<div dir="ltr"><div>Hello All,<br clear="all"></div><div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:rgb(0,0,0)">The next meeting of the At Large Chapter is tonight, September 16, from 7:30-9 PM. The meeting starts with the National President's message. Our guest speaker for tonight will be Shawn Callaway, president of the NFB of the District of Columbia. He will be talking about the numerous programs and opportunities that the National Organization of Blind Black Leaders have to offer. The call in number is (339)-209-4083.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:rgb(0,0,0)">At our August meeting, Diane Ducharme who works for the image center told us about Independent Living Centers. If you have questions, you may call Diane at (443)-352-0716. Below are the minutes, which describe the August 19 meeting. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Minutes for August 19</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">The meeting began with the National President\u2019s message. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">President Riccobono reminded us to start saving money to
attend next year\u2019s convention, July 3-8 in Austin, Texas.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">He also reminded us to get cosponsors for H.R. 4206/S. 1261,
the CONNECT for Health Act of 2025. This bill is necessary because telehealth
services will currently expire on September 30. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Next, we introduced ourselves and talked about the 2025 National
Convention. There were 22 people on the call.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Sharon gave the Treasurer\u2019s Report</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">This report was from March 1-July 31. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">The opening balance in March was $940.08, the total income
was $205, and the total expenses were $216.40. The ending balance was $928.68</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Our guest speaker was Diane Ducharme. She discussed what
independent living centers are, and how they help blind people. There are many
independent living centers throughout the state. They all help people to get
out of nursing homes, teach independent living skills to all disabled people,
and make peer counseling available for people who request it. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">She works for the IMAGE Center, which is for residents of
Baltimore County, Baltimore City, and Harford County. A unique service that the
IMAGE Center runs is the Healthy Happy Home program. This service is for people
who are 62 years and older and live in Harford County, and three locations,
Middle River, Essex, and Rosedale, in Baltimore County. The homeowner or renter
may receive up to $5000 in home modifications so that the consumer can continue
to live independently and safely. If you wish for more information on this
program or anything else about independent living, call Diane Ducharme at
(443)-352-0716.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Diane also talked about the Blind Shell 3 Cell Phone. The
Blind Shell is a phone made specifically for the blind. It has buttons that you
can feel and does not require you to do gestures. The Blind Shell 3 has been
upgraded to contain artificial intelligence, which enables you to dictate your
contacts. The phone also has tandem capabilities, which allows someone to take
over your phone so that they can help you if you\u2019re having problems. Diane was
a wealth of information for everyone. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Respectfully submitted,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Sharon Maneki, Acting Secretary</p></div><br></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><b><font size="2">Sharon Maneki, Director of Legislation and Advocacy</font></b></div><div><font size="2">National Federation of the Blind of Maryland</font></div><div><font size="2">410-715-9596</font></div><div><font size="2"><br></font></div><div><font size="2">The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Everyday 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.<br></font></div><div><b><font size="2"></font></b></div><div><b><font size="2"><br></font></b></div></div></div></div></div>