From oriolefan38 at gmail.com Sun Dec 1 02:00:00 2024 From: oriolefan38 at gmail.com (Zachary Ledford) Date: Sat, 30 Nov 2024 19:00:00 -0700 Subject: [NABS-L] =?utf-8?q?Support_NABS_and_Buy_Popcorn!!_=F0=9F=8D=BF?= Message-ID: Hey there NABS! Do you love popcorn? Do you know someone who loves popcorn? Well here is your chance to support the National Association of Blind Students! I bet your favorite pet or guide dog might want some pupcorn too! Buy some popcorn before the shop closes tomorrow at 7 PM EST! Use the link below to support NABS through one of our participant's stores and grab some snacks for the holidays! Buy popcorn: https://popup.doublegood.com/s/day3898k We appreciate your support and hope you can enjoy some great snacks this winter! Best wishes, NABS Fundraising Committee From ammar.tarin at gmail.com Sun Dec 1 17:42:52 2024 From: ammar.tarin at gmail.com (Ammar Tarin) Date: Sun, 1 Dec 2024 10:42:52 -0700 Subject: [NABS-L] Due tonight! National Association of Blind Students Mentee Form! Message-ID: Hey Students! We hope you are all doing well, and are ready for those finals and the holiday season! This is just a reminder that the Mentee Form for the National Association of Blind Students Mentorship Program is due tonight at 11:59 PM PST. Remember, that The purpose of this program is to provide students interested in various career goals and interests with the guidance, resources, and confidence needed to succeed on their adventures. Mentees will be paired with students and professionals integrated within the wider NFB community. We will do our best to pair you with a mentor that best matches your interests and goals! Here is a link to the form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1V9vHnKAktoq7ZEoSazmoGwt4hpxH-118Ik4njNWBBBI/viewform?ts=673bf761&edit_requested=true If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to NABS membership committee chair Nikhil Dadlani by email at nikhildadlani at berkeley.edu. We look forward to all of your submissions! Sincerely, NABS membership committee -- Respectfully, Ammar Ahmed Tarin Board Member, National Association of Blind Students Board Member, National Federation of the Blind of Arizona President, Arizona Association of Blind Students Ammar.tarin at gmail.com 480-580-7874 Live the life you want. From noah.t.carver at outlook.com Mon Dec 2 04:13:06 2024 From: noah.t.carver at outlook.com (Noah Carver) Date: Mon, 2 Dec 2024 04:13:06 +0000 Subject: [NABS-L] =?windows-1252?q?Listen_to_the_December_2024_NABS_NOW_P?= =?windows-1252?q?odcast=3A_=93Students_Making_Change_=96_It=27s_Our_=23Ri?= =?windows-1252?q?ghtToRide=94?= Message-ID: Dear NABS/Federation Family, The NABS NOW Podcast, a proud production of the National Association of Blind Students, is pleased to present our December 2024 episode: “Students Making Change – It's Our #RightToRide.” There’s no denying that since their formation, rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber have afforded blind people much greater and more equitable access to transportation at parity with sighted people. However, Uber and Lyft have also systematically failed to uphold their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to prevent discrimination against blind riders, particularly guide dog users, with the result being that rideshare drivers unlawfully deny Blind riders in general—and guide dog users in particular—at shockingly high rates. For years, the National Federation of the Blind has engaged in good faith dialogue with Lyft and Uber in hopes of ending this illegal treatment with little success. So, hundreds of Blind people took to the streets on White Cane Awareness Day to make our voices heard, protesting in front of Uber and Lyft headquarters to demand that our rights be upheld. In this episode, NABS NOW hosts Noah Carver and Akliesia Teshome interview Lindsay Kerr and Colin Wong, two students who attended the rally. They'll share their own personal rideshare denial stories, their experiences at the rally, reactions to recent developments, including Uber's unlawful self-identification program for blind riders, and what they hope rideshare companies will take away from our advocacy. Listen now: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/nabs-now/episodes/Students-Making-Change--Its-Our-RightToRide-e2roerm Have questions about the podcast or suggestions for future episodes? Email Noah Carver, Chair of the NABS Content Creation Committee, at noah.t.carver at outlook.com. We hope you enjoy this episode and that you have a wonderful holiday season. Warmly yours, The NABS NOW Podcast Team—Noah Carver, Naudia Graham, Manahil Jafri, Selene Monjaraz, Akliesia Teshome, and James Yesel -- Noah Carver (He/Him) Candidate, B.M. '27, Applied Music (Performance) -- Voice Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester Board Member, National Association of Blind Students Chair, Content Creation Committee, National Association of Blind Students Chair, Students Committee, National Federation of the Blind of New York +1 (207) 557-9143 noah.t.carver at outlook.com From ljmaher03 at outlook.com Mon Dec 2 11:51:11 2024 From: ljmaher03 at outlook.com (Louis Maher) Date: Mon, 2 Dec 2024 11:51:11 +0000 Subject: [NABS-L] Save-The-Date NFBCS Virtual Meeting, December 15, 2024, 8 PM EDT In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The National Federation of the Blind in Computer Science is presenting a Zoom meeting on how blind individuals are succeeding in careers in the field of information technology. The Zoom meeting will occur from 8 PM through 9:30 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST), on Sunday, December 15, 2024. Meeting Registration To register for this meeting, go to "https://web.nfbcal.org/nfbcsvirtual.html". The seminar registration deadline is December 13, 2024. The meeting link will be sent to registered attendees on December 14, 2024. Program The speakers, talk titles, and presentation descriptions are: Speaker: Brian Richwine Title: Using MS Word To Communicate Mathematics Description: I will discuss the recent improvements that make using MS Word a possibility for communicating mathematics (MathCAT in NVDA/JAWS, the JAWS Math Editor, improvements in Word, etc.), discuss why MS Word is an important medium, the promise, the caveats, the hope for improvements, current best practices, a quick demo, and then point to the how-to resources. Speaker: Denise Robinson Title: Unlocking STEM Access Through Technology Description: Dr. Denise M. Robinson, founder and CEO of TechVision, LLC, leads a global team providing remote instruction for blind and low vision individuals. Since 2007, her team has ensured students can complete tasks in real time alongside their sighted peers while mastering digital skills across all subjects. TechVision empowers students with tools like screen readers, braille displays, AI, and specialized software to compete equally. The team offers individualized or group instruction in technology, braille, and essential skills, focusing on Mathematics and STEM, ensuring academic success and independence. For more details, visit "YourTechVision.com". Speaker: Gene Kim Title: Sound, Touch, and Imagination - Reflections from a Blind Computer Science Student on Accessible making Description: Gene will share a handful of recent computer science projects he has worked on spanning Human-Computer Interaction and Accessibility, including a wearable MIDI controller for interactive music experiences, semi-automated machine embroidery for more expressive tactile graphics, and a tool to make STEM more accessible. He will also touch on his non-visual programming/engineering workflow as a JAWS user. You can read some of his prior research works "https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=xHfhM3MAAAAJ&hl=en". Gene Kim is a senior at Stanford studying Symbolic Systems with a concentration in Human-Computer Interaction and Accessibility. Throughout his undergraduate years, he has published 10 computer science papers in collaboration with seven research labs at institutions including Stanford, the University of Washington, and the University of Chicago. He has held various leadership positions in the National Federation of the Blind, including co-founding the Science and Engineering division's mentorship program. In his free time, you can find Gene listening to and playing music, following the NFL, and experimenting with new recipes. Division Registration, And Division Email List Subscription Page To either become a registered member of the National Federation of the Blind in Computer Science, or to renew your membership, go to "https://web.nfbcal.org/nfbcsreg". The dues are $5 a year per person. Dues paid in or after October 2024 will count until the end of 2025. The registration page has yet to be updated to show this October early registration date. The "https://www.nfbnet.org/" website contains the Email/Web/FTP service of the National Federation of the Blind. The first link on the page is where you go to join or drop NFB mailing lists, as well as browse the archives. Clicking that link opens a page containing the NFB e-mail lists. Search for "NFBCS" and follow the subscription instructions. Questions If you have any questions, please contact Louis Maher (713-444-7838, ljmaher03 at outlook.com). Regards Louis Maher Phone: 713-444-7838 Email: ljmaher03 at outlook.com -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Announcement-Virtual NFBCS Meeting 2024-12-15 (5).docx Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document Size: 25972 bytes Desc: Announcement-Virtual NFBCS Meeting 2024-12-15 (5).docx URL: From suplice.c at northeastern.edu Mon Dec 2 22:12:25 2024 From: suplice.c at northeastern.edu (Christopher Suplice) Date: Mon, 2 Dec 2024 22:12:25 +0000 Subject: [NABS-L] =?utf-8?q?=F0=9F=8E=A5_Lights=2C_Camera=2C_ACTION!_Let?= =?utf-8?q?=E2=80=99s_Pick_the_Movie_for_NABS_Movie_Night!_=F0=9F=8E=A5?= Message-ID: Hey Movie Buffs Extraordinaire, The popcorn may be gone (moment of silence for all the deliciousness 🍿), but the fun isn’t stopping! Our NABS Movie Night is just around the corner on Sunday, December 15th, and it’s time to settle the most important question of all: What are we watching? That’s right – you get to decide! Will it be a tear-jerking classic? An edge-of-your-seat thriller? A comedy so funny it makes you spill your soda? The power is in your hands, so don’t miss your chance to vote! Here’s what you need to do: 1. Go to Nabs socials media pages (specifically our fundrairing committee group on Whatsapp) 2. Channel your inner film critic and pick the flick you want to see. 3. Pat yourself on the back for being a decision-making rockstar. 4. And of course, get on that rooftop to let the people know (or pick up your phone and spread the news). Voting closes soon, so don’t let your favorite movie get left on the cutting-room floor! 🎬 And just a reminder: entry to movie night is only $5. That’s cheaper than a tub of popcorn at the theater! So grab your ticket and get ready for a night of good vibes, great company, and maybe some surprise snacks (no promises, though—we ate a lot of popcorn last week). Where can you register, you said? We got you! Click here to register Got questions or a movie suggestion so obscure it’s probably not on the list? Reach out to Zachary Ledford at ledford.zachary38 at gmail.com. Let’s make this a blockbuster night to remember! Bring your excitement, your votes, and maybe a blanket—snuggly vibes encouraged. 😉 Best, Your NABS Fundraising Committee From kaleighjb17 at gmail.com Tue Dec 3 00:45:12 2024 From: kaleighjb17 at gmail.com (Kaleigh Brendle) Date: Mon, 2 Dec 2024 19:45:12 -0500 Subject: [NABS-L] Fwd: URGENT Legislative Alert - Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act Update In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Young, Justin via NFBNet-Members-List Date: Sun, Dec 1, 2024 at 12:36 PM Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] URGENT Legislative Alert - Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act Update To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org Dear Federation Family: I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. I wanted to update everyone on the TCIEA Legislative Alert from Friday, November 22. We have done a great job of flooding the four offices mentioned in the original email with our collective calls and emails, but we cannot let up. If you haven’t had a chance to call or email the offices below, it’s not too late, and if you have already done so, it wouldn’t hurt to send another to really demonstrate how important this issue is to us. For your convenience, I’ve included the entirety of the previous Legislative Alert below, which includes the suggested script and contact information for the offices. Thanks for all you do, Justin We are coming down to the wire on the 118th Congress and we want to make sure that we’ve done everything that we possibly can in order to advocate for our legislative priorities. In this case, we are trying to ensure that the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA) is included in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) reauthorization bill that is currently being considered. Right now is a crucial time for this initiative because Congress wants to pass the WIOA reauthorization when they return after Thanksgiving. We need you to flood the email inboxes and telephone lines and voicemail boxes of four key committee staff members in order to make sure TCIEA gets included in the final bill: Amy Jones Majority Staff Director, House Committee on Education and the Workforce Amy.jones at mail.house.gov 202-225-4527 Véronique Pluviose-Fenton Minority Staff Director, House Committee on Education and the Workforce veronique.pluviose at mail.house.gov 202-225-3725 Warren Gunnels Majority Staff Director, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Warren_Gunnels at help.senate.gov 202-224-0767 Amanda Lincoln Minority Staff Director, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Amanda_lincoln at help.senate.gov 202-224-5375 When you call or email, you might say something like: “Dear [NAME]: I am urging the [HOUSE EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE COMMITTEE/SENATE HELP COMMITTEE] to please include the TCIEA in the WIOA reauthorization bill. The TCIEA will eliminate the payment of subminimum wages for people with disabilities and eliminate the need for a government program to monitor special wage certificate holders. Thank you.” If you send an email, please use the subject line “Please Include the TCIEA in the WIOA Reauthorization” and copy Justin Young at jyoung at nfb.org. Congress is working diligently to move the WIOA reauthorization bill as soon as they get back after the Thanksgiving break, so time is of the essence for us to make our voices heard. If you have any questions, please contact me. Thank you for all that you do, Justin T. Young, Ed.D Government Affairs Specialist, National Federation of the Blind 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230 410-659-9314, extension 2210 | jyoung at nfb.org From ameliar.p.dusenbury at gmail.com Tue Dec 3 15:52:46 2024 From: ameliar.p.dusenbury at gmail.com (Amelia Dusenbury) Date: Tue, 3 Dec 2024 08:52:46 -0700 Subject: [NABS-L] (no subject) Message-ID: Systemic Access is pleased to invite you to our December Accessible Research Talk. Are you interested in computer science, mathematical modeling, or the ocean? Tune in to learn more! Date/Time/Zoom: Dec 5, 2024 06:00 PM Mountain Time (5:00PM PT/7:00PM CT/8:00PM ET) Title: Ocean modeling using high-order Galerkin methods Speaker and Bio: Michal Kopera, Ph.D. Michal has earned a Ph.D. In Engineering (Scientific Computing) from the University of Warwick, UK in 2011. He then moved to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA as a National Research Council Postgraduate Fellow. He also held a Visiting Fellow position at the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences in Cambridge, UK, and was an Assistant Researcher at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Michal is interested in computational and applied mathematics, specifically numerical methods for ocean modeling, high performance scientific computing, computational fluid dynamics, adaptive mesh refinement, and scientific software development. https://boisestate.zoom.us/j/96180330734 Calendar Invite: https://calendar.app.google/acFYE1B77DjxYTrv5 Abstract: Oceans cover more than two-thirds of the surface or Earth, and as such are the primary control of our planet's climate. Understanding the dynamical behavior of the ocean is therefore paramount for both understanding the long-term consequences of climate change, as well as short term weather predictions, among other things. The complex nature of the fluid motion makes it impossible to analytically solve the partial differential equations describing the conservation of mass, momentum and energy of water moving on the surface of rotating sphere, and affected by the complex boundaries of ocean basins, as well as rugged ocean bottom. We can, however, approximate the dynamics of the ocean using numerical methods and computer simulation. The current generation of ocean models uses a mixture of low-order finite volume and finite difference methods to approximate the partial differential equations governing the fluid motion. Those methods has been developed over the past half-century, and with the advent of modern computing platforms are approaching a limit of usability due to limited parallel performance. In this talk, I will provide an overview of the benefits and costs of using high-order Galerkin methods for ocean modeling compared with traditional methods. I will also go go over the modeling assumptions we make in the formulation of the governing equations for the ocean, and fundamental forces which affect the motion of fluid on the surface of the Earth. Amelia Palmer Dusenbury Special Project Graduate Teaching Assistant Accessibility of Math Learning Center Courses Department of Mathematics Boise State University Vice President of Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind Foundation From manahiljafri at gmail.com Tue Dec 3 20:38:20 2024 From: manahiljafri at gmail.com (Manahil Jafri) Date: Tue, 3 Dec 2024 15:38:20 -0500 Subject: [NABS-L] Anyone taken the GMAT? Message-ID: Hi all, I was wondering if anyone here took the GMAT recently with a screenreader? If so, please do email me directly, I have some specific questions for you. You can reach me at manahiljafri at gmail.com. Best Manahil From oriolefan38 at gmail.com Tue Dec 3 21:00:00 2024 From: oriolefan38 at gmail.com (Zachary Ledford) Date: Tue, 3 Dec 2024 14:00:00 -0700 Subject: [NABS-L] Help Support the NABS Annual Auction by December 31st! Message-ID: NABS Family! We are two months away from the 2025 NABS Annual Auction which will be occurring during the Washington Seminar in February which is always a party! We are asking for all of you to seek donations from businesses, organizations, family, friends and others that you know, or are a part of to help transform student’s dreams into reality. With your support we can help change what it means to be blind. Near the bottom of this email you will find a link to our donation form. This form allows for donors to submit for monetary donations along with items for our 2025 Washington Seminar hybrid auction. The deadline to submit the form with donations is *December 31st* so act fast! We would greatly appreciate assistance in forming this auction; please see the attached Google form below regarding donating! Form: https://forms.gle/qgeqfvHPTS5VM66d7 If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Zachary Ledford at ledford.zachary38 at gmail.com. All the best, The NABS Auction Committee From gene.sh.kim at gmail.com Thu Dec 5 14:45:08 2024 From: gene.sh.kim at gmail.com (Gene Kim) Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2024 06:45:08 -0800 Subject: [NABS-L] Fwd: Seize the day with See's Candies and support the California Association of Blind Students References: <5211A3AC-E645-49DD-B9FB-92BE9CC5726D@gmail.com> Message-ID: <1E045292-C708-4430-836F-5B3585640EA1@gmail.com> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ameliar.p.dusenbury at gmail.com Thu Dec 5 18:10:49 2024 From: ameliar.p.dusenbury at gmail.com (Amelia Dusenbury) Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2024 11:10:49 -0700 Subject: [NABS-L] Final Reminder: Accessible Research Presentation | Ocean modeling using high-order Galerkin methods Message-ID: Final Reminder: Accessible Research Presentation | Ocean modeling using high-order Galerkin methods Today 5 December 6:00 PM Mountain Time Zoom Link https://boisestate.zoom.us/j/96180330734 Google Calendar link: https://calendar.app.google/acFYE1B77DjxYTrv5 Speaker and Bio: Michal Kopera, Ph.D. Michal has earned a Ph.D. In Engineering (Scientific Computing) from the University of Warwick, UK in 2011. He then moved to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA as a National Research Council Postgraduate Fellow. He also held a Visiting Fellow position at the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences in Cambridge, UK, and was an Assistant Researcher at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Michal is interested in computational and applied mathematics, specifically numerical methods for ocean modeling, high performance scientific computing, computational fluid dynamics, adaptive mesh refinement, and scientific software development. Abstract: Oceans cover more than two-thirds of the surface or Earth, and as such are the primary control of our planet's climate. Understanding the dynamical behavior of the ocean is therefore paramount for both understanding the long-term consequences of climate change, as well as short term weather predictions, among other things. The complex nature of the fluid motion makes it impossible to analytically solve the partial differential equations describing the conservation of mass, momentum and energy of water moving on the surface of a rotating sphere, and affected by the complex boundaries of ocean basins, as well as rugged ocean bottom. We can, however, approximate the dynamics of the ocean using numerical methods and computer simulation. The current generation of ocean models uses a mixture of low-order finite volume and finite difference methods to approximate the partial differential equations governing the fluid motion. Those methods have been developed over the past half-century, and with the advent of modern computing platforms are approaching a limit of usability due to limited parallel performance. In this talk, I will provide an overview of the benefits and costs of using high-order Galerkin methods for ocean modeling compared with traditional methods. I will also go over the modeling assumptions we make in the formulation of the governing equations for the ocean, and fundamental forces which affect the motion of fluid on the surface of the Earth. *Amelia Palmer Dusenbury* *Special Project Graduate Teaching Assistant **Accessibility of Math Learning Center Courses* Department of Mathematics Boise State University *Vice President of Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind Foundation * From nikkidadlani at gmail.com Thu Dec 5 18:28:48 2024 From: nikkidadlani at gmail.com (Nikhil Dadlani) Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2024 10:28:48 -0800 Subject: [NABS-L] FW: Scholarships for Blind & Low-Vision Students: Application Open In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <001a01db4743$8785dec0$96919c40$@gmail.com> Hi Students, Please see below for information on the 2025 NFB National Scholarship! Please feel free to distribute the information to your friends, fellow blind students, and educators in your community. With Love, Nikhil Dadlani Chair, NABS Membership Committee From: National Federation of the Blind Sent: Wednesday, December 4, 2024 13:03 To: Nikki Dadlani Subject: Scholarships for Blind & Low-Vision Students: Application Open Scholarship Opportunity Available: Start Your Application Today Each year, the National Federation of the Blind awards scholarships to recognize achievement by blind and low-vision scholars. Thanks to our generous partners, there are thirty $8,000 merit-based scholarships currently available. The cash value is only one aspect of this prestigious program. The program also provides funding to travel to and attend the National Federation of the Blind's National Convention with the opportunity to network with more blind students, to exchange information and ideas, and to meet and talk with hundreds of blind people who are successfully working in many occupations and professions. Apply for the scholarship program now . How to Apply Start your application early to submit all the required items before the deadline of March 31, 2025. Review the eligibility requirements, rules, and the submission checklist. A complete application includes: * The official 2025 Scholarship Application Form * All required documents, which include an essay, transcripts, proof of blindness, and a letter of recommendation * An interview by your state affiliate president of the National Federation of the Blind Read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for more information. Take advantage of this opportunity and apply for the scholarship program. Contact Us If you have questions, please contact Cayte Mendez, Scholarship Committee Chair, at scholarships at nfb.org , or call 410-659-9314, extension 2415, (8 a.m. - 5 p.m. eastern time). National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD 21230 | 410-659-9314 Unsubscribe from this mailing list | Opt out of all mailing lists | Sign up for our newsletter 200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place Baltimore, MD 21230 United States .. From Aida.talic at outlook.com Fri Dec 6 05:43:13 2024 From: Aida.talic at outlook.com (Aida Talic) Date: Fri, 6 Dec 2024 05:43:13 +0000 Subject: [NABS-L] =?utf-8?q?MNABS_invites_you_to_a_cozy=2C_hot_chocolate_?= =?utf-8?b?ZXZlbnQgYW5kIHdlYmluYXIhIOKbhO+4jyDinYTvuI8=?= Message-ID: Dear Minnesota Students, The semester is winding down, finals are almost behind us, and it’s time to take a breather! We’re thrilled to invite you to a Hot Chocolate and Coffee Hangout with a fun White Elephant gift exchange (gifts should not exceed $10). You do not need to bring a white elephant gift to participate—feel free to just join us for some free hot chocolate or coffee and socialize. Details: 📅 Date: Saturday, December 7 ⏰ Time: 3 PM - 5 PM 📍 Location: The Quad on Delaware 2508 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 Come join us for warm drinks, bring a white elephant gift if you’re able to, have great conversations, and connect with fellow students. If you’re not able to join us in person, we also have a fun event happening Sunday, December 8, from 4 PM to 6 PM. We’ll be hosting an online webinar about guide dogs and what that experience looks like for college students. Topics will include the application process, orientation and mobility expectations before getting a dog, and life as a guide dog handler in school. Use the link below to join the webinar: Join the Zoom Meeting (https://umn.zoom.us/j/98450043646?pwd=urnLdzDw9vzVtgAPl5BQrI1w7lAsuY.1) If you have any questions, please contact M.N.A.V.S. First Vice President Aida Talic Feel free to bring a friend—everyone is welcome! Let’s celebrate the end of the semester together and enjoy some laughs before heading into winter break. We can’t wait to see you there! Aida Talic She/her aida.talic09 at gmail.com (314) 461-5820 Connect with me on Linked in "There’s no shame in falling down! True shame is to not stand up again!" – Shintaro Midorima From queenlindsay1 at gmail.com Fri Dec 6 15:10:54 2024 From: queenlindsay1 at gmail.com (Lindsay Adair) Date: Fri, 6 Dec 2024 09:10:54 -0600 Subject: [NABS-L] Join the Advocacy Committee for Our December Holiday DARE Call Message-ID: Greetings All from Your Advocacy Committee! We hope this email finds you surviving finals week! It's time for our much anticipated December DARE call! We are reaching out with an invitation to join us for a discussion-based get-together, where we plan to share some challenges and successes we have all faced when it comes to advocating for ourselves and our fellow blind students. We know with the holiday season fast approaching, and the unique challenges that might come up while interacting with family and friends at this time, some of you might be facing difficulties with low expectations or concerns about how to advocate with your loved ones. If you have any successes you want to share, or challenges you want to discuss, consider joining us for this advocacy call. The meeting will be on Saturday, December 14th, from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST. Here is the zoom link below: https://zoom.us/my/blindstudents If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our chair, Kaleigh Brendle, at kaleighbrendle at gmail.com. Good luck on finals and we hope to see you on December 14th! Sincerely, Your Advocacy Committee From Amina.Orzueva1 at marist.edu Fri Dec 6 15:28:49 2024 From: Amina.Orzueva1 at marist.edu (Amina Orzueva1) Date: Fri, 6 Dec 2024 15:28:49 +0000 Subject: [NABS-L] NABS Notes- December 2024 Message-ID: Good morning students, The Content Creation Committee is excited to present the December edition of NABS Notes. https://nabslink.org/nabs-notes-%E2%80%93-december-2024 "You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do." - Eleanor Roosevelt Welcome to the December edition of our NABS Notes! As the year winds down, we're excited to bring NABS Notes back and share the latest updates with you. We hope you'll take a moment to reflect on all that's happened and recharge for the exciting year ahead. Whether you're wrapping up for the holidays or looking forward to new opportunities, we invite you to dive into the latest updates from our student movement. There's a lot to be excited about, and we can't wait to share it with you! If you have any questions as you read through, feel free to reach out to the respective committee chair or anyone from NABS leadership-we're looking forward to connecting with you. In this edition you will find: * A Message from the President * Changes to the NABS Board * Committee Updates * A new episode of the NABS Now Podcast * State Division Spotlights * Helpful Holiday Resources A Message from the President Below is a message from Lauren Altman, President of The National Association of Blind Students: Dear National Association of Blind Students, The December holiday season is always a great time for reflection. As 2024 draws to a close and we reach the halfway point for another Federation year, we as members of the National Association of Blind Students have a lot to reflect on. We've done a lot in 2024. We hosted five seminars, put on memorable and innovative programming throughout the year, and welcomed five new individuals onto the NABS board. Likewise, we also have much to look forward to in the new year. In just a few months we will be marching on Capitol Hill together and hearing from our fantastic speakers during our Winter Seminar. We have fundraisers, advocacy workshops, game nights, and new podcast episodes to look forward to. As we get ready to wind down with family and loved ones towards the end of the year, I invite you to take a moment to think about your NABS family. If you are a seasoned member--thank you for your continuous support, engagement and love. If you just recently found NABS, we would love for you to get more involved in 2025. We are a community of friends who lift each other up during times of success, act as a shoulder during times of stress, and constantly challenge each other to be the best versions of ourselves. We are a family. Thank you for all of your time this year; wishing you and your loved ones a happy holiday season. Warmly, Lauren Chaya Altman Please don't hesitate to contact Lauren with any questions or concerns. Changes to the NABS Board Big changes are happening at NABS! After years of incredible dedication, Kyle Garcia has stepped down from the board. We are so grateful for all the passion and hard work he's poured into NABS since 2021, and we wish him nothing but success in his next adventure! Stepping up to complete Kyle's term is none other than Kaleigh Brendle! A senior at Villanova University majoring in Peace and Justice, Kaleigh has been a driving force in NABS, serving as Chair of our Advocacy Committee and co-chairing the dynamic Mid-Atlantic Seminar this past August. Kaleigh is bursting with energy, ideas, and an unwavering passion for disability rights-and we can't wait to see all she'll bring to the board! Learn more about Kaleigh and her background here. Committee Updates Currently we have four committees: Advocacy, Content Creation, Fundraising, and Membership. The committees have contributed tremendously to our organization in various ways. Below, you'll find recent updates and information on upcoming events and initiatives from all four committees. Advocacy Committee In September, we kicked off the first Disability Advocacy Resilience Education (DARE) call on September 9th, which focused on how blind students can succeed in the university setting. The call covered several key topics, including how students can prepare for college, effective communication with the Office of Disability Services, building positive relationships with professors, and the importance of advocacy-even when it feels challenging. Additionally, we discussed steps to take if accommodations are not being received. The call saw high attendance, and the discussions were both meaningful and engaging for everyone involved. The second DARE call took place on October 22nd in honor of Blindness Equality Achievement Month. This session featured a panel of accomplished Federationists and allies of the organized blind movement who answered questions about blindness from sighted participants. The esteemed panelists included: * Dr. Christa Bialka, Director of the Disability and Deaf Studies minor at Villanova University * Dr. Natalie Shaheen, Assistant Professor of Blind Education at Illinois State University and seasoned Federationist * James Yesel, Treasurer of the National Association of Blind Students (NABS) and Master's student in Finance at Georgetown University * Angelita Martinez, a student at the Louisiana Center for the Blind (LCB) aspiring to become an attorney We deeply appreciate the participation of all panelists. On November 20, we hosted another successful DARE call, during which we played a recording of a mock trial held during the Mid-Atlantic Student Seminar in August. The recording offered valuable insights into advocacy, legal processes, and the challenges faced by blind students. The call fostered meaningful discussion and provided attendees with an opportunity to engage with the content in a unique and interactive way. Last but not least, the Advocacy Committee recently formed a partnership with Project Rise at the National Federation of the Blind, a program that helps blind and low-vision students develop employment skills. In this way, we hope to help students who are transitioning from high school to post-secondary education. If you have any questions, suggestions, or are interested in getting involved, please don't hesitate to reach out to Kaleigh Brendle, Advocacy Committee Chair. Content Creation Committee Have you ever considered having a roommate in college? Want to hear firsthand experiences from both a cane user and a guide dog user about living with roommates? Then our November NABS Now podcast episode is just for you! The podcast can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and any other podcast streaming platforms. December's podcast episode is "Students Making Change - It's Our #RightToRide." There's no denying that since their formation, rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber have afforded blind people much greater and more equitable access to transportation at parity with sighted people. However, Uber and Lyft have also systematically failed to uphold their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to prevent discrimination against blind riders, particularly guide dog users, with the result being that rideshare drivers unlawfully deny Blind riders in general-and guide dog users in particular-at shockingly high rates. For years, the National Federation of the Blind has engaged in good faith dialogue with Lyft and Uber in hopes of ending this illegal treatment with little success. So, hundreds of Blind people took to the streets on White Cane Awareness Day to make our voices heard, protesting in front of Uber and Lyft headquarters to demand that our rights be upheld. In this episode, NABS NOW hosts Noah Carver and Akliesia Teshome interview Lindsay Kerr and Colin Wong, two students who attended the rally. They'll share their own personal rideshare denial stories, their experiences at the rally, reactions to recent developments, including Uber's unlawful self-identification program for blind riders, and what they hope rideshare companies will take away from our advocacy. Additionally, we are working on several videos such as Board Member introductions, and a day in the life of a student at a training center. These videos will be uploaded on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Please check out our new Linktree with links to all our socials, email list, WhatsApp community and more to stay updated on everything NABS is up to and learn more about various resources pertaining to students at all levels ranging from high school to graduate school to training centers. If you would like to get involved, please contact Noah Carver, committee chair. Fundraising Committee The Fundraising Committee has lined up a variety of exciting events and initiatives to help raise funds-and have fun while doing it! Are you already diving into holiday movies? Why not enjoy one with the coolest crew at NABS? Join us for a Movie Night on December 15! The best part? The entry fee is only $5! You can even cast your vote for the film we'll be watching by heading over to our Facebook page or joining our WhatsApp community. Please let us know if you will be joining us by filling out this form. Additionally, we are seeking items to be auctioned during the Washington Seminar, which will take place in the first week of February. Do you have a keyboard you no longer use? Or perhaps you'd like to showcase your baking skills by donating some homemade treats? In the past, we've received everything from blow-up mattresses to various types of coffee and even Amazon spa treatments. We also welcome monetary donations. If you'd like to donate any items to be auctioned or monetary donations, please fill out this form. Please reach out to Zachary Ledford, chair of the Fundraising Committee with any questions. Membership Committee If you are interested in becoming a member of NABS, please visit this link to learn more, fill out the necessary forms, and to pay your $5 dues. Have you been wondering if the new program your professor is using is accessible? Or looking for tips on navigating a public gym? Do you want to connect with students from across the country? Our WhatsApp community is the perfect place for you! We have dedicated channels for each of our committees, plus a channel where members can share resources and opportunities, and a Social channel for students to connect and socialize. Additionally, we sent out forms for both mentors and mentees, a new initiative to support students who are new to NABS and the greater NFB as well as connect them with individuals that have the same career interest. Lastly, on November 25, we hosted a trivia night where individuals were separated into two teams and were able to answer questions in the following categories: NFB History, Sports, Song Quiz, and a random category. We host game nights over Zoom every 4th Sunday of the month and we would love to have you join! If you have questions or want to get involved, please reach out to Nikhil Dadlani, committee chair. State Division Spotlights In this issue, we will be highlighting Missouri Association Of Blind Students and Nebraska Association of Blind Students due to the amazing work they have been doing recently. Below is a message and a year in review from the presidents of both divisions. Svetlana Ehlers- Missouri Association of Blind Students President This past year, the Missouri Association of Blind Students has been hard at work developing impactful programming, hosting seminars, organizing monthly meetings, and actively supporting each student in their journey toward self-advocacy, leadership, and personal growth. One notable event we hosted was a seminar on October 12th, focused on getting involved on college campuses, navigating college life, and accessing documents in accessible formats. This seminar provided us with the incredible opportunity to make a meaningful difference in students' lives by sharing our expertise and facilitating important conversations. We partnered with the Columbia Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Missouri, which graciously collaborated with us to bring this vision to life. Columbia University in Missouri also provided a space for this enriching event. Together, we worked to empower students to become leaders in their communities. In addition to hosting events, we hold monthly meetings to stay connected with our members. These meetings are a platform to discuss scholarships, share study tips, and address pressing issues faced by students. Our goal is to continuously support our members and foster a sense of community where everyone feels encouraged to succeed. The Missouri Student Division is deeply committed to developing leadership skills in our members, including my board and myself. In another organization I am involved with, we use the phrase "leadership laboratory," and I believe that perfectly describes what we are creating here. I remind my board members that failure is a natural part of the learning process and an essential element of leadership growth. Our mission is to build a culture of continuous learning and leadership development, which, in turn, will strengthen our division and enhance our advocacy for the rights of blind students. All in all, the Missouri Student Division works tirelessly to address barriers that blind students face, guiding them toward the right path by equipping them with the skills needed for self-advocacy and ultimately helping them pursue their dreams. Lucas Griess- Nebraska Association of Blind Students President The National Association of Blind Students (NABS) has selected the Nebraska division for its prestigious "State Division Spotlight," a recognition that underscores our steadfast commitment to empowering blind students. As president of the Nebraska Association of Blind Students, I'm honored to share the highlights of our recent activities, upcoming plans, and our ongoing mission to ensure every blind student in Nebraska has the tools and opportunities to succeed. October was Blind Equality Achievement Month, and we marked the occasion with an ambitious walkathon on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. This event was more than a fundraiser-it was a statement. We raised awareness, showcased our community's strength, and gently reminded a few startled joggers that we also excel at multitasking. As we move forward, we're thrilled to host a Goalball Recreational Day in mid-January. We're also preparing for a major advocacy effort: the Washington Seminar in February. This annual event brings blind leaders and students to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to advocate for our rights and promote legislation that supports blind individuals. As we gear up for the exciting months ahead, we invite you to join us. Whether you're an ally, donor, or potential teammate at the Goalball event, your support helps amplify the voices of blind students in Nebraska. With hard work and a little humor, we're proving that there's nothing we can't achieve. Helpful Holiday Resources The holidays are a fun time, but they can also be overwhelming and stressful for some. Check out this episode of NABS Now, where we share tips and tricks for handling common situations and managing stress during the season. You have probably put up some decorations already but there's always room to incorporate Braille. Check out these directions to Braille your own drawings, from a Christmas tree to a Double heart, you can always find an image for any occasion. Looking for a unique way to surprise your younger cousin? Or maybe you've always wished for a Braille letter from Santa yourself? Now you can make that holiday magic happen! You can request a Braille letter from Santa at no cost. It's a wonderful way to spread some festive cheer and make the season extra special! This concludes December's edition of NABS Notes. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions for future editions, please reach out to Amina Orzueva at aminaorzueva at gmail.com From suplice.c at northeastern.edu Fri Dec 6 18:04:25 2024 From: suplice.c at northeastern.edu (Christopher Suplice) Date: Fri, 6 Dec 2024 18:04:25 +0000 Subject: [NABS-L] =?utf-8?b?8J+OrCA5IERheXMg4oCYdGlsIFNob3d0aW1l4oCUR3Jh?= =?utf-8?q?b_Your_Ticket=2C_Cast_Your_Vote=2C_and_Let=E2=80=99s_Roll!_?= =?utf-8?b?8J+OrA==?= Message-ID: Hey Future Film Critics & Snack Enthusiasts! Before we talk flicks and tickets, let’s shower some salty, buttery love on our Double Good champion—Lucas! He raised so much money during the popcorn fundraiser that we’re pretty sure he’s now the official monarch of Munch Town. Lucas, you didn’t just crush the fundraiser; you popped it into orbit! We salute your snack-slinging prowess and thank you for helping us reach new (buttery) heights. Now, back to the show… The countdown is on: we’re just 9 days away from our big NABS Movie Night on Sunday, December 15th! Can you hear the popcorn kernels trembling with excitement? They know they’ve got some serious competition now that we’re done with the fundraiser (RIP, delicious popcorn… we’ll never forget you). But this night isn’t just about the snacks—it’s about you shaping the ultimate cinematic experience! Still haven’t voted on which blockbuster we’ll be enjoying? Don’t worry, there’s still time to cast your vote and let your voice be heard. Be the hero who saves us from another cheesy rom-com disaster or a movie so scary that even your nachos run for cover! 🎥🍿 Here’s your mission, if you choose to accept it (and you totally should): 1. Sign up for Movie Night: Don’t let your seat go the way of yesterday’s popcorn crumbs! Secure your spot now for just $5. Sign-Up Form 2. Vote for the Movie: Think you know what’s best for our taste in flicks? Step right up and cast your vote! (No bribes necessary, though we do accept compliments and high-fives.) The clock is ticking, the butter is chilling, and the projector is warming up. Don’t miss your chance to shape the night’s entertainment! If you have any questions—or you’ve got a fun movie-themed joke to share—hit up our friend Zachary Ledford at ledford.zachary38 at gmail.com. He’s got all the answers, and maybe a backup plan if we somehow end up with a 3-way tie (Spoiler: it involves arm-wrestling… just kidding!). Let’s make this an epic night full of laughter, great company, and unforgettable cinema. See you in 9 days! Best, Your NABS Fundraising Committee From spopplestone.nfb at gmail.com Sat Dec 7 21:40:13 2024 From: spopplestone.nfb at gmail.com (Shane Popplestone) Date: Sat, 7 Dec 2024 16:40:13 -0500 Subject: [NABS-L] roommate for washington Seminar? Message-ID: <067e01db48f0$99c4e410$cd4eac30$@gmail.com> Hello, My name is Shane Popplestone, I'm not really active on this list but some of you may know who I am. I'm looking for a roommate for Washington Seminar from February 3 to the 5th 2025. If someone has space, and would like a roommate, please either contact me via the e-mail or phone number in my signature. Shane Popplestone spopplestone.nfb at gmail.com 234-716-2208 You can live the life you want! From ljmaher03 at outlook.com Sun Dec 8 17:16:17 2024 From: ljmaher03 at outlook.com (Louis Maher) Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2024 17:16:17 +0000 Subject: [NABS-L] ANNOUNCEMENT: Just A Reminder: Save-The-Date NFBCS Virtual Meeting, December 15, 2024 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Regards Louis Maher Phone: 713-444-7838 Email: ljmaher03 at outlook.com From: Louis Maher Sent: Sunday, December 8, 2024 11:15 AM To: Science Division (nfb-science at nfbnet.org) Subject: ANNOUNCEMENT: Just A Reminder: Save-The-Date NFBCS Virtual Meeting, December 15, 2024 The National Federation of the Blind in Computer Science is presenting a Zoom meeting on how blind individuals are succeeding in careers in the field of information technology. The Zoom meeting will occur from 8 PM through 9:30 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST), on Sunday, December 15, 2024. Meeting Registration To register for this meeting, go to "https://web.nfbcal.org/nfbcsvirtual.html". The seminar registration deadline is December 13, 2024. The meeting link will be sent to registered attendees on December 14, 2024. Program The speakers, talk titles, and presentation descriptions are: Speaker: Brian Richwine Title: Using MS Word To Communicate Mathematics Description: I will discuss the recent improvements that make using MS Word a possibility for communicating mathematics (MathCAT in NVDA/JAWS, the JAWS Math Editor, improvements in Word, etc.), discuss why MS Word is an important medium, the promise, the caveats, the hope for improvements, current best practices, a quick demo, and then point to the how-to resources. Speaker: Denise Robinson Title: Unlocking STEM Access Through Technology Description: Dr. Denise M. Robinson, founder and CEO of TechVision, LLC, leads a global team providing remote instruction for blind and low vision individuals. Since 2007, her team has ensured students can complete tasks in real time alongside their sighted peers while mastering digital skills across all subjects. TechVision empowers students with tools like screen readers, braille displays, AI, and specialized software to compete equally. The team offers individualized or group instruction in technology, braille, and essential skills, focusing on Mathematics and STEM, ensuring academic success and independence. For more details, visit "YourTechVision.com". Speaker: Gene Kim Title: Sound, Touch, and Imagination - Reflections from a Blind Computer Science Student on Accessible making Description: Gene will share a handful of recent computer science projects he has worked on spanning Human-Computer Interaction and Accessibility, including a wearable MIDI controller for interactive music experiences, semi-automated machine embroidery for more expressive tactile graphics, and a tool to make STEM more accessible. He will also touch on his non-visual programming/engineering workflow as a JAWS user. You can read some of his prior research works "https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=xHfhM3MAAAAJ&hl=en". Gene Kim is a senior at Stanford studying Symbolic Systems with a concentration in Human-Computer Interaction and Accessibility. Throughout his undergraduate years, he has published 10 computer science papers in collaboration with seven research labs at institutions including Stanford, the University of Washington, and the University of Chicago. He has held various leadership positions in the National Federation of the Blind, including co-founding the Science and Engineering division's mentorship program. In his free time, you can find Gene listening to and playing music, following the NFL, and experimenting with new recipes. Division Registration, And Division Email List Subscription Page To either become a registered member of the National Federation of the Blind in Computer Science, or to renew your membership, go to "https://web.nfbcal.org/nfbcsreg". The dues are $5 a year per person. Dues paid in or after October 2024 will count until the end of 2025. The registration page has yet to be updated to show this October early registration date. The "https://www.nfbnet.org/" website contains the Email/Web/FTP service of the National Federation of the Blind. The first link on the page is where you go to join or drop NFB mailing lists, as well as browse the archives. Clicking that link opens a page containing the NFB e-mail lists. Search for "NFBCS" and follow the subscription instructions. Questions If you have any questions, please contact Louis Maher (713-444-7838, ljmaher03 at outlook.com). From students at nfbflorida.org Mon Dec 9 17:00:00 2024 From: students at nfbflorida.org (FABS Secretary) Date: Mon, 9 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0500 Subject: [NABS-L] Join us on Sunday Message-ID: Good day everyone! Here is your reminder to join us on Sunday December 15 at 6pm. We are looking forward to seeing you all there! Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/96868427038 Elijah Grant Secretary - Florida Association of Blind Students Treasurer - Greater Broward Chapter, National Federation of the Blind of Florida Associate of Arts in Information Technology Candidate - Broward College Click here to email the Florida Association of Blind Students. Social Media Links Check us out on Facebook Follow us on TikTok Follow us on Instagram "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 have the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back." -National Federation of the Blind One-Minute Message From oriolefan38 at gmail.com Tue Dec 10 17:00:00 2024 From: oriolefan38 at gmail.com (Zachary Ledford) Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0500 Subject: [NABS-L] Spread the News: 2025 NABS Auction Coming Soon! Message-ID: Hey NABS! We are two months away from the 2025 NABS Annual Auction which will be occurring during the Washington Seminar in February which is always a party! We are asking for all of you to seek donations from businesses, organizations, family, friends and others that you know, or are a part of to help transform student’s dreams into reality. With your support we can help change what it means to be blind. Near the bottom of this email you will find a link to our donation form. This form allows for donors to submit for monetary donations along with items for our 2025 Washington Seminar hybrid auction. The deadline to submit the form with donations is *December 31st* so act fast! We would greatly appreciate assistance in forming this auction; please see the attached Google form below regarding donating! Form: https://forms.gle/qgeqfvHPTS5VM66d7 If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Zachary Ledford at ledford.zachary38 at gmail.com. All the best, The NABS Auction Committee From dandrews920 at comcast.net Tue Dec 10 19:41:24 2024 From: dandrews920 at comcast.net (dandrews920 at comcast.net) Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2024 13:41:24 -0600 Subject: [NABS-L] FW: Flight for Sight - The $10, 000 travel grant application is LIVE! In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <004a01db4b3b$9e69a940$db3cfbc0$@comcast.net> Hello National Federation of the Blind community! The application for next year’s $10,000 Flight for Sight Travel Grant has LAUNCHED! Flight for Sight’s mission is to empower individuals to imagine, design, and lead impactful travel projects that elevate the blind and visually impaired community. These projects not only expand personal horizons but also drive positive change and demonstrate the creativity, innovation, and independence of individuals who are blind and visually impaired. Do you have a great idea for a travel project that will benefit the blind and visually impaired community? Apply for a $10,000 travel grant today at FlightForSight.net/Apply If you have any questions email Mike Walsh at Mike at FlightForSight.net. -- Mike Walsh Executive Director Mike at FlightForSight.net +1 608-609-8919 FlightForSight.net Donate Linktree Newsletter Sign Up Listen to our story on the That Real Blind Tech Show podcast! Please note: We use an email tracker called Mailsuite. Its main purpose is to track if an email has been opened and not lost in Spam. It also lets us know the links you clicked on. If you wish to not have emails from us tracked please let us know! From piano.girl0299 at gmail.com Tue Dec 10 23:21:04 2024 From: piano.girl0299 at gmail.com (Kelsey Nicolay) Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2024 18:21:04 -0500 Subject: [NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation Message-ID: <611BB2D6-C1C2-430F-9422-5726D1B44CDA@gmail.com> Hello, One of the colleges I am looking at offers courses in real time online format as professors want student$ to be eng at g during discussion. When I attended their inform at tion session, one of the things they told us is that having your camera on during class is a requirement from most professors. Being totally blind, accurately positioning the camer@ for good video quality is difficult, so I was curious whether asking for an ex€mption from the camer@ on requirement would be a reasonable accommodation if I can demonstrate in other ways that I am actively participating. Sent from Kelsey Nicolay’s iPhone From dandrews920 at comcast.net Tue Dec 10 23:29:03 2024 From: dandrews920 at comcast.net (dandrews920 at comcast.net) Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2024 17:29:03 -0600 Subject: [NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation In-Reply-To: <611BB2D6-C1C2-430F-9422-5726D1B44CDA@gmail.com> References: <611BB2D6-C1C2-430F-9422-5726D1B44CDA@gmail.com> Message-ID: <014201db4b5b$4cc9c3c0$e65d4b40$@comcast.net> Frankly, I don't think it would be worth the effort. Generally, if you sit in front of your laptop, open it, have a light on possibly, you will be ok. Even if you are off a little, it shows you are there. There is a program called "can you see me" that will tell you if you are in view of the camera, and I also think recent versions of JAWS have a feature that does this. So, it is easier to just do it then to ask for an accommodation. Dave -----Original Message----- From: NABS-L On Behalf Of Kelsey Nicolay via NABS-L Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2024 5:21 PM To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list Cc: Kelsey Nicolay Subject: [NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation Hello, One of the colleges I am looking at offers courses in real time online format as professors want student$ to be eng at g during discussion. When I attended their inform at tion session, one of the things they told us is that having your camera on during class is a requirement from most professors. Being totally blind, accurately positioning the camer@ for good video quality is difficult, so I was curious whether asking for an ex€mption from the camer@ on requirement would be a reasonable accommodation if I can demonstrate in other ways that I am actively participating. Sent from Kelsey Nicolay’s iPhone _______________________________________________ From rothmanjd at gmail.com Wed Dec 11 00:46:25 2024 From: rothmanjd at gmail.com (Ronza Othman) Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2024 19:46:25 -0500 Subject: [NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation In-Reply-To: <611BB2D6-C1C2-430F-9422-5726D1B44CDA@gmail.com> References: <611BB2D6-C1C2-430F-9422-5726D1B44CDA@gmail.com> Message-ID: <660B1391-8B01-4852-97BE-9EE6C45BD5BC@gmail.com> Yes, 100% I have this accommodation for my classes at Cornell. Ronza Othman, President National Federation of the Blind of Maryland 443-426-4110 Sent from my iPhone > On Dec 10, 2024, at 6:22 PM, Kelsey Nicolay via NABS-L wrote: > > Hello, > One of the colleges I am looking at offers courses in real time online format as professors want student$ to be eng at g during discussion. When I attended their inform at tion session, one of the things they told us is that having your camera on during class is a requirement from most professors. Being totally blind, accurately positioning the camer@ for good video quality is difficult, so I was curious whether asking for an ex€mption from the camer@ on requirement would be a reasonable accommodation if I can demonstrate in other ways that I am actively participating. > Sent from Kelsey Nicolay’s iPhone > _______________________________________________ > NABS-L mailing list > NABS-L at nfbnet.org > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/rothmanjd%40gmail.com From noah.t.carver at outlook.com Wed Dec 11 05:55:00 2024 From: noah.t.carver at outlook.com (Noah Carver) Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2024 05:55:00 +0000 Subject: [NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation In-Reply-To: <611BB2D6-C1C2-430F-9422-5726D1B44CDA@gmail.com> References: <611BB2D6-C1C2-430F-9422-5726D1B44CDA@gmail.com> Message-ID: Hi Kelsey, Thanks for writing to the list. Because of the myriads of excellent technologies now at our disposal, we can independently determine how we look on camera, what is in frame, etc. ON PC, I personally love JAWS' "Face in View" function for this purpose. Additionally, iOS devices now report whether your face is in the frame as well as where in the frame it is if you open the camera app while using VoiceOver. Also, I'm sure Be My AI, AIRA's Access AI, or another such Large Language Model AI can provide great results and input as you refine your camera placement. Other techniques for getting good framing also exist, and I am sure that many savvy students can provide better input than I can. Armed with these alternative techniques, you should be able to independently set up a camera view which is perfectly reasonable. Given this, my belief is that if a professor expects students to be using their cameras, all students, including Blind students, should be doing so. I know from experience that I, a Blind person, have the same reasons for wanting to turn off my camera as the sighted students around me. Perhaps I'm in a messy room or a busy café. Perhaps I'm having a bad hair day. Perhaps I can't get my camera aimed perfectly. However, if the professor's expectation is that cameras should be on, a sighted person is not likely to be successful in using these reasons to justify a request to turn their camera off. I should therefore not expect different treatment simply by virtue of my Blindness. Further, I feel it is inappropriate to use an accommodation to exempt oneself from camera requirements. Accommodations are meant to ensure equity with our nondisabled peers, not to provide an advantage. In this case, I argue that requesting an exemption from camera requirements does just that. I hope this helps. Best of luck in your college search. Warmly, Noah -- Noah Carver (He/Him) Candidate, B.M. '27, Applied Music (Performance) -- Voice Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester Board Member, National Association of Blind Students Chair, Content Creation Committee, National Association of Blind Students Chair, Students Committee, National Federation of the Blind of New York +1 (207) 557-9143 noah.t.carver at outlook.com -----Original Message----- From: NABS-L On Behalf Of Kelsey Nicolay via NABS-L Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2024 17:21 To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list Cc: Kelsey Nicolay Subject: [NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation Hello, One of the colleges I am looking at offers courses in real time online format as professors want student$ to be eng at g during discussion. When I attended their inform at tion session, one of the things they told us is that having your camera on during class is a requirement from most professors. Being totally blind, accurately positioning the camer@ for good video quality is difficult, so I was curious whether asking for an ex€mption from the camer@ on requirement would be a reasonable accommodation if I can demonstrate in other ways that I am actively participating. Sent from Kelsey Nicolay’s iPhone _______________________________________________ NABS-L mailing list NABS-L at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/noah.t.carver%40outlook.com From tyler at tysdomain.com Wed Dec 11 07:21:53 2024 From: tyler at tysdomain.com (Ty Littlefield) Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2024 00:21:53 -0700 Subject: [NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation In-Reply-To: References: <611BB2D6-C1C2-430F-9422-5726D1B44CDA@gmail.com> Message-ID: Hi, Just because something /should/ be done doesn’t mean blind people should have to jump through hoops to make a statement. Time is a precious, finite resource for me, and I value it deeply. Spending 5–10 minutes before each class trying to ensure I’m in the camera frame, using the many tools in my toolbox to match sighted peers who glance at their screens to center themselves isn’t worth it. This isn’t a matter of blindness philosophy; it’s about time and effort. Sighted individuals don’t have to invest nearly as much energy into achieving the same result. I believe in going above and beyond when it’s truly worthwhile, and I support putting in extra effort in many situations. However, there’s a fine line between pushing boundaries for the sake of progress and unnecessarily draining your resources to make a point. Independence is about knowing when to act on your own, when to rely on assistance, and when to conserve your energy for more meaningful battles. Our energy and spoons are limited. While I /can/ (with effort) make sure my face is centered in the camera frame, that doesn’t mean I /should/ invest my time and energy there, especially when those resources could be better spent elsewhere. It’s important to choose your battles wisely. *TL;DR:* Requesting to stay off camera is perfectly reasonable. Focus on participating in class instead. From gene.sh.kim at gmail.com Wed Dec 11 10:17:31 2024 From: gene.sh.kim at gmail.com (Gene Kim) Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2024 02:17:31 -0800 Subject: [NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation In-Reply-To: References: <611BB2D6-C1C2-430F-9422-5726D1B44CDA@gmail.com> Message-ID: I echo Ty's thoughts; it's completely reasonable to ask for this accommodation. However, for what it's worth, sighted people tend to accidentally skip over participants without video in larger meetings from personal experience, and in smaller meetings having your video off might make you stand out in a negative way. So it's worth learning/getting comfortable with **quick** non-visual ways of making sure your face is in frame (e.g. square the laptop screen with your shoulders, angle the screen's tilt about 90°, etc.). You can use Be My Eyes etc. to verify your video/background looks okay, after these steps before every class if you'd really like, but after a couple calls you'll start realizing that you already know how to position things and you won't benefit from extra assistance. Especially because this is a recurring class and not e.g. a one off formal job interview, it's just not worth the extra steps to obtain visual confirmation every time. So it's totally reasonable to ask for the accommodation (I know sighted people with other disabilities who request it too), but definitely consider ways to efficiently make yourself more comfortable with having your video on if you can because that will benefit you in the long-run. Cheers, Gene On Tue, Dec 10, 2024 at 11:23 PM Ty Littlefield via NABS-L < nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote: > Hi, > > Just because something /should/ be done doesn’t mean blind people should > have to jump through hoops to make a statement. > > Time is a precious, finite resource for me, and I value it deeply. > Spending 5–10 minutes before each class trying to ensure I’m in the > camera frame, using the many tools in my toolbox to match sighted peers > who glance at their screens to center themselves isn’t worth it. This > isn’t a matter of blindness philosophy; it’s about time and effort. > Sighted individuals don’t have to invest nearly as much energy into > achieving the same result. > > I believe in going above and beyond when it’s truly worthwhile, and I > support putting in extra effort in many situations. However, there’s a > fine line between pushing boundaries for the sake of progress and > unnecessarily draining your resources to make a point. Independence is > about knowing when to act on your own, when to rely on assistance, and > when to conserve your energy for more meaningful battles. > > Our energy and spoons are limited. While I /can/ (with effort) make sure > my face is centered in the camera frame, that doesn’t mean I /should/ > invest my time and energy there, especially when those resources could > be better spent elsewhere. It’s important to choose your battles wisely. > > *TL;DR:* Requesting to stay off camera is perfectly reasonable. Focus on > participating in class instead. > > _______________________________________________ > NABS-L mailing list > NABS-L at nfbnet.org > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for > NABS-L: > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/gene.sh.kim%40gmail.com > From gene.sh.kim at gmail.com Wed Dec 11 10:33:43 2024 From: gene.sh.kim at gmail.com (Gene Kim) Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2024 02:33:43 -0800 Subject: [NABS-L] Fwd: [NFBCS] Invitation to Alpha Test: maidr - Accessible Multimodal Data Visualization Python Package for Matplotlib, Seaborn, Jupyter, Google Colab, and More In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: If you regularly use data analytics/visualizations, consider supporting a fantastic up and coming Python tool. This project is being lead by one of the most expert blind engineers/scientists I know. Cheers, Gene ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: xability lab via NFBCS Date: Tue, Dec 10, 2024 at 4:12 PM Subject: [NFBCS] Invitation to Alpha Test: maidr - Accessible Multimodal Data Visualization Python Package for Matplotlib, Seaborn, Jupyter, Google Colab, and More To: nfbcs at nfbnet.org Cc: xability lab Hello NFB CS, Today, we are thrilled to announce that (x)Ability Design Lab at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is ready to invite you to the alpha test of our multimodal data representation Python package, called "maidr." maidr (pronounced as 'mader') stands for multimodal access and interactive data representation. This is an accessible framework for multimodal data representation. With maidr, blind and sighted users can easily augment data visualizations into touchable (Braille), readable (text), audible (sonification), and conversational (AI) formats that work for both screen readers and refreshable braille displays. The following summarizes the key features and design principles of maidr for Python: 1. Accessibility: maidr is designed to be accessible to both blind and sighted users from the ground up. Beyond the passive consumption level, blind users can also independently create, modify, and share data visualizations with others. 2. Inclusivity: maidr does not pursue a special version for blind users. Instead, it provides a unified interface that supports both visual and non-visual data exploration. This way, blind and sighted users can work together on the same data science projects. 3. Integration: maidr seamlessly integrates with the popular and mainstream data science environments (e.g., Python, pandas, and NumPy) as well as data visualization libraries in Python like matplotlib and seaborn. 4. Unintrusiveness: maidr does not require changes to existing core data visualization code. Without needing to reconstruct an accessible version separately, you can just import maidr package and use maidr.show() to your plots. Blind and sighted users can use and share the same visualization codebase in their shared data science projects. 5. Synchronization: maidr treats visualization as one of the multimodal data representations and ensures that all representations (e.g., visual, tactile, textual, audible) cursor and braille routing key positions are synchronized across different modalities. 6. Reactivity: maidr supports widely adopted reactive and interactive computing including Jupyter Notebooks, Jupyter Labs, Google Colab, Streamlit dashboard, and Shiny dashboard. maidr also supports interactive computing inside code editors, such as Visual Studio Code. 7. Reproducibility: maidr supports the generation of accessible data visualizations as part of the reproducible data science workflow with Quarto scientific publishing system. You can easily create accessible data representations within your reproducible reports, website blogs, slides, e-books, dashboards, and more. 8. Scalability: maidr supports a wide range of data visualization types, including bar plots, histograms, line plots, box plots, heatmaps, scatter plots, and more. maidr is designed to be extensible to support new visualization types. [Multi-figure and multi-layer visualizations are underway to support complex data visualizations.] We believe that by making data visualizations accessible, we can empower blind and sighted users to work together on data science projects, share insights, and make data-driven decisions collaboratively. We are currently looking for alpha testers to provide feedback on maidr for Python. If you are interested in participating in the alpha test, please fill out the following Google form: * Blind and low-vision users: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvOkEkOvOflqJpZ-nEkntt8hcuqZIw0bGzz6a0p1ONkxfJUw/viewform * Sighted users: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfKq9pva8LDzrTkh77zfTV1F63aQaN40cCMQTqVZRcKqC58mQ/viewform We will invite selected participants to the alpha test and provide detailed instructions and resources in a separate groups.io thread. Please feel free to share this announcement with your colleagues, friends, and networks who might be interested in accessible data visualization. All the best, JooYoung Seo Assistant Professor (x)Ability Design Lab School of Information Sciences University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign https://xabilitylab.ischool.illinois.edu/ _______________________________________________ NFBCS mailing list NFBCS at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbcs_nfbnet.org To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFBCS: http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbcs_nfbnet.org/gene.sh.kim%40gmail.com From cricketbidleman at gmail.com Wed Dec 11 11:50:45 2024 From: cricketbidleman at gmail.com (Cricket Bidleman) Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2024 06:50:45 -0500 Subject: [NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <7AF39D63-0325-41AE-91C9-BB598D860422@gmail.com> JAWS has a "face in view" feature that will tell you if your face is in the frame. That being said, it does take extra effort for blind people. I never asked for this as an accommodation, but I did put a piece of paper over the screen. Technically the camera was on ... However I am a screen-reader user with no usable vision, so if you use any sort of screen magnification, that might not be the best idea. Hope this helps. Sent from my iPhone > On Dec 11, 2024, at 05:19, Gene Kim via NABS-L wrote: > > I echo Ty's thoughts; it's completely reasonable to ask for this > accommodation. However, for what it's worth, sighted people tend to > accidentally skip over participants without video in larger meetings from > personal experience, and in smaller meetings having your video off might > make you stand out in a negative way. So it's worth learning/getting > comfortable with **quick** non-visual ways of making sure your face is in > frame (e.g. square the laptop screen with your shoulders, angle the > screen's tilt about 90°, etc.). You can use Be My Eyes etc. to verify your > video/background looks okay, after these steps before every class if you'd > really like, but after a couple calls you'll start realizing that you > already know how to position things and you won't benefit from extra > assistance. Especially because this is a recurring class and not e.g. a one > off formal job interview, it's just not worth the extra steps to obtain > visual confirmation every time. So it's totally reasonable to ask for the > accommodation (I know sighted people with other disabilities who request it > too), but definitely consider ways to efficiently make yourself more > comfortable with having your video on if you can because that will benefit > you in the long-run. > > Cheers, > Gene > >> On Tue, Dec 10, 2024 at 11:23 PM Ty Littlefield via NABS-L < >> nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote: >> >> Hi, >> >> Just because something /should/ be done doesn’t mean blind people should >> have to jump through hoops to make a statement. >> >> Time is a precious, finite resource for me, and I value it deeply. >> Spending 5–10 minutes before each class trying to ensure I’m in the >> camera frame, using the many tools in my toolbox to match sighted peers >> who glance at their screens to center themselves isn’t worth it. This >> isn’t a matter of blindness philosophy; it’s about time and effort. >> Sighted individuals don’t have to invest nearly as much energy into >> achieving the same result. >> >> I believe in going above and beyond when it’s truly worthwhile, and I >> support putting in extra effort in many situations. However, there’s a >> fine line between pushing boundaries for the sake of progress and >> unnecessarily draining your resources to make a point. Independence is >> about knowing when to act on your own, when to rely on assistance, and >> when to conserve your energy for more meaningful battles. >> >> Our energy and spoons are limited. While I /can/ (with effort) make sure >> my face is centered in the camera frame, that doesn’t mean I /should/ >> invest my time and energy there, especially when those resources could >> be better spent elsewhere. It’s important to choose your battles wisely. >> >> *TL;DR:* Requesting to stay off camera is perfectly reasonable. Focus on >> participating in class instead. >> >> _______________________________________________ >> NABS-L mailing list >> NABS-L at nfbnet.org >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for >> NABS-L: >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/gene.sh.kim%40gmail.com >> > _______________________________________________ > NABS-L mailing list > NABS-L at nfbnet.org > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/cricketbidleman%40gmail.com From steve.jacobson at outlook.com Wed Dec 11 14:48:50 2024 From: steve.jacobson at outlook.com (Steve Jacobson) Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2024 14:48:50 +0000 Subject: [NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation In-Reply-To: <660B1391-8B01-4852-97BE-9EE6C45BD5BC@gmail.com> References: <611BB2D6-C1C2-430F-9422-5726D1B44CDA@gmail.com> <660B1391-8B01-4852-97BE-9EE6C45BD5BC@gmail.com> Message-ID: This is an interesting discussion. I agree with Dave Andrews on this. I've been in meetings where the person running the meeting looks at the attendees for reactions similar to what would be done in person. Turning my camera off excludes me from showing reactions which is not to my advantage, at least most of the time. I have also experienced meetings with people from other cultures where not having my camera on was seen as me being closed or "stand-offish". I've also experienced meetings where having the visual contact seemed to help overcome language barriers as well. There may be disabilities where having a camera turned on might cause a problem, but I don't see why blindness by itself should be used as a reason to turn a camera off. It just doesn't have to be that big a deal. To say it is a battle we must choose to fight or not fight as has been stated in another email seems like an exaggeration. In saying all of this, I started out as one who was very hesitant to have my camera on. Over time, I've gotten used to it and it just isn't that big a deal to me any more, and it does help in the instances I have mentioned above. To be clear, if I am in a meeting and I can determine most cameras are off, I would certainly turn my camera off as well. I just don't see a reason to assume that blindness is a reason, by itself, to not use a camera if it is a requirement. Best regards, Steve Jacobson -----Original Message----- From: NABS-L On Behalf Of Ronza Othman via NABS-L Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2024 6:46 PM To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org Cc: Ronza Othman ; nabs-l at nfbnet.org Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation Yes, 100% I have this accommodation for my classes at Cornell. Ronza Othman, President National Federation of the Blind of Maryland 443-426-4110 Sent from my iPhone > On Dec 10, 2024, at 6:22 PM, Kelsey Nicolay via NABS-L wrote: > > Hello, > One of the colleges I am looking at offers courses in real time online format as professors want student$ to be eng at g during discussion. When I attended their inform at tion session, one of the things they told us is that having your camera on during class is a requirement from most professors. Being totally blind, accurately positioning the camer@ for good video quality is difficult, so I was curious whether asking for an ex€mption from the camer@ on requirement would be a reasonable accommodation if I can demonstrate in other ways that I am actively participating. > Sent from Kelsey Nicolay’s iPhone > _______________________________________________ > NABS-L mailing list > NABS-L at nfbnet.org > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/rothmanjd%40gmail.com _______________________________________________ NABS-L mailing list NABS-L at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/steve.jacobson%40outlook.com From rothmanjd at gmail.com Wed Dec 11 16:54:16 2024 From: rothmanjd at gmail.com (Ronza Othman) Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2024 11:54:16 -0500 Subject: [NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <4D74EDD8-C926-4135-A96F-669AE3AA8A4F@gmail.com> I can appreciate this response, but I firmly disagree with much of it. I am a civil rights lawyer, and in my line of work, we are often grappling with outdated expectations about line of site supervision which implicate camera use. Prior to 2020, nobody looked at anybody visually when they participated remotely, and yes, there were remote And computer based classes that existed even before 2020, just as there were millions of meetings a day. We used these things called telephones. In addition, the notion that somebody has to be on camera to reflect whether or not they are engaged precisely does what we as an organization stand against, it centers the use of site. More, those with intersectional disabilities, including ADHD or others, are further shut out if we let this myth about visual line of site engagement and supervision persist. Finally, requiring camera use in my opinion is discriminatory for those who are sitting in their homes who practice certain religious Beliefs, particularly those who are Muslim, Jewish, and seek who have to wear religious head coverings in front of others whereas those of other faiths do not. Adding a burden on them because the religion they practice requires those out in public to do so is the exact opposite of equity. So I personally urge everyone to decline to turn on their camera, whether they are blind or not, whether they have ADHD or not, whether they practice a religion requiring a head covering or not, in order to practice good Ally ship. Ronza Othman, President National Federation of the Blind of Maryland 443-426-4110 Sent from my iPhone > On Dec 11, 2024, at 12:56 AM, Noah Carver via NABS-L wrote: > > Hi Kelsey, > > Thanks for writing to the list. > > Because of the myriads of excellent technologies now at our disposal, we can independently determine how we look on camera, what is in frame, etc. ON PC, I personally love JAWS' "Face in View" function for this purpose. Additionally, iOS devices now report whether your face is in the frame as well as where in the frame it is if you open the camera app while using VoiceOver. Also, I'm sure Be My AI, AIRA's Access AI, or another such Large Language Model AI can provide great results and input as you refine your camera placement. Other techniques for getting good framing also exist, and I am sure that many savvy students can provide better input than I can. Armed with these alternative techniques, you should be able to independently set up a camera view which is perfectly reasonable. > > Given this, my belief is that if a professor expects students to be using their cameras, all students, including Blind students, should be doing so. I know from experience that I, a Blind person, have the same reasons for wanting to turn off my camera as the sighted students around me. Perhaps I'm in a messy room or a busy café. Perhaps I'm having a bad hair day. Perhaps I can't get my camera aimed perfectly. However, if the professor's expectation is that cameras should be on, a sighted person is not likely to be successful in using these reasons to justify a request to turn their camera off. I should therefore not expect different treatment simply by virtue of my Blindness. Further, I feel it is inappropriate to use an accommodation to exempt oneself from camera requirements. Accommodations are meant to ensure equity with our nondisabled peers, not to provide an advantage. In this case, I argue that requesting an exemption from camera requirements does just that. > > I hope this helps. Best of luck in your college search. > > Warmly, > > Noah > > -- > Noah Carver (He/Him) > Candidate, B.M. '27, Applied Music (Performance) -- Voice > Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester > Board Member, National Association of Blind Students > Chair, Content Creation Committee, National Association of Blind Students > Chair, Students Committee, National Federation of the Blind of New York > +1 (207) 557-9143 > noah.t.carver at outlook.com > > -----Original Message----- > From: NABS-L On Behalf Of Kelsey Nicolay via NABS-L > Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2024 17:21 > To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list > Cc: Kelsey Nicolay > Subject: [NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation > > Hello, > One of the colleges I am looking at offers courses in real time online format as professors want student$ to be eng at g during discussion. When I attended their inform at tion session, one of the things they told us is that having your camera on during class is a requirement from most professors. Being totally blind, accurately positioning the camer@ for good video quality is difficult, so I was curious whether asking for an ex€mption from the camer@ on requirement would be a reasonable accommodation if I can demonstrate in other ways that I am actively participating. > Sent from Kelsey Nicolay’s iPhone > _______________________________________________ > NABS-L mailing list > NABS-L at nfbnet.org > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/noah.t.carver%40outlook.com > _______________________________________________ > NABS-L mailing list > NABS-L at nfbnet.org > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/rothmanjd%40gmail.com From tyler at tysdomain.com Wed Dec 11 20:17:18 2024 From: tyler at tysdomain.com (Ty Littlefield) Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2024 13:17:18 -0700 Subject: [NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation In-Reply-To: References: <611BB2D6-C1C2-430F-9422-5726D1B44CDA@gmail.com> <660B1391-8B01-4852-97BE-9EE6C45BD5BC@gmail.com> Message-ID: I was actually on your side of this argument for a long time. Then I realized that sighted people are able to look at the window in Zoom and see their image in frame. If I lean back, turn my chair, the sun moves so it's not coming through my window and the lighting is bad, you lose the perfectly curated angle you've set up for yourself with AI and the helpful elf making sure that your mug is perfectly centered. By saying I don't choose to fight that battle, I mean specifically that it's a lot more anxiety about how and where I'm positioned and whether or not I moved, and I'd rather focus on the meeting. Zoom has reactions. I use those in meetings to show the same or speak up. On 12/11/2024 7:48 AM, Steve Jacobson via NABS-L wrote: > This is an interesting discussion. I agree with Dave Andrews on this. I've been in meetings where the person running the meeting looks at the attendees for reactions similar to what would be done in person. Turning my camera off excludes me from showing reactions which is not to my advantage, at least most of the time. I have also experienced meetings with people from other cultures where not having my camera on was seen as me being closed or "stand-offish". I've also experienced meetings where having the visual contact seemed to help overcome language barriers as well. There may be disabilities where having a camera turned on might cause a problem, but I don't see why blindness by itself should be used as a reason to turn a camera off. It just doesn't have to be that big a deal. To say it is a battle we must choose to fight or not fight as has been stated in another email seems like an exaggeration. In saying all of this, I started out as one who was very hesitant to have my camera on. Over time, I've gotten used to it and it just isn't that big a deal to me any more, and it does help in the instances I have mentioned above. > > To be clear, if I am in a meeting and I can determine most cameras are off, I would certainly turn my camera off as well. I just don't see a reason to assume that blindness is a reason, by itself, to not use a camera if it is a requirement. > > Best regards, > > Steve Jacobson > > -----Original Message----- > From: NABS-L On Behalf Of Ronza Othman via NABS-L > Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2024 6:46 PM > To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org > Cc: Ronza Othman ; nabs-l at nfbnet.org > Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation > > Yes, 100% > > I have this accommodation for my classes at Cornell. > > Ronza Othman, President > National Federation of the Blind of Maryland > 443-426-4110 > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Dec 10, 2024, at 6:22 PM, Kelsey Nicolay via NABS-L wrote: >> >> Hello, >> One of the colleges I am looking at offers courses in real time online format as professors want student$ to be eng at g during discussion. When I attended their inform at tion session, one of the things they told us is that having your camera on during class is a requirement from most professors. Being totally blind, accurately positioning the camer@ for good video quality is difficult, so I was curious whether asking for an ex€mption from the camer@ on requirement would be a reasonable accommodation if I can demonstrate in other ways that I am actively participating. >> Sent from Kelsey Nicolay’s iPhone >> _______________________________________________ >> NABS-L mailing list >> NABS-L at nfbnet.org >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/rothmanjd%40gmail.com > _______________________________________________ > NABS-L mailing list > NABS-L at nfbnet.org > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/steve.jacobson%40outlook.com > _______________________________________________ > NABS-L mailing list > NABS-L at nfbnet.org > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/tyler%40tysdomain.com From osoluozo at udel.edu Fri Dec 13 13:41:11 2024 From: osoluozo at udel.edu (Osoluchukwu Ozo-Onyali) Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2024 08:41:11 -0500 Subject: [NABS-L] Invitation to Join Our Advocacy Committee December DARE Call Message-ID: Greetings All From Your Advocacy Committee, We hope this message finds you well. In light of the holiday season, we invite you to a discussion-based zoom call we will be hosting this coming Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. During our call, we plan to address strategies on how we can advocate with our friends and/or relatives during the holidays as blind people. we will discuss topics such as how to handle low expectations, what to do if a holiday-related activity is inaccessible, and many more. Our call will be an open space to share experiences, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and learn. The zoom link is below: https://zoom.us/my/blindstudents If you have any questions about Saturday's call, please do not hesitate to reach out to our chair, Kaleigh Brendle, at kaleighbrendle at gmail.com. We hope you enjoy the rest of your week and that you will join the fun on Saturday night! All the Best, Your Advocacy Committee From kaleighjb17 at gmail.com Fri Dec 13 17:34:40 2024 From: kaleighjb17 at gmail.com (Kaleigh Brendle) Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2024 12:34:40 -0500 Subject: [NABS-L] December RISE Call: Too Blind to Leave, Too Sighted to Stay Message-ID: NABS, We hope you’ll join the Advocacy Committee in attending the upcoming RISE call being held on Wednesday, December 18th at 8 PM Eastern focusing on adjustment to vision loss. Blind professionals who have navigated that journey will be present to share their stories, and there will also be time for discussion so that you can ask any questions you might have or share your own experiences. The link to register and additional information about the call can be found below. Please reach out to Joe Orozco, Program Coordinator of Project RISE at rise at nfbv.org with any questions. Best of luck on finals! Best, Kaleigh *** Too Blind to Leave, Too Sighted to Stay Why learn Braille if I can still read print? Why pick up a cane when I can just pick up and go? And perhaps the most important question: Why be blind when I can still see? It’s a persistent gray area that makes us feel like we don’t belong in either world. In October we kicked off our virtual series with learning all about assistive technology that could help us be more productive at school and how to advocate for it. This month we’re taking a step back and acknowledging that in order for assistive technology, reasonable accommodations, and accessibility to make sense, we have to recognize these items apply to us at all. If you are a blind or low vision high school or college student, please join us for an evening of personal stories from seasoned blind professionals who went from seeing everything to losing it all. Also learn from young adults who are still navigating this space, because as you may suspect, you are not alone. Accepting your blindness is a huge leap. No positive philosophy in the world is going to make you feel better about it overnight, but perhaps, by creating a safe space where you can share your experiences and ask questions, you might learn to come to terms and start to learn ways to genuinely advocate for what you need. For this hour, you don’t have to pretend. You can be yourself. You just might learn a few things about yourself and come away from the discussion with a more solid foot, not as a member of any one community, but rather, as an informed participant of the world at large, however you choose to shape it. Date: Wednesday, December 18 Time: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Eastern Format: Virtual, Zoom details will be provided after registration. The way you think about blindness affects everything, including the way others treat your blindness. Acceptance doesn't mean giving up. It just means opening yourself to new possibilities and ways of doing things and creating your new normal. Think of blindness skills like learning a new language. The sooner you embrace them, the more fluent you become. Whether it's Braille, screen readers, or mobility techniques—these aren't just tools, they're your bridge to independence. But, maybe you’re not ready to hear that? That’s okay. As counterintuitive as this may sound, this means you’re the perfect candidate for this dynamic discussion, no matter your sight acuity. Are you at least a little curious? Good. Please register below. We can’t wait to talk to you soon. https://nfbv.org/rsvp Yours in service, Joe Orozco, Program Coordinator Project RISE From suplice.c at northeastern.edu Fri Dec 13 17:44:57 2024 From: suplice.c at northeastern.edu (Christopher Suplice) Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2024 17:44:57 +0000 Subject: [NABS-L] =?utf-8?b?8J+OrCAyIERheXMg4oCYdGlsIFNob3d0aW1lOiBHZXQg?= =?utf-8?q?Ready_to_Laugh=2C_Snack=2C_=26_Win_Big!_=F0=9F=8E=AC?= Message-ID: Hey Marvelous Movie Mavens! It’s almost showtime—our NABS Movie Night is just two days away on December 15th! The kernels are counting down, the projector’s doing its pre-show stretches, and we’re all waiting to see what cinematic masterpiece you picked. (We hope you chose wisely… no pressure.) But guess what? We’ve got an extra treat to sweeten the deal—no popcorn required! Our friends at the Blind Table Talk podcast have generously donated some super-cool items, and we’re giving them away as door prizes. Here’s the best part: winners will be chosen from our registration list. That means if you’re not signed up, you might as well be giving away free popcorn to the neighbor’s cat. Don’t miss your shot at glory (and free goodies)! Your mission, should you choose to accept it (and trust us, you should): 1. Register now to secure your spot at Movie Night! It’s only $5, and that’s cheaper than the last snack run you made at 2 a.m. Sign-Up Form 2. Cross your fingers for a Blind Table Talk prize! We’re talking about rad items that will bring smiles, spark joy, and possibly help you write your Oscar acceptance speech. 3. Show up ready to have fun! There’s nothing like kicking back with the NABS fam, watching a great movie, and knowing you might be moments away from a prize-worthy surprise. If you have questions—or a clever catchphrase to announce the winners—reach out to Zachary Ledford at ledford.zachary38 at gmail.com. He’s got the inside scoop (no, he can’t tell you which movie won… he’s sworn to secrecy). This is your final call—don’t let the best night in cinematic history pass you by! Register now, join us in two days, and let’s make it a blockbuster event. Best, Your NABS Fundraising Committee From steve.jacobson at outlook.com Sat Dec 14 15:27:17 2024 From: steve.jacobson at outlook.com (Steve Jacobson) Date: Sat, 14 Dec 2024 15:27:17 +0000 Subject: [NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation In-Reply-To: References: <611BB2D6-C1C2-430F-9422-5726D1B44CDA@gmail.com> <660B1391-8B01-4852-97BE-9EE6C45BD5BC@gmail.com> Message-ID: Ty, Thank you for your response and I understand better what you are saying. Circumstances can certainly determine what is most important to handle at a given time. I also want to state again, in response to other emails, I was clear that my comments on this were limited to the role that blindness plays. I recognize there are reasons that other disabilities may have issues with leaving the camera on. I felt, and I still feel, that there should not be an assumption that blind people can't use the camera as a general default, and I think the reasons for that have been adequately written. Best regards, Steve Jacobson -----Original Message----- From: Ty Littlefield Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2024 2:17 PM To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list Cc: Steve Jacobson Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation I was actually on your side of this argument for a long time. Then I realized that sighted people are able to look at the window in Zoom and see their image in frame. If I lean back, turn my chair, the sun moves so it's not coming through my window and the lighting is bad, you lose the perfectly curated angle you've set up for yourself with AI and the helpful elf making sure that your mug is perfectly centered. By saying I don't choose to fight that battle, I mean specifically that it's a lot more anxiety about how and where I'm positioned and whether or not I moved, and I'd rather focus on the meeting. Zoom has reactions. I use those in meetings to show the same or speak up. On 12/11/2024 7:48 AM, Steve Jacobson via NABS-L wrote: > This is an interesting discussion. I agree with Dave Andrews on this. I've been in meetings where the person running the meeting looks at the attendees for reactions similar to what would be done in person. Turning my camera off excludes me from showing reactions which is not to my advantage, at least most of the time. I have also experienced meetings with people from other cultures where not having my camera on was seen as me being closed or "stand-offish". I've also experienced meetings where having the visual contact seemed to help overcome language barriers as well. There may be disabilities where having a camera turned on might cause a problem, but I don't see why blindness by itself should be used as a reason to turn a camera off. It just doesn't have to be that big a deal. To say it is a battle we must choose to fight or not fight as has been stated in another email seems like an exaggeration. In saying all of this, I started out as one who was very hesitant to have my camera on. Over time, I've gotten used to it and it just isn't that big a deal to me any more, and it does help in the instances I have mentioned above. > > To be clear, if I am in a meeting and I can determine most cameras are off, I would certainly turn my camera off as well. I just don't see a reason to assume that blindness is a reason, by itself, to not use a camera if it is a requirement. > > Best regards, > > Steve Jacobson > > -----Original Message----- > From: NABS-L On Behalf Of Ronza Othman via NABS-L > Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2024 6:46 PM > To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org > Cc: Ronza Othman ; nabs-l at nfbnet.org > Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation > > Yes, 100% > > I have this accommodation for my classes at Cornell. > > Ronza Othman, President > National Federation of the Blind of Maryland > 443-426-4110 > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Dec 10, 2024, at 6:22 PM, Kelsey Nicolay via NABS-L wrote: >> >> Hello, >> One of the colleges I am looking at offers courses in real time online format as professors want student$ to be eng at g during discussion. When I attended their inform at tion session, one of the things they told us is that having your camera on during class is a requirement from most professors. Being totally blind, accurately positioning the camer@ for good video quality is difficult, so I was curious whether asking for an ex€mption from the camer@ on requirement would be a reasonable accommodation if I can demonstrate in other ways that I am actively participating. >> Sent from Kelsey Nicolay’s iPhone >> _______________________________________________ >> NABS-L mailing list >> NABS-L at nfbnet.org >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/rothmanjd%40gmail.com > _______________________________________________ > NABS-L mailing list > NABS-L at nfbnet.org > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/steve.jacobson%40outlook.com > _______________________________________________ > NABS-L mailing list > NABS-L at nfbnet.org > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/tyler%40tysdomain.com From piano.girl0299 at gmail.com Sat Dec 14 18:15:02 2024 From: piano.girl0299 at gmail.com (Kelsey Nicolay) Date: Sat, 14 Dec 2024 13:15:02 -0500 Subject: [NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <850B3E02-A0F3-4FB1-AF9B-6318E42151F3@gmail.com> I reached out to the respective university and they said they see no issue at all with me using alter₦ative methods to show engagement, such as simply speaking up or using the Zoom reactions ′they did confirm that they use Zoom for their video conference participants′. The ther option to avoid all this altogether is to attend in per$on, but this would not be feasible since I live too far from campus ′x would be but a 20 minute drive one way′. most of the other universities I am looking at offer asynchrons course so there is no live online attendance, but this niversity has decided not o adopt this as you want students to be actively engaged with professors. With a master's, I am fortunate that they even have Zoom as an option because from at they've told me, the undergraduate courses are completely in person. Sent from Kelsey Nicolay’s iPhone > On Dec 14, 2024, at 10:29 AM, Steve Jacobson via NABS-L wrote: > > Ty, > > Thank you for your response and I understand better what you are saying. Circumstances can certainly determine what is most important to handle at a given time. I also want to state again, in response to other emails, I was clear that my comments on this were limited to the role that blindness plays. I recognize there are reasons that other disabilities may have issues with leaving the camera on. I felt, and I still feel, that there should not be an assumption that blind people can't use the camera as a general default, and I think the reasons for that have been adequately written. > > Best regards, > > Steve Jacobson > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Ty Littlefield > Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2024 2:17 PM > To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list > Cc: Steve Jacobson > Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation > > I was actually on your side of this argument for a long time. Then I > realized that sighted people are able to look at the window in Zoom and > see their image in frame. If I lean back, turn my chair, the sun moves > so it's not coming through my window and the lighting is bad, you lose > the perfectly curated angle you've set up for yourself with AI and the > helpful elf making sure that your mug is perfectly centered. By saying I > don't choose to fight that battle, I mean specifically that it's a lot > more anxiety about how and where I'm positioned and whether or not I > moved, and I'd rather focus on the meeting. Zoom has reactions. I use > those in meetings to show the same or speak up. > > > > >> On 12/11/2024 7:48 AM, Steve Jacobson via NABS-L wrote: >> This is an interesting discussion. I agree with Dave Andrews on this. I've been in meetings where the person running the meeting looks at the attendees for reactions similar to what would be done in person. Turning my camera off excludes me from showing reactions which is not to my advantage, at least most of the time. I have also experienced meetings with people from other cultures where not having my camera on was seen as me being closed or "stand-offish". I've also experienced meetings where having the visual contact seemed to help overcome language barriers as well. There may be disabilities where having a camera turned on might cause a problem, but I don't see why blindness by itself should be used as a reason to turn a camera off. It just doesn't have to be that big a deal. To say it is a battle we must choose to fight or not fight as has been stated in another email seems like an exaggeration. In saying all of this, I started out as one who was very hesitant to have my camera on. Over time, I've gotten used to it and it just isn't that big a deal to me any more, and it does help in the instances I have mentioned above. >> >> To be clear, if I am in a meeting and I can determine most cameras are off, I would certainly turn my camera off as well. I just don't see a reason to assume that blindness is a reason, by itself, to not use a camera if it is a requirement. >> >> Best regards, >> >> Steve Jacobson >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: NABS-L On Behalf Of Ronza Othman via NABS-L >> Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2024 6:46 PM >> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org >> Cc: Ronza Othman ; nabs-l at nfbnet.org >> Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation >> >> Yes, 100% >> >> I have this accommodation for my classes at Cornell. >> >> Ronza Othman, President >> National Federation of the Blind of Maryland >> 443-426-4110 >> Sent from my iPhone >> >>>> On Dec 10, 2024, at 6:22 PM, Kelsey Nicolay via NABS-L wrote: >>> >>> Hello, >>> One of the colleges I am looking at offers courses in real time online format as professors want student$ to be eng at g during discussion. When I attended their inform at tion session, one of the things they told us is that having your camera on during class is a requirement from most professors. Being totally blind, accurately positioning the camer@ for good video quality is difficult, so I was curious whether asking for an ex€mption from the camer@ on requirement would be a reasonable accommodation if I can demonstrate in other ways that I am actively participating. >>> Sent from Kelsey Nicolay’s iPhone >>> _______________________________________________ >>> NABS-L mailing list >>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org >>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org >>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: >>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/rothmanjd%40gmail.com >> _______________________________________________ >> NABS-L mailing list >> NABS-L at nfbnet.org >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/steve.jacobson%40outlook.com >> _______________________________________________ >> NABS-L mailing list >> NABS-L at nfbnet.org >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/tyler%40tysdomain.com > _______________________________________________ > NABS-L mailing list > NABS-L at nfbnet.org > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/piano.girl0299%40gmail.com From students at nfbflorida.org Sat Dec 14 23:00:00 2024 From: students at nfbflorida.org (FABS Secretary) Date: Sat, 14 Dec 2024 18:00:00 -0500 Subject: [NABS-L] Join us on Sunday In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Good afternoon everyone. Here is your friendly reminder about our meeting that is happening tomorrow. Hope to see you all soon! On Mon, Dec 9, 2024, 12:00 PM FABS Secretary wrote: > Good day everyone! Here is your reminder to join us on Sunday December 15 > at 6pm. We are looking forward to seeing you all there! > Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/96868427038 > > Elijah Grant > Secretary - Florida Association of Blind Students > Treasurer - Greater Broward Chapter, National Federation of the Blind of > Florida > Associate of Arts in Information Technology Candidate - Broward College > Click here to email the Florida Association of Blind Students. > > Social Media Links > Check us out on Facebook > > Follow us on TikTok > Follow us on Instagram > "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 have the life you want; blindness is not > what holds > you back." > -National Federation of the Blind One-Minute Message > > From oriolefan38 at gmail.com Sat Dec 14 23:15:00 2024 From: oriolefan38 at gmail.com (Zachary Ledford) Date: Sat, 14 Dec 2024 16:15:00 -0700 Subject: [NABS-L] Donate and Help Make the NABS Auction Even More Exciting!! Message-ID: NABSters! As the year is coming to a close, it is almost time for the 2025 NABS Annual Auction which will be occurring during the Washington Seminar in February which is always a party! We are asking for all of you to seek donations from businesses, organizations, family, friends and others that you know, or are a part of to help transform student’s dreams into reality. With your support we can help change what it means to be blind. Near the bottom of this email you will find a link to our donation form. This form allows for donors to submit for monetary donations along with items for our 2025 Washington Seminar hybrid auction. The deadline to submit the form with donations is *December 31st* so act fast! We would greatly appreciate assistance in forming this auction; please see the attached Google form below regarding donating! Form: https://forms.gle/qgeqfvHPTS5VM66d7 If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Zachary Ledford at ledford.zachary38 at gmail.com. All the best, The NABS Auction Committee From students at nfbflorida.org Sun Dec 15 17:15:00 2024 From: students at nfbflorida.org (FABS Secretary) Date: Sun, 15 Dec 2024 12:15:00 -0500 Subject: [NABS-L] Join us on Sunday In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Good afternoon everyone! Please see below the new Zoom link for tonight's meeting at 6pm. As a heads up: you will need to enter a passcode to get into the meeting. Please don't hesitate to ask for help if you have any questions. See you all tonight! Zoom link: Join Zoom Meeting https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/96868427038?pwd=uGjKVEVLDm0bKblkcYTpmqXw1bXSZX.1 Passcode: 840149 On Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 6:00 PM FABS Secretary wrote: > Good afternoon everyone. Here is your friendly reminder about our meeting > that is happening tomorrow. Hope to see you all soon! > > On Mon, Dec 9, 2024, 12:00 PM FABS Secretary > wrote: > >> Good day everyone! Here is your reminder to join us on Sunday December 15 >> at 6pm. We are looking forward to seeing you all there! >> Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/96868427038 >> >> Elijah Grant >> Secretary - Florida Association of Blind Students >> Treasurer - Greater Broward Chapter, National Federation of the Blind of >> Florida >> Associate of Arts in Information Technology Candidate - Broward College >> Click here to email the Florida Association of Blind Students. >> >> Social Media Links >> Check us out on Facebook >> >> Follow us on TikTok >> Follow us on Instagram >> "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 have the life you want; blindness is not >> what holds >> you back." >> -National Federation of the Blind One-Minute Message >> >> From oriolefan38 at gmail.com Sun Dec 15 18:30:00 2024 From: oriolefan38 at gmail.com (Zachary Ledford) Date: Sun, 15 Dec 2024 11:30:00 -0700 Subject: [NABS-L] Join NABS Movie Night TONIGHT! Message-ID: NABS Friends and Family! Tonight is the night! You've heard us share about it for weeks and now it is happening! On behalf of the NABS Fundraising Committee, we invite you to watch a fun holiday movie with us tonight at 7 PM EST. Did we forget to mention that it will include Audio Description? Well it will! We hope you were able to head over to our WhatsApp and vote for which movie we should watch and the winner... Home Alone! So, bring your popcorn, your drinks, and your best friend as we enjoy a holiday movie! When to watch? - 7 PM EST! Where to watch? - https://zoom.us/my/blindstudents If you have any questions for our Fundraising Committee, please let Zachary Ledford know at ledford.zachary38 at gmail.com. We hope to see you tonight and if not, we wish you all a safe and wonderful rest of 2023! ✨ Best, Your NABS Fundraising Committee From oriolefan38 at gmail.com Tue Dec 17 18:00:00 2024 From: oriolefan38 at gmail.com (Zachary Ledford) Date: Tue, 17 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0700 Subject: [NABS-L] Two More Weeks to Donate for the NABS Annual Auction! Message-ID: NABS! As the year is coming to a close, it is almost time for the 2025 NABS Annual Auction which will be occurring during the Washington Seminar on February 3, 2025 and that is always a party! We are asking for all of you to seek donations from businesses, organizations, family, friends and others that you know, or are a part of to help transform student’s dreams into reality. With your support we can help change what it means to be blind. Near the bottom of this email you will find a link to our donation form. This form allows for donors to submit for monetary donations along with items for our 2025 Washington Seminar hybrid auction. The deadline to submit the form with donations is *December 31st* so act fast! We would greatly appreciate assistance in forming this auction; please see the attached Google form below regarding donating! Form: https://forms.gle/qgeqfvHPTS5VM66d7 If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Zachary Ledford at ledford.zachary38 at gmail.com. All the best, The NABS Auction Committee From manahiljafri at gmail.com Tue Dec 17 23:21:29 2024 From: manahiljafri at gmail.com (Manahil Jafri) Date: Tue, 17 Dec 2024 18:21:29 -0500 Subject: [NABS-L] Fwd: Following Up After First Board Meeting (07/16/2023)/Acknowledgement of Code of Conduct References: <9C55A66F-9E24-4D56-9203-D56AEEC89D45@gmail.com> Message-ID: <59A0CB4C-EE20-4FBF-BDBC-D188C3456058@gmail.com> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From manahiljafri at gmail.com Tue Dec 17 23:52:51 2024 From: manahiljafri at gmail.com (Manahil Jafri) Date: Tue, 17 Dec 2024 18:52:51 -0500 Subject: [NABS-L] Following Up After First Board Meeting (07/16/2023)/Acknowledgement of Code of Conduct In-Reply-To: <59A0CB4C-EE20-4FBF-BDBC-D188C3456058@gmail.com> References: <59A0CB4C-EE20-4FBF-BDBC-D188C3456058@gmail.com> Message-ID: <69FB2FF7-2518-4888-B9E4-549E2C4C919F@gmail.com> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dandrews920 at comcast.net Sat Dec 21 05:45:59 2024 From: dandrews920 at comcast.net (David Andrews) Date: Fri, 20 Dec 2024 23:45:59 -0600 Subject: [NABS-L] comedy club announcement with corrections Message-ID: > >Are you tired of down time? Are you looking to break up the January blahs? >The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois Chicago Chapter has the >perfect solution, a night of comedy! > > > >Who will benefit, the Chicago chapter and everyone who attends. What do you >get? Opportunities for laughter which could just last forever. When, >Thursday, January 16, 7:00 P.M. Where, The Comedy Clubhouse, 1462 North >Ashland Avenue, Chicago. Why do it? Enhance your quality of life, support >the Chicago chapter and come together with friends. > > > >The cost for this event is $25 for the live performance and $30 if you >choose to stream the show. > > > >The Comedy Clubhouse doors will open at 6:00 P.M. and the Zoom link will >open at 6:45 P.M. > >Please make your reservation with David Meyer by January7, 2025. Call >708-606-7091 or e-mail datemeyer at sbcglobal.net > . When making your reservation, please >include your name, e-mail address and phone number. Information will be sent >to the Comedy clubhouse, so that they may e-mail or text the menu to you. > > > >You may pay via Zelle, check or credit card. Please make checks payable to >National Federation of the Blind of Illinois, and write commedy fundraiser >in the memo. > > > >If you pay by Zelle, please send to treasurer at nfbofillinois.org > . If paying by credit card, you may pay >via pay pal or you make a donation. Be sure to state that your payment is >for the Chicago chapter comedy fundraiser. Finally, food and drinks must be >paid through a smart phone. If you are not able to do this, please bring >cash with you so that you can pay the person who assists you in placing your >order. > > > >So, come on down for a night of good food, fun and fellowship. If you can't >make it and would like to check out the performance, you can zoom it. If you >choose to zoom, the Zoom link will be sent to you on Monday, January 13. > > > > > > From oriolefan38 at gmail.com Sat Dec 21 23:30:00 2024 From: oriolefan38 at gmail.com (Zachary Ledford) Date: Sat, 21 Dec 2024 16:30:00 -0700 Subject: [NABS-L] DONATE, DONATE TODAY for our NABS Annual Auction! Message-ID: NABS and all! As the year is coming to a close, it is almost time for the 2025 NABS Annual Auction which will be occurring during the Washington Seminar on February 3, 2025 and that is always a party! We are asking for all of you to seek donations from businesses, organizations, family, friends and others that you know, or are a part of to help transform student’s dreams into reality. With your support we can help change what it means to be blind. Near the bottom of this email you will find a link to our donation form. This form allows for donors to submit for monetary donations along with items for our 2025 Washington Seminar hybrid auction. The deadline to submit the form with donations is *December 31st* so act fast! We would greatly appreciate assistance in forming this auction; please see the attached Google form below regarding donating! Form: https://forms.gle/qgeqfvHPTS5VM66d7 If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Zachary Ledford at ledford.zachary38 at gmail.com. All the best, The NABS Auction Committee From james.n.yesel at gmail.com Mon Dec 23 15:00:37 2024 From: james.n.yesel at gmail.com (James Yesel) Date: Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:00:37 -0500 Subject: [NABS-L] Join Us for the 2025 Midwest Regional Student Seminar in Chicago! Message-ID: Dear NABS Fam, I hope finals have been going well and that you’re starting to enjoy a well-deserved winter break! With a new year underway, we’re excited to welcome blind students to the dynamic city of Chicago, Illinois, for the 2025 Midwest Regional Student Seminar, proudly hosted by the National Association of Blind Students. As blind students, we are encountering unique daily realities that often remain unrecognized or misunderstood by the people around us. The National Association of Blind Students is thrilled to invite you to Beyond the Handshake: Networking in the Windy City, where we’ll explore these shared experiences with students from across the region. It will be an engaging weekend packed with opportunities to challenge your perceptions and network with blind peers and mentors alike. Have you ever wondered how to navigate non-traditional career paths or build a professional network that truly understands your journey? This year’s theme focuses on career exploration and planning, offering practical insights and strategies to help you thrive. Together, we’ll dive into how to forge meaningful connections, open new doors, and envision possibilities beyond the expected. You can expect a mix of interactive activities, thought-provoking conversations, and riveting presentations—with topics covering everything from securing accommodations to finding identity as a blind person. This journey promises to empower you to identify new ways of living the life you want. Regardless of where you are in your education, we hope you will join us for a weekend of growth and fun from March 7 – March 9, 2025, at the Holiday Inn Chicago O’Hare Area: Holiday Inn Chicago O’Hare Area 5615 N. Cumberland Ave. Chicago, IL 60631 You can register at the link below. Registration closes on February 14, 2025, so don’t delay! https://nabslink.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=5 Rooms can be booked at the hotel website using the code “NFB”: www.hiohare.com Alternatively, you can call (800-465-4329) or (773-693-5800) to reserve a room by phone using the group name “National Federation of the Blind Student”. Room rates for a room with two queen beds are $119.00 per night, and rooms must be booked by February 8, 2025. The National Association of Blind Students prioritizes its members' health and safety in all its events. For the safety of all participants, we ask that if you are feeling ill, please remain home. These policies are consistent with the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois' policies on in-person gatherings. We are also committed to keeping all members safe. As such, we follow the Code of Conduct and the Youth Program Participant Protection Policy upheld by the National Federation of the Blind. Alternative Payment Options: We in no way want the $100 registration fee to prevent any student from attending. If the fee poses a challenge, please contact Joshua Olukanni at 678-313-1543 or joshuaolukanni2002 at gmail.com. Please note that both the $100 registration fee and a completed registration form must be submitted by February 14, 2025, to secure your spot for this transformative weekend. If you have any questions regarding hotel logistics, registration, or anything else about the Midwest Seminar, feel free to reach out to Joshua Olukanni at 678-313-1543 or joshuaolukanni2002 at gmail.com. Best regards, James Yesel From nabs.president at gmail.com Tue Dec 24 18:22:16 2024 From: nabs.president at gmail.com (Lauren Chaya Altman, President of the National Association of Blind Students) Date: Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:22:16 -0600 Subject: [NABS-L] An Important Opportunity to Help our Friend Qualik Ford Message-ID: <84A5779E-B56B-48B7-84FE-182125CEA182@gmail.com> Hello NABS Family, Happy Holidays if you celebrate. As some of you may know, Qualik Ford, a long time Federationist and friend to many has been diagnosed with Osteosarcoma and is currently undergoing chemo treatments. Below is a message from him and a link to help contribute to his donations page. If you are abel to contribute this holiday season, please do so. We are all sending lots of love to Q and wishing him a speedy remission. Message from Qualik: Hello, hello, As I sit here waiting for my second session and sixth overall dose of chemotherapy, I find myself reflecting on how deeply powerful and important it has been to have so many people reach out with their love, support, and empathy. Chemotherapy is, honestly, one of the top five worst things I’ve ever experienced—and I haven’t even gotten too far into it yet. I have immense respect for anyone who has undergone chemotherapy or continues to struggle with medical challenges. Many of you have expressed a desire to support me during this journey, and I’ve been encouraged to create a gifting page so people can contribute financially if they wish. If you know me, you know this isn’t something I decided lightly—it’s really not in my nature. I’d much prefer to raise money for the National Federation of the Blind, Blind Industries and Services of Maryland, or one of the many other organizations I’m involved with. However, I do have substantial medical bills that I’ll be working on paying off, and any help would be greatly appreciated, respected, and recognized. Please know that I don’t want anyone to feel obligated to donate or pressured to do so. If you truly feel this is the way you’d like to help, thank you. If you’d prefer to support me by sending positive messages, love, and good vibes, that is equally important to me. I know I haven’t responded to everyone yet, and I’m so, so sorry for that. Please know that I’ve read every message, and I’m working on responding to you all. Your support means the world to me, and it’s deeply felt and appreciated. To give you a sense of where I stand financially, I currently have about $39,000 in medical bills. I’m not looking for anyone to help clear that entire amount. I have a wonderful job and the ability to set up a payment plan. I just want you all to have perspective on what you would be helping me with. The gifting page will be set up through my Maryland able account. Donations made through this platform come with benefits: in Maryland, any donation can be written off on your taxes up to $2,500. Other states may have similar tax benefits. If you have any questions about this, feel free to reach out, and I’ll do my best to answer. This has been a long message, so I’ll wrap it up here. Please know that I love and appreciate you all. I hope everyone has a happy holiday season and a wonderful 2025! With love, [qualik https://connect.vestwell.com/gift/maryland-able/fIU9gKd9YEGjkDwhIgy9ZQ With any questions please reach out to Qualik at +1 (301) 312-9813 Lauren Chaya Altman President National Association of Blind Students Pronouns: she/her Email: nabs.president at gmail.com Phone: 973-930-7473 From oriolefan38 at gmail.com Tue Dec 24 18:30:00 2024 From: oriolefan38 at gmail.com (Zachary Ledford) Date: Tue, 24 Dec 2024 11:30:00 -0700 Subject: [NABS-L] =?utf-8?q?=F0=9F=94=94_One_More_Week_to_Donate_for_the_?= =?utf-8?b?TkFCUyBBdWN0aW9uISDwn5SU?= Message-ID: Happy Holidays NABS! As the year is coming to a close, it is almost time for the 2025 NABS Annual Auction which will be occurring during the Washington Seminar on February 3, 2025 and that is always a party! We are asking for all of you to seek donations from businesses, organizations, family, friends and others that you know, or are a part of to help transform student’s dreams into reality. With your support we can help change what it means to be blind. Near the bottom of this email you will find a link to our donation form. This form allows for donors to submit for monetary donations along with items for our 2025 Washington Seminar hybrid auction. Please, please make sure those donating are filling out our form by the deadline so that we can organize the Auction in a successful manner. The deadline to submit the form with donations is *December 31st* so act fast! We would greatly appreciate assistance in forming this auction; please see the attached Google form below regarding donating! Form: https://forms.gle/qgeqfvHPTS5VM66d7 If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Zachary Ledford at ledford.zachary38 at gmail.com. All the best, The NABS Auction Committee From joshuaolukanni2002 at gmail.com Sat Dec 28 00:59:25 2024 From: joshuaolukanni2002 at gmail.com (Joshua Olukanni) Date: Fri, 27 Dec 2024 19:59:25 -0500 Subject: [NABS-L] Sign Up Now for the NABS Midwest Regional Student Seminar! Message-ID: Dear students, I hope your winter break has been giving you the time to lay back and relax! With a new year underway, we’re excited to welcome blind students to the dynamic city of Chicago, Illinois, for the2025 Midwest Regional Student Seminar, proudly hosted by the National Association of Blind Students. As blind students, we are encountering unique daily realities that often remain unrecognized or misunderstood by the people around us. The National Association of Blind Students is thrilled to invite you to Beyond the Handshake: Networking in the Windy City, where we will explore these shared experiences with students from across the region. It will be an engaging weekend packed with opportunities to challenge your perceptions and network with blind peers and mentors alike. Have you ever wondered how to navigate non-traditional career paths or build a professional network that truly understands your journey? This year’s theme focuses on career exploration and planning, offering practical insights and strategies to help you thrive. Together, we’ll dive into how to forge meaningful connections, open new doors, and envision possibilities beyond the expected. You can expect a mix of interactive activities, thought-provoking conversations, and riveting presentations—with topics covering everything from securing accommodations to finding identity as a blind person. This journey promises to empower you to identify new ways of living the life you want. Regardless of where you are in your education, we hope you will join us for a weekend of growth and fun from March 7 – March 9, 2025, at the Holiday Inn Chicago O’Hare Area: Holiday Inn Chicago O’Hare Area 5615 N. Cumberland Ave. Chicago, IL 60631 You can register at the link below. Registration closes on February 14, 2025, so don’t delay! https://nabslink.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=5 Rooms can be booked at the hotel website using the code “NFB”: www.hiohare.com Alternatively, you can call (800-465-4329) or (773-693-5800) to reserve a room by phone using the group name “National Federation of the Blind Student”. Room rates for a room with two queen beds are $119.00 per night, and rooms must be booked by February 8, 2025. The National Association of Blind Students prioritizes its members' health and safety in all its events. For the safety of all participants, we ask that if you are feeling ill, please remain home. These policies are consistent with the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois’ policies on in-person gatherings. We are also committed to keeping all members safe. As such, we follow the Code of Conduct and the Youth Program Participant Protection Policy < https://nfb.org/about-us/history-and-governance/code-conduct/youth-program-participant-protection-policy > upheld by the National Federation of the Blind. Alternative Payment Options: We in no way want the $100 registration fee to prevent any student from attending. If the fee poses a challenge, please contact Joshua Olukanni at 678-313-1543 or joshuaolukanni2002 at gmail.com. Please note that both the $100 registration fee and a completed registration form must be submitted by February 14, 2025, to secure your spot for this transformative weekend. If you have any questions regarding hotel logistics, registration, or anything else about the Midwest Seminar, feel free to reach out to me at 678-313-1543 or joshuaolukanni2002 at gmail.com. -- Godspeed, Joshua Olukanni (He/him/his) 2nd Vice President | National Association of Blind Students From oriolefan38 at gmail.com Sat Dec 28 17:00:00 2024 From: oriolefan38 at gmail.com (Zachary Ledford) Date: Sat, 28 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0700 Subject: [NABS-L] Deadline to Donate for the NABS Auction is SOON! Message-ID: Happy Holidays NABS! As the year is coming to a close, it is almost time for the 2025 NABS Annual Auction which will be occurring during the Washington Seminar on February 3, 2025 and that is always a party! We are asking for all of you to seek donations from businesses, organizations, family, friends and others that you know, or are a part of to help transform student’s dreams into reality. With your support we can help change what it means to be blind. Near the bottom of this email you will find a link to our donation form. This form allows for donors to submit for monetary donations along with items for our 2025 Washington Seminar hybrid auction. Please, please make sure those donating are filling out our form by the deadline so that we can organize the Auction in a successful manner. The deadline to submit the form with donations is *December 31st* so act fast! We would greatly appreciate assistance in forming this auction; please see the attached Google form below regarding donating! Form: https://forms.gle/qgeqfvHPTS5VM66d7 If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Zachary Ledford at ledford.zachary38 at gmail.com. All the best, The NABS Auction Committee From danielspace142 at gmail.com Sun Dec 29 04:33:41 2024 From: danielspace142 at gmail.com (Daniel) Date: Sat, 28 Dec 2024 20:33:41 -0800 Subject: [NABS-L] Washington seminar Roommate Message-ID: <69FCCD99-1CE3-4464-86CF-D4DB7D12DCA2@gmail.com> Hello everyone, I hope you’ve had a wonderful holiday season and are enjoying a well-deserved break from school. I’m currently looking for a roommate for the Washington Seminar. If you're also looking for a roommate or have space available, please contact me off the list. Thank you! From sidneyh05 at gmail.com Sun Dec 29 22:54:04 2024 From: sidneyh05 at gmail.com (Sidney Horn) Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2024 22:54:04 +0000 Subject: [NABS-L] Introduction Message-ID: Hello! My name is Sidney. I'm 19 years old and am taking my second year of college classes. I'm at the school for the blind, but am leaving in May of 2025. I have taken some Lincoln Land Community College classes to get me in the swing of things. I'd like to major in social work, and I'm starting at SIUE (Southern Illinois University Edwardsville) in the fall of 2025. I was very back and forth for the longest time at where I wanted to go. It was between Illinois State and SIUE. I knew both universities are great, and I toured both of their access offices as well. On top of that, back in September, I applied for a Seeing Eye registered dog and have had my juno walk and interview with one of their instructors. Now I'm just waiting to hear when or if I'll get accepted, which I hope I do. :-) I will go out in the summer of 2025. I will keep you all updated on how everything is going. So far I have taken Communications 101, English 101, Psychology 101, and Sociology 101. I am registered for three online classes in Spring semester and 1 in-person class. I am very happy to be a part of this community of Illinois blind students and to be able to share each others successes / concerns. That's what we're all here for. :-) Thanks for reading! Sidney From dana.mohsen.azim at gmail.com Sun Dec 29 23:56:02 2024 From: dana.mohsen.azim at gmail.com (dana mohsen) Date: Mon, 30 Dec 2024 01:56:02 +0200 Subject: [NABS-L] Introduction In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hello Sidney, Thanks for the intro. My name is Dana, and I'm also 19. I'm studying computer science and music in Washington, and I've complicated 2 semesters. Feel free to reach out anytime with any questions regarding the college accommodations process or anything else! Wishing you the best, Dana On Mon, Dec 30, 2024 at 12:55 AM Sidney Horn via NABS-L wrote: > Hello! > My name is Sidney. I'm 19 years old and am taking my second year of > college classes. I'm at the school for the blind, but am leaving in May of > 2025. I have taken some Lincoln Land Community College classes to get me in > the swing of things. > I'd like to major in social work, and I'm starting at SIUE (Southern > Illinois University Edwardsville) in the fall of 2025. I was very back and > forth for the longest time at where I wanted to go. It was between Illinois > State and SIUE. I knew both universities are great, and I toured both of > their access offices as well. > On top of that, back in September, I applied for a Seeing Eye registered > dog and have had my juno walk and interview with one of their instructors. > Now I'm just waiting to hear when or if I'll get accepted, which I hope I > do. :-) > I will go out in the summer of 2025. I will keep you all updated on how > everything is going. > So far I have taken Communications 101, English 101, Psychology 101, and > Sociology 101. I am registered for three online classes in Spring semester > and 1 in-person class. > I am very happy to be a part of this community of Illinois blind students > and to be able to share each others successes / concerns. That's what we're > all here for. :-) > Thanks for reading! > Sidney > > _______________________________________________ > NABS-L mailing list > NABS-L at nfbnet.org > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for > NABS-L: > > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/dana.mohsen.azim%40gmail.com > From kinnickwoolley at gmail.com Mon Dec 30 00:38:47 2024 From: kinnickwoolley at gmail.com (Kinnick Woolley) Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2024 18:38:47 -0600 Subject: [NABS-L] Introduction In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <36A5E0DF-F988-4567-9737-9CE2C88C818F@gmail.com> I am so glad that you joined the Federation and that you’re a part of the list it kinnick Shanon Woolley Sent from my iPhone > On Dec 29, 2024, at 5:57 PM, dana mohsen via NABS-L wrote: > > Hello Sidney, > Thanks for the intro. My name is Dana, and I'm also 19. I'm studying > computer science and music in Washington, and I've complicated 2 semesters. > Feel free to reach out anytime with any questions regarding the college > accommodations process or anything else! > Wishing you the best, > Dana > >> On Mon, Dec 30, 2024 at 12:55 AM Sidney Horn via NABS-L >> wrote: >> >> Hello! >> My name is Sidney. I'm 19 years old and am taking my second year of >> college classes. I'm at the school for the blind, but am leaving in May of >> 2025. I have taken some Lincoln Land Community College classes to get me in >> the swing of things. >> I'd like to major in social work, and I'm starting at SIUE (Southern >> Illinois University Edwardsville) in the fall of 2025. I was very back and >> forth for the longest time at where I wanted to go. It was between Illinois >> State and SIUE. I knew both universities are great, and I toured both of >> their access offices as well. >> On top of that, back in September, I applied for a Seeing Eye registered >> dog and have had my juno walk and interview with one of their instructors. >> Now I'm just waiting to hear when or if I'll get accepted, which I hope I >> do. :-) >> I will go out in the summer of 2025. I will keep you all updated on how >> everything is going. >> So far I have taken Communications 101, English 101, Psychology 101, and >> Sociology 101. I am registered for three online classes in Spring semester >> and 1 in-person class. >> I am very happy to be a part of this community of Illinois blind students >> and to be able to share each others successes / concerns. That's what we're >> all here for. :-) >> Thanks for reading! >> Sidney >> >> _______________________________________________ >> NABS-L mailing list >> NABS-L at nfbnet.org >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for >> NABS-L: >> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/dana.mohsen.azim%40gmail.com >> > _______________________________________________ > NABS-L mailing list > NABS-L at nfbnet.org > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kinnickwoolley%40gmail.com From kinnickwoolley at gmail.com Mon Dec 30 00:38:47 2024 From: kinnickwoolley at gmail.com (Kinnick Woolley) Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2024 18:38:47 -0600 Subject: [NABS-L] Introduction In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <36A5E0DF-F988-4567-9737-9CE2C88C818F@gmail.com> I am so glad that you joined the Federation and that you’re a part of the list it kinnick Shanon Woolley Sent from my iPhone > On Dec 29, 2024, at 5:57 PM, dana mohsen via NABS-L wrote: > > Hello Sidney, > Thanks for the intro. My name is Dana, and I'm also 19. I'm studying > computer science and music in Washington, and I've complicated 2 semesters. > Feel free to reach out anytime with any questions regarding the college > accommodations process or anything else! > Wishing you the best, > Dana > >> On Mon, Dec 30, 2024 at 12:55 AM Sidney Horn via NABS-L >> wrote: >> >> Hello! >> My name is Sidney. I'm 19 years old and am taking my second year of >> college classes. I'm at the school for the blind, but am leaving in May of >> 2025. I have taken some Lincoln Land Community College classes to get me in >> the swing of things. >> I'd like to major in social work, and I'm starting at SIUE (Southern >> Illinois University Edwardsville) in the fall of 2025. I was very back and >> forth for the longest time at where I wanted to go. It was between Illinois >> State and SIUE. I knew both universities are great, and I toured both of >> their access offices as well. >> On top of that, back in September, I applied for a Seeing Eye registered >> dog and have had my juno walk and interview with one of their instructors. >> Now I'm just waiting to hear when or if I'll get accepted, which I hope I >> do. :-) >> I will go out in the summer of 2025. I will keep you all updated on how >> everything is going. >> So far I have taken Communications 101, English 101, Psychology 101, and >> Sociology 101. I am registered for three online classes in Spring semester >> and 1 in-person class. >> I am very happy to be a part of this community of Illinois blind students >> and to be able to share each others successes / concerns. That's what we're >> all here for. :-) >> Thanks for reading! >> Sidney >> >> _______________________________________________ >> NABS-L mailing list >> NABS-L at nfbnet.org >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for >> NABS-L: >> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/dana.mohsen.azim%40gmail.com >> > _______________________________________________ > NABS-L mailing list > NABS-L at nfbnet.org > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kinnickwoolley%40gmail.com From gene.sh.kim at gmail.com Mon Dec 30 03:35:26 2024 From: gene.sh.kim at gmail.com (Gene Kim) Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:35:26 -0800 Subject: [NABS-L] Introduction In-Reply-To: <36A5E0DF-F988-4567-9737-9CE2C88C818F@gmail.com> References: <36A5E0DF-F988-4567-9737-9CE2C88C818F@gmail.com> Message-ID: Welcome and great to meet you Sidney! If you haven't gotten in touch with the Illinois affiliate yet, definitely get connected. We have a lovely group of folks throughout the state who I'm sure would love to get you plugged into the local community/resources. Sent from my iPhone > On Dec 29, 2024, at 4:40 PM, Kinnick Woolley via NABS-L wrote: > > I am so glad that you joined the Federation and that you’re a part of the list it kinnick > Shanon Woolley > Sent from my iPhone > > >> On Dec 29, 2024, at 5:57 PM, dana mohsen via NABS-L wrote: >> >> Hello Sidney, >> Thanks for the intro. My name is Dana, and I'm also 19. I'm studying >> computer science and music in Washington, and I've complicated 2 semesters. >> Feel free to reach out anytime with any questions regarding the college >> accommodations process or anything else! >> Wishing you the best, >> Dana >> >>> On Mon, Dec 30, 2024 at 12:55 AM Sidney Horn via NABS-L >>> wrote: >>> >>> Hello! >>> My name is Sidney. I'mI'd like to major in social work, and I'm starting at SIUE (Southern Illinois University Edwardsville) in the fall of 2025. I was very back and forth for the longest time at where I wanted to go. It was between Illinois State and SIUE. I knew both universities are great, and I toured both of their access offices as well.19 years old and am taking my second year of >>> college classes. I'm at the school for the blind, but am leaving in May of >>> 2025. I have taken some Lincoln Land Community College classes to get me in >>> the swing of things. >>> I'd like to major in social work, and I'm starting at SIUE (Southern >>> Illinois University Edwardsville) in the fall of 2025. I was very back and >>> forth for the longest time at where I wanted to go. It was between Illinois >>> State and SIUE. I knew both universities are great, and I toured both of >>> their access offices as well. >>> On top of that, back in September, I applied for a Seeing Eye registered >>> dog and have had my juno walk and interview with one of their instructors. >>> Now I'm just waiting to hear when or if I'll get accepted, which I hope I >>> do. :-) >>> I will go out in the summer of 2025. I will keep you all updated on how >>> everything is going. >>> So far I have taken Communications 101, English 101, Psychology 101, and >>> Sociology 101. I am registered for three online classes in Spring semester >>> and 1 in-person class. >>> I am very happy to be a part of this community of Illinois blind students >>> and to be able to share each others successes / concerns. That's what we're >>> all here for. :-) >>> Thanks for reading! >>> Sidney >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> NABS-L mailing list >>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org >>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org >>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for >>> NABS-L: >>> >>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/dana.mohsen.azim%40gmail.com >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> NABS-L mailing list >> NABS-L at nfbnet.org >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kinnickwoolley%40gmail.com > > _______________________________________________ > NABS-L mailing list > NABS-L at nfbnet.org > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/gene.sh.kim%40gmail.com From sidneyh05 at gmail.com Mon Dec 30 05:22:13 2024 From: sidneyh05 at gmail.com (Sidney Horn) Date: Mon, 30 Dec 2024 05:22:13 +0000 Subject: [NABS-L] Introduction In-Reply-To: References: <36A5E0DF-F988-4567-9737-9CE2C88C818F@gmail.com> Message-ID: Hi! Thank you so much for the replies. Yes. I have gotten in touch with the affiliate of Illinois. I'm also on the Iasb list. Hi Dana! Nice to meet you! I love assistive tech. Maybe we could exchange emails? Nice to meet you as well Shannon! So cool to get these replies from people. I love talking / meeting new people all over. Maybe one day I could come to one of the seminars. :-) Sidney Get Outlook for iOS ________________________________ From: NABS-L on behalf of Gene Kim via NABS-L Sent: Sunday, December 29, 2024 9:35:26 PM To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org Cc: Gene Kim Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Introduction Welcome and great to meet you Sidney! If you haven't gotten in touch with the Illinois affiliate yet, definitely get connected. We have a lovely group of folks throughout the state who I'm sure would love to get you plugged into the local community/resources. Sent from my iPhone > On Dec 29, 2024, at 4:40 PM, Kinnick Woolley via NABS-L wrote: > > I am so glad that you joined the Federation and that you’re a part of the list it kinnick > Shanon Woolley > Sent from my iPhone > > >> On Dec 29, 2024, at 5:57 PM, dana mohsen via NABS-L wrote: >> >> Hello Sidney, >> Thanks for the intro. My name is Dana, and I'm also 19. I'm studying >> computer science and music in Washington, and I've complicated 2 semesters. >> Feel free to reach out anytime with any questions regarding the college >> accommodations process or anything else! >> Wishing you the best, >> Dana >> >>> On Mon, Dec 30, 2024 at 12:55 AM Sidney Horn via NABS-L >>> wrote: >>> >>> Hello! >>> My name is Sidney. I'mI'd like to major in social work, and I'm starting at SIUE (Southern Illinois University Edwardsville) in the fall of 2025. I was very back and forth for the longest time at where I wanted to go. It was between Illinois State and SIUE. I knew both universities are great, and I toured both of their access offices as well.19 years old and am taking my second year of >>> college classes. I'm at the school for the blind, but am leaving in May of >>> 2025. I have taken some Lincoln Land Community College classes to get me in >>> the swing of things. >>> I'd like to major in social work, and I'm starting at SIUE (Southern >>> Illinois University Edwardsville) in the fall of 2025. I was very back and >>> forth for the longest time at where I wanted to go. It was between Illinois >>> State and SIUE. I knew both universities are great, and I toured both of >>> their access offices as well. >>> On top of that, back in September, I applied for a Seeing Eye registered >>> dog and have had my juno walk and interview with one of their instructors. >>> Now I'm just waiting to hear when or if I'll get accepted, which I hope I >>> do. :-) >>> I will go out in the summer of 2025. I will keep you all updated on how >>> everything is going. >>> So far I have taken Communications 101, English 101, Psychology 101, and >>> Sociology 101. I am registered for three online classes in Spring semester >>> and 1 in-person class. >>> I am very happy to be a part of this community of Illinois blind students >>> and to be able to share each others successes / concerns. That's what we're >>> all here for. :-) >>> Thanks for reading! >>> Sidney >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> NABS-L mailing list >>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org >>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org >>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for >>> NABS-L: >>> >>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/dana.mohsen.azim%40gmail.com >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> NABS-L mailing list >> NABS-L at nfbnet.org >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kinnickwoolley%40gmail.com > > _______________________________________________ > NABS-L mailing list > NABS-L at nfbnet.org > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/gene.sh.kim%40gmail.com _______________________________________________ NABS-L mailing list NABS-L at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/sidneyh05%40gmail.com From kinnickwoolley at gmail.com Mon Dec 30 05:37:09 2024 From: kinnickwoolley at gmail.com (Kinnick Woolley) Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2024 23:37:09 -0600 Subject: [NABS-L] Introduction In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <3601B30D-86A6-471C-AFCF-19944E9B6255@gmail.com> I don’t know why my phone says a different name it’s kinnick I have been on some message groups with you along with other people that we know Shanon Woolley Sent from my iPhone > On Dec 29, 2024, at 11:23 PM, Sidney Horn via NABS-L wrote: > > Hi! > Thank you so much for the replies. Yes. I have gotten in touch with the affiliate of Illinois. I'm also on the Iasb list. > Hi Dana! Nice to meet you! I love assistive tech. Maybe we could exchange emails? > Nice to meet you as well Shannon! So cool to get these replies from people. I love talking / meeting new people all over. Maybe one day I could come to one of the seminars. :-) > Sidney > > > Get Outlook for iOS > ________________________________ > From: NABS-L on behalf of Gene Kim via NABS-L > Sent: Sunday, December 29, 2024 9:35:26 PM > To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org > Cc: Gene Kim > Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Introduction > > Welcome and great to meet you Sidney! If you haven't gotten in touch with the Illinois affiliate yet, definitely get connected. We have a lovely group of folks throughout the state who I'm sure would love to get you plugged into the local community/resources. > > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Dec 29, 2024, at 4:40 PM, Kinnick Woolley via NABS-L wrote: >> >> I am so glad that you joined the Federation and that you’re a part of the list it kinnick >> Shanon Woolley >> Sent from my iPhone >> >> >>>> On Dec 29, 2024, at 5:57 PM, dana mohsen via NABS-L wrote: >>> >>> Hello Sidney, >>> Thanks for the intro. My name is Dana, and I'm also 19. I'm studying >>> computer science and music in Washington, and I've complicated 2 semesters. >>> Feel free to reach out anytime with any questions regarding the college >>> accommodations process or anything else! >>> Wishing you the best, >>> Dana >>> >>>> On Mon, Dec 30, 2024 at 12:55 AM Sidney Horn via NABS-L >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>> Hello! >>>> My name is Sidney. I'mI'd like to major in social work, and I'm starting at SIUE (Southern Illinois University Edwardsville) in the fall of 2025. I was very back and forth for the longest time at where I wanted to go. It was between Illinois State and SIUE. I knew both universities are great, and I toured both of their access offices as well.19 years old and am taking my second year of >>>> college classes. I'm at the school for the blind, but am leaving in May of >>>> 2025. I have taken some Lincoln Land Community College classes to get me in >>>> the swing of things. >>>> I'd like to major in social work, and I'm starting at SIUE (Southern >>>> Illinois University Edwardsville) in the fall of 2025. I was very back and >>>> forth for the longest time at where I wanted to go. It was between Illinois >>>> State and SIUE. I knew both universities are great, and I toured both of >>>> their access offices as well. >>>> On top of that, back in September, I applied for a Seeing Eye registered >>>> dog and have had my juno walk and interview with one of their instructors. >>>> Now I'm just waiting to hear when or if I'll get accepted, which I hope I >>>> do. :-) >>>> I will go out in the summer of 2025. I will keep you all updated on how >>>> everything is going. >>>> So far I have taken Communications 101, English 101, Psychology 101, and >>>> Sociology 101. I am registered for three online classes in Spring semester >>>> and 1 in-person class. >>>> I am very happy to be a part of this community of Illinois blind students >>>> and to be able to share each others successes / concerns. That's what we're >>>> all here for. :-) >>>> Thanks for reading! >>>> Sidney >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> NABS-L mailing list >>>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org >>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org >>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for >>>> NABS-L: >>>> >>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/dana.mohsen.azim%40gmail.com >>>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> NABS-L mailing list >>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org >>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org >>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: >>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kinnickwoolley%40gmail.com >> >> _______________________________________________ >> NABS-L mailing list >> NABS-L at nfbnet.org >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/gene.sh.kim%40gmail.com > > _______________________________________________ > NABS-L mailing list > NABS-L at nfbnet.org > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/sidneyh05%40gmail.com > _______________________________________________ > NABS-L mailing list > NABS-L at nfbnet.org > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kinnickwoolley%40gmail.com From sandragayer7 at gmail.com Mon Dec 30 09:29:12 2024 From: sandragayer7 at gmail.com (Sandra Gayer) Date: Mon, 30 Dec 2024 09:29:12 +0000 Subject: [NABS-L] Introduction In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <60d8b738-8025-c786-5da0-ab266b50cd84@gmail.com> Hello Sidney, Welcome to the list. I hope you enjoy your time with us. Very best wishes, Sandra. On 29/12/2024 22:54, Sidney Horn via NABS-L wrote: > Hello! > My name is Sidney. I'm 19 years old and am taking my second year of college classes. I'm at the school for the blind, but am leaving in May of 2025. I have taken some Lincoln Land Community College classes to get me in the swing of things. > I'd like to major in social work, and I'm starting at SIUE (Southern Illinois University Edwardsville) in the fall of 2025. I was very back and forth for the longest time at where I wanted to go. It was between Illinois State and SIUE. I knew both universities are great, and I toured both of their access offices as well. > On top of that, back in September, I applied for a Seeing Eye registered dog and have had my juno walk and interview with one of their instructors. Now I'm just waiting to hear when or if I'll get accepted, which I hope I do. :-) > I will go out in the summer of 2025. I will keep you all updated on how everything is going. > So far I have taken Communications 101, English 101, Psychology 101, and Sociology 101. I am registered for three online classes in Spring semester and 1 in-person class. > I am very happy to be a part of this community of Illinois blind students and to be able to share each others successes / concerns. That's what we're all here for. :-) > Thanks for reading! > Sidney > > _______________________________________________ > NABS-L mailing list > NABS-L at nfbnet.org > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L: > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/sandragayer7%40gmail.com From oriolefan38 at gmail.com Tue Dec 31 16:00:00 2024 From: oriolefan38 at gmail.com (Zachary Ledford) Date: Tue, 31 Dec 2024 09:00:00 -0700 Subject: [NABS-L] FINAL DAY TO DONATE FOR THE NABS AUCTION! Message-ID: Happy Holidays NABS! The deadline to submit the form to donate for the NABS Annual Auction is *today* at 11:59 PM Eastern so act fast! As the year is coming to a close, it is almost time for the 2025 NABS Annual Auction which will be occurring during the Washington Seminar on February 3, 2025 and that is always a party! We are asking for all of you to seek donations from businesses, organizations, family, friends and others that you know, or are a part of to help transform student’s dreams into reality. With your support we can help change what it means to be blind. Near the bottom of this email you will find a link to our donation form. This form allows for donors to submit for monetary donations along with items for our 2025 Washington Seminar hybrid auction. Please, please make sure those donating are filling out our form by the deadline so that we can organize the Auction in a successful manner. We would greatly appreciate assistance in forming this auction; please see the attached Google form below regarding donating! Form: https://forms.gle/qgeqfvHPTS5VM66d7 If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Zachary Ledford at ledford.zachary38 at gmail.com. All the best, The NABS Auction Committee