
philosophy. Maybe he held this belief because he thought critically about
blindness?which we now think of as NFB philosophy?or maybe he did because
Dr. Perry instilled it in him.
This leads me to wonder where the individual comes into NFB philosophy. The
Federation provides a pattern of thought, but it is up to us to think about
it and apply it. I know that we have an extensive body of literature about
blindness. On our website we define some of it as ?philosophy.? That page
can be found at https://nfb.org/literature-philosophy. This section
incorporates by reference all of the banquet speeches. Does that body of
literature constitute NFB philosophy? Most certainly there are pieces that
are not mentioned. My friend Bill Meeker wrote an article that appeared in
the Braille Monitor in December 1994 entitled ?The Blind Table.? This
article makes certain observations about where the blind get seated in
restaurants. I consider it part of understanding our NFB philosophy in as
much as it is an expression of how our pattern of thought teaches us to
evaluate the world around us. I doubt many people remember or even notice
the ideas Bill shares in that article, but I think it could be considered
part of our pattern of thought. This raises the idea for me that our NFB
philosophy gains strength as more people are learning about it and testing
it.
Many times people simplify the critical thinking that the NFB philosophy
challenges us to do by boiling it down into bite-sized rules.
?Federationists never take preferential treatment because it is against our
philosophy,? is one example. Another is ?Real Federationists use rigid canes
because they are proud to be blind.? The rules always cause trouble because
they demonstrate more black and white than the NFB philosophy offers. When I
was a student at the Colorado Center for the Blind, I found use of the rigid
cane helped me focus on the skills I needed to learn, while enforcing the
pattern of thought that I could direct my own movements and manage my own
affairs. When I choose to use a telescoping cane today?I have both types in
the corner of my office?I know it comes with the disadvantage that it might
collapse. If I am running out of the office to meet a business associate who
is picking me up to go to lunch, I will likely grab my telescoping cane as I
am not sure what type of car they might have or what the arrangements will
be at the restaurant. I have no trouble dealing with a straight cane, but I
can make a choice. NFB philosophy tells me I should make the choice that
makes sense for my independence and blending in. Other Federation members
might make a different choice for a different reason, and it will be
completely consistent with our philosophy. In other words, I think the
pattern of thought often gets confused with the actions we take. In any
philosophy, humans always struggle with the gaps between the idea and the
action we take. Our philosophy urges us to continue examining ourselves just
as many religious philosophies invite people to regularly ground themselves
in being God-like?an extremely high standard by any measure.
Your email asks whether avoiding preboarding is an article of faith in the
NFB philosophy. This is an interesting question. For me, NFB philosophy
guides me to consider whether there are any artificial barriers in the
boarding process that require me to be treated differently?I say no. NFB
philosophy asks me to consider whether it is necessary for me to stand out
as needing special treatment by preboarding?I again find myself saying no.
NFB philosophy does not tell me what to do but leads me to a place that
informs my decision. Recently I had the A1 boarding position on a Southwest
flight. The only people that got on the plane before me were preboarders.
Since I was at the front of the A line and very visible to the boarding
attendant, he wanted me to preboard. Functionally there should have been no
difference to him whether I preboarded or not as I was effectively boarding
ahead of everyone else. He insisted that I preboard even after I told him
?no thank you.? I wondered if having the back and forth with him was
helpful. Once I successfully convinced him to drop it, a nearby passenger
remarked to me that the gentlemen really did not trust that I knew my own
capacity. I choose to board with the rest of the group because NFB
philosophy generally leads my mind to a place where I think it is the best
for me and for other blind people. It was not until I had the experience of
being the first regular boarder on the plane that I truly realized how
powerful that perception line is to others. If the idea of boarding with
everyone else was not a firmly held belief before, it is now. Having said
that, I think the NFB philosophy challenges me to consider preboarding and
if there truly is a reason that I need it. I sometimes take this option when
I have to walk out onto a noisy tarmac. The only times I do not are when I
am with someone or when I have gotten to know someone in the boarding area
that I feel comfortable asking to walk near me. I find it more consistent
with NFB philosophy to ask to preboard or walk with someone than to boldly
walk out into the noise and hope that someone grabs me and steers me in the
right direction or yells loudly enough that I can hear them. I do not ask
the person next to me unless we have already been engaged in conversation,
because I think it might reinforce whatever misconceptions they already
carry. That level of complexity in thinking has come with years of living
the NFB philosophy every day. When I was a college student on my way to my
first national convention, I would not have had that level of sophistication
in my thinking. On my way back from my first national convention, I probably
knew that many Federation members did not choose to preboard, but I did not
understand why. When the airline put me in a room with twelve-year-old
children, I began to understand it better. The pattern of thought is
important, but the actual practice of it helps to make it real. The two
build on each other. This developmental process is much of what Dr. Jernigan
discusses in ?The Nature of Independence.? This is also why our training
centers are powerful and effective. They do not simply teach the skills, but
they reinforce the pattern of thought, and they teach blind people how to
evaluate the thought process.
The NFB philosophy also gets a bad reputation when individuals project it
onto others. I think the NFB philosophy encourages me to share it with
others, and I very badly want other blind people to know the freedom I know
I get from this pattern of thought. Leaders of the Federation?this is
definitely reflected in ?The Nature of Independence??challenge us to raise
our expectations but also to be careful about how we challenge others to
raise theirs. We all know of blind people who have pushed potential members
of the Federation away because we presented NFB philosophy as a ?thou shalt
or you are not fit? sort of environment. I do not think that is inherent in
NFB philosophy, but rather a problem with humans making a pattern of thought
actionable. I think this is also the conflict that comes up related to our
philosophy and use of a guide dog. We all know people who talk about the dog
as the thinking entity. Yet our philosophy tells us that no matter the tool,
the blind person should maintain the locus of control. Thus, the best
handlers of guide dogs, in my opinion, are those who understand that the dog
follows the person?s directions even if the dog is doing the physical
leading. We know that this becomes controversial since some blind people
understand this to be that NFB philosophy devalues dogs. In my mind, the NFB
philosophy establishes a pattern of thought that gives you guidance on how
to use the tools effectively.
The NFB philosophy is a pattern of thought that encourages us to explore the
boundaries of what is possible. The NFB philosophy is the belief that we are
the ones best suited to decide what works for us. The NFB philosophy is a
living way of thinking and acting upon the world as blind people, and it
evolves as more of us come to practice the patterns. If there are any
articles of faith, they probably consist of blind people know what is best
for blind people, blindness is not the characteristic that exclusively
defines us, and we should strive every day to raise expectations for
ourselves. Then again, we once took it as somewhat an article of faith that
blind people could do anything except for drive and fly an airplane. Then we
shattered the idea that driving was on the list. This might suggest that the
only article of faith is the faith that we have in one another to continue
testing the limits of our own future.
I am eager to hear what others have to share on this topic.
There you have President Riccobono?s thoughts on the subject. Here is what
Dr. Maurer said in response to a similar request of him and the suggestion
by President Riccobono that he might want to chime in:
Dear Gary:
Thanks for your email asking, ?What is NFB philosophy?? I gather that this
is the important piece of what you have written. I know that you are capable
of answering the question, ?Does NFB philosophy prohibit preboarding an
airline?? The answer is that of course it does not. I have preboarded them
myself, and I have boarded with everybody else. The important part of NFB
philosophy is that I should decide when to do which.
Some of my friends have attempted to synthesize NFB philosophy in a list of
principles. I remember reading one of these once and being asked by its
author if any items had been omitted. I was busy at the time. Consequently,
I only thought about the question very briefly. However, one item which had
been omitted was that blind people working together can and should run an
organization that synthesizes thought about blindness and assists in
creating the kind of culture that welcomes blind people. I added this
thought to the list, but I felt unsatisfied.
The philosophy of the NFB says that blind people have value and that we
should act in such a way that we enhance that value and bring sighted people
to recognize it. It also says that blind people can lead independent, joyous
lives. It recommends that we behave in such a way that we increase the
possibility that this is the experience of the blind. NFB philosophy says
that in every meaningful way blind people are equal to sighted people. The
implications of these statements suggest that blind people should be trained
to pursue their own lives in ways that they find beneficial. It also urges
that blind people take advantage of the training. It does not require blind
people to take any certain training as an article of faith.
Hazel tenBroek was the wife of our founding President, Dr. Jacobus tenBroek.
She told me one time that the method for blind people to follow in ordering
a steak in a restaurant in the 1940s and the 1950s was that those ordering
the meat would routinely request that it be cut into bite-sized pieces in
the kitchen before being served. At one point in my Federation experience I
encountered a heated debate among Federation members about whether it was
proper to have somebody else cut your meat for you. My own opinion is that
if a blind person wants it done and can get it accomplished with a minimum
of inconvenience, it is quite proper.
I was recently on a dinner cruise boat. Part of the festivity involved being
served a lobster. I asked the waiter to manage getting the flesh from the
claws and the tail for me. I was not alone. My sighted buddies were doing
exactly the same thing. Neither they nor I felt diminished by the request.
It was also evident that the waiter was quite familiar with the process. He
must have done it hundreds if not thousands of times for diners on the boat.
How I live my life is my business. I reject being ordered to perform certain
actions or be certain places because of my blindness. I also reject such
orders for other nonimportant reasons. This is part of my NFB philosophy. If
I am told to keep my hands out of a place because the electricity in it
could shock or kill me, this seems sensible. If I am told to keep my hands
out of a place because it is not suitable for blind people, this seems
idiotic to me. How these principles are applied in life is a matter of
judgment. I insist on my right to use my own judgment. This also is part of
my NFB philosophy.
When I suggest that blind people learn Braille, I do so because I think it?s
beneficial. When I suggest that blind people use long white canes, I do so
because it?s beneficial. I have tried using a dog, but I?ve never given it
enough time to evaluate it properly. I don?t have a strong opinion about the
benefits of using dogs. However, I have a very strong opinion about the
right of those who want to use them to be protected in this choice. Many of
my colleagues have told me that using a dog is liberating for them. I want
them to have the liberation, and I trust their judgment. Trusting the
judgment and experience of other blind people who know enough to give me
effective information is also a part of my NFB philosophy.
On the subject of the exemption in the tax code for the blind, it can be
argued either way. As the world is built for the sighted (at least a lot of
it), there are costs involved in managing as a blind person. It is possible
that the tax code should recognize these and compensate. However, it is also
possible to argue that although there are some costs for the blind that the
sighted do not have to meet, the difference is not so great that it should
be printed in every tax form in the land. I do not remember this argument
being pursued on the convention floor. It has been discussed extensively off
the convention floor from time to time, and the arguments are fierce. If the
debate comes to the convention, I shall be interested in how it develops.
The NFB philosophy is quite clearly not a fixed set of principles that can
never be modified. In one sense the National Federation of the Blind is the
same today as it was in 1940 when it came into being. The idea at the time
was that programs and policies about blindness must incorporate the view of
blind people and that the Federation was the appropriate organization to
represent the blind. Such remains as valid now as it was then. However, how
we interpret and carry into effect the philosophy that is ours has changed.
There was a time in the Federation during which a fierce argument occurred
about whether modifications to programs, buildings, and activities of living
should not be made on behalf of the blind. This principle remains largely
one in which we believe. However, with the digitization of virtually all
methods of communication, access to information for the blind becomes as
practical as it is for the sighted. We now believe that it is our right to
have access to all information put into digital form. Although this is not a
change in our fundamental beliefs, it does represent a change in emphasis.
At one time we thought and we said that print was not inherently available
to us. The way to get at it was recorded matter, Braille, or a reader. Today
we believe that we should have methods of getting such information that are
not separate and distinct from the way sighted people get it. We have spent
the last twenty years working to incorporate this thought into the minds of
the developers of technology. We have not yet been universally successful,
but our equality of access to information is greater today than it once was.
Undoubtedly there will be other changes in the emphasis that we give to the
implementation of NFB philosophy. The fundamental element of our philosophy
that will not change is that we in convention assembled will decide what we
want our policies to be.
by Melody Lindsey Roane
>From the Editor: Melody Lindsey Roane is the director of the Virginia
Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired in Richmond,
Virginia. During the past twenty-three years she has directed training
programs for the blind in Virginia, Michigan, and Alaska and worked as a
vocational rehabilitation counselor in New Mexico. Melody learned about the
NFB through the national scholarship program when she was a senior in high
school in Florida. Over the ensuing years, she served as a board member in
the Florida and Michigan affiliates and as the affiliate president in
Alaska. She currently serves as the president of the National Association of
Blind Rehabilitation Professionals, and she and her husband, Mark,
participate actively in the NFB?s Virginia affiliate.
I first met Melody when she was a bubbly young student, and she took the
time to compliment me on a speech I had given at a state convention she
attended. That gave me good reason to remember her name, but her energy and
enthusiasm have come to cement her in my mind more than any kind words about
a speech that even I don?t remember now.
Melody has been a leader in every place she has lived, always letting her
Federationism shine for those who know her to see. This tribute is her way
of saying thank you to one of the people who figured prominently in allowing
that light to shine through her, and what a wonderful tribute it is. Here is
what Melody says about her friend and mentor, Arlene.
The following post about Arlene Hill written by Louana Abney Sterling
appeared on the Louisiana Center for the Blind?s Facebook page: ?I thank you
for all you taught me about facing fears. When I first came to the Center, I
was a very fearful person. I did not want to go out on my own, but you
showed me it was nothing to be afraid of. If it were not for you, the last
few years of my life would have been terrible. My husband has been in and
out of the hospital, and because of you and your love, I was able to be
there and do what I needed for him without fear.?
How do you honor a woman who taught her students so enthusiastically,
believed so strongly in their potential, and gave so freely so that others
may catch the spark that would fuel a dream and inspire a life? This is the
question I ponder as I write this article about Arlene Hill, a gifted,
talented and well-loved teacher at the Louisiana Center for the Blind who
passed away on Monday, November 13, 2017. How do you do justice to someone
who lived the lessons she taught?
It was December 1990 when I entered the Louisiana Center for the Blind as a
twenty-one-year-old college graduate who struggled with a lot of
insecurities, trying to find my place in this world. Arlene was my cane
travel instructor, and soon I discovered that she had a great sense of
adventure and fun which matched my own. I was going to learn so much, and I
couldn?t wait to get started. Every lesson became a great adventure, adding
new addresses to her repertoire and helping me develop problem-solving
skills and endurance. Insecurities quickly disappeared, replaced by a sense
of freedom and confidence.
As I gained a firm belief in my cane travel abilities, Arlene threw
challenges at me during each lesson, which I embraced eagerly. They weren?t
always easy, and sometimes they were downright bizarre. One day I went into
Arlene?s office, and she told me that today?s lesson was to locate Sarah?s
Kitchen, a wonderful restaurant in Ruston back in the old days that was
operated out of Sarah?s house. The directions went something like this:
After you pass the cemetery, take the first right, go down to the third
street and turn left; when you hear the second dog bark, turn right. You
cross over the second hill, then take the gravel driveway to the right, and
you SHOULD be there.? It was always an awesome feeling when you actually
arrived there without too many complications like one of the dogs not
barking. I loved it! Ruston has grown a great deal since I was a student.
Because of my training and role models like Arlene who shared the NFB
philosophy with me, I am convinced that blind people can learn excellent
travel skills and apply them in towns, cities, the heartland of the USA, and
in other countries. Over the years, I have lived in Alaska, New Mexico,
Michigan, and now Virginia, and no matter where I was living, the
problem-solving and analytical skills I learned from Arlene prepared me to
travel successfully and confidently in all environments.
Arlene demonstrated the unique ability to serve as a mentor and teacher to
her students, as well as a colleague and friend, and there was no conflict.
This characteristic is best illustrated by the following reflections from
Pam Allen, executive director of the Louisiana Center for the Blind: ?Arlene
was my instructor, then my coworker, and then my employee, and in those
roles we were always friends. There was never any awkwardness in the
transitions. I am forever grateful. She taught me so much.? She lived what
she taught, and when people ask me about the differences in training center
philosophies, this ability to put into practice what you teach is one of
them. Arlene also contributed to the writing of the book, Techniques Used by
Blind Cane Travel Instructors: A practical approach: Learning, Teaching,
Believing which demystifies the strategies blind cane travel instructors use
to teach travel skills to blind students.
When the Center closed for short holidays, Arlene invited me to stay with
her family which I appreciated greatly since my home was in Florida. Rather
than spending my time as a passive guest, Arlene invited me to help out with
various jobs in the kitchen. I felt like I was a part of the family. She
shared her tips and strategies for cooking and baking which I still use
today. In her unassuming way, she taught me that respect and belief don?t
have to be demonstrated just in the classroom. She was a great role model
and was always willing to give more so that others could find their dreams.
It was not just an eight-to-five job for her; it was a lifestyle. It is rare
to find that personal quality.
This is not just my story. There are countless stories of successful blind
women and men who say they learned from Arlene. My husband, Mark, told me
the story about when he was a student at the Louisiana Center for the Blind,
and Arlene allowed him and another student to build a deck on the back of
her house and teach her daughter, Valerie, and Valerie?s husband, Sam, how
to build a deck. ?There aren?t too many people who would have that much
belief in you to invest that much money in the project so that we could know
that blindness had not diminished our skills; it just challenges us to
develop alternative techniques to do the same things we would do if we were
still sighted.? Arlene lived her belief in the abilities of blind people,
and because of it, countless blind people are living the lives they want.
The heartbeat of her life was the Federation philosophy, which gave hope and
confidence to her students.
Another former student, Karl Smith, shared the following thoughts about
Arlene which have been echoed by many others who had the privilege of
learning from and working with her:
Although I was familiar with Arlene from meeting her in various capacities
at national conventions, I really got to know her when I became a student at
the Louisiana Center for the Blind in 1989. She was an enthusiastic and
capable teacher, giving me my first experience with a totally blind travel
instructor. She was fearless and very creative when necessary. She taught me
that it was OK in an emergency to flag down a car and ask where I was. She
taught me to stop, listen, and think to work my way out of difficult travel
situations.
In cooking class Arlene taught me how to make a delicious strawberry pie
from a recipe she got from a favorite bakery from her days in Baltimore. She
once spent an afternoon with me trying to rescue a large batch of fudge I
was making in which I accidently put far too much salt. We tried many
remedies including boiling a potato in it to take the salt taste away, but
none worked.
Arlene was a very good singer, and we found time to sing together with some
of the students on weekends at the apartments with me and others
accompanying on guitars. She also found time to sing in her church choir on
Sundays.
One of my favorite memories of Arlene involved my final student project for
home management. After completing all the cooking assignments, I decided
that rather than just sew on a button which I already knew how to do, I
wanted to make my wife a jumper as a surprise on returning home after my
training. Arlene spent many hours after classes working with me to finish
this project. For her efforts I taught her how to use the computer. I
finished the jumper just before leaving Ruston, and my wife actually wore it
a few times.
When visiting LCB over the years I always found time to visit with Arlene.
Another favorite memory was watching Arlene?s over the top excitement when
the New Orleans Saints won the final playoff game opening the way for their
Super Bowl win.
Arlene?s great legacy will continue through all of us fortunate enough to
have been taught and lifted by her.
And I would be remiss if I did not mention Arlene?s three children, Andrea,
Eric, and Valerie, whom she loved dearly and was committed to completely.
She was a single mom who faced that daunting task without fear and with
love, hope, and determination. Joanne Wilson, the founder of the Louisiana
Center for the Blind, remembers, ?Her kids were in sports, and Eric played
baseball. You could always count on Arlene being at his games and cheering
him on no matter what happened. She was a great mother, and my son Joel said
that she was like another mother to him growing up with her kids.? Arlene
was also very proud of the activities and accomplishments of her nine
grandchildren who brought so much joy to her life.
In 1991 the Louisiana Center for the Blind presented the first of Jerry
Whittle?s plays to raise money for the summer youth programs. The title of
the play was ?Passing the Torch,? and Arlene played the role of the Center
director, Mrs. Page. In the play, Mrs. Page challenged blind students who
were coming to the end of their training to take the torch of freedom that
they have been given by the National Federation of the Blind and pass it on
to those who come behind them. And I am struck with the realization that, as
we stand at this point in our lives, having benefited from Arlene?s life and
her teaching, we hold that torch of freedom that she has passed to us. I am
reminded of the responsibility that we have to pass that torch to blind
people who come behind us. When a young blind mother of three children calls
me, desperate to get her children out of an abusive situation, and others
tell her that no judge would give her custody of her kids because she is
blind, we must show her that it is possible for her to take care of her
children. Hmm, I know that very well because of Arlene who provided a safe
home for her three children and because of countless other blind parents we
know through the National Federation of the Blind who are successfully
caring for their children every day.
So, how do you honor a woman who taught her students so enthusiastically,
believed so strongly in their potential, and gave so freely so that others
may catch the spark that would fuel a dream and inspire a life? This is the
question I ponder as I write this article about Arlene Hill, a gifted,
talented and well-loved teacher at the Louisiana Center for the Blind. How
do you do justice to someone who lived the lessons she taught?
We can honor Arlene by going to chapter meetings at the end of a long day
and encouraging a chapter member to locate her chair independently and
participate in the meeting actively when we would rather be at home curled
up on the couch reading a good book. We can honor her by doing what may be
inconvenient for us at the time but what may have the potential of making a
huge difference in someone else?s life. We can honor her by changing our
plans so that we can be there to provide hope and encouragement to someone
we may have just met who is frustrated, scared, and uncertain about the
future. We can honor her by recognizing when someone needs our strength to
get them through the rough times of life. Arlene practiced excellence in
everything she did, and we can honor her by adopting the exhortation of this
quote from Ronnie Oldham: ?Excellence is the result of caring more than
others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more
than others think is practical, and expecting more than others think is
possible.?
Arlene?s passing and the passing of others is not the end of an era. It is
an opportunity for those of us who remain to pass on their spirit of love,
hope, and determination. We can continue the difference Arlene made in our
lives by making a difference in the lives of the blind people God places in
our paths. And, when we come to the end of our lives, may others say of us
what we say today about Arlene, which is stated so beautifully in this
Scripture: "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed
is better than silver or gold."" Proverbs 22-1 New International Version.
Thank you, Arlene, for teaching me and countless others to live fearlessly.
by Seth Lamkin
>From the Editor: Seth is the grant program officer for the National
Federation of the Blind. This means that he helps brainstorm about projects,
finds organizations that might look favorably on them, writes the grant
proposals, and has the thankless job of putting together all of the material
required to show that we are spending the money given from the grants in the
ways the grantor intends. Seth is also one of our best proofreaders and has
made important amendments?okay, corrections?to my work from time to time.
Here is what he has to say about a recent grant we have received:
In 2013 the National Federation of the Blind was the recipient of a
three-year grant award from the National Science Foundation to expand
informal science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) opportunities for
blind youth, a project that saw the NFB partner with six science centers
across the country as well as with other educators and STEM professionals.
As part of that work, we introduced our student participants to tactile
technical drawing (or drafting) as a component of an engineering design
project. Together with our partners we noticed a trend among our students
and realized there was an opportunity for an exciting new project focused on
a set of skills commonly referred to as spatial abilities. Fast forward to
2017, and we were fortunate that the National Science Foundation recognized
the merits of this idea and awarded the National Federation of the Blind a
new five-year grant focused on spatial ability and engineering education for
blind high school students.
Think of spatial ability as the way in which you imagine an object, its
various characteristics, and then mentally manipulate that object to
consider how it might change under certain conditions or as the result of
certain actions. An example of this is if you consider a cube, and then you
think of how its two halves would appear if it were cut in half at a
forty-five-degree angle, and how those halves would appear based on the
angle of perspective. You can imagine how valuable this ability is within
engineering specifically, but also its broad application in a variety of
fields and in daily life. Consider how helpful it can be to picture how your
various belongings?with their varying shapes and sizes?will fit in your
luggage before you pack, unpack, and inevitably repack just about everything
you own.
Another application of spatial ability is an individual?s concept of place
within his or her environment. Again, this is an important skill for anyone,
regardless of vision or occupation, but even more so when you consider the
importance of mental mapping in orientation and mobility training for blind
children and adults. For anyone, blind or sighted, who has become turned
around in a busy mall or convention center, recalling the layout in your
mind is a useful and comforting ability.
The impetus for our project is our understanding, based on some existing
literature but also informed by the collective experience of the National
Federation of the Blind, that blind youth are denied many of the
opportunities to develop spatial abilities to the same degree and at the
same time as their sighted peers. Active play, independent travel, and other
age-appropriate milestones can influence the development of spatial
abilities. We are all too familiar with the obstacles blind youth face due
to low expectations. Our work will include research, led by our partners at
Utah State University, to determine how spatial skills can be measured and
improved for blind people.
The programs themselves may sound familiar to you. We will be holding
multiple iterations of NFB Engineering Quotient (EQ), a week-long program
for blind high school students to experience hands-on engineering activities
alongside blind adult mentors. Our colleagues at Utah State University are
experts in engineering education and have worked with us in the past to
develop programming for blind youth. Similarly we will once again be working
with our friends at the Science Museum of Minnesota who will lend their
expertise in informal programming. Ann Cunningham will be leading lessons on
tactile drawing. In collaboration with our other partners, she will showcase
how integral this skill is for engineering specifically and how useful it
can be in any class or profession.
All of this will of course take place within the context of the National
Federation of the Blind and its fundamental knowledge that you can live the
life you want; blindness is not what holds you back. With this basic
principle the organization has affected thousands of lives, primarily
through a system of mentorship that has become second nature to us. In
academia there?s a name for what we?ve been doing, and it has been shown to
be effective in trials and investigations with a variety of populations.
Known as ?communities of practice,? a lot has been written about them, but
the basic idea is that a group of people who share a concern or passion come
together to address their common issues collectively?as a community. The
expertise of this group comes from practice, from the lived experiences of
the members of the community. Sound familiar? As new members enter the
community, they are mentored by those more experienced members who came
before them, in time becoming those who will mentor the members to come.
Our partners at Lifelong Learning Group, evaluators on our previous grant
from the National Science Foundation, have joined us once again and will be
producing research on the impact of the National Federation of the Blind as
a community of practice on the blind youth participating in the coming years
of programming. It is an exciting opportunity to document the mechanisms and
processes by which the National Federation of the Blind truly changes what
it means to be blind and does so in a way that speaks the language of
academia?an important audience if we are to reach those who so intimately
influence educators before they come into the classroom.
We are excited to announce this new exploration into a STEM field and into
what makes the National Federation of the Blind so effective. You will hear
much more about our work over the coming years in this publication and in
others, as well as at upcoming conventions (both our own and in the wider
world). For now, if you?d like to learn more about the program, be sure to
visit www.blindscience.org. Over the years more information will be added,
and we will provide links to other resources including publications
resulting from our research.
by Karen Anderson
>From the Editor: Karen Anderson, formerly of Nebraska, now lives in Maryland
and is working for a time as our interim head of social media. She enjoys
writing, and what a treat it is to have something from her for the Braille
Monitor. Karen?s story of migrating a relationship from exchanged tweets
between strangers to in-person friendship and membership in the NFB is a
reminder of the new landscapes of modern social interaction and mentorship.
And sometimes, when all you have to start with is a user name and the typed
words on the screen, you have no way of knowing exactly who you are speaking
with. The reasons to use gender-neutral pronouns when talking about a friend
you have made on a message board or Twitter can be as simple as that there
has been nothing that explicitly states their gender to as complex as the
exact nature of that new friend?s actual gender identity and preferred
pronouns. Here is what she has to say:
As members of the National Federation of the Blind, we know how powerful
mentoring can be. Connecting with someone else, particularly another blind
person, has the potential to change someone?s life. There are many tools we
can use in combination to help these relationships grow, even if the person
you want to communicate with doesn?t happen to live in the same city. Often
connections are made at events, and people keep in touch via phone, email,
or good old-fashioned snail mail letters. A couple of years ago I realized
that there is a new implement we can add to our toolbox.
In May of 2013, the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska Omaha
Chapter decided to participate in Omaha Gives, the city?s local giving day.
A giving day is a chance for everyone in a community to focus on donating to
local nonprofits. The organization sponsoring the giving day frequently
allocates funds to be given out to each of the participating organizations
based on the percentage of funds they raise, which means a donor?s money
goes even farther. The Lincoln Chapter had participated in a giving day the
year before, during which we raised more than $2,000 by reaching out to
donors on Twitter and Facebook. Consequently, I knew that social media could
be an incredibly powerful way of reaching out to potential donors, and when
the chapter president asked me if I would be willing to help boost the
organization?s profile on and leading up to the day, I enthusiastically
agreed.
Early on the morning of the event I saw a donation come in from someone
named Jess, a donor whose name I didn?t recognize, followed by a tweet
mentioning us and the importance of Braille literacy for blind children.
Thrilled with our increased visibility, I messaged them on Twitter asking
who they were and how they found out about us. To my delight, they had found
us by following the hashtag for the giving day, and our mission spoke to
them because they were losing their vision. I wrote back, thanking them for
their donation, telling them a little about myself and the National
Federation of the Blind, and asking about them as a person. As I would have
in a traditional face-to-face conversation, I didn?t only ask about their
blindness, in fact at first I rarely mentioned blindness. Instead, I asked
about their hobbies, their likes and dislikes, and other typical
getting-to-know-you questions. I replied to tweets they posted about the
books they were reading or the vacation they were planning.
Over the next year Jess and I continued to correspond via Twitter, and Jess
began to talk about their feelings about blindness. I came to realize that
they were more comfortable talking about their struggle online. I was safe
because I was anonymous and didn?t judge them or their feelings. I
discovered that my new friend was something of a weather enthusiast and
connected them with my blind partner who participated in storm-spotting
events using ham radio. I listened as they lamented the loss of their vision
and the perceived loss of so many hobbies that they cared about. Sometimes I
offered an alternative technique that would allow them to continue
participating in a hobby, like art. Sometimes we talked about hobbies we had
in common; it turned out we both enjoy knitting. Sometimes I simply provided
a listening ear, someone on the other side of the keyboard who understood
blindness and who was still living the life I wanted.
During this time, Jess connected with the Nebraska Commission for the Blind
and Visually Impaired and began taking travel classes. I cheered them on,
continuing to use Twitter to celebrate as they began realizing that
blindness didn?t have to be the end of their independence, commiserating on
the days when they weren?t sure they could accomplish the tasks they had
been set, and celebrating when, ultimately, they mastered the skill and
continued to build their self-confidence.
About a year and a half after we started talking, my partner and I were
headed to Omaha for a family event. Realizing we had some extra time to
kill, I reached out to Jess and asked if they were interested in getting
together for coffee or a bite to eat. As someone who isn?t always the most
socially confident, this was something that made me incredibly nervous, but
I was at least ready to have a conversation in person. We agreed to meet at
a local pizza shop we both liked. Though we were both nervous, we spent an
enjoyable hour and a half eating and talking. After that our conversations
on Twitter became deeper and more frequent.
Later that fall the Omaha chapter decided to host a chapter building event
in conjunction with the state convention. I knew Jess was nervous in groups
of people, but I decided it was worth inviting them again. I thought that
since we had already met in person, the fact that I would be attending the
event might make it easier. Though they were hesitant, they agreed to go,
and we set a time and place to meet up beforehand. We also exchanged phone
numbers for the first time.
The night of the event, I introduced Jess and their partner to as many
members of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska as I could. I
was thrilled to see them connecting with other blind people who shared a
positive philosophy about blindness. I watched as they talked to blind
parents, blind students, and blind professionals. They ended up staying at
the event longer than I anticipated and kept talking with others long after
I was called away.
Over the next few months my Federation family also began to reach out to
Jess. Eventually they attended their first chapter meeting and took on
leadership responsibilities, including being a chapter board member. The
following year Jess was the one planning the social media strategy for the
giving day, the event that had gotten them involved in the first place.
Twitter is not the only reason Jess got involved in the National Federation
of the Blind. However, in this case, it was the right tool to use to reach
out to them and connect with them where they were at the time. Jess is
someone who generally talks more freely online than in person, and the
anonymity allowed them to feel comfortable talking about something they
hadn?t yet come to terms with. It also allowed me, someone they may never
have met in person, to show them that blindness did not have to hold them
back.
Getting started with Twitter does not have to be overwhelming. All you need
to begin is a user name, a password, and a couple of people to follow. My
username is kea_anderson. You can also connect with President Riccobono,
@riccobono, and the National Federation of the Blind, @NFB_voice.
In today?s digital age, our social interactions seem to happen more and more
online. This is either a blessing or a curse, depending on who you talk to.
Social media does have the potential to be a powerful recruiting tool for us
as Federationists, provided we use it as one of many instruments in our
toolbox.
by Dick Davis
>From the Editor: In the January 2018 issue President Riccobono called on all
of us to express our feelings about the Association for the Education and
Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired?s (AER) decision to join
forces with the National Accreditation Council for Blind and Low Vision
Services (NAC). A number of us have written using email, Twitter, and
Facebook. One of those is himself a member of AER, and makes clear his
irritation at the direction the organization has taken and its association
with a body which he believes harmful to the blind and harmful to AER. Here
is what Dick Davis, a person who has made his forty-seven-year career in
working with the blind of America, has to say to his colleagues in AER:
Dear Members of the AER:
I was disappointed to hear that the AER has chosen to breathe life back into
NAC. My history with that organization began in 1971 after Dr. Kenneth
Jernigan resigned from its board and decided to take our issues to the
government, press, and general public. I have picketed NAC through the
years, the last time being in 2002. I was an NFB official observer in that
meeting, along with Dr. Harold Snider, a blind person. As a sighted person,
I was introduced by the NAC president as ?Dr. Snider?s attendant.? Not
?assistant? or ?co-observer,? but ?attendant.? And all because I was sighted
and he was blind. After thirty years of being picketed, they still hadn?t
learned anything.
Carl Augusto, head of the American Foundation for the Blind, attended the
2002 NAC meeting as an invited guest. For a number of years, Carl was
associate director of NAC. By 2002, he knew it and its history better than
anyone. Our members were picketing the NAC meeting at the time. When the
members asked Carl what the organization could do to bring the NFB around,
Carl said something like this: ?They don?t want to work with you. They want
you to go out of business. That?s what they have been telling you for
years.?
The NAC members, of course, ignored Carl. They went on to elect as NAC
president the superintendent of a school for the blind that had come under
investigation for student deaths on campus. That is the way NAC does
business. Its reputation has been destroyed, mostly by its own craven lack
of ethics. You should know better than to resurrect it. The NFB has, for
many years, worked cooperatively with the AER and other organizations and
agencies serving the blind. But it doesn?t have to. You are heading down the
wrong road and might want to reconsider tying yourselves to NAC.
If not, I guess we will have to introduce the new generation to picketing.
Sincerely,
Richard C. (Dick) Davis
>From the Editor: Other Federationists have not remained silent on their
opinion about the AER bringing NAC into its fold. Here are just a couple of
representative samples we have received:
To: nac at aerbvi.org
Subject: moving backward
To whom it may concern:
I am deeply disappointed to hear that AERBVI is attempting to revive NAC, a
name synonymous with the most regressive tendencies in work with the blind.
There is little point in detailing why I find this decision so repugnant. If
you have not read the history, please do so.
The field of work with the blind seems to have moved toward a respectful
incorporation of customer-centered thinking in policy and program
development over the past few decades. Revival of NAC is the clearest way
imaginable to reject blind customers, both individually and collectively.
If you believe a blindness-specific accreditation process has merit, I
recommend that you begin at the beginning and work with the National
Federation of the Blind to create a mutually respectful dialogue on best
practices. I would rather not stand in the sun and the rain demonstrating
against NAC-accredited agencies, but I will not allow a desire for the
appearance of peace and harmony to permit the clock to be turned back. Our
signs in the last round said, ?No Accreditation without Representation.?
This time they may read ?Nothing About Us Without Us.? It?s the same
message. How unfortunate that AERBVI never read the memo.
Sincerely,
Mary Ellen Gabias
Then the editor had to get in his two cents:
1/25/2018
Sent using email to nac at aerbvi.org
Dear Sir or Madam:
Some organizations are associated with honor, credibility, and trust. Others
are not. Sometimes an organization?s reputation is so tarnished that it is
better to let it pass into history and start afresh. Does the need still
exist or is it being filled by other organizations?
When I think of NAC, I think of a history that will be difficult or
impossible to live down. But with NAC it is more than just a failed
organization that played fast and loose with the concept of accreditation.
It is an orientation, a view of the place blind people occupy in society,
and in particular our place in work with the blind. NAC was a part of the
professional establishment that told us that being blind had little or
nothing to do with understanding the services blind people needed or how
they should be delivered. Rather than seeing us as the most reliable
barometer of an agency?s services, its integrity, its willingness to
innovate, and its dedication to work with the blind, NAC has too often
turned a blind eye to abuse in schools it has accredited. Likewise NAC has
turned a deaf ear to meaningful input from blind people who have a
significant interest in schools and agencies where we get service.
AER has had its own conflicts with blind people, but bettering the
relationship between it and the organized blind of America has been decades
in the making. AER?s association with NAC is a step in the wrong direction,
harkening back to the days when blind people were to be seen but not heard,
placed on lists as clients but excluded from critical influence. I would
rather talk than walk, but when talk is not enough and protest is my only
choice, there are things I believe worthy of my public demonstration
alongside my friends and colleagues in the National Federation of the Blind.
Of course we have an alternative. Identify what needs standards that should
be addressed by accreditation, use the systems already doing accreditation,
and if there is still a need, build a system from the ground up that
includes blind people. Let a core value of that system be that there will be
nothing about us without us, and do all of this in a way that is so fair and
transparent that no reasonable person will question what is being built. Let
there be no tokenism when it comes to representation, no votes in which a
decision is decided twenty-seven to one, and the one dissenting vote came
from a representative of the largest organization of the blind in the world.
It is often observed that we should not reinvent the wheel. The clear
meaning is that we should keep the good and go forward. The corollary is
that we quit using those things which do not work. Einstein is sometimes
quoted as saying that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again
and hoping for different results. Whether the quotation comes from Einstein,
Twain, or some other author, it doesn?t take the brains of Einstein to know
that the blind deserve better. Those committed to working with the blind
deserve better. Those who are paid through charitable or governmental funds
to work with the blind deserve better. Let NAC go its way, and if there is a
demonstrated need for accreditation that is not already met, build it with
the blind. Let us build for the future and not try to escape from or explain
away the past. Real lives demand real solutions, and NAC is not a part of
any solution.
Gary Wunder
by Mark Riccobono
Dear Federationists:
In my role as President of the National Federation of the Blind, I love
attending local chapter meetings since that is the place where the heartbeat
of the organization begins. The chapter meeting is my monthly grounding in
what is central to our organization?connecting with our Federation family,
hearing about the ups and downs members experience, sharing my own ups and
downs, explaining what we are doing as a movement, and engaging in
conversations about where we have been and where we wish to go together at
all levels of our organization. Unfortunately, I cannot physically be at
every local chapter meeting across the country. Yet some of the engagement
and dialogue that I would have in person is facilitated through the
Presidential Release.
Playing the Presidential Release at your local monthly chapter meeting fuels
progress toward our organizational objectives by allowing me to:
Speak directly to our membership in an environment where questions can be
raised, issues can be discussed, and we can spark meaningful conversation
Share what we are doing at a national level and strengthen the common bond
we hold in our movement
Cultivate the understanding and feeling that we are an authentic national
network and that our local work has value that stretches beyond our
community
Inspire people to act to advance our collective interests
Share happenings in the Federation family to connect our members with
Federationists they may have met outside the local community
Build a direct connection between the leadership and the membership
These are all important to our movement, and I hope this letter helps you to
have a deeper understanding of why they should be important to your chapter.
Careful attention goes into the Presidential Release to ensure that it
contains important information, builds relationships, and includes some
humor?known as "customary endings." Good chapter meetings are busy and
packed with program?which should include the Presidential Release. If your
chapter is not consistently playing the Presidential Release every month,
this letter is to ask you to work closely with your chapter president to
make sure it is part of the monthly program.
The very first Presidential Release was made on November 12, 1973, and I
first heard a Presidential Release in the fall of 1996 after I became
president of the student division for the Wisconsin affiliate. The question
of why chapters of the National Federation of the Blind should offer the
Presidential Release at the monthly chapter meeting has been around as long
as I have been in the organization, and I suspect it came up before that
time. As we come to the forty-fifth anniversary of this organizational
asset, it seemed appropriate that the question get attention directly from
the horse?s mouth?or maybe it is the horse?s hooves since this is being
composed on a computer.
What is the Presidential Release?
The Presidential Release is a monthly communication that is planned and
presented by the President of the National Federation of the Blind. It is a
direct message from the President of the national organization to the
members at the local level, and it is intended to be shared within a local
chapter meeting. The Presidential Release was originally distributed on
cassette tape to chapter presidents and other Federation leaders. In 2012 it
began being distributed on a flash drive which dramatically cut the time for
duplicating and distributing the release. Not too long after that we began
posting the audio file to nfb.org, and starting with the August 2015
release, #441, we added an RSS feed allowing it to be podcast. Shortly after
that we added a new version of the Presidential Release which is intended to
reach out to members who primarily speak Spanish?the first Spanish release
was November 2015, #444. In the same timeframe that we moved away from
cassette tape distribution, we established a telephone number that could be
called to listen to the release, and that capability was later moved to
NFB-NEWSLINE where you can now find the release on the National Federation
of the Blind channel. In January of 2018 we began posting the English and
Spanish transcripts of the Presidential Release at nfb.org to provide access
to members who are deafblind. To make sure our list is comprehensive, I
should mention that the Presidential Release can also be accessed on devices
like the Amazon Echo or by pulling up the NFB Connect mobile application on
iOS or Android. To get the release with Amazon Alexa say, ?Play the
Presidential Release podcast.? In general the Presidential Release is made
eleven times a year, and it is available prior to the first Saturday of the
month on the website and via the podcast feed. We generally have the
Presidential Release posted within twenty-four hours of recording it, and
the Spanish and text versions follow later in the month. I am not aware of
any Federation chapters that meet earlier than the first Saturday. Therefore
every chapter should plan to have the Presidential Release at their chapter
meeting as long as a new one has been produced for that month
What is the purpose of the release?
The Presidential Release is intended to be a common bond shared among all of
the chapters of the Federation. Our organization is strong because it is a
wide, diverse network of chapters working on common issues. The release is
also an opportunity to make the President of the Federation more personally
known by the members. Obviously I cannot be at every chapter meeting, but
the release allows me to share some personal reflections, information about
what is happening, and some personal notes that might not otherwise be
widely distributed. The release is also a reminder for members of the
Federation that they can reach out directly to me to share ideas,
information, and feedback. I am always surprised when a member asks if they
can have my email address since it is on the Presidential Release every
month.
The release is also a tool that chapters can use to spark discussion about
the topics that are raised. For example, discussion of organizational
priorities, the national convention, pressing legislative concerns, or new
Federation projects are an opportunity for chapters to discuss how those
national themes fit into the priorities of the chapter and how the chapter
can contribute. The goal is to have a united organization where we
coordinate work at all levels?local, state, and national?and we find ways to
maximize opportunities for blind people.
When should the Presidential Release be played at chapter meetings?
The most important thing to know is that presenting the audio version of the
Presidential Release should be a regular part of every chapter meeting
agenda. At what point in the meeting it should be played and how it should
be discussed is up to the chapter president as the individual running the
meeting. Some chapters use it as the first major item of content at the
meeting. Others work it in immediately before a report from the affiliate
president. Still others take it in chunks so that discussion can happen
after a particularly important item has been raised on the release. I
caution against the release being the final item on the agenda if it has the
effect of encouraging some members to beat the crowd and leave before the
meeting is over. I also urge that it not be used as background noise for a
break in the meeting. Both of those approaches diminish the intent and
importance of the release to the Federation.
The Presidential Release should be introduced with some context for new
members. chapter presidents have an opportunity to remind existing members
and educate new members before every release is played about its value in
bringing the chapter together with every other chapter in the nation. The
preamble to the release need not be long, but it is important to remind each
other why we do what we do.
Although many members think I do not know, I am well aware that the release
is sometimes played at a faster speed at some chapter meetings. I do not
strongly object to this practice, but I do urge that chapter presidents be
sure that the faster speed works for everyone in the room. Some people have
hearing difficulties, and many newly-blind people may not be comfortable
with listening to things at a higher rate of speed. Thus, my preference is
that the Presidential Release be presented at the speed it was intended to
make sure that it is as accessible to as many people in the room as
possible. The playing of the release should be thoughtfully placed in the
meeting, offered in its entirety, and its presentation should be managed by
the chapter president.
How does the Presidential Release fit into today?s fast-paced communication
culture?
In 1973 when the first release was made by Dr. Jernigan, or even in July
1986 when Dr. Maurer recorded his first Presidential Release (#117), we did
not have the diverse and speedy communication tools we have today. It can be
argued that email, Twitter, Facebook, podcasting, and other methods of
sharing information mean that the information on the release is outdated as
soon as it arrives. I believe this is not the case. In fact, if you go back
and listen to the release over the years you can hear some of the
commonality and some of the evolution. The release is presented in my voice,
and much of our other organizational communication is heard through other
voices. We provide less detail about specifics of Federation activities than
we once did because we can now refer people to the website. Thus, rather
than giving all of the details about the program for the law symposium or
our next youth STEAM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math]
program, I can discuss the overall program and refer people to other sources
for the details. Additionally, the release shares information that we do not
share through other organizational channels such as celebrations of new
Federationists (babies and grandbabies) and new Federation marriages as well
as local Federationists who have passed away. This section of the release,
which I refer to as the Federation Family notes, reminds us that we are a
diverse, grassroots organization where most of our contributors are not
high-profile names known to all across the nation. However, many of the
names are widely known because of meetings at national conventions, service
on a Federation committee, or information sharing through the Federation
network. More than any other tool of communication we have, the release
brings the personal element of shared understanding between our leaders and
our members.
When I first heard the Presidential Release in 1996, I came to know that our
President was a blind man who faced the same barriers and misconceptions
that I did as a struggling student at the University of Wisconsin. The
national President was better at dealing with the barriers than I was, and
the release helped contribute to my development of methods and skills to
cope with obstacles I encountered. When I finally met Marc Maurer in person,
I felt like I already knew him from the release, and it eased my nervousness
about approaching the President. Similarly, it is my hope that the
Presidential Release brings members of the Federation to a place where they
know me and can work with me. I could write something to the members every
week or send out a Tweet of the day, but it will not be as personal or as
comprehensive as the Presidential Release is today. I also believe that the
release is an important part of cataloguing our progress as a movement. It
gives us a running understanding of the Federation?s concerns and priorities
over time, and it allows us to understand those concerns through the
perspective of the principal leader of the movement. The release itself has
given us a mechanism for continuing to evaluate what we do and how we might
do it better?hence the evolution of the ways of distributing the release and
the change from a communication that went primarily to leaders to one that
is easily accessed by anybody (member or not). I hasten to add that I?ve
seen this availability to everyone used as a reason not to take chapter time
for the release, but, as I?ve already made clear, the release is meant to
stimulate discussion in the meeting and not just as another source of
information.
It is also worth noting that research demonstrates that people have to be
exposed to things multiple times?seven is the number used in marketing
circles?before it sticks with them. Even if the Presidential Release
emphasizes content that is promoted in other places, the fact that it is on
the release is helping it gain importance and building understanding within
the membership. A good example is that someone once said to me that they
were not invited to visit the Presidential Suite at the national convention.
Besides the fact that it is in the convention agenda every year and we
mention it throughout the convention, I have specifically invited people to
come to the suite and thanked them for coming on Presidential Releases. Why
did this individual think they were not invited? I suspect because the
Presidential Release may not have been played at their chapter meeting.
How can you contribute to the release?
I have tried to make the Presidential Release authentic to my style as a
leader of the Federation. I have also tried to encourage people to share
ideas, topics, and customary endings that might help shape the content of
the release in ways that are helpful to the Federation. While I wish to have
feedback and ideas, you should know that I have avoided certain things. I
frequently get requests to announce a chapter fundraiser on the release, and
I have consciously decided not to open up those floodgates. I may share
interesting fundraising ideas that chapters are implementing, but I do not
think the Presidential Release is the correct forum for pitching candy bars
and umbrellas. I invite customary endings, and I have tried to encourage
people to send audio clips of young Federationists sharing those treasures.
Sometimes I receive jokes which are not appropriate for the family
atmosphere we want at our chapter meetings. Other times I receive cute
recordings, but they are hard enough to understand that I decide not to
include them. In other words, just because you send a contribution does not
mean it will be included for a variety of reasons. On the whole, I never get
enough feedback on things you would like to hear discussed on the release.
And now for the real customary endings:
This was the only ending on the very first Presidential Release offered by
Kenneth Jernigan:
What do you call a sleeping bull? A bulldozer.
On Marc Maurer?s first release in July 1986 he offered a number of one
liners but this one seems most appropriate for a customary ending:
What goes ha, ha, ha bam? A man laughing his head off.
My favorite ending from the first forty Presidential Releases I have
recorded appears at the very end of #458 (February 3, 2017). This ending is
delivered by me to Oriana Riccobono. I think the ending is a good one, but
Oriana?s reaction is the real Presidential Release gem?you will have to pull
up the episode online to hear what happens. Here is my ending:
What did the coffee say to the cream? I do not always know how to espresso
my feelings, but I love-a you a latte!
As we come to the close of this Presidential Release letter, I wish to offer
a few items that might be of interest. Dr. Jernigan wrote an article upon
the occasion of the 100th release in 1984. That article notes that he tried
to keep the release to about twenty minutes. I had not known that fact until
putting this letter together. I also try to keep it to about twenty minutes,
but frequently it runs longer because of the number of important topics that
I want to cover. With today?s digital delivery of the release, chapter
presidents can easily note the run time of the release and work that into
the planning of the chapter agenda. You can read the other nuggets from the
first one hundred releases in the February 1985 issue of the Braille Monitor
in the article entitled ?Presidential Releases? (available at
https://nfb.org/Images/nfb/Publications/bm/bm85/bm8502/
bm850203.htm).
We only have eleven releases a year?how come? Because we do not have twelve
of course. Actually the reason is that traditionally one is not made very
close to the national convention because the organization is focused on the
activities of the national convention. The President does not want to scoop
any of the happenings of the convention on the release, and chapters should
be discussing the national convention during that month. I did not examine
the archive to determine if there was ever a year when we had a release very
close to the convention because there was something urgent. However, I can
remember years when we have had more than eleven releases. Typically this
means we do not have a release in June, but can you think of a year when we
had a June Presidential Release? It happened in 2017 because the convention
was late enough in July that the July release would have come out
immediately before the convention.
We have mentioned the first release by other Federation Presidents. What was
my first release you might ask? It was July 2014, #429. I have tried to do
some different things on the Presidential Release in the time I have been
putting it together. Including my family in the release has been fun?my son
Austin even tries to create his own customary endings now. I also once
invited the Amazon Alexa to offer customary endings?probably the first time
they were offered via the cloud. If the pattern for releases holds, the five
hundredth Presidential Release will be December of 2020?seems like that
presents an interesting opportunity to do something fun.
There are a lot of fun and interesting jobs related to serving as President
of the National Federation of the Blind. The Presidential Release is one of
the fun tasks to tackle. It is not always that the news to be delivered is
joyful, but the release itself?what it represents and the bond that it
allows me to strengthen with members of the Federation?is really important
to me and valuable to our organization. I hope that you will join me in that
bond by making the Presidential Release a priority at Federation chapter
meetings. Equally as important, I urge you to continue contributing to that
bond by giving me feedback and sending customary endings?I would love to put
more young Federationists on the release. If you have great customary
endings but no young Federationists to deliver them, send them anyway?I have
three members that I go to when a recording is needed. It is my honor to be
a part of every chapter meeting within the National Federation of the Blind.
I hope to get to your chapter in person very soon. Even if I cannot be there
in person, I appreciate that I have the opportunity to offer my perspectives
at the meeting. In many large organizations the primary leader serves at a
distance to the members. That is not the Federation way, and I am glad to
continue the tradition of direct engagement with members at all levels.
Remember that together with love, hope, and determination we transform
dreams into reality. Let?s go build the National Federation of the Blind.
by Kim Cunningham
>From the Editor: Kim is the president of the National Organization of
Parents of Blind Children, one of the most active divisions we have in the
organization and certainly a highly-visible presence at our national
conventions. The 2018 National Convention will certainly uphold the standard
that has been established, and here is Kim Cunningham and her capable board
of directors to tell us about it:
The NOPBC board would like to invite you to attend our 2018 national
conference this summer. Our conference is held in conjunction with the
convention of the National Federation of the Blind, which takes place July 3
to July 8, 2018, in Orlando, Florida. If you are a family member of a blind
or low vision child, teacher, or professional, you will not want to miss
spending this week with other families across the US along with 2,500 blind
and low vision adults. It is our goal to teach you and your family what it
means (and does not mean) to be blind by providing numerous workshops,
activities, and opportunities for mentoring.
Our theme this year is ?Tools in My Toolbox.? Just as a carpenter has many
tools, so does the blind and low vision person. We want to share how blind
and low vision students are successful both in their personal lives and in
the classroom and how each person uses their tools in different ways, at
different times.
The National Federation of the Blind and the National Organization of
Parents of Blind Children know that blindness is not the characteristic that
defines your child?s future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind
people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and
our dreams. Blind children can live the lives they want; blindness is not
what holds them back.
Most toolboxes include basic tools such as a hammer, pliers, wrench,
screwdriver, and saw. Imagine trying to put something together without a
screwdriver or cutting a piece of lumber without a saw. Without the right
tools, your work will be slow and laborious. We want to help you build your
child?s toolbox and build his/her confidence. Blindness skills such as:
Braille, a long white cane, Nemeth code for math, Braille music,
magnification, and technology (along with many others) are critical skills
for independence. If your child qualifies for services as a legally blind
student, then your child?s weakest sense is going to be his/her vision.
Vision will be the weakest tool in your child?s toolbox. Yet there are those
who believe your child should use his or her vision in order to complete
most daily tasks, even if other alternatives might be more efficient. This
is similar to someone believing that a screwdriver is the best tool to cut a
piece of wood. In the NOPBC we believe learning all the tools will enable
students to grow into successful adults with options for how to live the
lives they want. My own daughter?s toolbox is full of tools for her to pick
from. She may not use each tool in the same way as another blind or low
vision person, but she has the ability to choose which is best for whatever
task she is doing. She no longer relies on unreliable vision. My husband and
I both use a hammer for different reasons and in different ways, but we
still know how to use a hammer. Braille is like a hammer. Some students will
use it for everything, and some dual media students will use it along with
large or magnified print. If your child?s toolbox doesn?t include Braille
(or a hammer), he or she might find it difficult to keep up with work in the
classroom. The other students might be hammering away while the blind and
low vision student is hammering with a screwdriver. If your child?s toolbox
doesn?t include a long white cane, he or she won?t enjoy the freedom of
independently traveling where and when he or she wants. By building your
child?s toolbox, you will build a better future for your child.
We are excited to share our workshops with you and your family and hope to
encourage you all to learn about the tools for independence. Our Youth Track
program will give our students ages eleven to eighteen the opportunity to
socialize and learn about independence from other students. Our NFB Kid Camp
will also be hosting a National Federation of the Blind Braille Enrichment
for Literacy and Learning (NFB BELL) Academy for children ages three to ten
to introduce them to the skills of blindness from blind and low vision
adults.
Last year our young blind and low vision students sold ?Megan Bening? angel
pins in memory of NOPBC Board Member Jean (and husband Al) Bening?s daughter
Megan. Over $5,000 was raised. Technology was a big part of Megan?s life,
and we hope to keep Megan?s spirit alive by giving what she loved. We will
be holding drawings for various pieces of blindness technology purchased
from money raised through our NOPBC Megan Bening Memorial Fund. This drawing
will be held during our Family Hospitality evening, July 3.
We are also gearing up to provide even more Braille and Twin Vision books
for our annual NOPBC Braille Book Fair. During the book fair on the evening
of July 5, families are given the opportunity to choose books free of charge
and have them shipped home courtesy of our UPS and Wells Fargo volunteers.
We are thankful for the numerous Braille books already donated by families
and professionals across the US. We are also thankful for the monetary
donations made which enable us to purchase even more Twin Vision books.
Braille rocks!
The NOPBC board and I look forward to meeting everyone in beautiful Orlando,
Florida, this summer. Please visit our website to register:
http://nopbc.org/2018nopbc or
https://nfb.org/convention.
>From the Editor: The State of Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce
Development posted this announcement on its website on February 16, 2018,
and the original post can be found here:
http://labor.alaska.gov/news/2018/news18-04.pdf.
Following a regulatory change that goes into effect today, Alaska employers
are no longer allowed to pay less than minimum wage to workers who
experience disabilities. In repealing 8 AAC 15.120, Alaska joins New
Hampshire and Maryland as the first states in the nation to eliminate
payment of subminimum wages for persons with disabilities.
An exemption from paying minimum wage to persons with disabilities has
existed for many years, beginning at the federal level with the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 and in Alaska regulations since 1978. Historically,
minimum wage exemptions were considered necessary to help people with
disabilities gain employment. Experience over the past two decades has shown
that workers with disabilities can succeed in jobs earning minimum wage or
more.
?Workers who experience disabilities are valued members of Alaska?s
workforce,? said Department of Labor and Workforce Development Acting
Commissioner Greg Cashen. ?They deserve minimum wage protections as much as
any other Alaskan worker.?
The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development received written
comments expressing support for repealing the regulation that allowed the
minimum wage exemption from the Governor?s Council on Disabilities and
Special Education, the State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee, the
Statewide Independent Living Council, and the Alaska Workforce Investment
Board.
The elimination of the minimum wage exemption brings employment practices
into alignment with Alaska Employment First Act of 2014, which requires
vocational services help people with disabilities to become gainfully
employed at or above the minimum wage.
Leave a Legacy by Joining our Dream Makers Circle
For more than seventy-five years, the National Federation of the Blind has
worked to help blind people live the lives they want and, with your support,
we will continue to do so for decades to come. We sincerely hope you will
join our enduring movement by including the National Federation of the Blind
in your planned giving. Our legacy society is called Dream Makers Circle
because those who join it turn dreams into reality.
You can add the National Federation of the Blind to your will. You can name
the National Federation of the Blind as a beneficiary or partial beneficiary
of a retirement vehicle, life insurance policy, pension, 401(k), or other
asset. You can even gift a bank account.
A gift to the National Federation of the Blind is more than just a
charitable, tax-deductible donation. It is an easy way to join in the work
to help blind people live the lives they want and leave a lasting imprint on
the lives of thousands of blind children and adults.
With your help the NFB will continue to:
Give blind children the gift of literacy through Braille education
Promote the independent travel of the blind by providing free long white
canes to blind people in need
Develop dynamic educational projects and programs that show blind youth that
science and math careers are within their reach
Deliver hundreds of accessible newspapers and magazines to provide blind
people the essential information necessary to be actively involved in their
communities
Offer aids and appliances that help seniors losing vision maintain their
independence
Fund scholarship programs so that blind people can achieve their dreams.
Please consider the National Federation of the Blind in your estate
planning. Visit www.nfb.org/planned-giving or call (410) 659-9314, extension
2422, for more information. Together with love, hope, determination, and
your support, we will continue to transform dreams into reality.
Invest in Opportunity
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. You can live the life you
want; blindness is not what holds you back. A donation to the National
Federation of the Blind allows you to invest in a movement that removes the
fear from blindness.
Your investment is your vote of confidence in the value and capacity of
blind people and reflects the high expectations we have for all blind
Americans, combating the low expectations that create obstacles between
blind people and our dreams.
In 2017 the NFB:
Distributed over seven thousand canes to blind people across the United
States, empowering them to travel safely and independently throughout their
communities
Hosted thirty-nine NFB BELL Academy programs in twenty-five states
Provided over one hundred thousand dollars in scholarships to blind
students, making a post-secondary education affordable and attainable
Delivered audio newspaper and magazine services to 115,491 subscribers,
providing free access to over four hundred local, national, and
international publications
Hosted the tenth anniversary Youth Slam?a week-long science, technology,
engineering, and math (STEM) camp for blind high school students
Just imagine what we will do next year and, with your help, what can be
accomplished for years to come. Below are just a few of the many diverse,
tax-deductible ways you can lend your support to the National Federation of
the Blind.
Vehicle Donation Program
The NFB now accepts donated vehicles, including cars, trucks, boats,
motorcycles, or recreational vehicles. Just call (855) 659-9314 tollfree,
and a representative can make arrangements to pick up your donation?it
doesn?t have to be working. We can also answer any questions you have.
General Donation
General donations help support the ongoing programs of the NFB and the work
to help blind people live the lives they want. Donate online with a credit
card or through the mail with check or money order. Visit
www.nfb.org/make-gift for more information.
Bequests
Even if you can?t afford a gift right now, including the National Federation
of the Blind in your will enables you to contribute by expressing your
commitment to the organization and promises support for future generations
of blind people across the country. Visit www.nfb.org/planned-giving or
call (410) 659-9314, extension 2422, for more information.
Pre-Authorized Contribution
Through the Pre-Authorized Contribution (PAC) program, supporters sustain
the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind by making recurring
monthly donations by direct withdraw of funds from a checking account or a
charge to a credit card. To enroll, visit www.nfb.org/make-gift and complete
the Pre-Authorized Contribution form, and return it to the address listed on
the form.
by Mark Riccobono
Having the opportunity to serve as an elected representative in the National
Federation of the Blind is an extreme honor and one that brings with it the
expectation that we will do our best to represent all blind people and make
them proud. In an effort to formalize standards that have long been a part
of the expectations we have for leaders and members at all levels in the
Federation, the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind
has written a document embodying the principles we will uphold as national,
affiliate, and chapter leaders. Federationists will recognize that this
document formalizes and presents in some detail the long-held conduct
expected of our leaders and makes clear our promise to be the kind of
diverse and welcoming organization represented by our brand.
The standard we expect from our leaders mirrors those we expect of members
and embodies promises we make to one another as we interact at our chapter
meetings and at conventions of the National Federation of the Blind. A
primary one is to provide a safe and friendly environment for everyone who
attends. Our meetings welcome those from diverse backgrounds who have made
advancing the good of the blind a goal that is so important in their lives
that they commit their time and treasure to securing it. Everyone who
attends our events can expect to be safe, to be treated with courtesy and
respect, and to be appreciated for who they are. We make no distinction
based on age, race, gender, religion, educational level, sexual orientation,
or one?s affiliation or lack thereof with a political party or ideology.
Here is the formal pledge that we make to one another to ensure that the
Federation is representative, welcoming, and open to all who are engaged in
our cause.
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND CODE OF CONDUCT
I. Introduction
The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation?s blind. The Federation
knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your
future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low
expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can
live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back. To help carry
out the Federation?s vital mission, this Code of Conduct sets forth policies
and standards that all members, especially Federation leaders, are expected
to adopt and follow.
II. Diversity Policy
The National Federation of the Blind embraces diversity and full
participation as core values in its mission to achieve equality,
opportunity, and security for the blind. We are committed to building and
maintaining a nationwide organization with state affiliates and local
chapters that is unified in its priorities and programs and is directed by
the membership. We respect differences of opinion, beliefs, identities, and
other characteristics that demonstrate that blind people are a diverse cross
section of society. Furthermore, the organization is dedicated to continuing
to establish new methods of membership and leadership development that
reflect the diversity of the entire blind community. In promoting a diverse
and growing organization, we expect integrity and honesty in our
relationships with each other and openness to learning about and
experiencing cultural diversity. We believe that these qualities are crucial
to fostering social and intellectual maturity. Intellectual maturity also
requires individual struggle with unfamiliar ideas. We recognize that our
views and convictions will be challenged, and we expect this challenge to
take place in a climate of tolerance and mutual respect in order to maintain
a united organization. While we encourage the exchange of differing ideas
and experiences, we do not condone the use of demeaning, derogatory, or
discriminatory language, action, or any other form of expression intended to
marginalize an individual or group. The National Federation of the Blind
does not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color,
religion, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national
origin, citizenship, marital status, age, genetic information, disability,
or any other characteristic or intersectionality of characteristics.
III. Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy
The National Federation of the Blind will not tolerate discrimination on the
basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender identity and expression,
sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, marital status, age,
genetic information, disability, or any other characteristic or
intersectionality of characteristics. Harassment on the basis of any of
these characteristics similarly will not be tolerated. Although this Code of
Conduct establishes a minimum standard prohibiting discrimination and
harassment, nothing in this Code should be interpreted to limit in any way a
person?s right to report abuse or harassment to law enforcement when
appropriate.
Sexual harassment is prohibited by state and federal law and also will not
be tolerated by the National Federation of the Blind. Complaints of
harassment may be lodged by a female against a male, by a female against a
female, by a male against a male, or by a male against a female. Sexual
harassment is defined as ?unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual
favors, sexually motivated physical contact, or other verbal or physical
conduct or communication of a sexual nature.? The following conduct is
either considered conduct that by itself is sexual harassment, or that has
the potential risk of causing sexual harassment to occur, and this conduct
is therefore prohibited:
unwelcome inappropriate physical contact or touching;
repeating of sexually suggestive jokes/references/innuendoes and comments
about an individual?s body/sexual prowess/physical attributes/dress;
the use of sexually derogatory language/pictures/videos toward/about another
person;
the use of inappropriate sexual gestures;
sexually suggestive propositions; and
explicit or implicit threats that failure to submit will have negative
consequences.
Under this policy, harassment can be verbal, written, or physical conduct
that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual because
of his or her race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status,
citizenship, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by
law; or that of his or her relatives, friends, or associates, and that a)
has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive
environment; b) has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with
an individual?s performance or involvement in the organization; or c)
otherwise adversely affects an individual?s opportunities for
participation/advancement in the organization.
Harassing conduct includes epithets, slurs, or negative stereotyping;
threatening, intimidating or hostile acts including bullying; denigrating
jokes; and written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or
aversion toward an individual or group that is placed on walls or elsewhere
on the organization?s premises or circulated by email, phone (including
voice messages), text messages, social networking sites, or other means.
IV. Social Media and Web Policy
All members of the Federation, but especially officers of the Federation as
well as those in leadership positions such as state affiliate presidents,
should follow these recommended guidelines when making comments online,
posting to a blog, using Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn/YouTube/
Pinterest/Instagram/similar tools, and/or using other platforms that fall
under the definition of social media:
Promote the mission and branding message of the organization in
comments/posts.
Recognize that you are morally and legally responsible for comments/pictures
posted online.
Be aware that the audience includes members and nonmembers of the NFB, both
youth and adults, representing diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Refrain from using profanity/derogatory language.
Post/respond with integrity. Though you may disagree with a post, be
respectful and factual. Do not fight or air personal grievances online.
Do not post materials that are inappropriate for children/minors to
view/share/read.
V. Conflict of Interest Policy
Each NFB officer, national board member, or state affiliate president
(hereafter Federation leader) is expected to take appropriate responsibility
to protect the Federation from misappropriation or mismanagement of
Federation funds (including funds of an affiliate, chapter, or division in
which the Federation leader assumes a leadership role).
Each Federation leader is expected to disclose the existence of any
potentially conflicting personal financial interest or relationship to the
full National Federation of the Blind Board of Directors and seek its review
and approval, as specified below. For example:
A Federation leader must seek board review and approval of his or her
receipt of salary or compensation of any kind from the Federation (including
an affiliate, chapter, or division).
A Federation leader must seek board review and approval of receipt by his or
her spouse, parent, child, sibling, or other close relative of salary or
compensation of any kind from the Federation (including an affiliate,
chapter, or division).
A Federation leader must seek board review and approval of any ownership
interest exceeding 5 percent in or of any salary, compensation, commission,
or significant tangible gift from any commercial venture doing business or
seeking to do business with the Federation (including an affiliate, chapter,
or division). This process will also apply to the review of such interests
involving spouses, parents, children, siblings, or other close relatives.
In reviewing matters brought pursuant to this section, the officer or
national board member seeking national board review and approval will
refrain from voting.
Each Federation leader shall take appropriate steps to avoid unauthorized or
inaccurate appearances or official endorsement by the Federation (including
an affiliate, chapter, or division) of any product, service, or activity
that has not been so endorsed. For example, because the Federation never
endorses political parties or candidates for elected office, any Federation
leader participating in the political process must take care to avoid
creating an appearance of official Federation endorsement.
VI. Policy While Interacting with Minors
For purposes of this Code of Conduct and consistent with most legal
standards, a minor is any individual under the age of eighteen. While
interacting with any minor, a national officer, national board member, or
state affiliate president (hereafter Federation leader) shall recognize that
a minor cannot legally give consent for any purpose even if said minor is
verbally or otherwise expressing consent. For example, a minor may say that
he/ or she consents to physical interaction. However, such consent is not
valid or legal and should not be accepted. A parent or guardian must be
informed and consulted about any action requiring consent from the minor. A
Federation leader shall report any inappropriate interactions between adults
and minors to the minor?s parents and law enforcement when appropriate.
VII. Alcohol and Drug Policy
Although alcoholic beverages are served at some Federation social functions,
members and Federation leaders may not participate in any such functions in
a condition that prevents them from participating safely and from conducting
Federation business effectively or that might cause embarrassment to or
damage the reputation of the Federation. The Federation prohibits the
possession, sale, purchase, delivery, dispensing, use, or transfer of
illegal substances on Federation property or at Federation functions.
VIII. Other General Principles
In addition to the other policies and standards set-forth herein, national
officers, national board members, and state affiliate presidents (hereafter
Federation leaders) shall adhere to the following standards:
Federation leaders shall practice accountability and transparency in all
activities and transactions.
Federation leaders shall foster a welcoming environment at NFB meetings,
events, and conferences that is a cooperative and productive atmosphere for
all members and nonmembers.
Federation leaders shall interact with NFB staff in a professional manner
and follow proper channels of authority and communication.
Federation leaders shall positively promote the NFB through verbal and
written communication.
Whenever possible, Federation leaders and members are strongly encouraged to
handle conflicts or complaints involving other members privately, directly,
and respectfully. Nothing in this standard is intended to limit a Federation
leader?s or member?s right to pursue organizational change through
appropriate methods or to limit anyone?s right to file a complaint for
violation of this Code when necessary.
IX. Violations and Complaint Procedure
Violations of this Code of Conduct, after first being established through
the process set-forth below, are subject to disciplinary action by the
Federation. Such disciplinary actions may include but are not limited to
counselling, verbal and/or written reprimand, probation, suspension or
termination of officer/leadership duties, and/or suspension or expulsion
from the Federation.
Any complaint for a violation of this Code of Conduct shall be filed with
the Office of the President for the Federation. The President shall appoint
a committee of no more than four persons to investigate the complaint and
provide a recommendation for action or lack thereof. The committee shall be
comprised of persons not directly involved in the matters being raised and
who can be completely unbiased about the individuals and issues addressed in
the complaint. Every effort shall be made to appoint a committee reflecting
the broad diversity of individuals in the Federation.
Complaints shall be treated as confidential in order to protect the identity
and reputation of the person about whom the complaint is filed and the
person filing the complaint.
All complaints shall be filed as promptly as possible. Except under extreme
circumstances, no complaint shall be accepted or investigated after a year
from the time of the alleged violation of this Code.
Complaints that turn out to be false and used for the purpose of harassing,
intimidating, or retaliating against someone will be subject to the same
kind of disciplinary action enumerated above.
Any person dissatisfied with the resolution of a complaint may file an
appeal with the National Federation of the Blind Board of Directors, which
may, in its discretion, take such action as it deems necessary. No national
board member shall participate in the consideration of an appeal under this
Code if such board member is the subject of the complaint or if such board
member cannot be completely unbiased, impartial, and fair while considering
the matter.
X. Minimum Standard
This Code of Conduct is intended to recite a minimum set of standards
expected of Federation members. It sets forth the spirit that the Federation
expects of all of its participants toward each other and toward those who
work with the Federation at all of its levels. It is intended to be
interpreted broadly to instill a respectful, cooperative, and welcoming
spirit in members and in the activities of the Federation.
XI. Federation Pledge and Acknowledgement of Code of Conduct
I, (Federation leader), pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the
National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and
security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the
Federation; and to abide by its Constitution. I further acknowledge that I
have read this Code of Conduct and that I will follow its policies,
standards, and principles.
by Maurice Peret
>From the Editor: Maurice Peret began working as coordinator of career
mentoring programs for the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan
Institute in January of 2018. Having gone through the public school system
in suburban Washington, DC, the term ?partially sighted? was most often used
to describe his status because of his very limited vision that would decline
completely by the time he was in his early twenties. Although there was a
chapter of the NFB in his area, he knew no blind adults after whom to model
blindness skills or positive attitudes. He finally became a member of the
Federation in 1991 through the mentorship of Ed McDonald who was then the
president of the NFB of West Virginia where Maurice lived at the time.
He has worked in the blindness rehabilitation field since 1999 and earned
the National Orientation & Mobility Certification in 2002. He has served
continuously on the NOMC Training Committee which develops and upholds the
rigorous performance-based standards of the Structured Discovery Cane Travel
(SDCT) training model under the direction of the National Blindness
Professional Certification Board. Maurice is grateful and excited by the
opportunity to provide pre-employment transition-focused career mentoring
programs that he might have benefited from when he was growing up. Here is
what he says:
For seventy-eight years now the nation?s largest and most influential
representative organization of the blind, the National Federation of the
Blind (NFB), has developed and nurtured its single most valued and effective
asset: its membership. The collective experience of tens of thousands of
blind men and women, passed down through the generations from one to
another, has contributed to the ultimate success and independence of
countless blind young people to carry the torch of leadership and to live
the lives they want.
The cause of the Federation?s successful and long-standing reliance on and
promotion of mentorship as a leadership development tool can be traced back
to before the organization?s formation, to the unique and exemplary
relationship between Dr. Newel Perry, an instructor at the California School
for the Blind, and his prot?g?, Dr. Jacobus tenBroek. Dr. Perry earned a
prestigious doctor of philosophy in mathematics degree with highest honors
in 1901 before returning to his alma mater. He was a supreme teacher,
scholar, mentor, friend, and colleague in his own right. Obviously Dr. Perry
acquired life skills that allowed him to successfully overcome the myths and
misconceptions that prevented other blind people from achieving similar
success. More than a teacher, as a mentor Dr. Perry openly shared his
experiences and strategies with Dr. tenBroek in a manner that allowed Dr.
tenBroek to leverage those strategies to define his own future. Despite the
capability their brilliant academic achievements demonstrated, both of these
great, accomplished men had to struggle to overcome multiple brick walls to
opportunities that society deemed insurmountable by them on the basis of
their blindness. This struggle served to strengthen their determination to
build the kind of national civil rights organization that would
systematically chip away, brick by brick, at the social barriers that would
confront future generations. In 1940 Dr. tenBroek founded the National
Federation of the Blind, a nationwide organization of blind people that
believes in the true capacity of blind people.
Dr. tenBroek explained that the key to Dr. Perry?s ?great influence with
blind students was first the fact that he was blind and therefore understood
their problems; and second, that he believed in them and made his faith
manifest. He provided the only sure foundation of true rapport: knowledge on
our part that he was genuinely interested in our welfare.? In other words,
because he?d fought the same battles and faced the same barriers, his
students believed his interest in their progress as students and developing
humans was genuine and untainted by pity or charity. In the decades since
Dr. Perry taught, research studies have empirically demonstrated that
matching blind youth with successful mentors in this way increases their
effectiveness in making decisions about their futures and increases their
positive attitudes about blindness.
In October of 2004 the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute
received a five-year model demonstration grant from the US Department of
Education Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) to develop a
mentoring excellence program for blind youth between the ages of sixteen and
twenty-six. With this grant, the Federation established a National Center
for Mentoring Excellence to design, develop, implement, and evaluate a
comprehensive national mentoring program to connect young blind people with
successful blind adults. Today we are building on the quantitative and
qualitative data collected from that experience to establish NFB CAREER
Mentoring Programs across the country for blind youth with a stronger
emphasis upon pre-employment transition services as outlined in the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA). The NFB CAREER Mentoring
Program combines best practices in mentoring with the philosophy of the
NFB?a philosophy that combines high expectations, a positive attitude, the
value of alternative techniques of blindness, and the belief that it is okay
to be blind. In the end, we hope to instill a conviction in the blind women
and men we serve that they can live the lives they want and that blindness
is not what holds them back.
The empowering role that mentors play in encouraging and modeling proven
strategies and winning behaviors to young mentees can hardly be overstated.
>From the time they are very young, boys and girls begin to think about what
they want to become when they grow up. Unfortunately, this is also the time
that society begins to tell blind and visually-impaired children and their
families that not only are they different from other children, but that this
difference means that there will be less expected of them because they could
never measure up to the expectations held for sighted children. Combined
with the tendency for blind and low-vision youth to be underexposed to blind
adult role models who are successful in a variety of technical,
professional, and academic pursuits within the mainstream workplace, these
societal misperceptions of the capabilities of the blind discourage blind
children from using their imagination to combine their personal interests,
aptitudes, and innate talents to dream big about what they want to be when
they grow up.
In the words of Frederick Douglass, ?It is easier to build strong children
than to repair broken men.? Mentoring has become an effective strategy used
by millions of men and women and thousands of organizations to offer the
necessary guidance and support to combat low expectations and cultivate
success in groups of people who have not traditionally succeeded in their
field. The NFB CAREER Mentoring Program highlights the power of combining
best practices in mentoring with the philosophy of the NFB?a philosophy that
combines high expectations, a positive attitude, the value of the
alternative techniques of blindness, and the solid belief that it is okay to
be blind. Mentors can share personal experience of successful and
unsuccessful strategies for challenging situations including confronting
public and employer attitudes; navigating through programs such as Social
Security and Vocational Rehabilitation; managing accessibility in education;
and learning about access technology and employment opportunities. Young
blind people who are not connected to a network of blind mentors must
continually reinvent the wheel by working through these challenges on their
own. Our NFB CAREER Mentoring Program effectively uses the resources of
thousands of blind Americans who have successfully navigated the path from
education to career success and are willing to share their experiences and
insight with young people.
The NFB CAREER Mentoring Program matches transition-age blind and
visually-impaired youth and young adults with successful blind mentors in
order to: increase knowledge of and participation in the vocational
rehabilitation process, increase postsecondary academic success, and
increase high-quality employment and community integration. But unlike some
mentorship programs where each mentee is matched with a single mentor, the
NFB CAREER Mentoring Program is strengthened by matching each mentee with
two to three. Information is gathered from the mentees about academic and
career goals, hobbies, and extracurricular activities and used to match them
with mentors who share interests or are successful in a career that matches
with the mentee?s interests. This method has several benefits, including an
increased exposure to educational, training, and career opportunities; a
diversity of educational and work experiences for a student to learn from;
an extended network of contacts for mentees to benefit from; increased
community involvement and sense of belonging; and a more robust ongoing
support system for the student as he/she tackles the early years of
adulthood.
Blind youth need exposure to positive blind role models who demonstrate a
solid belief in the abilities of blind people and can, through guidance and
example, raise expectations and offer practical tips and tricks for
accessing resources and acquiring skills for success. When successful blind
role models take a concerted interest in the lives of young blind people,
expectations are raised about what can be accomplished. As dreams become
reality, practical lessons are absorbed, often without even knowing that the
learning is taking place. With an intolerably high rate of unemployment and
under employment of working-age blind people in our nation, knowing what it
takes to succeed in the vocation of one?s choosing is critical. Navigating
the labyrinth of the special education, vocational rehabilitation, and other
social systems while juggling the dissidence and mixed messaging of
expectation imbalances can become perplexing and wearisome. The personal
knowledge and experience of successful blind adults helps ground blind youth
to internalize the philosophy that blindness is not the characteristic that
defines them or their future. Every day successful blind mentors help raise
the expectations of blind young people because low expectations create
obstacles between blind people and their dreams. They come to know that they
can live the lives they want; blindness is not what holds them back.
As participants in the NFB CAREER Mentoring Program, blind mentees travel
with mentors in direct learning experiences. This is done using alternative
travel techniques such as the long white cane or guide dog and by
demonstrating how to use public transit systems. Working with one or more
mentors is the perfect environment for observing and practicing effective
self-advocacy skills, all while learning to confront public misperceptions
about blindness with grace, integrity, and respect.
Blind employees as well as blind job seekers must be proficient in the use
of access technology including text-to-speech software, screen enlargement
software, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) programs, and refreshable
Braille displays. Aspiring blind professionals must be prepared to address
how adaptive software and equipment can be used to perform the essential
elements of the job and be able to effectively educate the employer about
how this reasonable accommodation would allow the blind applicant to be a
productive employee. Blind mentors who have successfully navigated these
situations are able to share their strategies with their mentees.
The confidence derived from participation in a mentoring program equips
blind youth with the ability to own the job interview. Roleplaying and role
reversal exercises are useful activities in anticipating questions that may
arise ahead of time and addressing them knowledgeably and confidently.
Roleplaying between mentor and mentee is also an effective exercise that
addresses social and professional morays such as appropriate attire, eye
contact, hand shaking (e.g. when to and when not to), and being proactive
and articulate in responding to interview questions.
Financial literacy skills are also learned through practice in joint
mentoring activities as blind youth are encouraged to engage in financial
transactions such as paying for lunch or purchasing movie, paintball, or
laser tag tickets. Mentees learn social protocol for calculating gratuity
percentages and guide waitstaff in providing assistance in signing credit or
debit card receipts. They explore banking options, learn to open a checking
or savings account, learn how to balance their checkbook, and use web-based
and mobile apps to track income and expenditures.
Blind mentors provide guidance and empower mentees to effectively
self-advocate and consider options that might otherwise have been dismissed.
Introduction to successful blind college students, tours of local colleges
and universities, and interest surveys inspire blind mentees to consider or
reconsider higher education. There is no substitute for spending a day or
more with a successful blind student or students to observe how challenges
are managed. The National Association of Blind Students and its affiliated
state organizations provide an abundant source of peer mentors. These
experiences also prove valuable in integrating with other students and
faculty, relationships that prove helpful in ways that are not always
immediately recognizable. Because academic readiness does not always equate
to graceful fluidity in public and social interactions, mock interviews
assist blind students with guidance on how to engage effectively in an
interview. Blind mentors provide useful tips on how to independently
negotiate new environments, how to address the issue of disability prior to
or during the interview, interact with Office of Disability Service staff,
and strategize about the management of appropriate accommodations.
It is widely accepted that job opportunities are generated most effectively
through personal connections. Likewise, successfully employed or
scholastically enrolled blind mentors share with mentees their accumulated
networking experience in professional and academic associations, service
organizations, fraternities and sororities, and especially through
membership in organizations like the National Federation of the Blind.
Many Federationists have stories of how mentorship by an older or more
experienced Federationist changed their life. For some it was someone in
their local or state chapter; for some it was someone like past Presidents
Dr. tenBroek, Dr. Jernigan, or Dr. Maurer. And most of those Federationists
talk about their determination to pay the time, faith, and confidence spent
on them forward with new and younger Federationists. If you would like to
know more about mentorship opportunities with the NFB CAREER Mentoring
Program, go to www.nfb.org/mentorapplication and submit an application. If
you are that young Federationist who would like to benefit from the advice
and support of a mentor, go to www.nfb.org/menteeapplication to submit an
application to become a mentee. This is how the Federation helps build a
strong new generation of blind youth to continue changing the world until
all of society believes that blindness is no true barrier to living the life
you want.
by Allen Harris
>From the Editor: Allen Harris is the chairman of the Kenneth Jernigan Fund
Committee and was one of the people who came up with the idea of honoring
our former President and longtime leader by establishing a program to
promote attendance at the national convention, where so much inspiration and
learning occur. Here is Allen?s announcement about the 2018 Kenneth Jernigan
Convention Scholarship Fund Program:
Have you always wanted to attend an NFB annual convention but have not done
so because of the lack of funds? The Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship
Fund invites you to make an application for a scholarship grant. Perhaps
this July you too can be in the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando,
Florida, enjoying the many pleasures and learning opportunities at the
largest and most important yearly convention of blind people in the world.
The three biggest ticket items you need to cover when attending an NFB
national convention are the roundtrip transportation, the hotel room for a
week, and the food (which tends to be higher priced than at home). We
attempt to award additional funds to families, but, whether a family or an
individual is granted a scholarship, this fund can only help; it won?t pay
all the costs. Last year most of the sixty grants were in the range of $400
to $500 per individual.
We recommend that you find an NFB member as your personal convention mentor,
someone who has been to many national conventions and is able to share
money-saving tips with you and tips on navigating the extensive agenda in
the big hotel. Your mentor will help you get the most out of the amazing
experience that is convention week.
Who is eligible?
Active NFB members, blind or sighted, who have not yet attended an NFB
national convention because of lack of funding are eligible to apply.
How do I apply for funding assistance?
You write a letter giving your contact information, and your local NFB
information, your specific amount requested, and then explain why this is a
good investment for the NFB. The points to cover are listed below.
You contact your state president in person or by phone to request his or her
help in obtaining funding. Be sure to tell the president when to expect your
request letter by email, and mention the deadline.
You (or a friend) send your letter by email to your state president. He or
she must add a president?s recommendation and then email both letters
directly to the Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund Committee. Your
president must forward the two letters no later than April 15, 2018.
Your letter to Chairperson Allen Harris must cover these points:
Your full name and all your telephone numbers?label them?cell phone, home,
office, other person (if any).
Your mailing address and, if you have one, your email address.
Your state affiliate and state president; your chapter and chapter
president, if you attend a chapter.
Your personal convention mentor, and provide that person?s phone number.
Your specific request:
Explain how much money you need from this fund to make this trip possible
for you. We suggest you consult with other members to make a rough budget
for yourself.
The body of your letter should answer these questions:
How do you currently participate in the Federation? Why do you want to
attend a national convention? What would you receive; what can you share or
give? You can include in your letter to the committee any special
circumstances you hope they will take into consideration.
When will I be notified that I am a winner?
If you are chosen to receive this scholarship, you will receive a letter
with convention details that should answer most of your questions. The
committee makes every effort to notify scholarship winners by May 15, but
you must do several things before that to be prepared to attend if you are
chosen:
Make your own hotel reservation. If something prevents you from attending,
you can cancel the reservation. (Yes, you may arrange for roommates of your
own to reduce the cost.)
Register online for the entire convention, including the banquet, by May 31.
Find someone in your chapter or affiliate who has been to many conventions
and can answer your questions as a friend and advisor.
If you do not hear from the committee by May 15, then you did not win a
grant this year.
How will I receive my convention scholarship?
At convention you will be given a debit card or credit card loaded with the
amount of your award. The times and locations to pick up your card will be
listed in the letter we send you. The committee is not able to provide funds
before the convention, so work with your chapter and state affiliate to
assist you by obtaining an agreement to advance funds if you win a
scholarship and to pay your treasury back after you receive your debit or
credit card.
What if I have more questions? For additional information email the
chairman, Allen Harris, at kjscholarships at nfb.org or call his Baltimore,
Maryland, office at (410) 659-9314, extension 2415.
Above all, please use this opportunity to attend your first convention on
the national level and join several thousand active Federationists in the
most important meeting of the blind in the world. We hope to see you in
Orlando.
by Amy Mason
>From the Editor: This is the third article in a series intended to help
users of assistive technology learn to use and get the most out of the World
Wide Web. Navigating the web is possible, productive, and enjoyable, but
there are many parts to the puzzle, and this series of articles is intended
to let readers examine each piece and decide how they will put together the
system that gives them the access they desire to the vast resources of the
internet. With her analytic mind, her vast knowledge of resources, and her
command of language, here is what Amy Mason has to say, this time about
screen readers:
Howdy class. I hope your homework went well. I?m looking forward to hearing
reports on how things have gone for you in your test driving of alternative
browsers. Since our last class, I?ve been spending a lot more time with
Chrome. I?ve been pretty happy with Mozilla Firefox for the last several
years, but it never hurts to test drive something different, especially when
your regular car is in the shop (see our blog post on Firefox Quantum for
further details https://nfb.org/firefox-57-and-screen-reader-compatibility.
If you have missed either of the previous ?classes? you can find them in the
January and February issues of the Monitor and catch up.
Screen Readers?Our Dashboard on the Road
The final level of equipment we need to discuss before we can really start
exploring the open road is your blind driver interface: the screen reader.
Like browsers, you have many options available, and they offer different
paths to the same basic information. Also, like browsers, each screen reader
has unique advantages and disadvantages, so once again it is wise for users
to learn more than one when they have the opportunity. Sadly, unlike
browsers, there are many scenarios where you may be tied to a single screen
reader, and you will need to consider carefully your browser choice based
upon what is most compatible with it.
At its most basic, a screen reader is a software package that gathers
information from the operating system and programs on your computer, tablet,
or smart phone, (read ?pocket computer?) and offers that information to you
in the form of speech and/or refreshable Braille. Dashboards can vary
wildly, from a minimal number of indicators to a mess of flashing lights and
gauges. Choosing the right interface is essential for making sure you can
get where you want to go.
To understand the screen reader?s role in working on the web, it is
important to remember a few things about screen readers in general:
A screen reader can only relay information that is programmatically
determinable. This is a fancy way of saying that it can only tell you what
it has first been told. For instance, unless a website has been coded
correctly, the screen reader will not be able to understand that a link is
intended to be interactive. It is just like a faulty fuel sensor; it won?t
be able to guess and can leave you stranded and hoping to hitch a ride to
the nearest town. Furthermore, it will also be unable to do anything with
that link if the browser doesn?t properly recognize the link and tell the
screen reader what it is supposed to be. This is why we continue to have to
work with operating system creators, browser manufacturers, and web
designers to ensure that each of them is passing important information on so
that screen readers can convey it to us.
Even though I just said screen readers cannot guess, some vehicles are
starting to get good at diagnostics and may suggest a fix for that ?check
engine light,? telling you to replace the spark plugs even when the problem
is a loose gas cap. We users have to be savvy enough to understand when the
screen reader may be attempting to guess and that we may know better than it
does. The way you do this is a combination of knowledge of your specific
screen reader, the tool you are using, (website, application, or otherwise)
and clues we are able to gather from the information the screen reader will
give us. For instance, if you come across the word ?submit? all by itself at
the end of a form, you may safely assume that this is meant to be
interactive even if it is not read as such and try pressing the button.
Keeping with our driving analogy, an experienced driver knows that sometimes
your gas gauge will complain you are running on fumes because it doesn?t
realize you are on a steep hill.
When we have this many layers of interaction, more frequently than we would
like something will ?go sideways? (Yes that is definitely the technical
term). As such, it is worth learning how to restart different layers of the
chain and to work backwards from the last to the first to see if you can
gracefully recover from trouble. Your screen reader is at the end of the
chain, so it is usually the first program that it is worth learning how to
restart. Therefore, with each of the screen readers we are covering below, I
will include a method for shutting down and restarting which you can use in
a pinch to see about getting back on the road faster than if you need to
perform a complete system shutdown. The browser and computer are generally
easier to shut down since you have the benefit of the screen reader to
provide you information about those processes, but of course restarting the
screen reader is done without benefit of its assistance, so learning the
commands or setting up shortcuts that will allow you to do so will be a
worthwhile investment of your time.
When all else fails, it is important to remember that none of this is
perfect, and it?s going to be the case that you will need to reboot
occasionally. Sometimes you just have to get the gremlins out of your
engine, or it?s going to keep crashing. Don?t blame yourself, and don?t be
too nervous about the outcomes. Computers and screen readers are generally
pretty forgiving. Save often, develop your sense of adventure and humor, and
don?t experiment with deleting files you don?t understand. By following this
advice, you will be just fine when computing, whether you are cruising the
information superhighway or rocking a spreadsheet.
Just a heads-up here: there are several screen readers you may be familiar
with that I am not going to cover in this article. They fall into two
categories. The first are our mobile and platform specific screen readers;
these will be addressed in a future article since your dirt bike or
smartphone requires a very different dashboard from a Ferrari. The second
are those that hold just a small market share. Some have a very passionate
fan base, but it is not practical to talk about every variant with its own
collector?s club. The Back to the Future Delorean dashboard is iconic, but
my wonderful editor might kill me if I submit a three-hundred-page article
nine months late.
If you wish to read up on ChromeVox, I would recommend reviewing my article
?Google in the Classroom: Chromebooks and G-Suite? in Future Reflections,
Vol. 36 No. 3 (Summer 2017). In the case of ZoomText, I would point to its
primary purpose as a magnification tool and not a screen reader, unless it
is paired with JAWS in Fusion. In this case the references and resources
covering JAWS that appear below should be sufficient to get you started.
For those of you who are curious about the distribution of screen reader
users here and elsewhere, you may wish to look at the WebAIM Screen Reader
Survey #7 at https://webaim.org/projects/
screenreadersurvey7/.
And with those bits of advice behind us, let us look at the screen readers
themselves:
JAWS (Job Access with Speech)?Space-age smart cars are here
Operating System Supported: Windows
Compatible Browsers: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Edge (sort of)
Obtained from: Freedom Scientific, a division of VFO group.
www.freedomscientific.com
Cost: Widely variable?if purchased outright it will cost $970 for home use
and more for business; however, some organizations (employers, educators,
etc.) have deals with Freedom to provide the software to their users at
drastically reduced prices.
JAWS is the last remaining early Windows screen reader. As such, it has had
years and years of work behind it. This means that it offers a lot of
customization?you can spend hours or even days setting this beast up to work
exactly as you like it. Whether you want to use different voices for
different elements, or sound effects to convey information, or even change
how you interact with web forms, you can and likely will need to spend some
serious time customizing JAWS to get the most out of it.
It is well understood by the community. There are more training materials,
both free and paid, for this software than for any other screen reader on
the market. For this reason, it is still often the de facto option in many
workplaces, colleges, and other institutions.
Likewise, there are many (mostly legacy) software packages and some websites
that have been specifically coded to work well with JAWS instead of to the
standards, and, as such, are more likely to misbehave when used with other
screen readers. Hopefully in the coming years this will continue to change
and evolve, but it?s a factor that we need to be aware of now.
If there is a screen reader that tries to guess at what?s going on in a
misbehaving system, it is JAWS. It will often get things right, though it is
important to be aware of this tendency because, when JAWS gets something
wrong while guessing, it is more likely to really confuse the situation; it
doesn?t tend to warn you when it is just a guess.
It?s built on a very large existing code base, so you need a more powerful
computer than you might for other screen readers in order to have it run
well. When bugs emerge, it can take more time for VFO to find and repair
them than some of the lighter, more nimble screen readers.
In a nutshell, JAWS is a powerful large software package with a lot of
development hours behind it. This means it will let you set everything up
just the way you like it?everything from variable density in the car seats
and automatic heated seat to the trip movie selections on the built-in
TV?but when things go wrong, you probably need to send it to a specialist.
Your friend who?s good with cars probably can?t fix this one in his
driveway. Sometimes that complexity can get in your way; automatic sensors
and cameras to keep you in the middle of the lane are great, except when you
need to go around roadworks.
In this vein, JAWS offers pretty comprehensive (if challenging to initially
set up) Braille support and such extreme customizations as allowing for
scripting even of individual webpages and applications.
On the web it attempts to guess at relationships between elements and labels
when they are not explicitly and correctly coded. This is why you may find
that JAWS will read labels on webpages where other screen readers will not.
If you find that the first edit field in a set is unlabeled, but subsequent
ones are, you can bet that JAWS is guessing, and one off. For instance, if
you hear something like ?edit, <tab> First name edit, <tab> last name edit??
you are fairly safe to assume that the first edit field is where your first
name goes, not the second.
Further Resources for JAWS
The help topics and manuals for JAWS are extraordinarily comprehensive. You
will also find links to a wealth of free and paid webinar information from
the manufacturer. You can explore all of these materials from the Help menu
in JAWS itself. If you are looking for a specific command in the
application, press JAWS-Space followed by the letter J to open up a context
sensitive search box where you can search for commands relevant to your
location on the computer. You can also press JAWS-1 (on the number row) to
enable Keyboard learn mode. Pressing this combination a second time will
return the keyboard to its normal state.
One training reference which is especially relevant to your experiences on
the internet is ?Surf?s Up! Surfing the Internet with JAWS and MAGic? It is
a very powerful and interactive tutorial, even if they have the metaphor
wrong. Although it is JAWS specific, much of the information in it can be
generalized to use with other screen readers as well, and it may be worth
exploring regardless of the tool you choose to employ. It can be found at:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/Training/
Surfs-Up/_Surfs_Up_Start_Here.htm
Restarting JAWS
When you need to quit and restart JAWS and do not have a dedicated keyboard
shortcut created, the most sure-fire method is to exit the program then open
the run dialog by holding down the Windows key and pressing R, henceforth
referred to as Win-R. Then type JAWS followed directly by the version number
of the software you are running. So if you are running JAWS 2018 you would
type ?jaws2018,? and for v. 17 you would type ?jaws17? followed by Enter
without spaces.
NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access)?The best vehicle for non-drivers
Operating System Supported: Windows
Compatible Browsers: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Edge (sort of)
Obtained from: NV Access www.nvaccess.org
Cost: NVDA is free to download, but its development is supported through
donations, so when you first download or when you update, you will be asked
to consider donating to this most worthy application?s further development.
You may also choose to purchase higher quality voice packs from several
different sellers, which usually run between $50-$100 for a one-time
purchase.
NVDA is sort of the ?anti-JAWS.? It is a competent screen reader that is
focused on simplicity and speed, so when using it remember the following:
It is highly standards compliant. If the webpage you are reviewing doesn?t
offer a label for an edit field and you hit that field with NVDA, it will
not guess what the label should be. Instead, it will cheerily read back that
it is ?blank? and leave you to do the sleuthing to find out what?s nearby
and likely to be the label for that item.
It is extraordinarily nimble?It is updated on average three to four times a
year and often contains significant improvements from one version to the
next.
It is also quite small and light. NVDA seems like it would probably run on a
toaster, as long as it was running Windows (I?m still waiting Amazon).
Although it doesn?t offer the same depth of customization out-of-the-box,
much about this screen reader can still be set to suit. Basic customization
is available and very simple to set up. For more complex or experimental
features, a plethora of add-ons can be included to make it work the way you
like it.
Free and paid training resources certainly exist for NVDA and continue to be
actively developed, but they are not nearly as comprehensive as those for
JAWS. They also tend to be of mixed quality when it comes to the quality of
production because they come from volunteers who bring various levels of
knowledge when it comes to content creation. Even so, these materials are
very useful and have the distinct advantage of being very affordable?when
they cost anything at all.
In my opinion the most exciting thing about NVDA is that it is a screen
reader that we as the community have the power to affect more directly than
any other. It is open source, which means that it can be taken apart and
studied, viewed, and improved by anyone with the know-how and desire. This
is much like fixing up a car with your dad?adding pieces and making it your
own with enough time and elbow grease.
NVDA is the screen reader written by blind folks for blind folks, and it
shows. It?s not as polished around the edges, and the doors are not
necessarily the same color as the bonnet, especially when it comes to
documentation and training. But it has now been around long enough that
people have started to create pretty comprehensive materials about its use.
Furthermore, due to its free and open source nature, many web developers are
using it to test their work, guaranteeing the best result for everyone.
Further Resources for NVDA
As I mentioned previously, NVDA is a program that has a lot of support from
the community. As such, one of the best resources I?ve seen for this
software is actually a community resource. Located at
http://accessibilitycentral.net/nvda%20audio%20tutorials.html it provides
several audio tutorials, links to other resources, including the official
help page from NVAccess (https://www.nvaccess.org/help/) and several
different and very comprehensive instructions for downloading and installing
NVDA on your own computer. NVAccess itself has created a couple low-cost
tutorial books which can be accessed from its official help page along with
information for email listservs and paid technical support options. In the
software itself, the user?s guide can be accessed from the Help menu.
Finally, like JAWS, it is possible to enter Input Learn Mode by pressing
NVDA-1.
Restarting NVDA
There are a plethora of ways to restart NVDA when it is misbehaving. They
include the following:
Activate the desktop icon or executable for NVDA while it is running. The
application will shut itself down and restart.
Press NVDA-Q (Quits NVDA) and choose ?Restart? or ?Restart with Add-on?s
Disabled? to unload and re-load the program.
Type ?nvda? into the Run dialog box in Windows (activated with Win-R) and
press Enter
When initially installed, by default, NVDA creates a keyboard shortcut,
Alt-Ctrl-N, and pressing this at any time will launch or relaunch the
program. Unfortunately, this conflicts with several commands available for
the Google G Suite of applications. So I would recommend changing the
default shortcut or disabling it if you are a user of those tools.
Personally, I have found that Alt-Ctrl-` (grave accent, located to the left
of ?1? on most keyboards) is an excellent substitute since I am unaware of
any keyboard commands that directly conflict.
VoiceOver?Driving on the Other Side of the Road
Operating System Supported: Mac OSX
Compatible Browsers: Safari, Chrome, Firefox (sort of)
Obtained from: Installed on any Apple Mac Computer built in the last decade.
Cost: none
Voiceover is the name for all of the built-in screen readers available on
Apple products. However, in this article we are going to limit our
discussion to the Mac because mobile Apple products offer a very different
browsing experience from that offered on the full desktop. With that in
mind, here are the relevant details to keep in mind when you choose to use
VoiceOver as you browse.
You are not behind the wheel of a Windows PC. The paradigms are very
different. Modes of interaction, commands, and controls are all in different
places and work differently from those you may be familiar with if coming
from this environment. In my opinion, using a Mac with VoiceOver is very
similar to driving in the UK, Australia, or other countries where drivers
travel along the left side of the road, not the right. You can be just as
safe, effective, and competent using a machine built for this environment,
but if you are coming from Windows, (or the US and Canada as drivers) you
are going to have to take some extra time to learn how things have changed,
and you may find yourself reaching down to shift gears with the wrong hand
until you grow accustomed.
VoiceOver receives updates at the same time as the operating system, so it?s
important to decide just how comfortable you are with change and possible
instability when choosing to update your OS. VoiceOver is the only choice
you have on a Mac when it comes to screen reading, so if a bug hits which
you cannot work around, you will be stuck until Apple offers a patch, unless
you choose to reload an earlier system image to get back on your feet.
VoiceOver and OSX have a very dedicated fanbase. The number of VoiceOver
users may not be as high as for Windows screen readers, but many of these
folks are very active in sharing their knowledge, so training materials are
readily available.
VoiceOver, although it certainly has its own way of doing things, has a
fascinating combination of traits when it comes to how it?s been built to
behave. In standards compliance for local computer programs, it?s going to
largely demand standard controls or changes to the desktop software it is
reviewing in order to ensure accessibility. But on the web, it has the
tendency to play guessing games similar to those played by JAWS. As with
JAWS, this is both a blessing and a curse. Further, like JAWS, it is highly
customizable, and getting down deep into the tweaks you can make with the
package is going to be an important part of getting the most out of it.
Like other desktop screen readers, VoiceOver can be relied upon to offer
fairly good access to software and content that is built to be accessible.
This includes websites and browsers. Unlike screen readers for Windows,
though, everything will feel very different until you have learned how to
work with it.
I will admit that even after several years of use I just don?t feel quite as
comfortable with this tool. I know many users who swear by it, and I am
pleased that it suits them. That said, I continually seem to muddle my hands
and controls when I use it. All I can say is that in the truest sense of
these words, your mileage may vary. The best way to know is to find a way to
try it for yourself, whether you ask someone to let you try it out on their
machine or take the leap and get your own.
Even as someone who is not quite comfortable driving on the left side of the
road, I can admit there are some really delightful and unique benefits. For
example, on the Mac the Track Pad enables VoiceOver users to operate the
computer in much the same way one operates the iPhone, with gestures. In my
opinion, this is one of the coolest tricks that VoiceOver has to offer.
Browsing the web with just a flick of the finger is really quite a
satisfying experience
Further Resources for VoiceOver
There are a lot of Apple fans in the blindness community. I am not going to
even try to name all the podcasts, articles, and groups available to get you
connected with other Apple users. I will, however, point you to the group
that I find has been of most assistance to me when I?ve been looking for
tutorials, software reviews, and general information: www.applevis.com. If
these folks don?t have what you need, they can probably point you to the
resources that do. It?s a whole community of blind people who are passionate
about all things Apple and accessibility, and I would recommend looking them
up no matter what your skill level or Apple device of choice.
As for VoiceOver internal help, pressing VO-H will provide you with a large
number of resources in the software itself which you can use to learn how to
make the most of this powerful tool. In the Help menu you can find Command
Lists, the User Documentation, and even the simple interactive tutorial that
is offered the first time you turn it on.
Restarting VoiceOver
You can toggle VoiceOver on and off by pressing Cmd+F5 on Macs with physical
Function keys, or by quickly triple tapping the fingerprint sensor at the
top right corner of Macs with the touch bar. If using the touch bar, a
self-voicing menu appears and allows you to toggle VoiceOver on or off.
Conclusions
For those just starting out with a screen reader, your choice to use Mac or
Windows should be guided by what you plan to use the computer for and your
budget. Any of these three can be great options, depending on what you want
to do. When choosing the proper screen reader for browsing, it honestly
comes down to choosing the proper screen reader for you and then following
up with the browsers that work best. Each screen reading interface is going
to handle pages and browsers somewhat differently, but, like getting behind
the wheel of any car for the first time, if you learn where the controls are
and how to use them, you will find that with some practice you can become an
excellent driver with any of these dashboard setups.
Even so, like with driving, if you have the opportunity and inclination, you
will benefit from getting comfortable with more than one model of car? I
mean screen reader. The more time you spend moving between the different
options, the more resilient you will be when you come across problems, not
only because you will have different tools to choose from, but also because
your mind and reactions will be sharper. Race car drivers practice in
different conditions with all sorts of obstacles and track layouts so that
they can hone their reactions. Your growing accustomed to unfamiliar screen
readers, applications, browsers, and even OS?s will help to improve your
reactions, intuition, and skill in the same way.
As such, I am assigning homework again. This time you have a choice: In your
primary screen reader, endeavor to learn something new. Perhaps you can find
a new plugin for NVDA or discover the shortcuts you can use on the web to
jump between different elements in JAWS. You might even try the Track Pad
for the first time with your shiny Mac.
For extra enjoyment, if you are fortunate enough to have a Braille
notetaker, look at trying to connect it to your screen reader and enjoy the
power of browsing with all the power of both your preferred screen reader
and Braille.
Try something else. Borrow a Mac, visit an Apple store if you are a Windows
user, or try one of the screen readers you don?t know as well. Even JAWS can
be downloaded and used in forty-minute mode. You can learn a lot using it
even forty minutes at a time.
One final option: teach someone else. You may feel very comfortable with the
screen reader and computer you use every day. That?s great! Share that
knowledge. Some of the greatest gifts I?ve received from my Federation
friends and family are the gifts of time, teaching, and mentoring. Each of
us is an expert in something; let?s share our expertise and make this world
a little brighter for us all.
Class Dismissed!
Recipes this month come from the National Federation of the Blind of Kansas.
Chicken Enchilada Soup
by Donna Wood
Donna is a retired human rights investigator who lives in Wichita. She is a
past president of our affiliate and currently serves as second vice
president. Here is what she says about this recipe: ?This is my go-to soup
that is super-fast and easy. It's so rich and creamy and guilt-free! It's
packed with fiber and flavor. Pumpkin is the secret ingredient that makes
the soup rich and creamy and adds fiber and vitamins.?
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1-1/2 cups chopped celery
1 medium chopped onion
1 large red pepper diced
3 cups fat-free chicken broth
3-1/2 cups (28 ounces) mild green enchilada sauce (use medium if you prefer
more heat)
1 15-ounce can pure pumpkin
1 small deli-roast chicken, deboned, skinned, and torn into bite-sized
pieces
1 7-ounce can mild green chilies
1-1/2 cups frozen white corn
1 package ranch-style salad dressing mix
Optional toppings:
crumbled queso fresco cheese
shredded cheddar cheese
crushed tortilla chips
cilantro
chopped avocado
sour cream
Method: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Saut? the
celery, onion, and red pepper until slightly tender. Add the chicken broth,
enchilada sauce, pumpkin, chicken, green chilies, corn, and dressing mix.
Simmer for ten to fifteen minutes or longer. Serve with your choice of
toppings.
Shrimp Pasta Salad
by Susan Tabor
Susan is a member who lives in Lawrence and is the wife of our first vice
president Rob Tabor. She has hosted several cooking-related demos at recent
Kansas conventions. She says this is so good that she loves to double the
recipe when she makes it.
Ingredients:
8 ounces elbow macaroni, uncooked
1 pound shrimp, cooked, drained, and chopped into chunks
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup diced green onions
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
2/3 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon celery seeds
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup diced red pepper, for sprinkling over top to add some color
Method: Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions. Combine all
ingredients in a large bowl. Refrigerate for at least an hour so flavors can
blend.
Crockpot Sloppy Joes
by Tom Page
Tom Page is the current president of the Kansas affiliate and is employed as
a professional musician who lives in Wichita. He admits that the recipe is a
little loose, ?I?m not sure how to translate from number of ?shakes? to
actual measurements, so feel free to play with it.?
Ingredients:
1/2 white onion, finely chopped
3/4 pound ground beef or turkey
1 small can tomato sauce
five shakes of salt
six to ten shakes of pepper
six to ten shakes of garlic powder (to taste)
three or four shakes of Italian seasoning
Method: Combine ground beef, tomato sauce, and onions in the crockpot. Add
salt, pepper, garlic, and Italian seasoning; mix together. Cook on low for
at least four hours. Spoon onto buns. Makes 4 to 6 sandwiches.
Pumpkin Bread
by Sharon Luka
This one is a real favorite of Kansas Federationists. Anyone who has
attended our state conventions has probably enjoyed a loaf of Sharon Luka?s
famous pumpkin bread.
Sharon lives and works in Salina and serves as our affiliate secretary.
Sharon modestly says, ?This recipe was originally taken from a former NFB
Braille paperback cookbook. I have made a few simple modifications.?
Ingredients:
3-1/2 cups flour
3 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
4 eggs
1 15- or 16-ounce can of pumpkin
3/4 cup water
1 cup oil
Method: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all dry ingredients thoroughly.
Make a well in the mixture. In a separate bowl, beat four eggs. Add eggs,
pumpkin, water, oil, and soda to dry ingredients and mix well. Pour into
greased and floured medium-sized loaf pans. Place loaves on a cookie sheet
(the cookie sheet is not required). Bake for approximately fifty minutes.
Frosted Cappuccino Brownies
by Susan Tabor
These are wonderful, creamy, coffee-flavored, milk chocolate brownies. They
freeze well too, according to Susan.
Ingredients:
2 pounds milk chocolate chips
1/4 cup instant coffee granules or espresso powder
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
8 eggs
3 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
Method: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease and flour four
eight-by-eight-inch baking pans. Place the chocolate chips and the coffee
granules in a double boiler over simmering water. Cook over medium heat,
stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth. Set aside. In a large bowl,
cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs
two at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla, cinnamon,
and salt, then mix in the melted chocolate. Mix in flour until just blended.
Divide the batter equally into the prepared pans, and spread smooth. Bake
for thirty-five minutes in preheated oven, or until the edges pull from the
sides of the pans. Cool on a wire rack. Cover and refrigerate for eight
hours. Cut the cold brownies into bars to serve.
Frosting Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, unsalted
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 to 1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 to 3 tablespoons strong-brewed coffee or espresso, cooled
1 to 2 tbsp milk or cream, optional, if needed for correct consistency
1/4 to 1/2 cup cream (if you want to make cappuccino buttercream)
Method: Cream together butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and cream
(if making buttercream instead of regular frosting) using a handheld mixer
or stand mixer. If icing is too stiff, beat in either more coffee or some
milk or cream to make a smooth, spreadable consistency.
After frosting these brownies, the more they set, the better they taste as
the flavors have more time to blend. Twenty-four hours is about ideal, but
it?s hard to wait that long! Enjoy!
You can also experiment with the chocolates; use half milk chocolate chips
and half dark chocolate ones, or all dark chocolate, or milk and bittersweet
chips, or all bittersweet chips. Different varieties/strengths of the
chocolate will play with the other flavors in their own ways, so you may
want to adjust the flavors like cinnamon and coffee and vanilla according to
your taste.
Blindness Summer Transition Youth Learning Experience
Blindness: Learning In New Dimensions (BLIND) Inc. presents Summer
Transition Youth Learning Experience (STYLE) 2018. Spend part of your summer
in STYLE!
The STYLE program offers three separate, five-day, theme-based
educational/recreational programs. All of our programs are delivered by
blind role models. STYLE students will learn skills, gain confidence, and
have fun! Attend one, two, or all three sessions! Day programming and
residential options are available.
Session 1: July 23 to 27: Fitness, Fun, and Friends:
Get fit, have fun, compete! Students will participate in individual and
group recreational activities. Learn about proper nutrition while preparing
healthy meals. Activities may include rock climbing, goalball, water sports,
self-defense, etc.! Have fun while being active and hanging out with new and
old friends.
Session 2: July 30 to August 3: Tech Trek:
Students will explore the world of assistive technology. Computers,
smartphones, tablets, etc. are the tools which will help students achieve
success. Learn to effectively and efficiently use assistive technology in
school, at work, and at home. Sign up for your Tech Trek adventure today!
Session 3: August 6 to August 10: Career Quest:
What jobs can blind people do? Where do you want to work? Students will
explore jobs held by blind people and learn what those jobs truly entail.
Learn what skills are needed to reach your vocational goals. Topics include
r?sum? building, interview skills, soft skills, finding jobs,
qualifications/experience, and more!
Contact Michell Gip, youth services coordinator, at (612) 872-0100, Ext.
231, or mgip at blindinc.org for more information or an application. We can
assist you to work with your local vocational rehabilitation agency to
attend the program. The first review of applications will occur on April 30,
2018. Apply today to ensure your space in this program!
Attention Blind and Low-Vision Students!
Are you or do you know a blind or low-vision teen who wants to spend their
summer learning, meeting new people, and having a great adventure? Join the
National Federation of the Blind at our NFB EQ program. NFB EQ is a
jam-packed week of fun and learning.
Participants spend each day engaged in activities designed to strengthen
their knowledge of engineering as well as their problem-solving abilities.
In the evenings, participants hang out with the twenty-nine other teen
participants while exploring the local community and participating in
various recreational activities. Throughout the week, participants will
forge new friendships while increasing their engineering knowledge,
problem-solving abilities, self-confidence, and independence.
To learn more and to apply, visit http://www.blindscience.org/nfbeq.
The Specs:
Who: Thirty blind and low vision teens currently enrolled in grades 9-12 in
the United States.
What: A weeklong summer engineering program for blind and low vision teens.
When: Participants will travel to Baltimore on July 29 and travel back home
on August 4.
Where: The National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute in Baltimore,
Maryland.
Why: To meet new people, learn new things, and have an exciting adventure!
How: Apply Now! Applications are due May 1, 2018.
How Much: There is no registration fee for this program. Visit our
frequently asked questions web page for more details:
http://www.blindscience.org/nfb-eq-faq.
Additional Information:
To be eligible to apply students must: be enrolled in grades 9-12 during the
2017-2018 school year in a school (public, private, charter, residential, or
home school) in the United States, be blind or have low vision, and be
available to attend the entire program.
Participant?s transportation to and from the program will be arranged by the
National Federation of the Blind. Students will travel to Baltimore on
Sunday and will travel home on the following Saturday.
This is a residential program; students will stay in dormitories at the
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute and all meals will be
provided.
In the evenings, after the conclusion of the instructional day, students
will be engaged in various social and recreational activities.
What are people saying about EQ?
?NFB EQ gave me more confidence to keep doing what I want?no one can stop
me! The program opened my eyes to even more options in the field [of
engineering], and it gave me some confidence that I can do some mechanical
stuff that I didn?t think I could do before.? ? Michael, Texas
?At the program, I learned that there is accessible equipment?I can use
equipment that is close to what sighted people use, like Braille rulers and
click rules. At school, the tools for measuring in science aren?t always
accessible to me.? ? Lilly, Alaska
?I increased my drawing skills at NFB EQ. The tactile drawing board helped
me because I could feel what I drew. Visualizations also have gotten easier
[going from drawing to model to prototype]. In engineering, you have to
picture an idea in your mind and then draw it before you can build it. When
you draw it, you can really see how it's going to come together.? ? Trey,
Kentucky
?I am amazed at how the people involved in organizing this program made
everything so easy for us. From organizing logistics to making sure the
schedule was running smoothly for the students?the whole event was very
successful. The staff?s warmth and attention to detail really eased my mind
and made me feel good about leaving my son at the program for the week.? ?
Mark (father), North Carolina
"I was looking for a rigorous, highly academic science program that promoted
and modeled independence, and the National Federation of the Blind was
offering everything I was looking for. Still, I was hesitant. What if it
wasn?t a good use of my students? resources, or what if they weren?t safe?
My fears were unwarranted, from start to finish. NFB made the health,
safety, academic rigor, social experiences, and general well-being of our
students paramount. Every detail was professionally planned and handled,
ensuring that every moment, for every student, was as meaningful as it could
possibly be.? ? Laura (teacher of the visually impaired), Kentucky
Questions?
Send them to: STEM at nfb.org; call (410) 659-9314, extension 2418; or mail to
National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, Maryland
21230.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science
Foundation under Grant No. 1712887. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions
or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and
do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
In Brief
Notices and information in this section may be of interest to Monitor
readers. We are not responsible for the accuracy of the information; we have
edited only for space and clarity.
Amazon Prime Discount Available:
Amazon is extending an Amazon Prime discount to Medicaid and EBT recipients.
The cost is $5.99/month or $40/year, normally $12.99/month or $99/year.
Applicants must upload a scan of their Medicaid card.
This offer has all the benefits except the ability to extend the Prime
membership to Household Members. Benefits include Prime Video (a service
similar to Netflix); two-day free shipping; and Amazon Now, a service
available in places where Amazon has a warehouse and can fill an order
within two hours. To learn more about the service and to apply go to
http://www.amazon.com/qualify.
Share Your Story:
The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) in Louisville, Kentucky,
kicked off its 160th Anniversary Celebration with an open house on their
founding day, January 23. As part of this celebration, APH announced a
National Writing Contest. Students and adults who are blind or visually
impaired as well as professionals in the field are invited to share their
stories about the impact of APH products on their lives, as well as
celebrating their personal success stories. Categories, word count, and
topics are as follows:
Grades 3 through 5 (Maximum 250 words)
Official Topic:
The American Printing House for the Blind provides specialized tools and
materials for people who are blind and visually impaired to learn and to
live independently. Write a letter to APH telling us about either
your favorite APH product: how you use it, and why you love it, or
a product you would like to invent for APH: what the product would be
called; how it would be used; and who would benefit from it.
Grades 6 through 8 (Maximum 500 words)
Official Topic:
Louis Braille, a Frenchman, invented the Braille code of tactile reading and
writing in 1821. He died in 1852?six years before APH was founded in 1858.
Write a letter to Louis and tell him either
how Braille changed the lives of people who are blind or
how APH has changed the lives of people with vision loss since it was
founded in 1858.
Grades 9 through 12 (Maximum 750 words)
Official Topic:
Think about the career or vocation you would like to pursue as an adult.
Write an essay about how your strengths and interests will help you in this
work. What person (or people) have empowered you to succeed? What APH
product(s) has best prepared you for work in this area, and what product(s)
will you use to become successful in this career or vocation?
Adult Consumers (Maximum 1,000 words)
Official Topic:
APH has celebrated many milestones since it was founded in 1858. For
example: in 1883 a new building was constructed; in 1932 Standard English
Braille became the only tactile reading and writing system produced by APH;
in 1974 cassette tapes were introduced in the Talking Book program; and in
2003 Book Port was offered for sale. Write an essay about significant
milestones in your life. What factors helped you to accomplish remarkable
things and to overcome challenges? What APH product(s) have empowered you
along the way?
Professionals (Maximum 1,000 words)
Official Topic:
Write an essay about the most creative, unique way you have used an APH
product (or products). What is the product and what did it help you (or a
student or adult you worked with) accomplish?
Cash prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third places in each
category. The deadline for all entries is June 1, 2018. For additional
information about rules, eligibility, and evaluation criteria, as well as
official entry forms, please visit the contest website at
www.aph.org/contest/160th-anniversary-essay. Questions? Contact Nancy
Lacewell at nlacewell at aph.org or (502) 899-2339, or Lauren Hicks at
lhicks at aph.org or (502) 895-2405.
For the purposes of this contest, visual impairment is defined as corrected
visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye, or a visual field limited
to twenty degrees or less. This includes those who function at the federal
definition of blindness (FDB), described above, due to brain injury or
dysfunction.
Braille Calendars Available:
I am selling handmade Braille calendars. They are Brailled on larger Braille
pages, and there is space on each page to make your own notes and mark
events, just like sighted people do on print calendars. These are also good
practice for children and adults learning to read and write Braille or use a
calendar and allow teachers and parents to create activities using tactile
markings.
I?m creating these calendars using a Brailler, so there is no set price. I
will discuss with each individual to determine price based on what they can
afford. I will also Braille recipes, words of songs, poems, stories, and
other things that are not under copyright, except computer and music
Braille. Whatever money I get will be used to help me attend the NFB
convention and help others as well. If you are interested, please email me
at adrijana.prokopenko at gmail.com.
State Resource Handbooks Available for Purchase:
I have created thirty-four screen-reader-friendly resource handbooks
containing resources pertaining to the blind and visually impaired for use
by consumers and professionals. This handbook is for the residents of
specific states and includes the many organizations for the blind and
visually impaired covering areas such as employment, housing,
transportation, and more. Currently the handbooks are for Alabama, Alaska,
Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida,
Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York,
Texas, Oregon, Ohio, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, North Dakota, North
Carolina, Utah, and Wisconsin.
These state resource handbooks are not available in the following formats:
Braille hard copy, audio, CD, and National Library Service cartridge.
The handbooks include contact information on the local, regional, and
national level. For more information on pricing, formats, and order form
please contact Insightful Publications by email at insightfulpub at gmail.com,
by phone at (808) 747-1006, or by visiting http://www.in-
sightful.com/orderpage.html.
Monitor Mart
The notices in this section have been edited for clarity, but we can pass
along only the information we were given. We are not responsible for the
accuracy of the statements made or the quality of the products for sale.
Braille Watch Wanted:
I am looking for a Braille watch that has a spring and must be wound. If
someone has one for sale, please call Eftyhios Scordas at (331) 245-8037.
NFB Pledge
I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation
of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind;
to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its
constitution.
Jim Y. McCollum
j.mccollum64 at comcast.net
860-581-0430 (mobile)
203-535-1620 (home)
Sent from my iPhone
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End of CT-NFB Digest, Vol 85, Issue 8
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