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July 30, 2017<br>
<br>
Dear Minnesota Federationists:<br>
<br>
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
<a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/convent/2017/banquet-speech-2017.html">
https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/convent/2017/banquet-speech-2017.html</a>
<br>
→ 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:
<a href="http://nopbc.org/programs-and-events/item/112">
http://nopbc.org/programs-and-events/item/112</a> <br>
<a name="_GoBack"></a> <br>
☑ 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
<a href="http://www.msa.state.mn.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=448295&type=d&pREC_ID=1061420">
Governing Board of the Academies,</a> 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.<br>
<br>
As always, if you have items for these updates, please send them
along!<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Important Dates Coming Up Soon:</b></h2> Thursday, August 3:
Meeting of State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind
<a href="http://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/blind-visual-impaired/council/">
http://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/blind-visual-impaired/council/</a><br>
Monday, August 7, 5:00 PM: Meeting of the Board of Directors of BLIND,
Inc., at 100 East 22nd Street, Minneapolis<br>
Saturday, August 26, 10:00 AM: Board meeting of NFB of Minnesota in
Saint Louis Park<br>
Saturday, September 9th: NFB of Minnesota Walk for Opportunity in
Rochester<br>
Friday, September 29: Last day to make hotel reservations for the
annual convention<br>
Friday October 20-Sunday October 22: NFB of Minnesota Annual Convention
in Brooklyn Park<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>To-Do List (AKA Things You Can Do To Help)</b></h2>☐
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.<br>
☐ 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:
<a href="https://nfb.org/rideshare">https://nfb.org/rideshare</a><br>
☐ Check out the latest issue of the Braille Monitor,
our national monthly flagship publication, at
<a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm17/bm1707/bm1707tc.htm">
https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm17/bm1707/bm1707tc.htm
</a><br>
☐ 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:
<a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr36/2/fr3602tc.htm">
https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr36/2/fr3602tc.htm</a><br>
☐ 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
<a href="http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/">
http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/</a>. If you'd prefer, the
number to the Capitol Switchboard is 202-224-3121; from there, the
operator can transfer you.<br>
☐ 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@gmail.com or (703)
380-8876.<br>
<br><br>
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<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.nfbmn.org">http://www.nfbmn.org</a><br>
<br>
Twitter:
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/nfbmn">http://www.twitter.com/nfbmn</a>
<br>
<br>
YouTube channel:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/nationsblind">
http://www.youtube.com/nationsblind</a><br>
<br>
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