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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><h1><a name=Start></a>NEWSWIRE<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h1>National Federation of the Blind of<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>North Dakota<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h1>Volume 1, No. 16<o:p></o:p></h1><h2 align=center style='text-align:center'><o:p> </o:p></h2><h2 align=center style='text-align:center'>Monthly Meeting of the NFB of North Dakota<o:p></o:p></h2><h2 style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;font-weight:normal'>Our next monthly meeting of the NFB of North Dakota will be on Saturday, February 10, 2018 from 2 PM to 4PM.<o:p></o:p></span></h2><h2><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;font-weight:normal'><o:p> </o:p></span></h2><h2><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;font-weight:normal'>Place:<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'>Happy Joe’s Pizza and Ice Cream<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'>2511 South University Drive<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'>Fargo, North Dakota<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We will have the usual agenda items at the beginning of the meeting and then it will be followed by a presentation by member Richard Early.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The conference line will open at 2 PM for those who cannot join us live at Happy Joe’s Pizza. To join the conference call (712) 832-8300 and enter the room ID 9381122#<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you would like something placed on the agenda, please contact President Milton by phone or e-mail.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hope to see you all!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><h2 align=center style='text-align:center'>Jernigan First Timers Memmorial Scholarship<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal>If you are thinking about attending the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind from Tuesday, July 3 to Sunday July 8, and want assistance to help cover expenses, you have until April 15 to submit your request. Your request needs to be accompanied by a recommendation note from the affiliate president.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>To qualify, you must have never been to the any national convention of the National Federation of the Blind; must register for the 2018 convention by May 31; have reservations secured at the headquarters hotel which is the Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando, Florida; make your own air and ground transportation; must attend the entire convention including the banquet on the last day of the convention; and be able to cover all of this cost up front.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Awardees will be notified by the Kenneth Jernigan Committee by letter by May 15 with details of how to receive your First Timers Assistance.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For more details about the Kenneth Jernigan First Timers Memmorial Scholarship please refer to the December 2017 issue of the Braille Monitor.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><h2>NFB of North Dakota Schwan Care®<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal>For the past year and a half we have enjoyed earning funds from the Schwan Food Home Delivery and the Schwan Care Program.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We need everyone to get onboard with helping to raise funds to build up the treasurer and the Schwan Care Program is one of the easiest way—you don’t have to sell any product that you get stuck with or have to pick-up and deliver or even handle any money. All one has to do is to set up a Schwan account either by phone or on the web, place your order and provide the campaign code, then wait for the Schwan Man to deliver what you have ordered right to your door.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here is what you need to do!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Call: 1-855-870-7208 and provide the campaign code 36091<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Or<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Web: <a href="https://preview.tinyurl.com/yb2l7f3c">https://preview.tinyurl.com/yb2l7f3c</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>So, talk to your friends, co-workers, neighbors, and relatives tosee if any of them would purchase regularly from Schwan Foods and help the National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you would like flyers to hand out to your contacts, to the above web address and download and print the flyer from our campaign page.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><h2 align=center style='text-align:center'>Nfb 2018 Scholarship Program<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal>The deadline is fast approaching to apply for the national NFB Scholarship! The deadline is March 31, 2018. For more information and to apply go to the following:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:.5in'><a href="https://nfb.org/scholarships">https://nfb.org/scholarships</a><o:p></o:p></p><h2 align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;font-weight:normal'><o:p> </o:p></span></h2><h2 style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;font-weight:normal'>News:<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class=xxxmsonormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Autos2050<sup>SM</sup> Award:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=xxxmsonormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>This Wednesday, I will be receiving one of the inaugural Autos2050<sup>SM</sup> awards being presented by the Auto Alliance and the Alliance for Transportation Innovation. The award is in recognition of the work of the National Federation of the Blind, and we will be among twelve state and national political leaders and automotive innovators who will be honored at a dinner and awards presentation in Washington, DC. The award recognizes our work to influence the direction of autonomous vehicle technology so that it will enhance the independence and mobility of blind people. More information can be found in </span><a href="https://nfb.org/nfb-president-receives-automotive-innovation-award"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>our press release</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Great Gathering-In on Facebook Live:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you cannot attend the Great Gathering-In at Washington Seminar next Monday, January 29, you can still be part of the action via Facebook Live. We will be streaming the Great Gathering-In on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NationalFederationoftheBlind/">the National Federation of the Blind Facebook page</a> beginning at 5:00 p.m. eastern, and I invite you to tune in.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=xxxmsonormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>The January Braille Monitor is now available:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=xxxmsonormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>I’d like to call to your attention an article I wrote for the January Braille Monitor, “</span><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm18/bm1801/bm180102.htm" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Ending Accreditation without Authenticity: A Call to Action for the Fourth Generation of the Federation.</span></a><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>”</span></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> I encourage our members to read the article and take action via email and social media to urge AER to end NAC. You can read the entire </span><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm18/bm1801/bm1801tc.htm" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Braille Monitor</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> online</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=xxxmsonormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=xxxmsonormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>New Nation’s Blind Podcast Bonus Series:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=xxxmsonormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>We’ve created a bonus series of the Nation’s Blind Podcast called “Government Affairs of the Blind (GAB) Session,” wherein members of our government affairs team break down some of our legislative priorities. The first three episodes are available now and cover three of our Washington Seminar issues: </span><a href="https://nfb.org/nations-blind/gab-session" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>H.R. 620</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>,<span style='color:#1F497D'> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/nations-blind/gab-session-2-ataa" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>ATAA</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>, and </span><a href="https://nfb.org/nations-blind/gab-session-3-%E2%80%93-aim-high" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>AIM High</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='line-height:106%;color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='color:black'>Presidential Release Transcripts:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='color:black'>Each month when the Presidential Release is recorded and posted to the NFB website, we also post </span><a href="https://nfb.org/presidential-releases">the links to the English and Spanish transcripts</a><span style='color:black'>. This is particularly useful for our deaf-blind members. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-left:.25in;text-align:center'><span style='color:black'>NFB Rideshare Monitoring Program<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='color:black'>We have completed phase One of the NFB Rideshare Monitoring program of Lyft and Uber and have met the minimum reporting requirements. We still have another 2 more years to go and phase two began on January 1, 2018. I want to thank Sherry Shirek for the hard work she has put into frequently taking Uber and reporting her ride experience with her guide dog Milly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='color:black'>If you use or know someone who uses a guide dog and uses Uber, we would appreciate it very much if they would complete a questionair on the web to help in this monitoring program.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='color:black'>This monitoring program was begun because of a settlement with Uber and Lyft because guide dog users were being denied rides with these ride sharing companies. Reporting will help to prevent discrimination against guide dog users. If you have questions, feel free to contact President Milton Ota at (701) 731-0511 or e-mail mota1252@gmail; Sherry Shirek (701) 781-3055, e-mail </span><a href="mailto:sherrybeth7@gmail.com">sherrybeth7@gmail.com</a><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;border:none;padding:0in'><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal>If you have questions about this newsletter, please contact the editor Milton Ota at (701) 731-0511 or e-mail <a href="mailto:mota1252@gmail.com">mota1252@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please feel free to distribute/share this newsletter with anyone you thing might think might be interested in reading it. Please share the entire content.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I hope you enjoyed reading this newsletter.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Milton Ota, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Web: http://nfbnd.org/<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>909 8th St., S.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fargo, ND 58103-2723<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cell: (701) 731-0511<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>E-mail: mota1252@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'>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<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>OF BLIND PEOPLE, BECAUSE LOW EXPECTATIONS CREATE OBSTACLES BETWEEN BLIND PEOPLE AND OUR DREAMS. YOU CAN LIVE THE LIFE YOU WANT; BLINDNESS IS NOT WHAT HOLDS<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>YOU BACK. THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND IS NOT AN ORGANIZATION SPEAKING FOR THE BLIND--IT IS THE BLIND SPEAKING FOR OURSELVES.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>With Love, Hope and Determination, We Turn Dreams Into Reality.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Together We Change What It Means to Be Blind.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>