[Mn-at-large] NFB of MN Update

[Jennifer Dunnam via NFBMN-News]

July 30, 2017

Dear Minnesota Federationists:

Just a couple of short weeks ago, 99 Minnesotans 
joined thousands of our colleagues in Orlando for 
the 2017 National Convention. I know that details 
and perspectives on this wonderful convention 
have been and will be discussed at chapter 
meetings around the state, and will also be 
available in upcoming issues of the braille 
monitor. This year's banquet address from 
President Riccobono was especially timely and 
important as we consider the advances in 
technology. You can read the speech at 
<https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/convent/2017/banquet-speech-2017.html>https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/convent/2017/banquet-speech-2017.html
→        The National Organization of 
Parents of Blind Children has set up a fund in 
memory of Megan Bening, to help put technology 
within reach for blind children and teens. More 
details: 
<http://nopbc.org/programs-and-events/item/112>http://nopbc.org/programs-and-events/item/112 


☑ In a previous update, we noted that Jan 
Bailey, a long-time Federationist and an alumna 
of the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind, was 
re-applying to serve  on the 
<http://www.msa.state.mn.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=448295&type=d&pREC_ID=1061420>Governing 
Board of the Academies, in a position designated 
as "representative of the blind community." I am 
happy to report that she was re-appointed to this 
position, and so  We know that blind Minnesotans 
have excellent representation on the governance board.

As always, if you have items for these updates, please send them along!



Important Dates Coming Up Soon:

• Thursday, August 3: Meeting of State 
Rehabilitation Council for the Blind 
<http://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/blind-visual-impaired/council/>http://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/blind-visual-impaired/council/
• Monday, August 7, 5:00 PM: Meeting of the Board 
of Directors of BLIND, Inc., at 100 East 22nd Street, Minneapolis
• Saturday, August 26, 10:00 AM: Board meeting of 
NFB of Minnesota in Saint Louis Park
• Saturday, September 9th: NFB of Minnesota Walk for Opportunity in Rochester
• Friday, September 29: Last day to make hotel 
reservations for the annual convention
• Friday October 20-Sunday October 22: NFB of 
Minnesota Annual Convention in Brooklyn Park



To-Do List (AKA Things You Can Do To Help)

☐        Make your hotel reservations 
for our annual state convention of the National 
Federation of the Blind of Minnesota, October 
20-22, by calling (877) 303‑1681.
☐        If you use a guide dog, give 
feedback (positive or negative) on your 
experiences using Uber and Lyft, and encourage 
anyone you know who uses a guide dog or other 
service animal to do the same: 
<https://nfb.org/rideshare>https://nfb.org/rideshare
☐        Check out the latest issue of 
the Braille Monitor, our national monthly 
flagship publication, at 
<https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm17/bm1707/bm1707tc.htm>https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm17/bm1707/bm1707tc.htm 

☐        Read the latest issue of Future 
Reflections, all about the IEP process; this is 
useful not only for parents of blind children but 
also for any of our members who would like to be 
able to help with the advocacy we do to help 
children and their parents: 
<https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr36/2/fr3602tc.htm>https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr36/2/fr3602tc.htm
☐        Call your Congressman or 
Congresswoman and ask him or her to cosponsor 
these three bills: the AIM HIGH Act (H.R. 1772), 
the Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 
1734), and the TIME Act (H.R. 1377). Please also 
call senators Franken and Klobuchar and ask them 
to cosponsor S. 732. If you aren't sure who your 
representative is, find the name and contact 
information by entering your zip code at 
<http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/>http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/. 
If you'd prefer, the number to the Capitol 
Switchboard is 202-224-3121; from there, the operator can transfer you.
☐        Parents interested in learning 
more or being a part of re-starting our Minnesota 
Organization of Parents of Blind Children should 
contact Briley O'Connor at brileyoc at gmail.com or (703) 380-8876.


The National Federation of the Blind 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

<http://www.nfbmn.org>http://www.nfbmn.org

Twitter: <http://www.twitter.com/nfbmn>http://www.twitter.com/nfbmn

YouTube channel: 
<http://www.youtube.com/nationsblind>http://www.youtube.com/nationsblind

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