<div dir="ltr"><div>Good Evening,</div><div><br></div><div>Attached please find the minutes from our latest MAPBC meeting held last Thursday. I have also included the minutes at the bottom of this email.</div><div><br></div><div>Stay warm!!</div><div><br></div><div>Best,</div><div>Liz</div><div><br></div><div>**********</div><div><br></div><div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The MAPBC met for our January meeting on Thursday, January
11th. The meeting began at 6:12PM. Those in attendance included:<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Youme Nguyen Ly<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Hai Nguyen Ly<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Jennifer Bose<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Stephanie Valdes<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Ellen Bartelt<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Liz Lesperance<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">We did an icebreaker where we discussed our goals for the
parents’ division in 2024. We were joined by Ellen Bartelt who is a teacher of
the visually impaired in Allston. She will be working towards establishing a
BELL Academy here in Massachusetts.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Liz recited the NFB pledge.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Stephanie provided updates from the January presidential
release which included:<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>HR3702/S1467 is the Accessible Technology Act.
This bill is being reviewed at the national level and needs co-sponsorship<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>The summer internship is returning this summer
and will run from June 3rd to August 9th<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>The NFB cooking group is launching a campaign to
increase the accessibility of kit chen appliances. At this time, they are
requesting information on large kitchen appliances that are accessible.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Liz put forth a motion to approve the December meeting
minutes which Stephanie seconded. The minutes were approved unanimously.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Stephanie advised that the state convention is approaching
quickly. If you are interested in attending, please contact the Salem
Waterfront hotel ASAP to make your room reservation as rooms are filling up
quickly.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The parent’s division is planning on putting together a
children's basket for the online auction.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Liz will speak to the convention committee about including a
question about childcare on the convention registration form.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">One of our major goals in 2024 is to focus on outreach. To
achieve this goal, we would like to have documentation that we can distribute
describing the division. Hai suggested reaching out to the National
Organization of Parents of Blind Children to see if there is an existing
template which we could then customize for Massachusetts. Hai and Youme will
reach out to the NOPBC. Stephanie advised that once we have documentation we
can distribute, we could then contact companion blindness organizations and attend
their events to share our outreach materials.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Stephanie suggested that for the next meeting we could each
research an organization that we could get involved with further. While in
attendence at these events, we could sign people up for the free white cane
program and slate and stylus program.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">We discussed fundraising. We would like to hold an
accessible Easter hunt. Easter is on March 31st of this year. Youme located an
organization that builds accessible Easter eggs and will reach out to find out
what these materials entail. Jenn's daughters are in girl scouts and the troops
may be able to help assemble the eggs. This is also an opportunity to teach the
girl scouts about blindness. We only have two meetings from now until Easter so
if we cannot get the fundraiser organized in time we will plan to hold it the
following year.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Hai brought up that we all need to pay our membership dues
of $5.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Our next meeting is scheduled for February 15th. Stephanie
and Ellen will be back from their BELL training then.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The meeting adjourned at 7:16PM.<span></span></p>
</div></div>