From dandrews at visi.com Wed Apr 1 01:01:45 2009 From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews) Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:01:45 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] National Federation of the Blind Enhances and Expands Newspaper Service for the Blind Message-ID: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Chris Danielsen Director of Public Relations National Federation of the Blind (410) 659-9314, extension 2330 (410) 262-1281 (Cell) cdanielsen at nfb.org National Federation of the Blind Enhances and Expands Newspaper Service for the Blind NFB-NEWSLINE? Online Offers Blind Individuals More Options for Accessing the News Baltimore, Maryland (March 31, 2009): NFB-NEWSLINE?, the largest electronic newspaper service in the world for blind and print-disabled Americans, is pleased to announce the launch of NFB-NEWSLINE? Online (www.nfbnewslineonline.org). Through NFB-NEWSLINE? Online?s groundbreaking features, subscribers can enjoy both an enhanced experience in reading the news and dramatically increased flexibility in how they choose to access their favorite publication?s content. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: ?The NFB-NEWSLINE? service was created so that blind people could benefit from independent access to information on world news and hometown events in the same way that our sighted colleagues can. The new features offered by NFB-NEWSLINE? Online are an extension of this service?s ability to allow independent and flexible access to news content by the blind. I am very proud of the increased choice and convenience that initiatives like Web News on Demand and NFB-NEWSLINE? In Your Pocket provide to NFB-NEWSLINE? subscribers.? NFB-NEWSLINE?, which began operation in 1995, offers over 275 newspapers and magazines as well as TV listings to over 65,000 subscribers through a standard touch-tone telephone. With the exciting launch of NFB-NEWSLINE? Online, subscribers also now have unequaled access and unrivaled flexibility in how they read their favorite publications. Two new initiatives have been designed to enhance the subscriber?s experience: Web News on Demand and NFB-NEWSLINE? In Your Pocket. Through the easy-to-use Web News on Demand feature, subscribers can, for the first time ever, visit a secure Web site that offers a customizable reading experience and the ability to send entire publications, particular sections, or single articles to their e-mail inbox. NFB- NEWSLINE? In Your Pocket is a dynamic software application that a subscriber installs on his or her computer. Through an Internet connection, this software automatically downloads the publications of the subscriber?s choice to his or her portable digital talking book player (such as the Victor Reader Stream or Icon/Braille+). Jerry Moreno, a retired social worker from North Carolina, said: ?I love being able to get my favorite papers onto my digital talking book player in such an easy and quick way! NFB-NEWSLINE? In Your Pocket does it all for me, so that I can go about my morning routine and by the time I?m done my papers are loaded and ready for me to read along with my cup of coffee.? David DeNotaris, director of Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services with the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, said: ?As a husband, father, avid sports fan, and busy professional, I particularly appreciate the fact that Web News on Demand allows me to access relevant local, national, and international news quickly, simply, and independently.? To experience the groundbreaking features of NFB-NEWSLINE? Online, please visit www.nfbnewslineonline.org. For further information please write to swhite at nfb.org or call (866) 504-7300. ### About the National Federation of the Blind With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind. From jsorozco at gmail.com Wed Apr 1 01:57:51 2009 From: jsorozco at gmail.com (Joe Orozco) Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:57:51 -0400 Subject: [Mabs] The Slate is Here Message-ID: Dear students: Jennifer Kennedy, your Student Slate editor-in-chief, has produced the latest edition of the NABS publication, and it is a publication you should now read at: http://www.nabslink.org/slate_winter2009.shtml Those of you at the leadership seminar last weekend, remember her challenge to you to put out one more edition before the current NABS presidency leaves office. She's counting on you for articles, so read over the latest volume, get busy typing and encourage your fellow division members to put out an article or three! Best, Joe Orozco "A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd."--Max Lucado __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 3979 (20090331) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com From dandrews at visi.com Wed Apr 1 20:27:24 2009 From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews) Date: Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:27:24 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Imagineering Our Future Message-ID: Graphic Logo: NFB Jernigan Institute Imagineering Our Future Issue 11 March 31, 2009 In this issue: block quote list of 12 items ? Message from the Executive Director ? What's New ? Education ? Braille Initiative ? Straight Talk About Vision Loss ? Technology Talk ? From the Jacobus tenBroek Library ? Independence Market ? Parent Outreach ? Spotlight on the Imagination Fund ? NFB Calendar ? Citation list end block quote end block quote Message from the Executive Director block quote end block quote Our moment in history has finally arrived! When Louis Braille first observed the night writing code used by the French military, I wonder, did he recognize what the moment meant and how that moment would be a turning point in history? From our perspective in time, all we can do is speculate about the events of that moment and how they unfolded into the code that gives knowledge to the blind even today. However, we know much about our current moment in time and the turning point that is represented by the launch of the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar?hosted at the NFB Jernigan Institute on March 26, 2009. On that day, we released The Braille Literacy Crisis in America: Facing the Truth, Reversing the Trend, Empowering the Blind. This comprehensive report discusses the current status of Braille literacy?the crisis facing the blind?and provides our unwavering commitment to eliminate that crisis through our Braille Readers are Leaders Literacy Campaign. Of course, the Louis Braille coin first went on sale that day, and over seventeen thousand coins were sold?suggesting that this coin is going fast. And the National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced that two Louis Braille coins will fly on the STS-125 mission scheduled for later this year to provide servicing to the Hubble Space Telescope (the subject of the book Touch the Universe). What will mark this moment that we cannot yet recognize? What will it feel like to look back when 20, 30, 50 percent of blind children are getting adequate instruction in Braille? What will the imaginative new opportunities be when we have spread an understanding of Braille farther and wider than ever before? It is hard to fully answer any of these questions. However, we know with absolute certainty that our complete dedication, our bold advancement, and our hopeful spirit will forever be part of what makes this moment special. Thank you for being part of this important moment in time with the National Federation of the Blind. Graphic: Signature of Mark Riccobono Mark A. Riccobono, Executive Director, NFB Jernigan Institute Featured NFB News ANNOUNCING: Baltimore's new main event?the Cane Event! Join the NFB for a night of decadence with all proceeds benefiting our Braille literacy programs! Ladies & gentlemen, now presenting Baltimore?s newest main event, The Cane Event. Open bar, live entertainment, seated dinner, and live & silent auctions. Cocktail hour begins at 7:00 p.m. Black tie optional. $120 a ticket. For info visit TheCaneEvent.org. Braille is Beautiful. Logos: Deque Systems, Inc., BG&L, MDG, Smith Barney, IBM, M&T Bank The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) will host the Cane Event on April 4, 2009, at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute in south Federal Hill. The event will celebrate the NFB?s Braille Readers are Leaders literacy campaign. More than four hundred friends, colleagues, and blind people from across the nation are expected to attend. The event promises an evening of food, fun, and entertainment?featuring a catered dinner, silent and live auctions, and live music provided by Marquise. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: ?We are pleased and proud to welcome our friends from the Baltimore community, as well as friends from all over the country, to our annual fundraiser the Cane Event. The evening will surely be a remarkable celebration and will serve to highlight the importance of Braille literacy to the general public. There can be no doubt that the ability to read and write Braille competently and efficiently is the key to education, employment, and success for the blind. Despite the undisputed value of Braille, however, only about 10 percent of blind children in the United States are learning it. Please join us at the Cane Event as we work together to reverse the downward trend in Braille literacy.? Proceeds from this event will go to the National Federation of the Blind?s Braille Readers are Leaders campaign, a national initiative to promote the importance of reading and writing Braille for blind children and adults. The Braille Readers are Leaders campaign kicked off in July of 2008 with the unveiling of the design of a commemorative coin in recognition of the two-hundredth anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille (1809-1852), the inventor of the reading and writing code for the blind that bears his name. On March 26, the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar was released by the U.S. Mint. Cane Event tickets may be purchased online ; by phone at (410) 659-9314, extension 2419; or by e-mail. Education Parent gives her young son a cane lesson The NFB Jernigan Institute is holding an innovative Beginnings and Blueprints Early Childhood Conference in collaboration with the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children and various professionals in the early childhood field from across the Mid-Atlantic region. This two-day conference (May 8-9, 2009) will bring together families of blind children and early childhood service providers, teachers, and professionals in order to disseminate the NFB's approach to best practices in early childhood education for blind children. Families of blind and low vision children ages birth to seven who live in the Mid-Atlantic region are encouraged to attend. Families who live outside of the area are also welcome to attend if they desire, but should be aware that some of the exhibits and information will be region-specific. Families can choose among a variety of breakout sessions on topics such as early movement, literacy, and active learning. Families will also be able to consult with early childhood professionals. Children are encouraged to attend with their parents as there will be activities with young blind children in mind. Please complete the online or print registration form and submit by April 15, 2009. For more information please e-mail Mary Jo Thorpe, Education Programs Specialist, NFB Jernigan Institute; call (410) 659-9314, ext. 2407; or visit the Beginnings and Blueprints page. Plans are in full swing for the NFB Jernigan Institute?s Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) program in the summer of 2009. The BELL program is designed to serve as a demonstration program that provides intensive Braille instruction to low vision children during the summer months. Statistics show that only 10 percent of blind and low vision children receive Braille instruction. Therefore, the NFB aims to promote intensive summer programs, led by its affiliate members, to help improve the amount of exposure to Braille by young blind and low vision children, raise literacy levels of this population, and stir up greater interest in Braille education. This pilot program will be modeled after the successful 2008 BELL Program led by the NFB of Maryland state affiliate. The NFB Jernigan Institute will expand this program into Wisconsin and Georgia as well during the summer of 2009. The program dates are: Wisconsin, June 15-26; Georgia, July 13-24; and Maryland, August 3-15. The states will host the Jernigan Institute?s BELL Core Team during the two weeks of their programs. BELL Core Team members will facilitate a variety of fun, hands-on lessons ranging from group activities to one-on-one instruction designed to teach Braille to low vision children ages four to twelve. Children will also be mentored by older blind role models with positive attitudes about blindness and visit various field trip sites. The NFB Jernigan Institute plans to make the curriculum from this program available to other states for future use in developing their own BELL summer programs. Braille Initiative Photo: Coin launch ceremony On March 26, 2009, the official launch ceremony of the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar took place at the NFB Jernigan Institute. More than three hundred NFB members and friends, as well as variety of special guests and speakers including Dr. Abraham Nemeth, Dr. Marc Maurer, Dr. Frederic K. Schroeder, and U.S. Mint Director Ed Moy, gathered in the Members Hall to celebrate this special day and to have the first opportunity to purchase their piece of the Braille literacy movement. During the launch program guests were treated to the reading of a very special resolution by MarCh? Daughtry, Brandon Pickrel, and Jason Polansky. Additionally, White House Representative Kareem Dale was presented with a copy of The Braille Literacy Crisis in America: Facing the Truth, Reversing the Trend, Empowering the Blind, and Dr. Joyce Winterton of NASA announced that the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar will be the first commemorative coin to travel to space. If you missed the event or just want to relive it, you can watch or listen to the coin launch program, including speeches from Dr. Maurer and U.S. Mint Director Ed Moy. In addition to the formal launch ceremony in Baltimore, we had significant proclamations from over thirty governors or state legislatures, and thousands of members of the National Federation of the Blind gathered in about fifty towns and cities across America to celebrate this monumental day in history. Many met with public officials and participated in ceremonies to demonstrate our commitment to Braille literacy and full participation in society. Fifty thousand Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollars have been sold as of the publication of this newsletter. To purchase yours, please visit the U.S. Mint Web site. For more information about Braille, the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Siver Dollar, and the NFB's other Braille literacy efforts, please visit Braille.org, join the literacy campaign mailing list, or follow on the social networking site Twitter. Straight Talk About Vision Loss The 2008 scholarship class of the NFB. Photo: 2008 scholarship class of the NFB The Straight Talk About Vision Loss team presents Straight Talk About Vision Loss Episode 24. Anil Lewis discusses the NFB scholarship program with the Jernigan Institute executive director. TMarch 31 is the last day to apply for thirty NFB scholarships, ranging from $3,000 to $12,000, to be awarded at the NFB National Convention in July. Anil Lewis is chairman of the NFB scholarship committee as well as a national board member. Product and Access Technology Talk The NFB Jernigan Institute Access Technology team provides ongoing access technology awareness services for universities and colleges in the area. On March 3, Dr. Jonathan Lazar, associate professor in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at Towson University, and a group of his students visited the International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind (IBTC). The team has reached out to groups of young engineers and computer scientists to help further accessibility in the next generation. As mentioned as an upcoming event in the previous newsletter, the Access Technology team attended and made three presentations at the California State University at Northridge?s annual Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference this month. In addition to the preparations for this conference, they received a tech tip from Adobe on accessible PDFs and contributed three new posts to the AT blog?a final report on the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, a post on the Plextalk Pocket digital talking book player, and a write-up of the new KNFB Reader Mobile software update. The team also added a list of manufacturers of CCTVs ?digital magnification devices using a camera and screen?to their technology list, broadening the resources available for low vision visitors to the site. From the tenBroek Library Several major events have happened recently or are about to happen at the National Center. The tenBroek Library wants to help you enjoy them, even if you cannot be here. On March 26, of course, the Jernigan Institute hosted the official unveiling of the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar. The tenBroek Library contributed some interesting items to be viewed (visually and tactilely) at the celebration, including several historic books in tactile codes other than Braille. We are especially pleased to have arranged to borrow, for this event, an extremely rare copy of the embossed pamphlet of 1829 in which Louis Braille first published the Braille code. For more information, take a look at the annotated bibliography of books on Louis Braille and the development of the Braille Code housed in the tenBroek Library. April 4 is the date of the Cane Event, a gala dinner party that will no doubt be the main event of the Mid-Atlantic social season. To honor the cane, the tenBroek Library presents this link to the NFB?s publication, Tom Bickford?s The Care and Feeding of the Long White Cane. Finally, the Jernigan Institute is presenting the second Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium on April 17. The Obama administration will be represented by an official with great responsibility for programs related to blindness and other disabilities. The symposium will be of concern to lawyers and all interested in disability rights. More than fifty years ago, in his speech Within the Grace of God, Jacobus tenBroek laid out key arguments regarding blindness that have become fundamental to the disability rights movement. Please join the tenBroek Library as we celebrate Louis Braille, the long white cane, and Jacobus tenBroek! Independence Market The upcoming Cane Event celebration highlights the long white cane as a key to independence and freedom for blind people. With good mobility skills blind people gain control over their own movements and can travel freely and independently in both familiar and unfamiliar environments. Thomas Bickford's Care and Feeding of the Long White Cane (mentioned above) is a self-help guide that encourages blind individuals to grow their cane travel independence. The author shares his own experiences about learning how to use a long white cane and traveling independently in a variety of settings. The reader learns about choosing a cane, negotiating steps, walking down a city sidewalk and using landmarks as travel cues, making use of various modes of public transportation, and traveling in adverse weather conditions and in rough terrain. This practical how-to guide, encouraging blind individuals new to cane travel to venture out with their long white cane, is available from the Independence Market in print, Braille, and four-track cassette. The Independence Market also sells books geared toward teaching independent cane travel skills to children and youth: Independent Movement and Travel in Blind Children: A Promotion Model (by Joseph Cutter) is full of practical tips and strategies about how parents and teachers can help a blind child develop normal and independent movement. It includes detailed instructions and information about canes?what kind, when a child should get one, etc.?and introduces the "Bottom-Up" approach to teaching orientation and mobility to young children of developmental ages birth through kindergarten. Modular Instruction for Independent Travel for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired (by Doris Willoughby and Sharon Monthei) is a practical guide for the mobility teacher, classroom teacher, or parent, that offers a thousand creative suggestions for teaching cane travel to preschool through high school blind and low vision students in every possible setting. And, of course, the Independence Market also has long white canes available in all sizes. Parent Outreach In honor of the two-hundredth birthday of Louis Braille, we are issuing a special edition of Future Reflections, our quarterly magazine for parents and teachers of blind children. The "Special Issue: A Celebration of Braille" edition features a brief biography of Louis Braille by children's author Deborah Kent-Stein; a fascinating historical timeline about the "War of the Dots"; a playful poem about Braille from deaf-blind author, John Lee Clark; descriptions of innovative Braille programs; inspiring stories that celebrate the impact Braille has had in the lives of ordinary blind people; and much more. The edition will be available online by mid-to-late-April and in print by the end of the month. Future Reflections has a print format domestic circulation of over fourteen thousand, and thousands more read it internationally and in other formats. The magazine informs, inspires, raises expectations, and provides a blueprint for change and action to improve the lives and education of blind and low vision children. Spotlight on the Imagination Fund Photo: NY Tweens and Teens program The Imagination Fund provides support for the outreach efforts of local Federation chapters and affiliates throughout the United States as well as the research, technology, and education programs and initiatives of the NFB Jernigan Institute. The Imagination Fund was established January 2004 with the Grand Opening of our NFB research and training institute. On May 17 and 18 of last year the National Federation of the Blind of New York and its Parents of Blind Children Division (POBC) held a two-day seminar for children, parents, educators, and other interested parties. The emphasis was on ?tweens and teens.? The seminar addressed all aspects of the lives of blind children and focused on the changes in their needs and their dreams and goals. All aspects of their development were considered as presenters interacted with the participants. Every group was challenged concerning the need for and the use of such things as Braille, the long white cane, and adaptive technology. Attendees discussed the wide-ranging possibilities of career choices for young blind people. There was much hands-on exposure to Braille and alternative techniques. A cane walk in Midtown Manhattan was also included. The Tweens and Teens Seminar was supported by the fundraising efforts of the NFB as part of the Imagination Fund grant program. NFB Calendar 2009 Year of Louis Braille's Bicentennial, launch of the U.S. Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar, and kickoff of the NFB Braille Literacy Campaign. March 26, 2009 U.S. Mint began sales of the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar. March 31, 2009 Deadline to apply for thirty NFB scholarships, ranging from $3,000 to $12,000, to be awarded at National Convention in July. Get more information or fill out an application online. Image: The Cane Event banner April 4, 2009 The Cane Event: Celebrating Braille Readers are Leaders, Members Hall, NFB headquarters, Baltimore. Image: Whozit wearing a top hat Break out your top hat and be a part of the Cane Event: Celebrating Braille Readers are Leaders, at the NFB Jernigan Institute. Please join us the evening of Saturday, April 4, for entertainment, food, and silent and live auctions. Support the Jernigan Institute and have fun. Visit thecaneevent.org for details and to buy your tickets online. You can be a Braille Literacy Champion! This ticket package option includes recognition for you or your company, two Cane Event tickets, and one Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar, all for $500. April 15, 2009 Jacob Bolotin Awards online application and nomination deadline. April 15, 2009 Deadline to sign up for Beginnings and Blueprints Early Childhood Conference. Sign up online or download a print registration form. April 17, 2009 Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium. Register online. View the agenda. May 8-9, 2009 Beginnings and Blueprints Early Childhood Conference, open to parents of blind children ages birth to seven. Part of NFB Jernigan Institute's Early Childhood Education initiative. May 30, 2009 Pre-registration cut-off for NFB 2009 National Convention. When purchased online before May 31st, the pre-registration fee for convention is $15 ($20 on-site) and the cost of a banquet ticket is $35 ($40 on-site). June 8-13, 2009 Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) program Core Team Member training at NFB Jernigan Institute. June 15-26, 2009 Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) program in Wisconsin. July 3-8, 2009 NFB 2009 National Convention, Marriott at the Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan. For reservations, write directly to the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center, 100 Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan 48243, or call 1-800-266-9432. Information for sponsors, exhibitors, and other attendees is online. Now available?discounted online pre-registration and banquet ticket sales. July 13-24, 2009 Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) program in Georgia. July 6, 2009 Motor City March for Independence, A Walk for Opportunity, Detroit, Michigan. Register to participate in the third annual March in Detroit. Hear an audio report on last year's Dallas March. July 26-August 1, 2009 NFB Youth Slam: A STEM Leadership Academy, University of Maryland, College Park. View a video about this exciting event! August 3-15, 2009 Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) program in Maryland. Citation block quote A good education is the key to success, and every American deserves an equal opportunity to receive a good education. Inherent to being educated is being literate. The ability to read and write means access to information that, in turn, leads to understanding and knowledge. And knowledge is power?the power to achieve, function in the family, thrive in the community, succeed in a job, and contribute to society. Nearly 90 percent of America?s blind children are not learning to read and write because they are not being taught Braille or given access to it. There is a Braille literacy crisis in America. The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States, is taking swift action to reverse this trend. This year, 2009, marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille, inventor of the system that allows blind people to read and write independently. Coinciding with this anniversary, the NFB has announced specific action to address the education of America?s blind children so that every blind child who has a need for Braille will have the opportunity to learn it. In this report to the nation on the state of Braille literacy in America, the NFB examines the history and decline of Braille education, addresses the crisis facing the blind today and key factors driving it, and proposes a number of action steps to double the Braille literacy rate by 2015 and eventually reverse it altogether. ? The Braille Literacy Crisis in America: Facing the Truth, Reversing the Trend, Empowering the Blind, A Report to the Nation by the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, March 26, 2009 Back to Top Thank you for reading the NFB Jernigan Institute's Imagineering Our Future. block quote end block quote end Mentor Trevor Attenberg leads campers along the nature trail Photo: Group on white water raft Support the Jernigan Institute through the Imagination Fund Photo: Young woman playing flute Interesting links: Archive of Straight Talk about Vision Loss videos National Center for Blind Youth in Science Access Technology Tips Photo: Youth practicing martial art Blogs: Access Technology Voice of the Nation's Blind Photo: Senior couple Publication archives: Voice of the Diabetic Future Reflections Braille Monitor Photo: Mom and son take a moment and a hug Graphic Logo: National Federation of the Blind Visit us at nfb.org Photo: Blind little girl with cane Photo: Blind youth reading Braille book Photo: Blind girl examining model of constellations Photo: Blind boy with tactile globe Blind Teens Carry the 2007 Youth March for Independence Banner Imagine a Future Full of Opportunity Jernigan Institute, National Federation of the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230 (410) 659-9314 Fax (410) 659-5129 E-mail JerniganInstitute at nfb.org Visit us at www.nfb.org Better Business Bureau logo American Institute of Philanthropy logo The National Federation of the Blind meets the rigorous Standards for Charity Accountability set forth by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and is Top-Rated by the American Institute of Philanthropy. Forward this newsletter. If this issue was forwarded to you and you'd like to subscribe, please e-mail JerniganInstitute at nfb.org. From jsorozco at gmail.com Fri Apr 3 12:56:26 2009 From: jsorozco at gmail.com (Joe Orozco) Date: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 08:56:26 -0400 Subject: [Mabs] National Competition for Young Writers Message-ID: <11EC1B5402F94C34AF7B5C7F3C944596@Rufus> THE YOUNKIN-RIVERA PRIZES FOR YOUNG WRITERS AT SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CARBONDALE http://www.angelfire.com/il/yww/contest.html A nationwide competition for creative writers aged 15-18. Entries accepted during the month of April in the genres of poetry and prose. Prize in each category: $250 and a full tuition scholarship to the 2009 Young Writers Workshop at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. To enter in poetry: send no more than 2 poems (limit of 25 lines each) per entrant, along with an entry fee of $5. To enter in prose (fiction or essay): send one essay or story (no more 1000 words) per entrant, along with an entry fee of $5. To enter in both poetry and prose: send no more than 2 poems (limit of 25 lines each) and one essay or story (of no more than 1000 words) per entrant, along with an entry fee of $10. Entries longer than the limits listed above will be returned, along with their entry fees. Entrants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. All entries must be typed on white 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper. Do not put your name on your entries. Include a separate cover sheet with the following information on it: your name, home address, phone number, e- mail address, date of birth, and the name and address of your high school. Checks or money orders to cover the entry fee should be made out to SIUC, with "Young Writers Workshop" written in the check's memo line. Please do not send cash. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for c ontest results. No entries will be returned, so please keep copies of the work you send. No e-mail or faxed submissions will be accepted. Prizes will be awarded at a ceremony during the annual Young Writers Workshop at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, a five-day, co-ed, residential creative writing workshop for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in developing their skills in the writing of poetry and prose. If a prizewinner cannot attend the Workshop, the prize will not be awarded to that winner. Travel costs to and from the Workshop are the responsibility of the winner. Previous award winners cannot enter again. The Young Writers Workshop will be held in 2009 from June 23 to June 27, 2009. To enter, send your submissions, postmarked from April 1 to April 30, 2009, to: The Younkin-Rivera Prizes for Young Writers Allison Joseph, Director The Young Writers Workshop Department of English Southern Illinois University Carbondale Faner Hall 2380--Mail Code 4503 1000 Faner Drive Carbondale, IL 62901 Questions only: aljoseph at siu.edu Winners will be announced at the end of May 2009. Joe Orozco "A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd."--Max Lucado __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 3984 (20090402) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com From pyyhkala at gmail.com Mon Apr 6 19:42:36 2009 From: pyyhkala at gmail.com (Mika Pyyhkala) Date: Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:42:36 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Association of Blind Citizens To Webcast Authors Guild Protest From NYC Tue Apr 7 12:00 P.M. EDT Message-ID: New York City (Monday April 6, 2009) The Association of Blind Citizens, ABC, will produce a live webcast of the Reading Rights Coalition, RRC, protest being held at The Authors Guild in New York City. The webcast will begin on Tuesday April 7th between 11:45 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. EDT Listeners around the world can access the web page: http://blindcitizens.org/live which has information and links for listening to the live event. It is recommended that you access this web page prior to the event so that you can install the Talking Communities conference web browser component in advance. A flash based and mp3 stream may also be available at the above web address. The Reading Rights Coalition is a joint effort made up of 27 organizations representing upwards of 15 million Americans who are blind or otherwise unable to readily use traditional print. RRC organizations and members will collectively protest the discriminatory separate but not equal stance of the Authors Guild as it relates to Ebooks and the Amazon Kindle 2 text to speech audio feature. "The water company does not charge separate rates for the use of water depending on whether the consumer is drinking it or using it to wash dishes; it simply charges for the amount of water used. By the same token, an e-book is not inherently visual or aural, and to claim that reading it either visually or aurally should cost a different price is discriminatory." http://readingrights.org The RRC web site, above, has in depth information regarding the protest, an electronic petition, and other background and resource material. . The board of directors of NFB of Massachusetts, ABC, as well as all RRC organizations collectively, encourage you to sign the online petition, attend the protest in person or virtually, and sign up on the RRC web page to receive action alerts and updates. We urge you to widely circulate this information to your email contacts, personal and professional networks, and on vehicles such as Facebook and Twitter. Contact: Mika Pyyhkala Vice President Association of Blind Citizens Google Voice/SMS: (617) 202-3497 pyyhkala at gmail.com Micro Blog: http://twitter.com/pyyhkala From dandrews at visi.com Thu Apr 9 03:44:18 2009 From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews) Date: Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:44:18 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Sign Reading Rights Coalition Petition! Message-ID: As you know, the National Federation of the Blind, NFB, is part of the Reading Rights Coalition, along with 29 (and growing) groups that support people with disabilities. The Reading Rights Coalition has been created to raise awareness about the Authors Guild and to support the 15 million print-disabled people in the US who are effected by their decision to turn off the text-to-speech function on the Kindle 2, stating that it violates copyright law. We are asking everyone to go to the petition Web site at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/We-Want-To-Read , sign the petition, and forward to all of your contacts. We are trying to get 10,000 signatures and are one third of the way there. Please help! David Andrews From info at michaelhingson.com Fri Apr 10 01:55:14 2009 From: info at michaelhingson.com (Michael Hingson) Date: Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:55:14 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Purchasing A KNFB Reader Mobile? Message-ID: Are you considering the purchase of a KnfbReader Mobile or do you know someone who may be interested in buying one? If so, I would like to speak with you. Please remember that the National Federation of the Blind is the only National distributor of the Reader and its related products. For more information about the reader or to place an order please visit http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com or please call me, Mike Hingson, at (888) 965-9191. The current configuration of the Reader we are providing includes the KnfbReader software, the Nokia 6220 Classic mobile phone, and an optional screen reader either Talks or MobileSpeak. The software and phone cost $1,370.00. Either Talks or MobileSpeak cost $295.00. The entire package including the screen reader option cost $1,665.00 plus shipping. Don't forget that the Federation also offers a %3 interest rate technology loan should you need to finance your Reader purchase. Information about the loan is available on the web site given above. We also accept both Visa and MasterCard orders. Join the technology revolution today and go totally globally mobile. Please contact me if you need any information or have any questions about the Reader. I hope to talk with you soon. Cordially, Mike Hingson The Michael Hingson Group "Speaking with Vision" Michael Hingson, President (415) 827-4084 info at michaelhingson.com www.michaelhingson.com for info on the new KNFB Reader Mobile, visit: http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com From jsorozco at gmail.com Fri Apr 10 04:49:40 2009 From: jsorozco at gmail.com (Joe Orozco) Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:49:40 -0400 Subject: [Mabs] NABSLink Message-ID: <2AA16BAEA13246779B08B0E83BA0B2F6@Rufus> Hello all, I'm going to be scheduling a teleconference for students interested in helping with the development of NABSLink. As I have previously said, I cannot devote my complete attention to it on account of other obligations on my schedule, but this is why I need you to help us carry the site into its next phase. Moreover, we are interested in recruiting the student who can take over primary management of the site. If you're interested, please e-mail me off-list. I am thinking about Sunday, April 19 at 7:00 PM Eastern, but when we have a group together we can negotiate the time. Thanks in advance. Joe Orozco "A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd."--Max Lucado __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 3994 (20090407) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com From gwunder at earthlink.net Sun Apr 12 01:35:59 2009 From: gwunder at earthlink.net (Gary Wunder) Date: Sat, 11 Apr 2009 20:35:59 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Fw: NFB- Convention Notice Message-ID: NFB- Convention NoticeHere is a very interesting notice about a few events at our national convention from Robert Newman. ----- Original Message ----- From: Robert Newman To: 'E-mail:' Sent: Friday, April 10, 2009 6:23 PM Subject: NFB- Convention Notice Gary Hi, hope you are doing well! As the president of the NFB Writers' division, I would like to provide you and your members with the following notice of two up coming events to happen at National Convention in Detroit. Find in the attachment information about our July 3rd workshop where we will have a well known regional writer as our guest and July 5th, our Division annual meeting. I would greatly appreciate it if you would please pass on this <<...>> noticed to your membership via your state newsletter or email list. Thank you very much. President NFB Writers' Division Robert Leslie Newman Email- newmanrl at cox.net Division Website- Http://www.nfb-writers-division.org My Web Site- http://www.thoughtprovoker.info -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 2009 convention Writers' Division.doc Type: application/msword Size: 25600 bytes Desc: not available URL: From gwunder at earthlink.net Tue Apr 14 18:13:37 2009 From: gwunder at earthlink.net (Gary Wunder) Date: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:13:37 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Bolotin Award Nominations Message-ID: <001a01c9bd2c$bba652a0$260482a1@umh.edu> Please remember the deadline for submissions is tomorrow, April 15. If you have been meaning to nominate someone, or write a letter recommending someone you believe is nominated, time us running out. Go to www.nfb.org search for "Bolotin," and submit your nomination or letter of support. Gary From dandrews at visi.com Wed Apr 15 09:36:43 2009 From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews) Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2009 04:36:43 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Baltimore Sun Op-Ed Piece from Dr. Maurer on Kindle Message-ID: FYI. from the Baltimore Sun http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.blind14apr14,0,2676842.story Bias against blind book lovers By Marc Maurer April 14, 2009 I love to read, and I've been doing it ever since I was able. My wife is also an avid reader. But my wife and I are blind, and because I lead the Baltimore-based National Federation of the Blind, we have many blind friends. And although many of us read everything we can get our hands on, we can't get our hands on very much to read. There are services for us, of course. Government entities and nonprofit organizations convert books into Braille, audio, or digital form for our use. But only 5 percent of all books published undergo such a conversion. A few more are available as commercial audio books, but these are often abridged, and those that are unabridged are quite expensive. Nowadays, a solution to the problem of reading material is tantalizingly within our reach: the e-book. When Amazon released its new Kindle 2 e-book reader earlier this year, it announced that the device now includes text-to-speech software and can read e-books aloud. Those of us who are blind were filled with joy at this news. For the first time in history, it would now be possible, we hoped, for the blind to do something that everyone else takes for granted: purchase a brand new book and start reading it right away. Our hope quickly turned to despair, however - and then to anger. The Authors Guild doesn't want the Kindle 2 to be able to read books aloud. They say this new capability violates authors' copyrights. This argument has absolutely no basis in copyright law. Reading a print book aloud or having it read aloud to you in the privacy of your home is not a copyright violation; the only difference with the Kindle 2 is that a machine rather than a human being is doing the reading. In the face of this specious attack from the Authors Guild, Amazon initially took the legally and morally correct position that the text-to-speech feature of the Kindle 2 did not violate copyright law. But then the company backed down, saying it would allow authors and publishers to decide which books they would permit to be read aloud by the device. Dismayed, we contacted the Authors Guild. It claimed it did not oppose having e-books read aloud to the blind, as long as there was a national registry of blind people who would then be allowed to unlock the text-to-speech feature. This is wrong. The Authors Guild has no right to discriminate against disabled readers by segregating us into a separate and unequal class. If our sighted friends don't have to "sign up" to be permitted to read, then blind people shouldn't either. And once we buy a book, how we read it is nobody's business but ours. When we told the Authors Guild this, they added insult to injury by telling us that, if we wouldn't sign up for a registry, we would just have to pay extra in order to use text-to-speech. Needless to say, this is outrageous and reprehensible behavior from an organization of people who claim to support equal access to literature by all Americans. Instead of facilitating the free flow of information, the Authors Guild is making itself the arbiter of who is worthy of access to the printed word. The Authors Guild isn't just discriminating against blind people. People with other disabilities - especially brain injuries and conditions like dyslexia - would also benefit from the ability to have books read aloud to them electronically. Groups representing many of these people are joining us to protest the position of the Authors Guild and Amazon's craven response to it. At present, very few of us buy books in any form. If we could have e-books read aloud to us, however, we would happily pay for them. We are an untapped market consisting of some 15 million people to which authors and publishers have never before had direct access. For this reason, the position of the Authors Guild is not only morally repugnant but also bad business. Prohibiting the blind and others from reading commercially available e-books just means that authors and publishers won't get our money. The guild's position hurts both authors and people with print disabilities. In an age when how we get information is constantly and rapidly changing, it's important that people with disabilities have access to it in the same way that it is important for us to have access to physical structures, goods and services. Amazon took an important step in the right direction by including a read-aloud feature on the Kindle 2, but the Authors Guild is now trying to set us back. We are not going to allow them to stand in the doorway of the virtual bookstore to keep us out. Marc Maurer is president of the National Federation of the Blind. His e-mail is officeofthepresident at nfb.org. From CDanielsen at nfb.org Sat Apr 18 04:48:24 2009 From: CDanielsen at nfb.org (Danielsen, Chris) Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 23:48:24 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Los Angeles Festival of Books Message-ID: Dear Fellow Federationists: The Reading Rights Coalition, led by the National Federation of the Blind, is scheduled to participate in the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. The coalition will have a table set up in one of the festival's exhibit areas so that we may provide the reading and publishing communities with information about our concerns regarding the threatened "turning off" of text-to-speech in books available for Amazon's Kindle 2 electronic reading device. The festival, the largest book fair in the world, will take place on the campus of the University of California at Los Angeles from April 25-26. If you would like to help with our exhibit, please contact Ann-Marie Laney by calling (410) 659-9314, extension 2219, or e-mail her at alaney at nfb.org. Please join us in our continuing efforts to ensure that everyone has access to e-books. From qmsingleton at comcast.net Sun Apr 19 18:25:21 2009 From: qmsingleton at comcast.net (Quintina M. Singleton) Date: Sun, 19 Apr 2009 13:25:21 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] NAGDU on Thruoureyes Message-ID: The next "Thruoureyes with Joe Ruffalo" live internet radio show is scheduled for Wednesday April 22, 2009 at 8:00 PM EST. Mr. Ruffalo will be interviewing National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU) president, Marion Gwizdala. NAGDU's current initiatives and legislative issues related to service animals are some of the topics that will be discussed on the evening's program. I invite you to visit www.thruoureyes.org or to hear the program live via telephone dial 201 793 9022 with the access code: 2400484. To phone in live during the show to ask a question use: 1 888 572 0141 Thruoureyes is also pleased to announce the new Thruoureyes JAWS page. This page lists scheduled shows for the month, topics, and listen/download capability. the link is: www.thruoureyes.org/jaws.html From m.barber at mchsi.com Sun Apr 19 21:57:11 2009 From: m.barber at mchsi.com (Michael D. Barber) Date: Sun, 19 Apr 2009 16:57:11 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Iowa Pocket Pledge Message-ID: Iowa Pocket Pledge How many of us have memorized the NFB Pledge? How many of us still stumble through the pledge? Oh, don't raise your hands. I am pleased to announce that the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa will have available at our affiliate table at the NFB convention in Detroit a small plastic card, developed by our own Sarah Cranston, containing the NFB Pledge. Because we are celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille, and because we are totally committed to the Braille literacy program of the National Federation of the Blind, the pledge appears in Braille and can be carried in your pocket, your purse, your note taker case, or wherever you like. Oh, and did I say they are free? The pledge cards are free and can be picked up at our table in the Exhibit Hall. Oh, and while you're at our table, please avail yourselves of the opportunity to pick up one or several pairs of our famous Iowa stainless-steel folding scissors, which are $5 a pair. You always need a pair of good scissors, and they make excellent stocking-stuffers at Christmas time. See you in Detroit. Oh, and don't forget to register for the March For Independence. I've already raised $700. Cordially, Michael D. Barber, president National Federation of the Blind of Iowa m.barber at mchsi.com (515) 771-8348 From dandrews at visi.com Tue Apr 21 02:03:47 2009 From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews) Date: Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:03:47 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] How to Buy Braille Coins Message-ID: Dick Davis, from our Minnesota Affiliate has written some instructions on ordering Louis Braille Commemorative Coins from the U.S. Mint. The price of the coins goes up on Monday April 27th so buy now! Dave How to order Braille coins from the U.S. Mint Online: Go to: catalog.usmint.gov In left hand column select commemoratives. 3 choices: proof, uncirculated, uncirculated with easy open capsule Select your choice and order. By phone: Call 800-872-6468 (800-usa-mint) Prices before and after 5 p.m. EDT on 4/27: Uncirculated with (or without) easy open capsule: before - $31.95 after - $33.95 Proof: before - $37.95 after - $41.95 Shipping costs - about $5.00 From JFreeh at nfb.org Tue Apr 21 23:14:51 2009 From: JFreeh at nfb.org (Freeh, Jessica) Date: Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:14:51 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Reading Rights Coalition to Participate in LA Times Festival of Books Message-ID: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Chris Danielsen Director of Public Relations National Federation of the Blind (410) 659-9314, ext. 2330 (410) 262-1281 (Cell) cdanielsen at nfb.org Reading Rights Coalition to Participate in LA Times Festival of Books Readers with Print Disabilities Will Urge Authors to Allow Everyone Access to E-books Los Angeles, California (April 21, 2009): The Reading Rights Coalition will participate in the LA Times Festival of Books to educate authors about the need to enable text-to-speech for books available for Amazon?s Kindle 2 reading device. The LA Times Festival of Books will take place April 25?26 at the University of California at Los Angeles and the Reading Rights Coalition will be in booth #207 located in zone B. The coalition includes the blind, people with dyslexia, people with learning or processing issues, seniors losing vision, people with spinal cord injuries, people recovering from strokes, and many others for whom the addition of text-to-speech on the Kindle 2 promises for the first time easy, mainstream access to over 260,000 books. Deborah Kent, who is blind and has written over one hundred books for children and young adults, said: ?As both a blind person and a writer, I understand the importance of access to books for people of all ages and using all kinds of reading methods. The inclusion of text-to-speech in e-books for the Kindle 2 will help many young people with print disabilities to gain access to books, thereby ensuring that they will receive an equal education.? Randy Shaw, who will be speaking at the Book Festival about his new book, Beyond the Fields: Cesar Chavez, the UFW, and the Struggle for Justice in the 21st Century and is the author of The Activist?s Handbook, said: ?As a writer, I see e-books not as a potential threat to my rights but as a way for my work to reach a broader market. Readers who have never purchased books before because they were inaccessible will now join the book-buying public, increasing the revenue and reach of writers on every subject and in every literary genre.? Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: ?The issue of text-to-speech in e-books for the Kindle 2 is not one of copyrights but of civil rights. The Reading Rights Coalition stands for the principle that when an individual has lawfully purchased an e-book, he or she should be able to read it in whatever medium is most suitable for him or her. This principle advances the work of writers rather than taking rights away from them, and it allows people for whom reading was either an impossibility or a chore to join the mainstream of society. We hope to persuade our friends in the literary community that it is in their best interest to make their books available with text-to-speech, but in any event we will not stop our campaign until everyone has access to e-books.? For more information about the Reading Rights Coalition, please visit www.readingrights.org. To sign our petition, go to http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/We-Want-To-Read. If you are an author who supports our cause, please send your contact information to readingrights at nfb.org. From jsorozco at gmail.com Thu Apr 23 14:26:24 2009 From: jsorozco at gmail.com (Joe Orozco) Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:26:24 -0400 Subject: [Mabs] FW: [nabs-l] NABS State Division Contacts Message-ID: <3049A4CC4AB3416CACB41B0D37EEEA85@Rufus> Subject: [nabs-l] NABS State Division Contacts Hello NABsters, On our Web site, www.nabslink.org there is a page containing contact information for state student division presidents (the page titled "State Divisions". If you are a student division president or appointed student contact in your state, please check to be sure your information is correct. If the information for your state is incorrect or outdated, or if your state isn't listed and you'd like to have your name down as a student contact/president, please email Joe Orozco at jsorozco at gmail.com Arielle Silverman First Vice-President, NABS _______________________________________________ nabs-l mailing list nabs-l at nfbnet.org http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nabs-l: http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/jsorozco%40gmail.com __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4029 (20090422) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4029 (20090422) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com From JWilson at nfb.org Sat Apr 25 03:44:07 2009 From: JWilson at nfb.org (Wilson, Joanne) Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:44:07 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] White Cane Program Message-ID: Free White Cane Message If you have received a cane through our Free White Cane Program, then this message is for you! We are preparing outreach materials, and would like a few quotes describing how you felt about getting your free cane. Whether this was your first cane, or if you're an experienced cane user, we want to hear what you have to say. For many, the White Cane is a symbol of independence, self-sufficiency, and freedom. Please take a moment to tell us in a paragraph or two what the cane you received through the Free White Cane Program means to you. Please e-mail your comments to jwilson at nfb.org. Thanks, Joanne Wilson Affiliate Action Executive Director 410-659-9314 extension 2335 jwilson at nfb.org -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Free White Cane Message.doc Type: application/msword Size: 30208 bytes Desc: not available URL: From outreach at nfb.org Tue Apr 28 01:18:47 2009 From: outreach at nfb.org (Kevan Worley) Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:18:47 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Make A Promise - Change A Life With A Dollar Message-ID: Did you know? YOU can change a life with a promise and a dollar? The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Imagination Fund is launching a mini March for Independence campaign to support our Braille literacy initiatives, local and national outreach efforts, and the educational programs of the NFB Jernigan Institute. How it works: When you JOIN the Every Member, Every Friend Match Campaign you PROMISE to support the campaign with a $120 PROMISE (a dollar a day or $30 per month for the next four months) paid in flexible (options everyone can afford) automatic monthly installments deducted from your checking account or billed to your credit card. Then: YOU get just ONE OTHER PERSON to MATCH your PROMISE with the same flexible, personalized, automatic payment schedule. What Do You Get? When you make a promise and get only ONE match, we'll throw in your March for Independence t-shirt! More matches will get additional March incentives! Many of us have not yet started fundraising for the March for Independence! NOW IS THE TIME! DON'T DELAY! JOIN THE CAMPAIGN NOW! I'd like MORE INFORMATION From m1receive at rfbd.org Tue Apr 28 01:27:53 2009 From: m1receive at rfbd.org (RFB&D Member Update) Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:27:53 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Introducing downloadable AudioPlus! Message-ID: RFB&D members banner Click here to view this email as a web page Now RFB&D?s AudioPlus? DAISY books are just a download away! Dear Member, Formerly available on CD only, RFB&D?s AudioPlus books offer the variable speed, bookmarking and navigational features you count on and are now downloadable. No worries about CD mailings, storage or returns. All of our 50,000 books are now available to you in downloadable DAISY format. Getting started is easy! Simply visit the AudioPlus support website or call 800-221-4792 for further details and assistance. Plus, expanded 24/7 service and support We are delighted to inform you that we are moving to 24/7 member service and support. Now, RFB&D provides you direct and instant access to our products, educator tools and member services and support. RFB&D is committed to providing you with the same excellent service you have come to expect at www.rfbd.org, by contacting custserv at rfbd.org or calling member services at 800-221-4792. We look forward to continue serving your future needs. Sincerely, RFB&D This is a commercial message. If you would prefer not to receive further announcements from RFB&D, please click on the following link. Unsubscribe -PVTL:enUS: QjFRBFpoBnAJ++t2JgJGzs- ? 2009, Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, Incorporated. All rights reserved. 20 Roszel Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic?, RFB&D?, AudioPlus?, Learning Through Listening?, the Heart and Headphones design, and all trademarks and service marks are owned by Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, Incorporated. From jsorozco at gmail.com Tue Apr 28 02:04:07 2009 From: jsorozco at gmail.com (Joe Orozco) Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:04:07 -0400 Subject: [Mabs] NABSLink Announcements Message-ID: <3CC59F73A7E6421AB5C86A4369D7EBD0@Rufus> Hello all, Please find on NABSLink right now a copy of the materials distributed at a student leadership seminar held at the National Center for the Blind. The leadership seminar was a weekend devoted to cultivating state student divisions through the development of strong leadership, and the materials are a follow-up packet to help participants take what they learned and build the momentum. Whether you were there or not, you are going to want to click on the link below: 1) because the materials are an essential tool to expanding your understanding of our parent organization and translating that knowledge to the development of your division; and 2) because there is tangible evidence on this page that the people in NABS know how to have a good time while teaching valuable lessons. Please see below for the link. The second announcement is a call for social networking junkies. If you break out in hives from being away from Facebook for too long, if you could write your own curriculum on how to do everything from friending to tweeting, and if the mere thought of being able to do all this as a transferable skill to your resume makes you practically leap from your seat, let me know. NABSLink wants to put you in charge of managing the division's social networking initiative. We're looking for someone who could bring the era of social networking to NABS in a fun and dynamic way that promotes the organization to larger audiences. We're looking for someone who can help NABSLink expand in leaps and bounds across the Internet beyond the boundaries of the main site. Please contact me off-list if you're interested in joining a different front of the web development team. This is but one more way you too can become involved in the student division at the national level. Regards, Joe Orozco Leadership Seminar 2009: http://nabslink.org/resources/leadership2009.shtml "A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd."--Max Lucado __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4037 (20090427) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com From dkent5817 at worldnet.att.net Wed Apr 29 18:43:40 2009 From: dkent5817 at worldnet.att.net (Deborah Kent Stein) Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:43:40 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Fw: Looking for Stories about Inspiring Individuals Message-ID: Hi, Dave, Please post this to the NFB lists. It might be an opportunity for one or more Federationists to receive some well-deserved recognition and to spread the word about the abilities and achievements of blind people. Thanks! Debbie _______________ Looking for Stories about Inspiring Individuals Who do you know that deserves recognition for their efforts, sacrifices, and service to others? We are compiling stories in an upcoming book about individuals whose selfless devotion and accomplishments are inspiring, and whose enduring commitment is making this world a better place. Please tell us: ? What did this person accomplish or is currently doing that you feel has made a difference for the better? ? Was there a specific incident or turning point that compelled him or her to take action? ? Is there anything else that you can tell us that makes him/her exceptional or unique? YOUR INFORMATION: Name: Email address: Phone: YOUR NOMINEE?S INFORMATION: Name: Email address: Phone: Website: The deadline to send us information is June 1, 2009. We hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, Katie Rountree russtree at aol.com and Jody Feagan jodyville at yahoo.com Jody Feagan Founder/Director San Miguel Writers' Conference & Workshops www.sanmiguelworkshops.com US Phone: 323/306/4068 Local # in San Miguel de Allende (Mexico): 152-0478 From braille at nbpcb.org Wed Apr 29 20:50:11 2009 From: braille at nbpcb.org (Braille Certification) Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:50:11 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Braille Certification Announcement Message-ID: Hello Dave, The announcement which appears below and the attached document are to announce that testing for the National Certification in Literary Braille has been scheduled for Austin, Texas, Detroit, Michigan, Orangeburg, New York, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. National Blindness Professional Certification Board would like to announce that the NATIONAL CERTIFICATION IN LITERARY BRAILLE (NCLB) will be held on the following dates and locations: Austin, Texas Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center Friday, June 12, 2009 8:00am-5:00pm Detroit, Michigan Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center Saturday & Sunday, July 4-5, 2009 1:00pm-5:00pm Orangeburg, New York Dominican College Sunday, July 12, 2009 8:00am-5:00pm Albuquerque, New Mexico Albuquerque Grand Airport Hotel Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 8:00am-5:00pm A combined application/testing fee of $250 applies. For updates, application deadlines, and to apply online go to: www.nbpcb.org/pages/announcements For additional information, please visit the NBPCB website at: www.nbpcb.org, or contact Louise Walch, NBPCB Coordinator, at (318) 257-4554 or braille at nbpcb.org. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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