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<a name="_Hlk3126991"></a>Greetings, fellow federationists,<br>
Each year we gather in Minneapolis for our semiannual convention, a
tradition that brings together a number of federationists from across the
state to celebrate our successes, learn about legislative and state
happenings, and be inspired by our shared efforts to improve the lives of
blind Minnesotans. In addition, our semiannual convention is home to a
number of breakout sessions where members can exchange tips and advice on
everything from community involvement to technology.<br>
Last year we heard from Tom TeBockhorst, a long-time federationist, on
his first trip to Washington Seminar. Judy Sanders, who answers phone
calls from the public, shared some of the stories of the calls she
receives. Isac Kautto spoke about his decision to become an orientation
and mobility instructor, and Sam Flax told a story of how friendship
helped to strengthen her philosophy.<br>
This year’s semiannual convention will take place on May 18. I hope you
will make plans to attend and join our gathering. If you need a place to
stay, I will find you a place to stay. If you have suggestions for the
agenda, I want to hear them. I want everyone to know that you can be a
vital part of this event, and I need your help to make it a success.<br>
<br>
<b>Legislative Update<br>
</b>On Tuesday, March 5, federationists attended hearings for both the
voting rights legislation and our bill to establish a program to educate
new teachers of blind students. The voting rights bills were laid over
for inclusion into the omnibus bill in the house, and our bill to provide
funding for a university program has gone through committees in both the
house and senate. In addition, the funding called for by our education
bill can now be given to the secretary of higher education, which means
it is no longer tied to a specific college or university. This can give
us more flexibility when looking for a school willing to create the
program as more of them are now eligible to receive the funds.<br>
We are not at the end of our work yet; we still have a lot to do before
any of this legislation is passed, but I know we’ll keep pushing. Things
are happening, and we should be proud of that.<br>
<br>
<b>Introduction of ATAA<br>
</b>Last week the Access Technology Affordability Act (ATAA) (S. 815) was
introduced by Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Ben Cardin (D-MD). This
bipartisan legislation removes an employment barrier commonly experienced
by blind Americans who cannot afford the high cost of access technology
by creating a refundable tax credit in the amount of $2,000 to offset the
cost of these technologies. Please call our senators as soon as possible
and encourage them to cosponsor this legislation. The number for the
capitol switchboard is (202) 224-3121.<br>
<br><br>
<b>Blind Users Innovating and Leading Design (BUILD)<br>
</b>Technologies are being developed every day that affect the way we all
live, work, and play. Given the continuing and rapid spread of advanced
technology, we need your help to ensure that this technology is
accessible to blind people. The NFB is growing a database of blind users
to test and evaluate the accessibility of websites, home-use medical
devices, home appliances, fitness equipment, and other products and
services. Testers in our BUILD program will periodically receive requests
to evaluate various websites, products, or services for usability and
accessibility. In order for us to obtain real-world experiences, we are
seeking information from novices to experts. Although most are volunteer
opportunities, some of these projects may offer compensation, premiums
like gift cards, or product discounts. If you are interested in building
the next generation of accessible products and services, please register
to become a tester in our BUILD program by visiting the following link
and completing an application:
<a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/blind-users-innovating-and-leading-design">
https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/blind-users-innovating-and-leading-design</a>
<br>
I have participated in this program myself, and it’s a great opportunity
to try out new sites and services before anyone else sees them. It’s also
a great way to gain experience with accessibility testing and ensure your
opinion is heard.<br>
<br>
<b>Braille book fair<br>
</b>It’s time to sort through all those boxes of Braille books and donate
those gently used but no longer needed Braille books to the 2019 Braille
Book Fair sponsored by the National Organization of Parents of Blind
Children and the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults. Our
primary goal is to get more Braille books (in good condition) into the
hands of children, youth, and beginning adult readers, so we need
print/Braille storybooks (i.e., Twin Vision®), leisure reading (fiction
or nonfiction) books, cookbooks, and poetry. We do not accept magazines,
textbooks, or audio books at this time. Ship your donations to:<br>
<br>
2019 Braille Book Fair<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place<br>
Baltimore, MD 21230<br>
<br>
Please note that you are shipping the books Free Matter for the Blind;
you do not need to pay shipping cost for Braille items. Handwrite, stamp,
or affix a label to the upper right-hand corner of the box stating: FREE
MATTER FOR THE BLIND. Take your package(s) to your local post office.
There is no shipping fee for Free Matter for the Blind when mailed
through the USPS. <br>
Remember, you can offer a book at any time of year to the Braille Book
Fair by posting it to ShareBraille.org and designating it for the Braille
Book Fair.<br>
<br>
<b>NFB-NEWSLINE®<br>
</b>NFB-NEWSLINE is now offering monthly training sessions for
subscribers to become better acquainted with the many access methods and
tools of NFB-NEWSLINE. Past topics included using the Amazon Alexa skill
and using the NFB-NEWSLINE mobile app. <br>
If anyone interested in these trainings does not have an email address on
file or needs to update their information, please call or email the
national office so they can update your information and ensure you
receive notices of training sessions. Have an idea for a topic to be
covered? Call the Newsline team at 866-504-7300 or email
<a href="mailto:swhite@nfb.org">swhite@nfb.org</a>.<br>
<b> <br>
Member Spotlight<br>
</b>If you would like to be featured in an upcoming member spotlight,
please send me a brief bio or a few notes about you, and I’ll be sure to
include you in a future update.<br>
This week we get to know Jan Bailey, the president of our Rochester
chapter, the chair of our membership committee, and one of only four
people to hold a lifetime membership in the National federation of the
Blind of Minnesota.<br>
My name is Jan Bailey and I was a rehabilitation counselor for 31 years
at State Services for the Blind. I have a master’s degree in
rehabilitation counseling from Utah State University. <br>
I have been blind all my life. ten years ago, I became a contract vendor
for the state of MN and started my own business JB Rehabilitation
Enterprises. <br>
I teach classes to seniors to help them adjust to their vision loss, I
teach Braille, daily living and cooking skills to blind teens and adults,
<br>
I’m also president of my local National Federation of the Blind chapter
and I have been on the NFB of MN state board as secretary.<br>
I’m a member of the board of the MN State academies and have been the
chair of the state rehabilitation council of the blind for
SSB. <br>
I’m a member of the Lions Club, and I do a lot of volunteer work for my
church. <br>
In my spare time I enjoy cooking and reading.<br>
<br>
<b>Dates to Remember</b>
<ul>
<li>March 31: NFB national scholarship application deadline
<li>April 15: NFB of Minnesota Scholarship application Deadline
<li>May 18: Semiannual Convention, Minneapolis
<li>July 7-12: NFB National Convention, Las Vegas, NV
<li>Oct. 25-27: NFBMN Annual state Convention, St. Cloud
</ul> <br>
Enjoy the sunshine,<br>
Ryan<br>
<br>
Ryan Strunk, President<br>
<a href="mailto:president@nfbmn.org">president@nfbmn.org</a><br>
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/" eudora="autourl">www.nfb.org</a><br>
<a href="http://www.nfbmn.org">www.nfbmn.org</a><br>
(612) 872-9363<br>
Live the life you Want.</blockquote><div id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2"><br />
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