[MD-AtLarge] MAy Minute Message

[nfbmd]

May 2018 Minute Message

 

Fellow Federationists: 

 

Congratulations to Us!

 

On May 15, 2018, Governor Hogan signed HB1088/SB296 into law.  This law
requires Maryland to adopt the new federal 508 accessibility standards by
January 1 of 2020. The bill establishes a civil penalty against vendors who
sell inaccessible information technology or information technology services
to the state if they refuse to fix accessibility problems that were
identified. The penalty for the first offense cannot exceed $5,000, and the
penalty for subsequent offenses may not exceed $10,000. Having a civil
penalty is an important precedent in the enforcement of Nonvisual Access
laws.

 

Building Relationships

 

Baltimore County Executive, Kevin Kamenetz, was a friend of the National
Federation of the Blind of Maryland.  We join many others in expressing our
deepest sympathy to his family and friends.  The sudden death of Mr.
Kamenetz is a reminder of the importance of building relationships.  Mr.
Kamenetz came to the state convention in 2017 to bring greetings from
Baltimore County because of his relationship with us.  For years Barry Hond
worked with offices of many Baltimore County executives to ensure that the
county issued a proclamation for White Cane Awareness Day.  Building these
relationships is an important part of our work.  This is a good time to
build personal relationships with candidates who are running for office.  It
is important for them to realize that they have blind constituents.  Please
do what you can to foster these relationships.

 

Make Your Voices Heard

 

Although persons with disabilities no longer have a secret ballot in
Maryland, it is still important to make our views known.  Please be sure to
vote in the primary on June 26th.  If you wish you can participate in early
voting.  Early voting will be held from June 14 through June 21.  Contact
your local Board of Elections to see where the early voting centers are in
your area.  NFB Newsline will have Maryland ballot information soon.  Be
sure to check the local channel of NFB Newsline to get the names of the
eleven gubernatorial candidates, congressional candidates, general assembly
candidates, and candidates in various local races.

 

A Great Resource

 

 <http://www.nfbmd.org> www.nfbmd.org, is a great resource!  It contains
everything from blindness resources to information about our rights, and the
Maryland laws that relate to blindness.  There is special information for
parents, students, seniors, people with diabetes and people who are just
starting to lose their vision.   There is information about every local
chapter and division of NFBMD as well as their constitutions.  As you know
from the Presidential release the National Federation of the Blind recently
passed a code of conduct for the organization.  Every affiliate and every
president of the chapters and divisions of the NFB of Maryland have signed
this code of conduct which the NFB of Maryland Board of Directors adopted on
March 24, 2018.  To read this document go to the "about us" link on the
website.  <http://nfbmd.org/code-of-conduct>
http://nfbmd.org/code-of-conduct.  Although this was signed only by leaders,
it is something that everyone should follow.  

 

Check the website frequently to find out about current advocacy issues, to
read the latest newsletter and to get information about upcoming events.
Local chapters should remember to send their events to Ellen Ringlein
<mailto:eringlein at nfb.org> eringlein at nfb.org for posting.  If you have ideas
about other information that you would like to see on the website send them
to me at nfbmd at earthlink.com.

 

Board of Directors Meeting

 

Everyone is invited to attend the NFBMD Board of Directors Meeting on
Saturday, June 2, at 9:30 am.  The Greater Carroll County Chapter is hosting
this meeting.  We will meet at the Bistro which is part of the Carroll
Lutheran Village.  The address is 300 St. Luke's Circle, Westminster, MD.
Contact Brian Keseling or Sharon Maneki for specific directions to the
Bistro.  Help us plan for future activities and the upcoming state
convention.  

 

 

Promote Braille Literacy

 

The NFB 6 Dot Dash annual 6k run/walk for Braille literacy will be held on
June 3rd at NFB headquarters, 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore. The race
begins at 8 am.  Team Sharon is looking for more participants.  If you do
not want to run or walk, you can always sponsor someone else.  To register,
go to:
<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-federation-of-the-blind-6-dot-dash-re
gistration-44159873370>
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-federation-of-the-blind-6-dot-dash-reg
istration-44159873370. 

 

Pre-Registration Ending Soon

 

You will not want to miss the 2018 National Convention in Orlando, FL from
July 3-8.  Save money and pre-register today!  Pre-registration closes on
May 31 at midnight.  To pre-register and purchase a banquet ticket, go to:
<https://convention.nfb.org/> https://convention.nfb.org/.  

 

Divisions Activities

On Saturday, June 9, 8am - 3pm, The Maryland Parents of Blind Children will
conduct a free seminar entitled "Family to Family Connections."  Activities
for the whole family! Everything from networking to technology information,
to learning about the versatility of Braille, and more! The location is the
Jernigan Institute, 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD.   For further
information contact Melissa Riccobono  <mailto:melissa at riccobono.us>
melissa at riccobono.us.

 

On Saturday, June 23, the Maryland Association of Blind Merchants will host
a Networking Mixer. Come join us for an afternoon of fun and effective
networking from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at Flavor Restaurant, 15 East Centre Street,
Baltimore, MD 21202.  Vanna Belton, a young, progressive, visually impaired
woman, is the owner of Flavor.  

 

Buy your Vegas Getaway Raffle Tickets at the Networking Mixer.  If you can't
wait, go to:
<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vegas-vacation-getaway-for-two-tickets-4400664
0045>
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vegas-vacation-getaway-for-two-tickets-44006640
045. 

 

The Vegas vacation getaway for two includes luxury accommodations, roundtrip
airfare and $500 cash.  Drawing to be held July 8, 2018, at the NFB National
Convention. You need not be present to win.  Tickets are $10.  The winner
has 12 months to take this trip.

 

Calling All Students!  Several student divisions from the southeastern
section of the country, including Maryland, are joining together for a
weekend of fun and information on August 10-12.  This conference will take
place at the Jernigan Institute, 200 East Wells St., Baltimore, MD.  For
further information, contact the President of MDABS, Ellana Crew at
<mailto:eemcrew at gmail.com> eemcrew at gmail.com. 




 

 

 

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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