[il-talk] {Disarmed} Fwd: NFB Imagineering Our Future: Making summer plans

[Denise Avant]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Mark Riccobono <JerniganInstitute at nfb.org>
> Date: May 6, 2011 3:04:24 PM CDT
> To: dravant at ameritech.net
> Subject: NFB Imagineering Our Future: Making summer plans
> Reply-To: Mark Riccobono <JerniganInstitute at nfb.org>
> 
> View this newsletter as HTML in your browser.
> View last month’s newsletter.
> 
> Imagineering Our Future
> 
>      Issue 34
> 
> May 2011   
> In this issue:
> 
> Message from the Executive Director
> What’s New
> Education
> Braille Initiative
> Research
> Advocacy
> Straight Talk About Vision Loss
> Product and Access Technology Talk
> From the tenBroek Library
> Independence Market
> Parent Outreach
> Spotlight on the Imagination Fund
> NFB Calendar
> Citation
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> 
> Message from the Executive Director
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> Dear Friends,
> 
> Many colleges and universities are wrapping up another semester, and thousands of students are thinking about summer vacations, employment, internships, and other opportunities to expand their horizons. At the Jernigan Institute, we are looking forward to having a number of energetic college students come for the summer as interns working in a wide range of activities with us. Despite the excitement and opportunity that comes when talking about summer plans, I have been thinking a lot about the struggles that many blind college students face due to the inaccessibility of campus technologies.
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> I just returned from Columbus, Ohio, where I was participating in a meeting of the Advisory Commission on Accessible Instructional Materials in Post Secondary Education for Students with Disabilities. This commission is examining the status of instructional materials and will make recommendations to Congress for improvements that might be made in ensuring access for students with disabilities. During the recent meeting, we heard testimony from blind students who have difficulty navigating the inaccessible systems being used at their schools. We heard from blind faculty who have had to work two and three times as hard as their colleagues to earn tenure because of the inaccessibility of systems used in instruction and research. We also heard from dedicated professionals working at universities to improve accessibility who expressed frustration over the constant adoption of new technologies that have no accessibility built in.
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> I can only imagine the stress these students and faculty must feel as they go into summer break. What new technology will be adopted in the fall that will not be accessible? Will professors select textbooks that are available on eBook platforms that are not accessible? Alternatively, these same students and faculty may have comfort in knowing that the National Federation of the Blind is working day and night to change the prospects for accessibility in colleges and universities. Even more exciting, we have an increasing number of universities and product manufacturers who are actively working with us to make the promise of technology a reality.
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> I encourage you to add your voice to our efforts by sending your comments to the Commission during the public hearing this summer. If you or someone you know in any educational setting (K-12 or post-secondary) have experienced accessibility barriers, please encourage them to complete our new Digital Technology and Accessibility in Schools Questionnaire. Together, we truly can make summer break a time for new opportunities.
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> Thank you for your continued support of our work. I hope to see you this summer in Orlando!
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> Mark A. Riccobono, Executive Director, NFB Jernigan Institute 
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> Featured NFB News
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> 2011 NFB National Convention Update
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> The NFB national convention is always the largest gathering of the blind in the world each year, but the 2011 National Convention being held July 3-8 in Orlando, Florida, is shaping up to be exceptional.  Our host hotel, the Rosen Shingle Creek, has sold out for the entire convention!  But fear not, Rosen Shingle Creek reservations agents will be happy to book a room for you at the nearby Rosen Centre Hotel.  Make your room reservation as soon as possible by calling (866) 996-6338.
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> The Rosen Shingle Creek Resort
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> Preregister online with NFB for the convention through May 31—it’s more convenient and it saves you money.  Registration costs $20 in person but you will pay only $15 online.  Likewise, banquet tickets, $60 on the ground in Orlando, will be discounted to $50 if you get them ahead of time, before June 1. 
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> The deadline for convention exhibitor application submission is Friday, May 27, 2011.  Applications received after this deadline will only be given consideration if space is still available, and in such a case, the exhibitor will incur a late fee of $100 per table space.  Please visit the national convention Web page for exhibit hall information, and contact Melissa Kobelinski with any questions.
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> Rehabilitation and Orientation and Mobility Conference in Orlando
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> The Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness, Louisiana Tech University, and the National Blindness Professional Certification Board are sponsoring the 10th Annual Rehabilitation and Orientation and Mobility Conference at the Rosen Shingle Creek hotel immediately prior to the NFB convention on Sunday, July 3, 2011, from 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
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> National and international speakers will discuss the origins of the Structured Discovery paradigm, the influence of its implementation, its future, and how it can improve meaningful outcomes for rehabilitation consumers who are blind or visually impaired. 
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> Preregister by Monday, June 27.  Your cost of $100 for professionals or $75 for students includes a luncheon banquet and a “mix and mingle” reception.   For more information, please call (318) 257-4554 or e-mail Eddie Bell. 
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> Education
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> 2009 NFB Youth Slam students
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> The third NFB Youth Slam is just around the corner. One hundred fifty students from across the country have been selected to attend this unprecedented event, July 17-23 at Towson University. Preparations are underway for engaging content tracks, workshops, and social events. Stay up to date on the Youth Slam by following NFBScience on Twitter or visiting the NFBScience blog.
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> The Education team of the NFB Jernigan Institute kicked off the month of April by hosting fourteen middle school and high school students from the West Virginia School for the Blind on April 1 and 2. The theme of the weekend centered around five steps to becoming a successful blind person. The weekend activities included philosophy discussions about various aspects of blindness, presentations from positive blind adult role models, lessons in how to grill burgers for the students, and a rousing game of Minute to Win It. The weekend concluded with presentations about blindness from the students that they planned to take back to their peers. It was exciting to have the opportunity to mentor our future blind youth leaders from West Virginia!
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> NFB LAW program participant examining the Vietnam War Memorial
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> On April 8-12, 2011, twenty-four blind middle school students and their chaperones attended the second annual NFB Leadership and Advocacy in Washington, D.C., (LAW) program. Throughout the program, student participants learned about the history of the organized blindness civil rights movement and the process through which blindness legislation is created. The parents and chaperones participated in a seminar in which they discussed getting better services and blindness skills for their children. Parents and students learned more about the inner workings of the National Federation of the Blind, its advocacy work for blind individuals, and available resources for blind students and adults. In addition to their visit to the National Federation of the Blind headquarters here in Baltimore, the visit included several trips to Washington, D.C. The students met with former Congressman Bill Zeliff on the floor of the House of Representatives; received a guided tour of the U.S. Capitol; went to the Department of Justice to meet with Mazen Basrawi, a blind leader who is Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General; and had appointments with representatives at their local congressional offices in D.C. The students and chaperones attending the program had competent blind adult role models and leaders of the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children as mentors. During the program the students learned about the struggles of leaders of the National Federation of the Blind and how they coped with these struggles. The event concluded with a banquet during which the students sat with leaders of the National Federation of the Blind and interacted with them personally. We were sad to see the students leave at the end of the LAW program, but glad to hear comments such as this one from Gabriel Lopez of California: “That was a wonderful and life-changing program.”
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> This year, the NFB Jernigan Institute once again hosted thirty high school students from the LEAD (Leadership, Education, Advocacy, and Determination) youth programs in New Jersey and Delaware, on April 16 and 17, 2011. The activities for the weekend all revolved around the potential for present and future employment. The program included a blindness philosophy discussion, interview dos and don’ts, a panel of blind professionals, and sessions on using alternative techniques for jobs that the participants can do now. Throughout the weekend, we demonstrated that blind youth have the potential to do any career, and they need to drive their own future, not leave it to others!
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> TeachBlindStudents.org initiative
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> The NFB’s TeachBlindStudents.org initiative, a resource for those interested in exploring what it would be like to be a teacher of the blind, includes the Teacher of Tomorrow program, which connects students who are preparing to teach blind children with the support, resources, and positive blindness philosophy of the National Federation of the Blind.  Our congratulations go out to a member of the current Teacher of Tomorrow class, Tara McCarthy from Ohio State University, who was recognized with an award at the Council for Exceptional Children Annual Convention and Expo, held in D.C.   She received the Student of the Year award at the Division on Visual Impairments general business meeting on April 26.  Applications will close on May 31 for the next Teacher of Tomorrow class, so get your materials and apply now. 
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> Braille Initiative
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> Braille Certification Training Program
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> The National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute is in its fifth year of working under contract with the Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, to administer the courses leading to certification for Braille transcribers and proofreaders.  In this past year alone, we graded some 5,000 course lessons and approximately 400 certification tests. As of this writing, we have forwarded to the Library of Congress the names of 1,000 individuals who have earned certification as transcribers or proofreaders of literary, Nemeth, or music Braille.
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> Jennifer Dunnam manages Braille programs for the Jernigan Institute, including the Library of Congress Braille Certification Training Program. But she has other talents. As she recently tweeted on Twitter, she was “happy to have been one of the 2,052 singers in @EricWhitacre’s global #VirtualChoir!” 
> Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest
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> Jonathan Welscott announces the West Michigan Whitecaps game Friday night at Fifth Third Park. Photo credit: T.J. Hamilton | The Grand Rapids Press
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> Jonathan Welscott is well-known in the Federation; he has participated in NFB Junior Science Academy and Leadership and Advocacy in Washington, D.C., (LAW) programs, attended national convention, and been one of the winners in the Braille Readers Are Leaders contest. Now he has attained a measure of celebrity in his hometown in Michigan. Two newspaper articles about Jonathan have found their way to Imagineering Our Future.  On April 13, the Grand Rapids Press reported as follows in “National Federation of the Blind Honors Jonathan Welscott”: 
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> A blind student’s announcing at Grandville Middle School sporting events earned him a national honor in an annual Braille Readers and Leaders contest.
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> The National Federation of the Blind gave Jonathan Welscott a community service award. Jonathan uses Braille when announcing at the school’s basketball and volleyball games, athletic director Mike Porko said.
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> As part of the award, the eighth-grader won a trip to this summer’s NFB national convention in Orlando, Florida, said Natalie L. Shaheen, director of education at the Baltimore-based NFB Jernigan Institute.
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> Later, on April 30, this feature-length article appeared:  “Blind teen sports announcer gets time behind mic for Whitecaps.”  It begins:
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> With fluidity and unbridled enthusiasm, Jonathan Welscott has announced the names of his classmates in front of scattered groups of spectators in Grandville Middle School’s gymnasium.
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> But the 14-year-old isn’t your typical announcer who calls all the action before him. That’s because he is blind.
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> Jonathan, an eighth-grader, has called middle school and high school games in the past two years, but his voice was heard by an entirely different audience Friday night.
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> Jonathan was at Fifth Third Ballpark, and announced batters in the third inning of the West Michigan Whitecaps game against the Lansing Lugnuts, briefly replacing Whitecaps announcer Michael Newell.
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> Congratulations Jonathan, and keep reading!
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> Research
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> We strongly urge you to participate in a survey being conducted by our colleagues at the Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness at Louisiana Tech University. Here is the announcement: 
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> Adult Rehabilitation and Employment Survey
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> This survey is intended for adults who are blind or visually impaired, and who are of employment age. The purpose of the survey is to gain some information about your experiences with Vocational Rehabilitation through your state services or rehabilitation counselor, and your experiences with adjustment training, education, and employment. If you are legally blind or significantly visually impaired, and if you are of employment age (at least 18 years old), you are invited to complete this survey. 
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> For your convenience, we have two options for you to complete the survey. They are:
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> Complete the questions online.
> If you prefer, you can contact our office and someone will take your responses over the phone. You can call 318-257-4554 or e-mail Dianne Seilhan to make these arrangements.
> This survey should not take more than ten minutes of your time. All of your responses will be kept strictly confidential—no information you share will be released about you in any form. This is entirely voluntary, and you may exit out of the survey at any time. Your experiences are very important to us, and if you do exit the survey, your information will not be used, so we appreciate your cooperation. 
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> We cannot thank you enough for your time and attention to our work. For those who do participate in this survey, you will be entered into a drawing where five individuals will win a $100 VISA gift card. So, take ten minutes to share your experiences with us and get a chance to win! 
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> Advocacy
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> LSAC Will Make its Web Site Fully Accessible to the Blind
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> The NFB has settled a lawsuit with the Law School Admissions Council, Inc. (LSAC) regarding access to the LSAC Web site by blind people. As part of the settlement, LSAC will provide full and equal access for blind users to its Web site by September 1, 2011. Changes will be made to the LSAC Web site that will allow blind users utilizing screen access technology, which converts what is on the computer screen into synthesized speech or Braille, to read and interact with it. The accessibility requirements extend to all parts of the Web site on which services or products are made available to prospective law school applicants or to LSAT and Credential Assembly Service registrants, including, but not limited to, the process of applying to law schools through lsac.org and the documents and practice tests LSAC makes available online.
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> Under the settlement, the National Federation of the Blind will perform semi-annual accessibility testing of the LSAC Web site until September 1, 2012.
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> Ticketmaster Makes Web Site Fully Accessible and Fan-Friendly to Blind Users
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> The NFB also announced a cooperative agreement with Ticketmaster, the global event ticketing leader and one of the world’s top five eCommerce sites, to make its Web site fully accessible to the blind. Under the agreement, the Ticketmaster Web site will be made fully accessible to blind users utilizing screen access technology by December 31, 2011. Screen access technology converts what is on the computer screen into synthesized speech or Braille.
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> Pursuant to the agreement, Ticketmaster will develop a comprehensive accessibility program that will include the development of an accessibility guidelines manual, as well as the appointment of both an accessibility coordinator and an accessibility committee.
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> Additionally, Ticketmaster will continue to work with officials of the National Federation of the Blind to ensure that the Ticketmaster services remain accessible to the blind. Ticketmaster will submit its Web site to the NFB Nonvisual Accessibility (NFB-NVA) Web Certification program, a rigorous procedure by which Web sites and applications that have made efforts to be accessible to the blind can be identified and recognized. The NFB-NVA Web Certification program continually monitors participating sites to ensure that they remain compliant with certification criteria. If a site remains accessible, its certification is renewed on an annual or a version basis. If accessibility issues arise, the National Federation of the Blind will work with the site developers to remedy them.
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> Find out more in the NFB’s press releases about the LSAC settlement and the Ticketmaster cooperative agreement.   
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> Straight Talk About Vision Loss
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> Laura Weber
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> The Jernigan Institute’s video series Straight Talk About Vision Loss continues with Episode 37.  NFB Jernigan Institute executive director Mark Riccobono interviews Laura Weber, the president of the NFB’s National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) division.  
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> Laura learned of the NFB’s positive message about blindness when her daughter was two months old, and she soon started a Texas parents of blind children chapter.  At the 2010 convention, Laura was elected to head the national parents division.  In this Straight Talk interview, she speaks of the NOPBC’s current activities and plans to expand. The NOPBC’s seminar at the 2011 national convention will be held on July 3, and families who haven’t been involved in the NFB before are encouraged to attend.  
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> Product and Access Technology Talk
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> The Access Technology team has done its fair share of getting the word out about accessibility this past month. On March 24 the team spoke at Drexel University as part of their eLearning conference on achieving accessibility through partnerships with national organizations. The team gave guidance on accessible Learning Management Systems, Web sites, and other computer systems. True to the high profile of Web accessibility, there was an entire track, and the entire conference luncheon keynote, dedicated to the topic at the Drexel conference.
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> On April 14, the team presented to the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind (NCSAB) about the current state of accessible mainstream ebook technology as part of the 2011 NCSAB Spring Conference.
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> April 15, we co-hosted the HAVA Voting Work Group Seminar on Accessible Voting Technology, which brought a group of accessibility advocates to the International Braille and Technology Center for a lively conversation about what the biggest current barriers are to accessible voting. The team looks forward to tackling some of these issues and working with this group on building better solutions.
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> Finally, the latest post on the Access Technology blog is a little different from our usual fare–a discussion of the Snapfon senior phone, which we hope will be useful to some seniors with vision loss who want an easy-to-use phone.
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> eBay Jobs Development Program Update
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> Since the Jernigan Institute started training blind entrepreneurs who want to start a business on eBay, Imagineering Our Future has been profiling some of the trainees. This month’s featured seller is native Kentuckian Tonia Gatton. Tonia has always had a strong interest in technology.  She had been an eBay buyer, but the training course for blind entrepreneurs made her feel that she could now become an eBay seller, and she began selling immediately after the training meeting concluded. Tonia enjoys 100% positive feedback, and she is currently featuring items that would make very good Mother’s Day and Father’s Day presents.  Visit her eBay My World page to view her current listings, and enjoy shopping!  
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> From the tenBroek Library
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> Documenting the History of the Organized Blind 
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> Your Jacobus tenBroek Library is nearing the conclusion of our grant-funded basic processing projects. Support from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (a federal agency within the National Archives and Records Administration) enabled project staff to complete work on the Jacobus tenBroek papers last year. That project produced an excellent finding aid that has attracted the attention of scholars at work not only on blindness issues, but on all of tenBroek’s varied interests—including university teaching and administration, public welfare policy, disability rights, and social activism on behalf of all minorities.
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> The Archives
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> Our second major project has been to organize and produce a finding aid for the Federation’s archives. To provide a sense of the scope of the NFB Archives project, consider how it compares with the tenBroek papers project.
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> The tenBroek papers were large enough; they were stored in forty file cabinets and more than a dozen boxes of varied size and condition. In contrast, even after consolidation and discarding of items that were not worth retaining, the Federation Archives occupy:
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> 108 filing cabinets
> 289 Paige boxes
> 100 Hollinger boxes
> 45 Bankers boxes, and 
> 21 oversized folders.
> Piled on top of each other, the archival files would extend about a half-mile up.  Librarians usually talk about running feet of shelf space that a collection occupies. The Federation archives would take up (if we removed the files from the file folders) 1,758 linear feet.
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> While the vast majority of the material in both collections is in ink-print, we encourage anyone interested in Jacobus tenBroek and the organized blind—regardless of how they read—to consider visiting the Jernigan Institute to use this material. For those who cannot read print we have a list of local sighted readers who have been recommended by Federationists in the Baltimore area (which is not to say that you cannot bring your own reader with you).
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> Now that the inventory is complete, project staff have begun work on a series-level finding aid for the Federation Archives. Stay tuned for further word on this and other news of the tenBroek Library’s archival and manuscript collections!
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> Independence Market
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> The NFB Independence Market is in the process of adding new items to our product offerings which we hope will be of interest to blind individuals as well as their friends and families. This month we are highlighting three accessible board games newly available through the Independence Market. 
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> Nine Men’s Morris
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> NINE MEN’S MORRIS:  Ancient strategy board game for two. Players try to create lines of three in order to remove their opponent’s game pieces. The plastic game pieces are white (round) and black (square) with pegs on the bottom which fit in holes on the game board. The composite wood game board, which measures 11-9/16 x 9-1/2 inches, features tactile lines indicating how the game pieces can move. Includes Braille and print directions.    
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> Shut the Box
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> SHUT THE BOX:  Easy math game for two or more players, ages three and up. Players flip (shut) one or more numbered tiles corresponding to the value of the rolled dice. The wooden game tray, which is lined in felt, measures 10-1/2 x 7-1/2 inches and features nine hinged tiles numbered 1-9 in print and Braille on both sides. Includes two tactile dice as well as Braille and print instructions.
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> Solitaire and Fox and Geese
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> SOLITAIRE AND FOX AND GEESE:  Two ancient strategy games played on the same board—Solitaire for one player and Fox and Geese for two. The composite wood peg board measures 11-1/2 x 11-1/2 inches and includes 33 plastic game pieces. Solitaire is played with the 32 orange (10-sided) pegs, which at the start of the game occupy the holes in the cross-shaped play area. Fox and Geese is played with 15 orange pegs as the geese and the brown (6-sided) peg as the fox. Includes Braille and print directions.
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> Games in the NFB Independence Market may be ordered online or by phone.  For more information contact the NFB Independence Market at 410-659-9314, extension 2216, or by e-mail.  
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> Parent Outreach
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> Parent Activities at National Convention
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> The April Braille Monitor contains information that parents attending the NFB national convention need to know.  “When I Grow Up…2011 NOPBC Conference for Families and Teachers” by Laura Weber gives convention highlights of particular interest to families as well as tips to help parents stay organized and take advantage of all of the opportunities to be found there. “Child Care at Convention” explains some of the special activities planned to occupy the kids while parents participate in other activities, child care’s hours of operation, and the fee schedule. Please note that space is limited, and preregistration for child care is required.  
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> The Future Reflections magazine Winter 2011 issue includes “Visiting the Disney Parks: Tips and Tricks” by Lenora J. Marten.  
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> The National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) reminds our newer families that they must make several separate registrations: for the national convention (preregister here through the end of this month only, or take care of on site), with the hotel for a room (phone 866-996-6338), with the NOPBC division for the parents conference (through June 10, contact Carol Castellano for preregistration forms, after June 10, register on site), and with child care (see article linked above).
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> Spotlight on the Imagination Fund 
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> The Imagination Fund builds programs of the National Federation of the Blind at the national, state, and local levels.  The Thru Our Eyes radio program, now in its sixth year, has received grants from the Imagination Fund to help with its operations.  The radio show is designed to provide information about blindness and foster a positive attitude towards dealing with blindness issues.  
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> Rolex 24 poster
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> The program that aired on April 20, 2011, was dedicated to describing the history and functions of the Imagination Fund and the current Race for Independence.  Visit the podcast player page of the Thru Our Eyes Web site to listen to episode 254 to learn about the Race for Independence and how you can be involved. 
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> This episode also offers color commentary of the historic drive by Mark Riccobono at the Daytona International Speedway prior to the start of the Rolex 24 on January 29, 2011.
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> For a limited time only, you can win an official Rolex 24 poster, signed by Mark Riccobono—the driver of the Blind Driver Challenge™ vehicle that was first demonstrated at the Daytona International Speedway.  One winner will be selected from all eligible entrants.  In order to be eligible for the drawing, visit the Race for Independence site and register to become an Imaginator and then raise $35 or more before May 31. Or, if you are already an Imaginator, raise $35 between now and May 31, 2011.  
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> Hurry, time is limited to get your piece of history!  For questions or additional information, please e-mail the Imagination Fund.  Good luck!  
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> NFB Calendar
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> The Spring Convention Season finishes up this month with the yearly meetings of the NFB’s state affiliates in Utah and Florida. To look up when the NFB of (insert your favorite state) meets or for more information, see the state conventions page on the NFB’s Web site.   
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> May 15, 2011     Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award nominations close.  Details are in the December Braille Monitor article.
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> May 31, 2011     Preregistration ends for 2011 NFB National Convention. 
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>  July 3-8, 2011    The 71st Annual NFB National Convention, Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, Orlando, Florida; More details are found in the 2011 Convention Bulletin. 
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> NOTE:  The Rosen Shingle Creek Resort is now out of rooms.  To make your reservation for the overflow hotel, the Rosen Centre, please call (866) 996-6338.
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> Our heartfelt thanks to the 2011 NFB National Convention sponsors: eBay, HumanWare, UPS, Ingram-VitalSource, Market Development Group Incorporated, Oracle, Freedom Scientific BLV Group LLC, IBM, National Industries for the Blind (NIB), Research in Motion Limited (RIM), GW Micro Inc., HIMS, Independence Science, Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic), LevelStar, Sendero Group LLC, and Toyota.  
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> July 17-23, 2011   The 3rd Biennial NFB Youth Slam, Towson University, Maryland.
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> Citation
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> Nothing worthwhile comes without cost. To gain freedom demands not just money, but will, imagination, guts, and courage. These must be available not just now and then, but all of the time. Furthermore, these qualities cannot be contributed by somebody else—they must come from us.
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> Will the educational system for the blind get better? Yes, because we will make it so. Will the rehabilitation system become more responsive? Yes, because we will demand the responsiveness and keep working until we get it. Will the scientific community come to know us as partners? Certainly, because we have the intellectual ability to create the circumstances that require it. Will other management systems of our society welcome us? Indeed they will. Our sighted brothers and sisters will come to value us for the people we are and will share our dreams for a brighter tomorrow for us all.
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> The objectives we have established are enormously demanding, and they will require all that is best within us. However, we do not fear the challenge; we welcome it. No matter the cost, we will meet it. No matter the requirement, we will fulfill it. No matter the obstacle, we will overcome it. Is there knowledge to be gathered about blindness that we do not already possess? You bet there is, and we are learning it as fast as we can. But this is only one of the elements of the future we intend to create. We are also teaching all who will listen. Our hearts are strong; our will is firm; and our determination is unshakable. The members of the National Federation of the Blind have been in the frontlines of change for more than two-thirds of a century. Because of the spirit we share, our progress cannot be slowed, and our ultimate objectives will be met. Come, join me, and we will make tomorrow our own!
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>   —Dr. Marc Maurer, “The Advantage of Uncertainty,” an address delivered at the banquet of the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind, Dallas, Texas, July 8, 2010  
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> Thank you for reading the NFB Jernigan Institute’s Imagineering Our Future.
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> Interesting links:
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> Archive of Straight Talk about Vision Loss videos
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> National Center for Blind Youth in Science
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> Access Technology Tips
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> Jernigan Institute, National Federation of the Blind
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