[MD-AtLarge] July Minute Message

[nfbmd]

July 2018 Minute Message

Fellow Federationist: 

Get ready for Las Vegas in 2019!

One of the highlights of the national board of directors meeting on July 5
was President Riccobono's announcement that the 2019 National Convention
will take place from July 7-12 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Start saving up
so that you can attend the 2019 convention. I am pleased that Maryland had
about 228 participants in the 2018 convention. Many thanks to all of the
Maryland ambassadors who welcomed the 25 Maryland first timers to the
convention. Special thanks to Judy Rasmussen who chaired the Maryland
Ambassadors Committee and to Ronza Othman who sponsored a special breakfast
gathering for first timers and a special breakfast gathering for students.
Many thanks to Amber Woods, chairman of the Maryland table, and to all of
the volunteers who helped us sell snacks and instant lottery tickets. I am
looking forward to listening to the president's banquet speech again as well
as many other program items from the convention that will be featured in the
Braille Monitor. It was a great convention and I am sure that the 2019
convention in Las Vegas will be outstanding as well. 

Primary Proves Disabled Voters Do Not Have a Secret Ballot in Maryland.

Many thanks to the eighty participants at our June 14th protest. We let the
public know that the Maryland State Board of Elections policy of encouraging
only two voters in each precinct to use the ballot marking device (BMD)
causes disabled voters to lose the secret ballot. There were many close
races in the Maryland primary which caused officials to recount ballots in
many jurisdictions.  For instance, ballots were recounted in Baltimore
County in the race for county executive because Mr. Olszewski won by nine
votes. In the Montgomery County executive race, Mr. Elrich won by only
eighty votes. In one of the county council races in Howard County, Ms. Walsh
won by two votes. Since the ballots from the BMDs are different in size from
the hand copy ballots, the BMD ballots can be easily identified.  Disabled
voters must continue to vote despite this problem because our voices need to
be heard. We will continue to work on this issue until our right to a secret
ballot is restored. 

The Baltimore Orioles Recognize NFBMD.

On June 29th, I was honored to receive the Birdland Hero Award for community
service from the Baltimore Orioles.  We received great publicity from this
award because the ceremony took place at the end of the 5th inning.
Information about NFB was projected on the jumbotron for the full stadium
audience, as well as for television and radio viewers and listeners.
Thousands of people learned about the NFB in a matter of a few minutes.

Gearing up for BELL. 

The first NFB BELL Academy in Maryland occurs in Salisbury at the BISM
training center on July 16th. The BELL Academies in Baltimore and Glenn Dale
will begin on July 30th. Preparations are well underway to make sure that
all of the students learn that they are part of the Federation family and
are no longer alone. Blind role models will help students build confidence
and will demonstrate to the students that they can live the lives they want.
Blindness is not what holds you back. 

Crabbing for Scholars.

Did you purchase your tickets for the August 4th Crab Feast yet? The event
takes place from 6-11pm at Columbus Gardens in Baltimore.  The Proceeds from
this event will benefit the John T McCraw Scholarship Program, the Youth
Training Stipends and the NFBMD BELL Academies. Bring your appetite! Steamed
Crabs, Pit Beef, & Ham - All You Can Eat! Plus, a Buffet of Entrees
Including Shrimp Creole and Mild and Spicy Sausage, Sides, Salad,
Cakes.Yuengling, Bud, and Coors Light on Tap, Carbonated Beverages and
Coffee. Tickets are $55 on or before July 28th or $60 at the door. For more
information contact Steve Brand (443) 570-5285.

 

Maryland Day at the Jernigan Institute.

We are planning to visit our headquarters on Saturday, September 8th from
10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Highlights will include a visit to the Independence
Market and the International Braille and Technology Center. We will learn
about plans to renovate the sleeping area. There will also be leadership
workshops and time to meet other Federationists from around the state.
Please let your chapter president know if you wish to attend. 

 

Blindness Researchers Need Your Help.

Two important research studies are taking place in Maryland and are being
conducted by Maryland scholars. While these studies are not under the
auspices of the Federation, they do foster our goal of full participation in
all aspects of community life. Please participates in these studies if you
meet their criteria. Dr. Sheryl Fogle Hatch, a member of the Board of
Directors of the Greater Baltimore Chapter, is looking for participants for
a research survey to identify experiences of blind and low vision people at
museums. For further information go to
<https://boisestate.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_23HYlClohjBVQah>
https://boisestate.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_23HYlClohjBVQah. 

Can you help researchers from John Hopkin's? "One area that is very
important for us is how we can measure very limited vision. To do this, we
are recruiting volunteers who have ultra-low vision (ULV). ULV means that
the person is not totally blind, but does not have enough vision to see
letters on the eye chart, recognize faces or read large print.  Participants
in our study will be asked to try out new Virtual Reality glasses.  In those
glasses we show very simple scenes and we measure how well our participants
can see those.  This will help us measure different levels of vision within
the Ultra-Low Vision Range".  Please contact Kemi Adeyemo at 443-287-0072 or
<mailto:oadeyem2 at jhmi.edu> oadeyem2 at jhmi.edu

 

 

Important Dates.

July 16-27- NFB Bell Academy in Salisbury, MD.  

July 29 - August 4 - NFB EQ for blind high school students. Go to:
<http://www.blindscience.org/nfbeq> http://www.blindscience.org/nfbeq.

July 30-August 10 - NFB BELL Academies in Baltimore and Glenn Dale, MD. 

August 4 - Annual Crab Feast, Columbus Gardens, Baltimore, MD.

August 10-12 - Southeast Regional Seminar for Blind Students, 200 East Wells
Street, Baltimore, MD.

August 25 - Board of Directors Meeting Conference Call, 10 AM to Noon. All
are invited to attend. Call 641-715-3272. Access Code is 720125.

September 8 - Maryland Day at the Jernigan Institute. 

October 1-31 - Meet the Blind Month.

October 5 - Maryland Candidates for Governor Forum on Disabilities,
1:30-3:30pm, Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel, 300 Light Street,
Baltimore, MD.

October 15 - National White Cane Awareness Day.

November 9-11 - Annual State Convention, Carousel Hotel, Ocean City, MD. 

 

 





 

 

Sharon Maneki, President

National Federation of the Blind of Maryland

410-715-9596

 

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not
the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

 

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