[Gabs] Connecting The Dotz Newsletter: Issue 1
Isaiah Wilcox
iwilcox2011 at gmail.com
Tue Jun 2 14:07:12 UTC 2009
CONNECTING THE DOTZ
“EVERYDAY PEOPLE LIVING LIFE EVERYDAY”
ISSUE NO. 1 (01 June 2009)
ON BLAST
(Blind Leaders Advocating for the Students of Tomorrow)
A mark in history was made at the Days Inn Downtown Atlanta on
April 11th, as the Georgia Association of Blind Students held the
first annual student convention for the state of Georgia. The Georgia
Association of Blind Students, also known as GABS, is Georgia’s
division of the National Association of Blind Students. This
organization is the student division of the National Federation of the
Blind; which is composed of students at both the secondary and post-
secondary level. This group of students also includes non-traditional
students of all ages. The purpose of the division is to promote self-
advocacy, independence, self-motivation, and a wide variety of other
useful tactics. The overall goal of the Georgia Association of Blind
Students is to serve as a voice for blind individuals and produce well-
rounded individuals who are educated in both the classroom and the
blind community.
Not only did the Georgia Association of Blind Students make their mark
in history by hosting the first student convention in Georgia, but we
also had one of the largest amount of members attend the event. Over
forty individuals registered for the convention on April 11th;
traveling from all regions in the state. There were many presenters
who spoke with us and provided valuable information. Among these were,
Paul Raymond-Director of Blind Services, Terri Rupp-President of the
National Association of Blind Students, Kathy Segers-Programs Director
for the state of Georgia, Stella Cone-Regional Director of Library
Services, Sally Atwell-“Benefits Navigator”, Linda Pouge-“Advocacy
History and You”, Vencer Cotton-Transitioning, and Michael Smith-Self-
Defense Techniques.
*********
BRIDGING THE GAP
This article is known as Bridging the Gap. Its sole purpose is to
highlight individuals who have served the NFBGA a number of years. We
will focus on individuals who have been diligent, hardworking and
dedicated to the Georgia Affiliate. This month the spotlight falls on
Robert Smith.
Robert joined the organization in 1990. Since that time he has
become one of the true leaders of the Blind Movement in Georgia. He is
an Atlanta native. He first learned of the NFB while working for
Sears. One of his duties was to encourage his co-workers to donate
funds to United Way in order to financially assist organizations such
as the NFB.
Robert was later diagnosed with glaucoma and was invited to attend a
NFB national convention. He soon realized that this was the
organization for him. He has spent the last few years as a massage
therapist. He has civic involvements. He is chairman of the Elderly
Disabled Access Advisory Committee (EDAC). This group deals with
issues surrounding transportation and the Americans With Disabilities
Act. He also serves on the Fulton County Disability Affairs Commission.
Robert currently serves as the 1st Vice President of the NFB of
Georgia. He is a mentor in the GEMS program. When asked what is your
fondest memory of the program he replied, “when I attended my first
national convention and met so many people in so many different
professions it came to me that this is an organization that will never
limit you. You can become whatever you desire.”
*********
BLIND VISION
(ARTICLE TAKEN FROM KNFB READER WEBSITE)
The Mobile Reader Product Line from knfbReading Technologies,
Inc., is a major advancement in portability and functionality of print
access for the blind, the vision impaired and those with reading
difficulties.
The knfbReader Mobile and kReader Mobile software packages run on a
multifunction cell phone that allow the user to read mail, receipts,
handouts and many other documents wherever the user happens to be.
This is a truly pocket-sized solution to reading on the go. The
knfbReader Mobile software has a feature set designed for blind or low
vision users. The kReader Mobile is designed for people who have
difficulty reading due to learning or language problems.
knfb Reading Technologies is a Joint Venture between Kurzweil
Technologies and the National Federation of the Blind.
The National Federation of the Blind has launched a new special low
interest loan program that will apply to the knfbReader! Visit their
website at: http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com/
*********
THE GIGGLE BOX
A vampire bat came flapping in from the night covered in fresh blood
and parked himself on the roof of the cave to get some sleep.
Pretty soon all the other bats smelled the blood and began hassling
him about where he got it.
He told them to go away and let him get some sleep but they persisted
until finally he gave in.
"OK, follow me" he said and flew out of the cave with hundreds of bats
behind him.
Down through the valley they went, across a river and into a forest
full of trees.
Finally he slowed down and all the other bats excitedly milled around
him.
"Now, do you see that tree over there?" he asked.
"Yes, Yes, and Yes!" the bats all screamed in frenzy.
"Good" said the bat, "Because I sure as heck didn't!"
*********
NFB NEWSLINE
(ARTICLE TAKEN FROM NFB NEWSLINE WEBSITE)
Would you like a newspaper with your morning cup of coffee? NFB-
NEWSLINE® added its 250th newspaper in 2007 AND it's still growing.
Four Spanish-language newspapers are now available to all
subscribers. The service handles thousands of phone calls each day
for individuals across the country that now access daily newspapers
and magazines as never before. The toll-free centralized call-in
center provides service on demand to any subscriber. This also enables
those who cannot read conventional print to have access to all content
offered on NFB-NEWSLINE® when traveling throughout the United States
twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Every day, a subscriber can choose that day's, the previous days, or
the previous Sunday's issue of any newspaper in the service. On NFB-
NEWSLINE®, the user can easily choose which newspaper, section, and
article to read using a standard touch-tone telephone. The menu
provided allows the user to change the speed and voice settings, spell
out words, or search for a particular word or subject.
NFB-NEWSLINE® now offers more choices than ever, including special
local channels to distribute announcements of specific interest to the
blind. For more information visit: http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Newspapers_by_Phone.asp
*********
WORD PLAY
Chastise: (verb) to punish severely; to judge harshly
Amy chastised John for his insensitive remark.
Dogged: (adjective) stubbornly persevering; tenacious
The student’s dogged attitude and unwillingness to give up greatly
contributed to her academic success.
Lugubrious: (adjective) mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially to an
exaggerated or ludicrous degree
The actor’s lugubrious monologue reflected feelings of sadness and pain.
*********
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
June 28 GABS Teleconference 7:30 p.m.
July 3-8 National Convention (Detroit, Michigan)
July 6th Motor City March for Independence
July 26 GABS Teleconference 7:30 p.m.
July 26-August 1st Youth Slam
August 14-16 You Improving You, Southeastern Regional seminar (Macon,
Georgia)
*********
BRAIN BASHER
Are you up for the challenge? Test your skills. Can your brain bash
these problems, or will these problems bash your brain?
PUZZLE 1
Many years ago, a cruise liner sank in the middle of the Pacific
Ocean. The survivors luckily landed on a remote desert island. There
was enough food for the 220 people to last three weeks. Six days later
a rescue ship appeared, unluckily this ship also sank, leaving an
additional 55 people stranded on the island to now share the original
rationed food. The food obviously had to be re-rationed, but everyone
was now on one-half of the original ration, so how many days in total
would the food last for, from the day of the original sinking?
ANSWER 1
30 days: originally there was enough food for 220 people for 21 days,
which totals 4620 rations. After 6 days 1320 rations were eaten.
Therefore there were now 3300 rations for 275 people, which would last
for another 24 days at one-half ration per person. Which is 30 days in
total from the original sinking.
PUZZLE 2
Geoff and I were playing on the roundabout at the local park. It was
very large and we stood on opposite sides and we spun the roundabout
anti-clockwise. I threw a ball to Geoff. Did the ball go to Geoff, or
did it go to the right of him or the left of him?
ANSWER 2
Since the roundabout moved while the ball was travelling to Geoff, the
ball went to the right of him (i.e. his left).
*********
Two Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollars to Go Into Space Today
National Federation of the Blind Launches Program
to Sell 50,000 Coins before the Shuttle Returns to the KENNEDY SPACE
CENTER (May 11, 2009): When the space shuttle Atlantis takes off
today, it will carry two Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollars.
This unique coin commemorates the birth of the inventor of the reading
and writing code for the blind and is the first United States coin to
contain tactile, readable Braille. At the same time, the National
Federation of the Blind will launch a program to sell 50,000 of these
limited edition coins to raise funds to advance Braille literacy in
the United States before the shuttle returns to earth in eleven days.
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind,
said: “This is an exciting moment because the general public has the
chance to buy a piece of history; a coin that not only represents
knowledge and empowerment for blind people but that also will visit
the Hubbell Space Telescope. Just as the Hubbell telescope has
advanced our knowledge of the universe, purchasing the Louis Braille
Bicentennial Silver Dollar will advance the cause of equality for the
blind.”
Mark Riccobono, executive director of the National Federation of the
Blind Jernigan Institute, said: “Blind children in America are facing
a crisis; only 10 percent of them are learning Braille, leaving 90
percent illiterate. It is imperative that the general public act
swiftly to reverse illiteracy among blind children. That is why we
are asking everyone to purchase a Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver
Dollar before Atlantis returns to earth.”
To purchase the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar, please visit
<http://www.usmint.gov/>www.usmint.gov or call 1-800-USA-MINT
(872-6468). The proof silver dollar is $41.95 and the uncirculated
silver dollar is $33.95. For more information about the National
Federation of the Blind and the Braille Readers are Leaders campaign,
please visit www.braille.org
*********
RUTH WITH THE TRUTH
Hey. My name is Ruth. I have been raising children since the beginning
of time. I have known about things that you all may have never
dreamed of. So, if you have any questions please send them to me. I
will give you the some of my sage advice based on my years of
experience. In other words I will do my best to help you. But remember
I can only give advice or get you to look at the situation from
another perspective. You have to make the final decisions for
yourself. Nonetheless,
Still come to "Ruth with the Truth”. Please send your questions and
concerns to ruthwiththetruth at gmail.com. Your submissions will be kept
anonymous.
Dear Ruth,
I have spent the majority of my life concentrating on my academics. I
recently met someone whom I find attractive. I don't think I am all
that good looking. This is because some of the other students tease
me about my acne. How do I approach her?
Signed
Dateless in Barnesville
Dear Dateless,
Congratulations for being focused on your studies. You did not mention
your age so I am going to assume that you are a high school student.
High school can be a difficult time in a young man’s life for various
reasons. May I suggest that you have a talk with your parents and set
up an appointment with a dermatologist to find out how to treat your
acne? As you work on solving your skin issue your self-confidence will
Improve and you will find it easier to approach any young lady.
Good luck.
RWTT
Dear Ruth,
I am 15 years old and my parents have separated. I live with my mom.
We live in an area that is rough and there are people selling drugs.
I do not feel safe coming home alone sometimes. I want to live with
my dad. How do I tell my mom that I want to move without hurting her
feelings?
Signed
Torn and Confused
Dear Torn and Confused,
I am not sure what your relationship is with your mother. You should
sit down with both parents and express your fears and apprehensions.
The three of you can come up with a solution that works for everyone
involved.
R W T T
Dear Ruth,
I am currently in middle school living at home with my mom and my
brother and sister. Times are hard for the family, but we seem to
make it. My cousin who lives up the street is selling drugs. He says
he will pay me to be a watch out. I know drugs are bad but we could
use the money. Please tell me it would be all right to do it just one
time.
Uncertain in Sparta
Dear uncertain,
You are not confused. You are not uncertain. You know to participate
in such a scheme is not right and has great consequences. If you were
caught and sent away from your mother and sister and brother times
would truly be hard. Have faith that things will get better and do not
resort to crime as a way out.
R W T T
*********
GABS GOSSIP
Connecting the Dotz reports that the Georgia Association of Blind
Students is currently building a website. This website will be the
information center for all of the students who are a part of GABS,
NABS, and any others who would like to visit the site. The site is
called “Connecting the Dotz;” however, the domain has not been
established at this time. The website will host a multiple resource
center for student success. Please stay tuned for more information
and the actual launch of the website.
*********
DT ENTERTAINMENT
Are you looking for musical entertainment that will get the party
started? Then DT Entertainment is the DJ company that will satisfy
your entertainment needs. We provide fun and enjoyment for all
occasions-weddings, parties, and a host of other events. We entertain
the crowd with a wide variety of musical genres; from rap and hip-hop
to country and gospel, we have it all just waiting to get the party
started. If you want your party to be the most talked about event of
the year, then contact Derrick Tuff and Timothy Collins at 404-354-2250.
*********
FOR SALE
The Georgia Association of Blind Students is in the process of
selling T-shirts. These T-shirts are very fashionable and comfortable.
The shirts are royal blue. In the top center of the shirt is the
metallic NFB whoseit logo. Beneath the NFB whoseit logo is the Georgia
affiliate motto for the year, “Everyday People Living Life Everyday”.
The T-shirts are available in sizes ranging from small to 3X. Small-XL
shirts are $12, and 2X and 3X shirts are and additional $3. If you are
interested in purchasing a shirt, contact Lakeisha Holmes, GABS
secretary.
*********
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Dear Connecting the Dotz Readers:
The Connecting the Dotz news team would like to thank you for taking
the time out to read our division’s newsletter. If you have enjoyed
reading the newsletter, tell a friend. If you did not find the
newsletter helpful in anyway, or if you were left unsatisfied, please
tell us. If you have any suggestions and/or submissions feel free to
email the CTD news team at ctd.team09 at gmail.com. Stay tuned for next
quarter’s newsletter scheduled for release September 1st. Thanks again
for your support.
Signed,
CTD News Team
Isaiah Wilcox
President of the Georgia Association of Blind Students
Phone: 404-291-7791
E-mail: iwilcox2011 at gmail.com
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