From mhartle at nfb.org Wed Mar 3 06:20:42 2010 From: mhartle at nfb.org (Hartle, Mary Jo) Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:20:42 -0600 Subject: [Mabs] Touch the Earth Tactile Book Released Message-ID: ATTENTION! ATTENTION!!! Touch the Earth Book Released The National Federation of the Blind is pleased to announce the release of a new tactile book created with the support of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Touch the Earth: A Multimedia book about the Earth's Biomes was written by Amy Hansen and conceptualized by Elissa Levine. It includes tactile graphics created by Noreen Grice. This book aims to educate middle school students while also providing guidance for teachers on how to incorporate this book into classroom instruction. Each book contains contracted Braille and large print, along with tactile and visual graphics to illustrate important concepts in both a tactually and visually friendly way. Each book also comes with a colorful tactile map of the continents of the Earth. Exclusively available through the NFB Independence Market , Touch the Earth (product# LSA91B) can be purchased for $20 . TO place an order please visit http://secure.nfb.org/ecommerce/asp/product.asp?product=854&cat=47&ph=&keywords=&recor=&SearchFor=&PT_ID or call (410) 659-9314. We are pleased to announce that we are offering one free copy upon request to schools and libraries for the blind across the country for their collections. Please contact Mary Jo T. Hartle, Director of Education for the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, at (410) 659-9314, ext. 2407, or by e-mail at mhartle at nfb.org to request a free copy for your institution. From newmanrl at cox.net Wed Mar 3 08:12:08 2010 From: newmanrl at cox.net (Robert Leslie Newman) Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:12:08 -0600 Subject: [Mabs] 2010 Youth and Adult Writing Contest- Sponsored by NFB Writers' Division Message-ID: Greetings You all! RE: Last month of contest We do not want any of you to miss the opportunity to submit your creative writing in the NFB Writers' Division 2010 Writing Contest. There is only the days of March left. the deadline for submissions is post marked, April 1st. Below is the information you need to enter: the adult contests, poetry and fiction, are open to all entrants eighteen years and over. The youth contests are all about Braille and all poetry and fiction entries are required to be submitted in Braille. The age groups are divided into three categories: first through sixth grades, seventh and eighth grades, and ninth through twelfth grades. Prizes for contest winners range up to $100 for adult categories and up to $25 for youth categories. All contest winners will be announced at the Writers' Division business meeting during the NFB national convention to be held in Dallas, Texas, the first week of July, 2010. In addition, shortly after convention, a list of winners will appear on the Writers' Division website, www.nfb-writers-division.org. First, second, and third place winners in each category will appear in the summer and fall issues of the Writers' Division magazine, "Slate and Style." For additional contest details and submission guidelines, go to the Writers' Division website, www.nfb-writers-division.org. President NFB Writers' Division Robert Leslie Newman Email- newmanrl at cox.net Division Website Http://www.nfb-writers-division.org From aec732 at msn.com Wed Mar 3 08:14:59 2010 From: aec732 at msn.com (Annemarie Cooke) Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:14:59 -0600 Subject: [Mabs] Choice Magazine Listening Available Via NLS Message-ID: I have been asked to circulate the following, and am glad to do so because I read the publication, and really like it. They do a great job of selecting an interesting group of articles every other month. David Andrews CHOICE MAGAZINE FREE AS DIGITAL DOWNLOAD FROM NLS Reconnect with an old friend or meet a new one ? CHOICE Magazine Listening is available for free digital download from the Library of Congress? National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped's BARD program. Produced six times a year, each issue contains unabridged works from quality publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian, Sports Illustrated, and the New Yorker. The articles, short stories, poetry and interviews are selected from more than 100 magazines and other periodicals. The selections are read by professional voice talent, not synthetic text-to-speech. Established in 1962, CHOICE Magazine Listening is available free of charge only to people who are blind, experiencing vision loss or have other disabilities that limit or prevent reading standard print. The audio anthology continues to be released on four-track cassette tape for those who prefer that format. website: www.choicemagazinelistening.org or calling toll-free 1-888-724-6423. Information on the digital download from NLS at: www.nlsbard.loc.gov or contacting a local NLS cooperating library located usually in state capitals in the US. Engage in discussion of Choice selections on Facebook and Twitter, too! From info at michaelhingson.com Thu Mar 4 04:58:08 2010 From: info at michaelhingson.com (Michael Hingson) Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:58:08 -0600 Subject: [Mabs] KnfbReader Mobile seminar change Message-ID: KnfbReader Mobile seminar change All, First let me remind you that we will be holding a teleconference tomorrow evening to discuss KnfbReader hints and trick as well as any other discussions you all wish to bring up. We shall begin promptly at 9PM Eastern time, 6PM Pacific time.. Due to a limitation of Skype we need to make a slight change to our plans for tomorrow's seminar. Skype will only allow five individuals to participate in any given conference group. This means that I can only bring a few persons into the group. We have several options 1. If others wish to initiate conferences which will include their friends and our conference line, (see the dial-in instructions below), you can do so by creating your own conference groups with one of the four participants in addition to yourself being our dial-in line. That is, conference three people plus you plus dialing into our phone line and suddenly you have four people conference in using Skype. This will permit more to come on board with Skype. That is, several of you can create Skype conference calls which will in turn conference into our system. 2. In order to accommodate all online participants we will now be opening a PC conference room. Here are the instructions for entering the PC conference room: . Go to the meeting Room: http://74.208.96.53/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsb18eeae3cfd2. Meeting Password: no password required To join this meeting: 1. If you have not yet installed the Conferencing Plugin,install the small piece of software you will be asked to install before actually entering the conference room itself. 2. Click "Enter the conference room" to join the conference and enter your name when asked. Again, do not enter a password. If you wish to participate via phone Here are the dial-in instructions again for the call. The call -- in number is (218) 339-3600. The access code is 329906#. Simply call in no later than times given above to be a part of this call. The program is free. Only any relevant long distance charges will apply. It appears as if we will have quite a good group. I look forward to the discussions. We also will have several representatives from KnfbTechnologies with us to help answer your questions. I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow. If you have any questions please contact me at info at michaelhingson.com or by calling me at (415) 827-4084. See you tomorrow. Best, Michael Hingson The Michael Hingson Group, INC. "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 dandrews at visi.com Tue Mar 9 09:47:54 2010 From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews) Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:47:54 -0600 Subject: [Mabs] NFB of Missouri State Convention to be Streamed Live Message-ID: 2010 NFB Of Missouri state convention will be streamed live from Springfield Missouri the dates are March 26 to March 28th the stream URL and schedule are below: stream URL: http://www.nfbmo.org/local_chapters/springfield/scripts/listen.m3u the stream will be active Saturday Morning general session 8:30 A.M. To 12:00 P.M. And the afternoon general session will be from 1:30 P.M. To 5:00 P.M. Saturday evening during the banquet from 6:30 P.M. Until 10:00 P.M. Sunday morning from 8:30 A.M. To 12:00 P.M. If you have problems connecting to the stream you may send an email to springfield_2010 at gary-springfield-mo.net or you may call 417-353-7493. Have a good night Gary Horchem National Federation of the Blind of Missouri Springfield Chapter President and NFBMO Webmaster From ebell at latech.edu Wed Mar 10 10:22:37 2010 From: ebell at latech.edu (Edward Bell) Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:22:37 -0600 Subject: [Mabs] Research Project--Institute on Blindness Message-ID: Caitlin Singletary, a doctoral student at Louisiana Tech University, is currently attempting to complete her dissertation. Specifically, her research is looking at psychological characteristics and how they are related to blindness skill sets. She is working with six national training centers, and using their current students as her participants. She also is including participants who have not been to a residential training center to complete her sample. If you have not been to a residential training center and would like to participate or receive more information, you can email her at cms055 at latech.edu or reach her by phone at 337-263-2812. The survey takes approximately 20-25 minutes over the phone. Please note that if you have completed training through public school or summer programs, you can participate. __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4930 (20100309) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com From RWest at nfb.org Wed Mar 10 10:43:16 2010 From: RWest at nfb.org (West, Renee) Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:43:16 -0600 Subject: [Mabs] NFB-NEWSLINER In Your Pocket Now Compatible 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 Scott White Director, NFB-NEWSLINE? National Federation of the Blind (410) 659-9314, extension 2231 swhite at nfb.org National Federation of the Blind?s Newspaper Service Now Offers More Digital Talking Book Player Compatibility NFB-NEWSLINE? In Your Pocket Now Compatible with BookSense and Book Port Plus Baltimore, Maryland (March 9 , 2010): NFB-NEWSLINE?, a free service that provides independent access by print-disabled people to hundreds of local and national publications and TV listings, is pleased to announce that NFB-NEWSLINE? In Your Pocket is now compatible with two more digital talking book players, the BookSense and Book Port Plus. Digital talking-book players such as BookSense and Book Port Plus allow print-disabled individuals to download and store books and music on a small handheld device, affording easy and portable access to a wide array of media. NFB-NEWSLINE? In Your Pocket is a dynamic software application for personal computers which, through an Internet connection, automatically downloads the publications of a subscriber?s choice to his or her digital talking-book player. Through this revolutionary access method, subscribers can now use their Book Port Plus or BookSense players to gain easy and immediate access to their favorite publications and enjoy the reading experience that is offered with a DAISY-reading device. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: ?With NFB-NEWSLINE?, the print-disabled can benefit from the vital news contained in newspapers and magazines. With the new device compatibility created for NFB-NEWSLINE? In Your Pocket, blind people have even more flexibility in where and how they access the news they need to succeed in all aspects of their lives.? NFB-NEWSLINE? allows those who cannot read conventional newsprint due to a visual or physical disability to access newspapers and magazines by download to a digital talking book player, over the telephone, or on the Web. To learn more about NFB-NEWSLINE?, please visit www.nfbnewsline.org; those interested in subscribing to the service may fill out the online application form, write to nfbnewsline at nfb.org, or call (866) 504-7300. In order to be eligible for NFB-NEWSLINE? an individual must be a US resident who is legally blind or has a physical or learning disability that prevents the independent reading of newspapers. For further information about NFB-NEWSLINE? In Your Pocket, visit www.nfbnewslineonline.org and select ?NFB-NEWSLINE? In Your Pocket? from the NFB-NEWSLINE? Online Main Menu. ### 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. Renee West Manager, Marketing and Outreach Sponsored Technology Programs NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND 200 East Wells Street Baltimore MD 21230 Phone: (410) 659-9314 ext. 2411 Fax: (410) 659-5129 Websites: www.nfb.org; www.nfbnewsline.org; www.nfbnewslineonline.org Follow us on Twitter! http://twitter.com/NFB_NEWSLINE -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 2010-03-09 NIYP release - CD edit - FINAL.doc Type: application/msword Size: 154112 bytes Desc: not available URL: From aec732 at msn.com Wed Mar 10 10:59:27 2010 From: aec732 at msn.com (Annemarie Cooke) Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:59:27 -0600 Subject: [Mabs] Apply for RFB&D Scholastic Achievement Awards Soon! Message-ID: Just a few weeks left to apply! Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic? (RFB&D?) is now accepting applications for the 2010 Scholastic Achievement Awards! College seniors or graduate students who are blind or visually impaired are eligible for the award. Each year, three top winners receive $6,000 and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC! The deadline of April 1st is fast-approaching! Click the below link to learn more! http://www.rfbd.org/About-RFB-D/National-Achievement-Awards/108/ From info at michaelhingson.com Wed Mar 10 11:07:29 2010 From: info at michaelhingson.com (Michael Hingson) Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:07:29 -0600 Subject: [Mabs] KnfbReader Mobile Hints and Tricks seminar now on line Message-ID: KnfbReader Mobile Hints and Tricks seminar now on line Last Thursday evening many of us participated in a lively discussion about the KnfbReader Mobile. The online and teleconference discussion ran for nearly three hours and covered topics such as how to read currency, reading public signs, future developments and many other topics. The seminar is now available for you to stream or download. To listen to the seminar visit http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com/products-mobile/products-mobile.php. You may also download the seminar by clicking on this link, http://hingson.s3.amazonaws.com/KnfbReaderHintsandTricks-March4-2010.mp3. After listening to the seminar should anyone have any questions please do not hesitate to email the list or me off list at info at michaelhingson.com. You may also feel free to call me at (415) 827-4084. We are ready to help you configure and order a Reader of your own should you wish one and do not yet own this wonderful device. Happy reading to all. Best, Mike Hingson The Michael Hingson Group, INC. "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 nabs.president at gmail.com Thu Mar 11 03:06:15 2010 From: nabs.president at gmail.com (Arielle Silverman) Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:06:15 -0600 Subject: [Mabs] Student Slate and NABS March Bulletin! Message-ID: <85ff10071003101906w5f99357ay84e2bc04b6a278fd@mail.gmail.com> national Association of Blind Students >From the Desk of the President March 10, 2010 In This Bulletin: 1. Student Slate is Back! 2. Last Chance to Apply for NFB Scholarships! 3. Get Ready for Convention! 4. Announcements Check out the Student Slate! Once again the NABS Slate committee has compiled an excellent newsletter with several unique and useful articles of interest to blind students! Please see the Spring 2010 issue of the Student Slate attached to this email. Find out about the progress we made at Washington Seminar, read about the experience of one of our top NFB scholarship winners, and learn about your right to informed choice in obtaining blindness training! Last Chance for NFB Scholarships: The deadline for the NFB's national scholarship application is coming up on March 31! Each year the National Federation of the Blind awards thirty scholarships to legally blind college and graduate students across the country. The scholarship includes a cash award ranging from $3000 to $12000, plus a free trip to the NFB national convention and often a piece of assistive technology such as a KNFB Reader Mobile. The scholarship application for 2010 is now on the Web at www.nfb.org/scholarships It's not too late to submit your application! applications are due by March 31, 2010. Already won a national NFB scholarship? You can apply again and potentially win a second scholarship, also known as a TenBroek fellowship. In addition, many NFB affiliates offer scholarships to blind students. You needn't be an active member of the NFB to win. Contact your NFB state president for details. Get Ready for Convention! The following appeared in the latest issue of the Braille Monitor, the monthly newsletter of the NFB: Dallas Site of 2010 NFB Convention The 2010 convention of the National Federation of the Blind will take place in Dallas, Texas, July 3-8, at the Hilton Anatole Hotel at 2201 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75207. Make your room reservation as soon as possible with the Hilton Anatole staff only. Call (214) 761-7500 (214) 761-7500. The 2010 room rates are singles, doubles, and twins $62 and triples and quads $67 a night, plus a 15 percent sales tax. The hotel is accepting reservations now. A $60-per-room deposit is required to make a reservation. Fifty percent of the deposit will be refunded if notice is given to the hotel of a reservation cancellation before June 1, 2010. The other 50 percent is not refundable. Rooms will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations may be made before June 1, 2010, assuming that rooms are still available. After that time the hotel will not hold our block of rooms for the convention. In other words, you should get your reservation in soon. Guestroom amenities include cable television, coffee pot, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, and high-speed Internet access. The Hilton Anatole has several excellent restaurants, twenty-four-hour-a-day room service, first-rate meeting space, and other top-notch facilities. It is in downtown Dallas with shuttle service to both the Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport and Love Field. The schedule for the 2010 convention will follow that of last year: Saturday, July 3 Seminar Day Sunday, July 4 Registration Day Monday, July 5 Board Meeting and Division Day Tuesday, July 6 Opening Session Wednesday, July 7 Business Session Thursday, July 8 Banquet Day and Adjournment To pre-register for the convention, go to www.nfb.org We know that attending a national NFB convention can often exceed a student?s budget. If you would like to attend the convention, talk to your state president about potential funding. Many state affiliates provide funding for their members to attend national conventions. Additionally, the Kenneth Jernigan Fund provides convention scholarships to first-time convention attendees. Talk to your state president for details. State Division Announcements: >From Montana: The MAB's Student Division Goes to The Montana School for the Deaf and Blind by Jim Reed On Friday, February 26th, 2010, the MAB's Student Division went to the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind to talk to its Blind high school students about college and being a blind college student. We met with five students, and there were at least five staff members who stayed for our full presentation, or who stopped by to see what was going on. One of the staff members said that because of our presentation, she felt she could be more effective working with her blind students. We talked to the students about techniques and strategies used to succeed in college. We talked about electronic documents, scanning print materials, hiring and using readers, and working with DSS. We also gave a demonstration of a Victor reader Stream playing textbooks from Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic and Bookshare, as well as a textbook that had been scanned and converted into a Microsoft Word document. We talked about the importance of having good Braille speeds, and a solid working knowledge of the blindness techniques and technologies needed as a student. We told the students about some of the opportunities available to them through the NFB, the MAB, and the Student Division. We talked about the NFB College Scholarship program, the MAB scholarship, the Bozeman Chapter scholarship, and the NFB National Convention Scholarship for first-time attendees. We talked about members of the Student Division attending the national convention, the state convention, and Washington Seminar. We talked about Camp Eureka, and about the NFB's Youth Slam. We also talked about our training center experiences, and talked about the Colorado Center for the Blind's high school and college-prep programs. After we spoke to the students for about an hour, pizza was delivered, and as we ate, both students and staff used the time to talk to members of the Student Division and ask questions. Before we left, we gave the staff and students a CD-Rom that contained useful information, links, brochures, applications, Student Division contact info, and articles from the Braille Monitor. I think our trip was a success and that this approach could be applied successfully in larger towns with bigger school districts. >From Nebraska: On March 26-28, the Nebraska Association of Blind Students will host our second annual student Seminar. The seminar, entitled ?Exploring the Depths,? is aimed at helping students prepare for college. We are pleased to welcome Eric Guillory, director of youth services at the Louisiana Center for the Blind, who will talk about how to handle Math and Science classes in high school and college. Other highlights will include a panel on center training, hands-on demonstrations of technology, and discussions of NFB philosophy. The seminar will also offer blind students an opportunity to network and socialize. If you are interested in attending the seminar, please contact Karen Anderson at kea.anderson at gmail.com. Introducing the College Leadership Program: >From Jason Ewell, who works at the NFB Department of Affiliate Action: In 2009 the Affiliate Action Department developed the College Leadership Program to provide an opportunity for promising young college students to attend their first national convention and Washington Seminar. Twenty-eight new Federationists attended the convention in Detroit last summer. Twelve participated in our Scholarship Alumni/College Leadership seminar in Baltimore in January. They then went to Washington, D.C. to join the other members of their state affiliate delegations on Capitol Hill. After returning home, several sent notes expressing their appreciation for the opportunity to attend and asking how they can get more involved in Federation activities in their affiliates. One note, from a college student who has been blind for only a year and who was attending her first national event, demonstrates that this new, exciting program is already helping to build the Federation. I thank you for the opportunity to come to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. I cannot really put into words all that I learned and took away from that trip. I was not sure before but now I know that NFB is where I belong. If you or anyone you know would be a good candidate for this program, please contact me at the National Center for the Blind at 410-659-9314, Ext. 2509, or by email at Jewell at nfb.org. -- Arielle Silverman President, National Association of Blind Students Phone: 602-502-2255 Email: nabs.president at gmail.com Website: www.nabslink.org From nabs.president at gmail.com Thu Mar 11 04:10:32 2010 From: nabs.president at gmail.com (Arielle Silverman) Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:10:32 -0600 Subject: [Mabs] Student Slate Attached Message-ID: <85ff10071003102010t58ec78bcrd1ebfb69e3e13eb5@mail.gmail.com> Hello again all, For some reason the Student Slate didn't come across in my last message. It should be attached to this one. Arielle On 3/10/10, Arielle Silverman wrote: > national Association of Blind Students > From the Desk of the President > March 10, 2010 > > In This Bulletin: > 1. Student Slate is Back! > 2. Last Chance to Apply for NFB Scholarships! > 3. Get Ready for Convention! > 4. Announcements > Check out the Student Slate! > Once again the NABS Slate committee has compiled an excellent > newsletter with several unique and useful articles of interest to > blind students! Please see the Spring 2010 issue of the Student Slate > attached to this email. Find out about the progress we made at > Washington Seminar, read about the experience of one of our top NFB > scholarship winners, and learn about your right to informed choice in > obtaining blindness training! > > Last Chance for NFB Scholarships: > The deadline for the NFB's national scholarship application is coming > up on March 31! > > Each year the National Federation of the Blind awards thirty > scholarships to legally blind college and graduate students across the > country. The scholarship includes a cash award ranging from $3000 to > $12000, plus a free trip to the NFB national convention and often a > piece of assistive technology such as a KNFB Reader Mobile. The > scholarship application for 2010 is now on the Web at > www.nfb.org/scholarships > It's not too late to submit your application! > > applications are due by March 31, 2010. > Already won a national NFB scholarship? You can apply again and > potentially win a second scholarship, also known as a TenBroek > fellowship. > In addition, many NFB affiliates offer scholarships to blind students. > You needn't be an active member of the NFB to win. Contact your NFB > state president for details. > > Get Ready for Convention! > > The following appeared in the latest issue of the Braille Monitor, the > monthly newsletter of the NFB: > > Dallas Site of 2010 NFB Convention > The 2010 convention of the National Federation of the Blind will take > place in Dallas, Texas, July 3-8, at the Hilton Anatole Hotel at 2201 > Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75207. Make your room reservation as > soon as possible with the Hilton Anatole staff only. Call > (214) 761-7500 (214) 761-7500. > The 2010 room rates are singles, doubles, and twins $62 and triples > and quads $67 a night, plus a 15 percent sales tax. The hotel is > accepting reservations now. A $60-per-room deposit is required to make > a reservation. Fifty percent of the deposit will be refunded if notice > is given to the hotel of a reservation cancellation before June 1, > 2010. The other 50 percent is not refundable. > Rooms will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. > Reservations may be made before June 1, 2010, assuming that rooms are > still available. After that time the hotel will not hold our block of > rooms for the convention. In other words, you should get your > reservation in soon. > Guestroom amenities include cable television, coffee pot, iron and > ironing board, hair dryer, and high-speed Internet access. The Hilton > Anatole has several excellent restaurants, twenty-four-hour-a-day room > service, first-rate meeting space, and other top-notch facilities. It > is in downtown Dallas with shuttle service to both the Dallas/Ft. > Worth Airport and Love Field. > The schedule for the 2010 convention will follow that of last year: > Saturday, July 3 Seminar Day > Sunday, July 4 Registration Day > Monday, July 5 Board Meeting and Division Day > Tuesday, July 6 Opening Session > Wednesday, July 7 Business Session > Thursday, July 8 Banquet Day and Adjournment > > To pre-register for the convention, go to > www.nfb.org > We know that attending a national NFB convention can often exceed a > student?s budget. If you would like to attend the convention, talk to > your state president about potential funding. Many state affiliates > provide funding for their members to attend national conventions. > Additionally, the Kenneth Jernigan Fund provides convention > scholarships to first-time convention attendees. Talk to your state > president for details. > > State Division Announcements: > From Montana: > > The MAB's Student Division Goes to The Montana School for the Deaf and > Blind > by Jim Reed > On Friday, February 26th, 2010, the MAB's Student Division went to the > Montana School for the Deaf and Blind to talk to its Blind high school > students about college and being a blind college student. We met with > five students, and there were at least five staff members who stayed > for our full presentation, or who stopped by to see what was going on. > One of the staff members said that because of our presentation, she > felt she could be more effective working with her blind students. > We talked to the students about techniques and strategies used to > succeed in college. We talked about electronic documents, scanning > print materials, hiring and using readers, and working with DSS. We > also gave a demonstration of a Victor reader Stream playing textbooks > from Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic and Bookshare, as well as a > textbook that had been scanned and converted into a Microsoft Word > document. We talked about the importance of having good Braille > speeds, and a solid working knowledge of the blindness techniques and > technologies needed as a student. > We told the students about some of the opportunities available to them > through the NFB, the MAB, and the Student Division. We talked about > the NFB College Scholarship program, the MAB scholarship, the Bozeman > Chapter scholarship, and the NFB National Convention Scholarship for > first-time attendees. We talked about members of the Student Division > attending the national convention, the state convention, and > Washington Seminar. We talked about Camp Eureka, and about the NFB's > Youth Slam. We also talked about our training center experiences, and > talked about the Colorado Center for the Blind's high school and > college-prep programs. > After we spoke to the students for about an hour, pizza was delivered, > and as we ate, both students and staff used the time to talk to > members of the Student Division and ask questions. > Before we left, we gave the staff and students a CD-Rom that contained > useful information, links, brochures, applications, Student Division > contact info, and articles from the Braille Monitor. > I think our trip was a success and that this approach could be applied > successfully in larger towns with bigger school districts. > > From Nebraska: > On March 26-28, the Nebraska Association of Blind Students will host > our second annual student Seminar. The seminar, entitled ?Exploring > the Depths,? is aimed at helping students prepare for college. We are > pleased to welcome Eric Guillory, director of youth services at the > Louisiana Center for the Blind, who will talk about how to handle Math > and Science classes in high school and college. Other highlights will > include a panel on center training, hands-on demonstrations of > technology, and discussions of NFB philosophy. The seminar will also > offer blind students an opportunity to network and socialize. > If you are interested in attending the seminar, please contact Karen > Anderson at kea.anderson at gmail.com. > > Introducing the College Leadership Program: > From Jason Ewell, who works at the NFB Department of Affiliate Action: > In 2009 the Affiliate Action Department developed the College > Leadership Program to provide an opportunity for promising young > college students to attend their first national convention and > Washington Seminar. Twenty-eight new Federationists attended the > convention in Detroit last summer. Twelve participated in our > Scholarship Alumni/College Leadership seminar in Baltimore in January. > They then went to Washington, D.C. to join the other members of their > state affiliate delegations on Capitol Hill. > After returning home, several sent notes expressing their appreciation > for the opportunity to attend and asking how they can get more > involved in Federation activities in their affiliates. One note, from > a college student who has been blind for only a year and who was > attending her first national event, demonstrates that this new, > exciting program is already helping to build the Federation. > > I thank you for the opportunity to come to Baltimore and Washington, > D.C. I cannot really put into words all that I learned and took away > from that trip. I was not sure before but now I know that NFB is where > I belong. > > If you or anyone you know would be a good candidate for this program, > please contact me at the National Center for the Blind at > 410-659-9314, Ext. 2509, or by email at Jewell at nfb.org. > > > > -- > Arielle Silverman > President, National Association of Blind Students > Phone: 602-502-2255 > Email: > nabs.president at gmail.com > Website: > www.nabslink.org > -- Arielle Silverman President, National Association of Blind Students Phone: 602-502-2255 Email: nabs.president at gmail.com Website: www.nabslink.org -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Student Slate Spring 2010.doc Type: application/msword Size: 93184 bytes Desc: not available URL: From dsmithnfb at gmail.com Thu Mar 18 12:09:21 2010 From: dsmithnfb at gmail.com (Darian Smith) Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:09:21 -0700 Subject: [Mabs] Fwd: National Association of Blind Students Membership committee Presents: extra curricular activities; a conference call. In-Reply-To: <409c235c1003160649i3efb82d2ja7c3c36cf3e8744a@mail.gmail.com> References: <409c235c1003160649i3efb82d2ja7c3c36cf3e8744a@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <409c235c1003180509t35f2b8cdh1c1e33cf6f179eeb@mail.gmail.com> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Darian Smith Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 06:49:08 -0700 Subject: National Association of Blind Students Membership committee Presents: extra curricular activities; a conference call. To: Arizona-students at nfbnet.org, cabs-talk , Colorado Students , Florida Students , Kansas Students , Kentucky Students , Louisiana Students , Minnesota Students , National Association of Blind Students mailing list , Nebraska , New Hampshire Students , New Jersey Students , New Mexico Association of Blind Students , North Carolina Students , Oabs at nfbnet.org, tabs_students at googlegroups.com, Tennessee Students , Utah Students , Virginia Students Greetings fellow scholars! I think you and I both know what time it is! ( time to get those mid terms back *sigh*) Actually, it?s time for the National Association of Blind students membership conference call! (presented by your not-so- local National Association of Blind Students membership committee). This call will take place on Sunday march 21st (yep, this Sunday) at 7p.m. eastern time on the nabs conference line (712.775.7100, passscode 257963). We will be talking about extra curricular a Activities, and we will have Antonio Guimaraes of the membership committee and Cindy Bennet; a student, and officer of the North Carolina Association of Blind Students, to share their stories and encourage you to do the same. So, to recap: Who:? The National Association of Blind Students membership committee. What?: nabs membership conference call When?: Sunday! Sunday? Yes! Sunday! March 21st. Where?: I?m glad you asked! Call712.775.7100 and don?t forget to use the passcode 257963 to gain entrance to the party! Why?: Because while class is a very important part of the learning experience; getting into the social aspects of scholastic life is a very important and healthy thing. Need we say more? ? Doubted it. We look forward to seeing you there! Warm regards, The NABS membership committee. -- Darian Smith Skype: The_Blind_Truth Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com The National Federation of the Blind has launched a nationwide teacher recruitment campaign to help attract energetic and passionate individuals into the field of blindness education, and we need your help! To Get Involved go to: www.TeachBlindStudents.org -- Darian Smith Skype: The_Blind_Truth Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com The National Federation of the Blind has launched a nationwide teacher recruitment campaign to help attract energetic and passionate individuals into the field of blindness education, and we need your help! To Get Involved go to: www.TeachBlindStudents.org From NShaheen at nfb.org Fri Mar 19 02:25:36 2010 From: NShaheen at nfb.org (Shaheen, Natalie) Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:25:36 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] STEM-ulating Growthin in New Fields Contest Message-ID: Federationists: Have you or your child participated in one of the following NCBYS programs: Science Academy 2004, Rocket On! 2004, Science Academy 2005, Rocket On! 2005, Science Academy 2006, Rocket On! 2006, Youth Slam 2007, Jr. Science Academy 2008, or Youth Slam 2009? If so, we have a contest for you! Show us in a creative way what science means to you now. You can write a poem, write an essay, submit original song lyrics, or create a piece of tactile art. The theme of this contest is "STEM-ulating Growth in New Fields." The top ten entries will be featured on the brand new Accessible Bulletin Board in the Betsy Zaborowski Conference Room at the NFB Jernigan Institute. The top ten entries will also be featured on www.blindscience.org and in NFB publications. In addition, the creator of the first place entry will receive a $25 gift certificate to iTunes! If you are interested in entering this STEM-ulating contest. please visit www.blindscience.org and follow the "STEM-ulating Growth in New Fields Contest" link for the rules and to fill out an online entry form. Entries are due no later than March 31, 2010. If you have questions, please contact Natalie Shaheen at the NFB Jernigan Institute (Nshaheen at nfb.org or 410-659-9314, extension 2293). Warmest regards, Natalie Shaheen Natalie L. Shaheen, MEd Education Program Specialist Jernigan Institute NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND 200 E. Wells Street at Jernigan Place. Baltimore, MD 21230 Phone: (410) 659-9314 x2293 Email: nshaheen at nfb.org Fax: (410) 659-5129 Visit: www.nfb.org From dsmithnfb at gmail.com Sat Mar 20 15:45:01 2010 From: dsmithnfb at gmail.com (Darian Smith) Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:45:01 -0700 Subject: [Mabs] **Reminder!**National Association Of Blind Students membership Committee presents: A conference call and some people, followed by a conference call and some more people!! Message-ID: <409c235c1003200845j7dc3aef8v51a040163431ea4f@mail.gmail.com> In the spirit of baseball season-- let's play two! ; two calls for the price of one! Please see below announcement Happy Late- week fellow federationests/scholars, In response to a very engaging and interesting list serve string (or two) on training centers; The National Association of Blind Students membership committee is pleased to present to you all a training center?s conference call. Some of the Speakers contribuiting to the discussion with their experiences will include: Karen Anderson (current student of the LouisianaCenter for the Blind and Current 1st Vice president of the National association of Blind Students), Arielle Silverman(Graduate of the Louisiana Center for the Blind and Current President of the National Association of Blind Students), Amy Phelps (Director of Blind Industries and Services of Maryland), as well as others who have an experience as a student in a successful training center environment. On this call, we will talk about what an National Federation of the Blind training center is and where they and state-ran training centers for the blind tend to differ. We also will talk about informed choice; what it means, why it?s important, and hear from individuals who have exercised their right to informed choice in order to get the training they considered best for themselves. And we, of course will discuss what questions, comments, or topics of interest anybody wants to add to the conversation. All who are interested in going to a training center of some kind, as well as those who are going or have graduated from a training center are welcomed to take part in this very informative and exciting conference call. The call will take place on Sunday March 21st at 5:30 p.m. eastern time ( an hour and a half prior to our ?extra curricular activities? conference call. The call-in information is (218)339-3600 Passcode is 808277 *Please note, that this conference line will be utilized for only the training center conference call. If you are interested in joining the extra curricular activities conference call that takes place after this (you are more than welcome to take part in both calls), the number you?ll want to use is the phone number normally used for the membership conference calls (712) 775 ? 7100.* Thank you for your enthusiasm and great interest; we look forward to seeing you on the call! Aimming to please, empower and inform, Your friendly nation wide Nabs Membership Committee. Greetings fellow scholars! I think you and I both know what time it is! ( time to get those mid terms back *sigh*) Actually, it?s time for the National Association of Blind students membership conference call! (presented by your not-so- local National Association of Blind Students membership committee). This call will take place on Sunday march 21st (yep, this Sunday) at 7p.m. eastern time on the nabs conference line (712.775.7100, passscode 257963). We will be talking about extra curricular a Activities, and we will have Antonio Guimaraes of the membership committee, and current student in Rode Island and Cindy Bennet; a student, and officer of the North Carolina Association of Blind Students, to share their stories and encourage you to do the same. So, to recap: Who:? The National Association of Blind Students membership committee. What?: nabs membership conference call When?: Sunday! Sunday? Yes! Sunday! March 21st. Where?: I?m glad you asked! Call712.775.7100 and don?t forget to use the passcode 257963 to gain entrance to the party! Why?: Because while class is a very important part of the learning experience; getting into the social aspects of scholastic life is a very important and healthy thing. Need we say more? ? Doubted it. We look forward to seeing you there! Warm regards, The NABS membership committee. -- Darian Smith Skype: The_Blind_Truth Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com The National Federation of the Blind has launched a nationwide teacher recruitment campaign to help attract energetic and passionate individuals into the field of blindness education, and we need your help! To Get Involved go to: www.TeachBlindStudents.org From dsmithnfb at gmail.com Sun Mar 21 19:23:25 2010 From: dsmithnfb at gmail.com (Darian Smith) Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2010 12:23:25 -0700 Subject: [Mabs] A NABS conference call sunday sandwitch! Message-ID: <409c235c1003211223j5744d3d9n2b7e0c74ab24a5c@mail.gmail.com> In the spirit of baseball season- Let's go for a dubble-header; two calls for the price of one! Please see below announcement Happy Late- week fellow federationests/scholars, In response to a very engaging and interesting list serve string (or two) on training centers; The National Association of Blind Students membership committee is pleased to present to you all a training center?s conference call. Some of the Speakers contribuiting to the discussion with their experiences will include: Karen Anderson (current student of the LouisianaCenter for the Blind and Current 1st Vice president of the National association of Blind Students), Arielle Silverman(Graduate of the Louisiana Center for the Blind and Current President of the National Association of Blind Students), Amy Phelps (Director of Blind Industries and Services of Maryland), as well as others who have an experience as a student in a successful training center environment. On this call, we will talk about what an National Federation of the Blind training center is and where they and state-ran training centers for the blind tend to differ. We also will talk about informed choice; what it means, why it?s important, and hear from individuals who have exercised their right to informed choice in order to get the training they considered best for themselves. And we, of course will discuss what questions, comments, or topics of interest anybody wants to add to the conversation. All who are interested in going to a training center of some kind, as well as those who are going or have graduated from a training center are welcomed to take part in this very informative and exciting conference call. The call will take place on Sunday March 21st at 5:30 p.m. eastern time ( an hour and a half prior to our ?extra curricular activities? conference call. The call-in information is (218)339-3600 Passcode is 808277 *Please note, that this conference line will be utilized for only the training center conference call. If you are interested in joining the extra curricular activities conference call that takes place after this (you are more than welcome to take part in both calls), the number you?ll want to use is the phone number normally used for the membership conference calls (712) 775 ? 7100.* Thank you for your enthusiasm and great interest; we look forward to seeing you on the call! Aimming to please, empower and inform, Your friendly nation wide Nabs Membership Committee. Greetings fellow scholars! I think you and I both know what time it is! ( time to get those mid terms back *sigh*) Actually, it?s time for the National Association of Blind students membership conference call! (presented by your not-so- local National Association of Blind Students membership committee). This call will take place on Sunday march 21st (yep, this Sunday) at 7p.m. eastern time on the nabs conference line (712.775.7100, passscode 257963). We will be talking about extra curricular a Activities, and we will have Antonio Guimaraes of the membership committee, and current student in Rode Island and Cindy Bennet; a student, and officer of the North Carolina Association of Blind Students, to share their stories and encourage you to do the same. So, to recap: Who:? The National Association of Blind Students membership committee. What?: nabs membership conference call When?: Sunday! Sunday? Yes! Sunday! March 21st. Where?: I?m glad you asked! Call712.775.7100 and don?t forget to use the passcode 257963 to gain entrance to the party! Why?: Because while class is a very important part of the learning experience; getting into the social aspects of scholastic life is a very important and healthy thing. Need we say more? ? Doubted it. We look forward to seeing you there! Warm regards, The NABS membership committee. -- Darian Smith Skype: The_Blind_Truth Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com The National Federation of the Blind has launched a nationwide teacher recruitment campaign to help attract energetic and passionate individuals into the field of blindness education, and we need your help! To Get Involved go to: www.TeachBlindStudents.org From JFreeh at nfb.org Sat Mar 27 04:27:42 2010 From: JFreeh at nfb.org (Freeh, Jessica) Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:27:42 -0700 Subject: [Mabs] National Federation of the Blind and Blackboard to Demonstrate New Accessibility Features at CSUN 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 and Blackboard to Demonstrate New Accessibility Features at CSUN Blackboard Learn Platform Brings Accessibility Enhancements for the Blind San Diego, California (March 25, 2010): The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the nation?s leading advocate for equal education for blind students, and Blackboard Inc., will present and demonstrate the new accessibility features of the Blackboard Learn? platform at the California State University, Northridge, (CSUN) 25th annual International Technology & Persons with Disabilities conference, held in San Diego, CA, March 22?27. The presentation of Blackboard?s improved and more accessible experience will be held on March 25 at 4:20 p.m. Pacific Time. Blackboard Learn, an online learning platform, is used by thousands of institutions to provide online education, course materials, discussion boards, assignment submissions, electronic grading, and numerous other components intended to enhance the learning experience or to provide distance education. Previously, blind students encountered a number of accessibility barriers when using the Blackboard platform with nonvisual screen access technology. Blackboard Learn, Release 9, showed great improvement over prior releases, and during the past year, Blackboard has invested further in a range of enhancements to Blackboard Learn that represent significant improvements to the usability of Blackboard for blind users. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: ?We are pleased to help Blackboard present the accessibility features of the Blackboard Learn platform to the influential audience at CSUN. These features will ensure that blind students are not at a disadvantage in classes utilizing Blackboard and can access course materials online just as their sighted peers do. We commend Blackboard for their hard work in this area.? The accessibility improvements to Blackboard Learn include faster navigation and improved form interaction, allowing blind users to submit assignments, participate in discussion forums, send and receive e-mail, take tests and quizzes, and participate in polls. Blind instructors can also submit content with the improved accessible forms. For more information about the National Federation of the Blind, please visit www.nfb.org. ### 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 dandrews at visi.com Mon Mar 29 03:20:44 2010 From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews) Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2010 22:20:44 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] =?iso-8859-1?q?NFB-NEWSLINE=AE_Announces_New_Flexibility_a?= =?iso-8859-1?q?nd_More_Choice_in_Managing_Your_Favorites!?= Message-ID: We are now pleased to offer you even more flexibility in using NFB-NEWSLINE?. Taking into account your many suggestions, you can now manage your favorite publications via the Internet, all while enjoying the ability to create different favorite lists, depending on the way you want your content delivered. To further explain this, consider this: In the past, subscribers were limited to having six favorite publications, available via telephone, Web News on Demand, e-mail, or NFB-NEWSLINE? In Your Pocket. Now, you can have an unlimited number of favorites on the Web, with NFB-NEWSLINE? In Your Pocket, or via e-mail. For users who may use several delivery methods now, or who wish to expand the way in which they receive their content, you can create lists of favorites that could be the same or completely different, depending on your preference. Each of the delivery methods is independent of each other. The choice is completely up to you! Please note, however, that current telephone-only users are still limited to six favorites, and no changes or actions will be necessary on your part. We will be reviewing the option to lift the restriction of six publications with a future service enhancement. And that's not all. We have also given you the ability to establish your favorite TV channels over the Web. For those users who are using the telephone only, you can still manage your favorite channels just like you have done in the past. Ready to explore these groundbreaking enhancements? Simply go to www.nfbnewslineonline.org and log in. At the main page, navigate to the link for "Manage All Your Favorites." From this page, you can simply select the appropriate link to manage that favorite delivery method. A few things to remember: If you had not already requested the newspapers by e-mail option, you must complete the online request form found at www.nfbnewsline.org. Follow the link for "Newspapers by E-mail." Also, if you already had favorites established, we have carried these over as a convenience to you, and these publications will show up in the appropriate delivery option. You can modify these as you wish. It's that simple. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at (866) 504-7300 or e-mail us at nfbnewsline at nfb.org. From gwunder at earthlink.net Wed Mar 31 14:17:45 2010 From: gwunder at earthlink.net (Gary Wunder) Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2010 09:17:45 -0500 Subject: [Mabs] Your gently used Braille books needed Message-ID: <000301cad0dc$ef6d4a20$260482a1@umh.edu> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peggy Chong" To: "Peggy Chong" Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 4:26 PM Subject: Address for dallas > Hello All: > > > > We now have an address to mail your Braille books for the 2010 Braille > Book > Flea Market in Dallas. It is... > > > > Vanessa Pena > > UPS Customer Counter > > 10155 Monroe > > Dallas, TX 75229 > > > > Books can be sent, Free Matter for the Blind to this address. Thank you > in > advance for your books. > > > > Peggy Chong > > > > > > > > > > > >