[Nebraska-senior-blind] NFBN Senior Division - other affiliate divisions

Sat Nov 23 15:29:51 UTC 2013

Hi you all

Thought I would share with you a small project that I am doing to get a
handle on who else within the NFB are moving on senior issues and what they
are doing (so we do  not have to reinvent the wheel).

#1 As you know, I invited Ruth Sager to our December call. She will be one
super good resource for learning of what is going on.

#2 I sent out a message to all affiliate presidents asking if their states
had a Senior Division and who is the contact person. Thus far I know that
these affiliates do: Louisiana, New Mexico, New Jersey. And these do not-
Kentucky, Rhode Island. (I may also do a website search; usually the NFB
affiliate that has one, will have a webpage for them.) I have created a
spreadsheet with some of the info I am receiving. I also have a Word
document of the responses. 

#3 Here is a short article from the New Mexico affiliate quarterly
newsletter (which I also seek out these affiliate newsletters and place them
on the editors listserv for other editors to read; part of what I do as the
Chair of the NFB Communications Committee.)

NEW MEXICO SENIORS AT NFB CONVENTION

By Pat Munson

The NFB Seniors Division (NFBSD) hosted a special seminar this year at the
NFB national convention, which was separate from the regular meeting. At the
seminar, a number of us suggested how valuable the free conference phone
line is: we can connect with NFB senior division members throughout the
country. We had a sign-up list for those interested.

We were informed that New Jersey hosted a possibilities fair as part of
their state convention. Ruth Segar, NFBSD President, was the keynote
speaker. The fair ran about three hours in the morning of the first day of
the convention. All agreed that having the fair in the morning is the best
time. One of the topics at the fair was a discussion about not letting
family and friends buy techie items for the blind senior. Usually, these
items just sit in a drawer because the senior never learns how to use them. 

We also heard from Hadley School for the Blind, which has many courses for
at-home study for seniors. A senior can work at their own pace and can
complete the lessons without assistance.

We learned that BISM in Baltimore has a couple of videos describing how
seniors manage aspects of their blindness. There seem to be similar videos
available from other states; these can be very helpful for the newly blind
senior and their family, and the videos are available without charge.

It was suggested that blind seniors might want to take on a project for Meet
the Blind Month. One idea involved taking NFB literature to eye doctors'
offices, to other doctors' offices and hospitals so more folks learn where
to turn when someone goes blind.

All agreed that the special seminar was very helpful, and we would like to
have another seminar at next year's NFB convention. The format was informal,
so many of us had a chance for input.

Two days later, NFBSD had its usual meeting which commenced with our
auction. This year we had everything from Art's fantastic wines to handmade
blankets, fudge and brownies. There were too many items to name, but we did
raise a pile of money with this fundraiser.

We started the meeting with a discussion about self defense for seniors and
not carrying stealable items such as purses. 

All methods of reading medicine bottles were discussed. Script Talk seems
very popular; there are pharmacies that will mail meds to blind persons, but
for emergency meds this does not work. Items like the Pen Friend, a device
with which one can record and then play back the data, is a suggested
substitute.

Art Schreiber was a panel member discussing older persons and exercise. He
said at 85 he did a half marathon, and he daily uses exercise equipment at a
gym. Other panel members also enjoy going to public gyms; they exercise and
have made many new friends and enjoy chatting with others.

As you can see, NFB seniors are on the move and are most definitely changing
what it means to be blind. We do our best to meet and teach others losing
vision later in life.  

Robert Leslie Newman

Personal Website-

Adjustment To Blindness And Visual impairment

http//www.thoughtprovoker.info

NFB Writers' Division, president

http://writers.nfb.org 

Chair of the NFB Communications Committee   

Nebraska Senior Division, Vice President

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