[MI-ABS] The MIABS Mosaic Vol. 7.1- July 5TH, 2026

[Jeffery Crouch]

The MIABS Mosaic Vol. 7.1
July 5TH, 2026

Message from President Crouch
Welcome to the month of July. We hope you have been staying safe and cool during these exceptionally hot temperatures.
Yesterday, millions of Americans celebrated Independence Day across our nation. As fireworks illuminated the sky, more than 2,500 blind Americans gathered in Austin, Texas, for the second day of the National Federation of the Blind National Convention—the largest gathering of blind people in the world.
As our Federation family enjoys the convention and all it has to offer, I encourage each of us to take time this Independence Day weekend to reflect on what independence means in our own lives.
In the National Federation of the Blind, we know that blindness is not the characteristic that defines who we are or what we can achieve. We must work every day to raise expectations of blind people, because low expectations create barriers between us and our dreams. We must continue changing how society understands blindness.
I challenge you to have meaningful conversations with others—whether it is someone you meet in the community or a family member who may hold mistaken beliefs about the abilities and potential of blind people. Blindness is nothing to be ashamed of. It is respectable to be blind.
  If you have feedback or would like to see something in the Mosaic's, please email miabs-president at outlook.com

Advocacy
  The Advocacy Committee remained busy throughout the month of June, as you heard in Treasurer Agajan’s monthly wrap-up on June 30.
We are proud to announce that the Student Advocacy Toolkit is now complete. However, like an ice cream sundae, it still needs the finishing touch: the voices and lived experiences of students.
Whether you are a current student or have completed your education, we invite you to share your personal experiences with advocacy. Your stories can help guide and encourage blind students who are just beginning their own educational journeys.
The Advocacy Committee will hold a special meeting to hear directly from you. This meeting will occur on July 12TH at 6:30PM in conjunction with the Events Committee. With your permission, the stories shared may be included in the Toolkit’s testimonial section.
The full Student Advocacy Toolkit will be officially unveiled on July 17, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. This is an event you will not want to miss.

Announcements
MIABS Snacking USA Fundraiser
  Do you like supporting blind students while getting a tasty snack? Welcome to the MIABS Snacking USA Fundraiser. Whether you would like something salty or something sweet, our fundraising page has something I'm sure you are to enjoy. All funds go to support the work MIABS is doing to raise expectations of blind students. That can take the form of virtual and in person events, workshops, educational seminars, assisting students to attend state convention, national convention and even Washington seminar and much more. We can't continue to do this important work without the generosity of each and everyone of you. If you are unable to purchase something, no worries, please share far and wide. This fundraiser ends July 27TH, 2026.
  So, go and check out what we are offering by visiting
our fundraising page<https://www.iraisemore.com/?ref=68861&utm_campaign=68861>

MIABS Market
  Don't forget that the MIABS Market is up and running. Go check out what we are offering by visiting
the MIABS Market<http://www.zeffy.com/en-us/ticketing/miabs-market>
Items are always being updated, so don't miss out.

Calendar of Events
To join any of our meetings, please use the
student zoom room<https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5368095926?pwd=04Tsi6F1xvcxP0iVL3hy0otQeVFQVn.1>
For the MIABS Business meeting on July 11TH, at 3:30PM, please use the
affiliate zoom room<https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/9612695221?pwd=zapqO7zpXAEcbWaiw9aJJpTt7oOg61.1>


  *
July 11TH: 3:30PM- MIABS Business Meeting (Affiliate zoom room)
  *
July 12TH: 6:30PM- Special Advocacy meeting and events committee
  *
July 15TH: 7:00PM- Communications, Techtalk and Unseen Media Committees
  *
July 17TH: 6:30PM- Advocacy and Membership Committees
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July 22ND: 7:00PM- Techtalk Live
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July 23RD: 6:30PM- Students of Tomorrow Committee
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July 25TH: 3:30PM- Fundraising and Project Prepare Committees
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July 26TH: 3:00PM- Members Meeting
  *
July 31ST: 7:00PM- Unseen Media Live


Connect With Us
Youtube<http://youtube.com/@miabs_social>
Kick<http://kick.com/miabs-social>
Facebook<http://facebook.com/miabssocial>
Instagram<http://instagram.com/miabs_social>
Tiktok<http://tiktok.com/@miabs_social>
X<http://x.com/@miabs_social>
Mastodon<http://mastodon.social/@miabs_social>
Blog<http://miabssocial.wordpress.com/>

In Conclusion
  Thank you for reading this weeks Mosaic. Please join Steven Crouch next week for everything communications. Again, if you have any questions or feedback, please email miabs-president at outlook.com
Let's go and build the federation!

      
The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. We know 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. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.

Sincerely,
Jeffery Crouch
President: Michigan Association of Blind Students