[Nebraska-senior-blind] The 2015 Fall - The Sounding Board - by New Jersey Affiliate

[Robert Leslie Newman]

Dear Nebraska Seniors

 

I like reading other affiliate’s newsletters. Here is the most recent from
New Jersey:

 

FALL 2015

 

 

The Sounding Board

 

 

The Publication of the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey 

 

 


 

 

 

In This Issue

 

 


 

 

 

Mana Hashimoto

 

Dance without Sight

 

 

Lou Ann Blake

 

Exercising Your Right to Vote 

 

Privately & Independently

 

 

Jeremy Capati

 

Braille Literacy through Technology

 

 

Susan Vanino

 

CBVI’s New ASPIRE Program

 

 

Mary Jo Partyka

 

BELL Program

 

 

 

Live the Life You Want

 

 

 

THE SOUNDING BOARD

 

Fall 2015

 

 

Katherine Gabry, Editor

 

Jerilyn Higgins & Mary Jo Partyka, Co-editors

 

 

Published by e-mail and on the Web through Newsline and AudioVision by

 

The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey

 

www.nfbnj.org <http://www.nfbnj.org> 

 

 

Joseph Ruffalo, President

 

State Affiliate Office   254 Spruce Street   Bloomfield, NJ 07003

 

e-mail: nfbnj1 at verizon.net <mailto:nfbnj1 at verizon.net> 

 

 

Letters to the President, address changes, subscription requests, letters to
the Editor and articles should be sent to the State Affiliate Office or
e-mailed to choirnfb at gmail.com <mailto:choirnfb at gmail.com> . The editorial
staff reserves the right to edit all articles for space and/or clarity
considerations. 

 

 

Please Note: The deadline for the Spring issue is March 15, 2016.

 

 

Donations should be made payable to the 

 

National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey 

 

and sent to the State Affiliate Office.

 

 

To subscribe via Newsline, contact Christian Riehl: criehl at njstatelib.org
<mailto:criehl at njstatelib.org>  or 800-792-8322.

 

 

JACOBUS TENBROEK LEGACY SOCIETY Help build a future full of opportunity for
the blind by becoming a member of the Jacobus tenBroek Legacy Society. Your
legacy gift to the National Federation of the Blind can be made in the form
of a will or a living trust, an income-generating gift, or by naming the NFB
as a beneficiary of a retirement plan or life insurance policy. You can also
become a member of the Jacobus tenBroek Legacy Society by making a legacy
gift to your state affiliate. By committing to support an NFB affiliate,
your gift will benefit both local and national programs, since all bequests
made to affiliates are split evenly with the NFB national treasury. In
addition to having the satisfaction of contributing to the future success of
the NFB's mission, tenBroek Legacy Society members also receive a specially
designed thank you gift and other benefits. For additional information,
please contact Lou Ann Blake at the NFB Jernigan Institute by e-mail at
lblake at nfb.org <mailto:lblake at nfb.org> , or by telephone at 410-659-9314,
extension 2221.

 

Mission StatementThe National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey, Inc. is
an organization  of blind and interested sighted people who plan and carry
out programs; work to improve the quality of life of the blind; provide a
means of collective action for parents of blind children; promote the
vocational, cultural and social advancement of the blind; achieve the
integration of the blind into society on a basis of equality with the
sighted; and take action that will improve the overall condition and
standard of living of the blind.

 

 

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds us back.

 

 

 

The National Federation of the Blind Pledge

 

I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation
of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity and security for the blind; to
support the programs and policies of the Federation; and to abide by its
constitution.

 

 

 

The Sounding Board

 

The Sounding Board is the magazine of the National Federation of the Blind
of New Jersey. We publish The Sounding Board twice a year. Our hope is that
through The Sounding Board, our members can keep current with local, state
and national news and issues of concern. We also aspire to provide a source
of hope, inspiration, pride and camaraderie through the personal stories in
our publication. 

 

Hundreds of readers receive our publication via e-mail and Newsline. We’re
pleased that the New Jersey Talking Book and Braille Center airs excerpts
from The Sounding Board on AudioVision.  The Sounding Board is also
available for download in its entirety from our website at www.nfbnj.org
<http://www.nfbnj.org> . We encourage our readers to share The Sounding
Board with family members, teachers, professionals, neighbors, friends and
any other interested parties.  We estimate our circulation to be in the
thousands, as readers from across the country regularly report that The
Sounding Board influences their lives. We hope you enjoy this issue. 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

After the Holidays Party Invitation
1

 

Presidential Message, by Joe Ruffalo
2

 

Pamela Gaston to Receive the Agnes Allen Award, by Carol Castellano
3

 

NFBNJ Member Recognition
4

 

1Touch Self Defense Classes in New Jersey & at State Convention, by Trisha
Ebel                                                           5

 

Dance without Sight: Creating New Steps of Freedom, by Mana Hashimoto
6

 

NFBNJ Scholarship Winners, by Mary Jo Partyka
8

 

NJAGDU Tupperware Fundraiser, by Trisha Ebel
10

 

Legislative Update, by Lynn Reynolds
10

 

Vendor List for 2015 State Convention
10

 

Meet Our State Board Members, by Linda DeBerardinis
11

 

White Cane Safety Day: A Symbol of Independence – October 15, by Marc Maurer
12

 

TBBC Celebrates Blindness Awareness Month 2015, by Mary Jo Partyka
13

 

Exercising Your Right to Vote Privately & Independently, by Lou Ann Blake
14

 

ASPIRE Program, by Susan Vanino
16

 

Braille Literacy through Technology, by Jeremy Capati
17

 

Hidden, A Poem by Sue Tillet
18

 

BELL Rings in New Jersey, by Mary Jo Partyka
19

 

Families Connect as BELL Continues to Chime, by Mary Jo Partyka
20

 

Huge & Heart-Felt Thanks to Our BELL Program Volunteers, by Mary jo Partyka
21

 

BELL Program Benefits by Receiving Free Books from Seedlings, by Deborah
Bond                                                       22

 

Parents Sometimes Have to Get Creative, Adapt & Change, by Suzanne Woolbert
23

 

Tips for Applying Makeup, by Angela Perone
25

 

Update on the Vehicle Donation & GreenDrop Programs, by Mary Jo Partyka
26

 

GreenDrop Creates Blog to Promote the Program
27

 

Tech Tips
29

 

Did You Know
30

 

>From the Kitchen of the Northeast Chapter
30

 

1TOUCH™ Workshop Flyer
31

 

NFBNJ Contact Info
32

 

 

 

You are cordially invited to the

 

National Federation of the Blind of NJ’s 7th Annual

 

 

After the Holidays Party

 

 

Saturday, January 9, 2016

 

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

 

Knights of Columbus Hall

 

94 Bridge Street, Belleville, NJ

 

Access Link accessible

 

 

$22 per adult; $12 for children 6- 12 years; free for children 6 & younger 

 

 

Please include a separate sheet with attendees’ names & phone numbers.

 

All payment must be received no later than December 31, 2015.

 

Make check payable to NFBNJ and mail to:

 

 

Joe Ruffalo, President

 

NFBNJ

 

254 Spruce Street

 

Bloomfield NJ 07003

 

For additional information call Joe at 973-743-0075.

 

 

We’ll have door prizes, a sing–along & a special appearance by jolly old
Santa!

 

 

Special note: If you would like an attendee to receive a gift from Santa,
please bring a wrapped gift labeled with the name of the recipient.

 

 

MISTLETOE MAGIC MENU

 

 

Holiday Tossed Garden Salad with Vinaigrette Dressing

 

Chicken Savoy, Eggplant Rollatini, Meatballs, Pasta with Vodka Sauce

 

Assorted Cold Cuts and Potato Salad

 

Chicken Fingers

 

Rolls and Butter

 

Homemade Holiday Desserts

 

Coffee, Tea and Assorted Soft Drinks

 

Cash bar will be available.

 

 

Please join us in celebrating the holiday season! 

 

We look forward to seeing all of our members, family and friends!

 

 

 

PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE

 

 

Greetings Fellow Federationists! 

 

During the summer, Judy and I spent much time at President’s Beach in Long
Branch enjoying the Jersey shore, the sand, the sounds of the ocean, music,
friends and good food, especially those super, red Jersey tomatoes grown in
my garden! Now, with the fall season upon us, my tan is fading, and I’m
reflecting on the year so far. Our eight chapters, nine divisions and
numerous programs, projects and committees continue to grow, provide the
truth about blindness, and support each other and the newly blind in
learning the skills, techniques and positive attitude to live the life you
want. This magazine, too, is a testament to our organization, and we thank
all who submitted articles. Of course, there’s always more to do, and your
involvement makes a difference. I hope you’ll consider joining us at a
chapter or division meeting, and at this year’s State Convention, to learn
more about our programs and projects, and how you can support our goal of
changing what it means to be blind. Our 39th State Convention – “Live the
Life You Want” – is set for November 5 – 8 at the Holiday Inn in Manahawkin.
The activities, presentations, demonstrations, networking opportunities and
exhibitors will educate, motivate and inspire all in attendance. This year,
the convention was extended to a fourth day, which will feature a
blind/diabetes workshop in partnership with Meridian Health Center and NJ
CBVI, and a demonstration of the KNFB reader on IOS devices. For room
reservations, call the hotel at 609-481-6100; use the code NFB. A
pre-registration form and additional information can be found at
www.nfbnj.org <http://www.nfbnj.org>   With a heavy heart, I’ve accepted a
resignation from Lynn Reynolds, who will soon be leaving New Jersey. Since
1999, Lynn has been active in the NFB family on the national, state and
local levels. She’s currently our Legislative coordinator, Adopt Adaptive
Equipment co-chair, Central Jersey Chapter vice president and State
Affiliate board member. Her intelligence, thoughtfulness and hard work have
made an incredible difference.  Lynn wrote, “I am so very thankful for all
the opportunities that this affiliate has offered me. I will always have a
multitude of memories and appreciation for all the members of the NFBNJ
family.” Lynn, thanks for your years of friendship, effort and positive
attitude. While we will miss you, we offer congratulations on a new page in
your life.In this issue of The Sounding Board, our message is clear: keep
moving forward, and always with the spirit of the Federation in mind. Every
one of us can make a difference. I hope you enjoy this issue, and please
pass it on to others – family, neighbors, teachers, whoever you can think
of. Spreading our message of positive attitudes is what we continue to do
best. 

 

With best wishes, 

 

Joe Ruffalo, President

 

 

 

PAMELA GASTON TO RECEIVE THE AGNES ALLEN DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDBy Carol
Castellano Pamela Gaston began her career in service to blind and
vision-impaired New Jerseyans over 40 years ago. When she was hired, she was
told not to think of herself as “just a state worker,” but to understand
that the work of the New Jersey Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired
was about people’s lives. For the past four decades she has dedicated
herself to this principle and continues to live up to it.  She has had many
career achievements, including organizing major Commission events, writing
and designing publications, and initiating activities that have become CBVI
traditions, but, when asked, Pam replied, “My greatest achievement is a list
of names – the people I have had the honor and privilege to assist in some
way.”The NFBNJ is pleased to acknowledge the outstanding contributions Pam
Gaston has made by announcing her as the second recipient of the Agnes Allen
Distinguished Service Award.  We hope you will be with us at the NFB State
Convention this year where we will hear more about Pam’s career at CBVI and
bestow the award on this most deserving individual.The Agnes Allen
Distinguished Service Award is presented to individuals who are not members
of our organization, and who have made substantial contributions to
improving the quality of life for the blind of New Jersey. This recognition
represents the highest honor that can be given by our affiliate to a
non-member, and the recipients of this award will be individuals we can
regard as true friends of the blind—supportive of our progressive philosophy
about blindness, instrumental in championing programs that will benefit the
blind community, and dedicated to initiatives that will generate hope and
promise in innumerable ways. Congratulations, Pamela Gaston!With this award,
the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey honors the life’s work of
Agnes Allen. Agnes was born on the 18th of January 1924, the sixth and last
child born to Mary and Louis Stone.  A serious fall from a porch swing when
she was five years old left Agnes blind. She attended the Pittsburgh School
for the Blind where she developed a lifelong love of learning and education,
and developed her independence, confidence, capabilities and optimism. Agnes
became the first blind graduate of Mount Mercy College, graduating summa cum
laude. She took the formation provided by the Mercy Sisters to heart and
strived to live a life of service.The only member of her family to graduate
high school and college, Agnes held positions as a social worker,
proofreader and salesperson. She later earned a master’s degree in English
and embarked upon a teaching career. Agnes instructed blind and deaf-blind
students, young children, and adults in Braille, English, math, music and
life skills, and encouraged them to accept their disability and tackle any
obstacle that stood in the way of achieving independence. Her dedication to
the advancement of blind persons is evident in the fact that she was still
tutoring blind students after her 90th birthday. A long-standing and active
member of the National Federation of the Blind, Agnes has served as an
officer of both the New Jersey and Connecticut affiliates, helped to found
chapters, and participated in state and national conventions.  She
participated in many Braille literacy campaigns and for years volunteered in
the NFBNJ's BRAILLE mentoring program.  Her book, A Life Without Sight, was
written to encourage blind persons and their families to make the most out
of the life they were given.  Agnes’s message to all is “It is better to
light a candle than to curse the darkness.”Agnes Allen is the mother of
three daughters and the grandmother of nine grandchildren.  Her example of
generosity, love of neighbor, and joyful, positive attitude has been a great
blessing to her family, friends, and colleagues. She is deeply respected and
dearly loved. 

 

 

NFBNJ MEMBER RECOGNITION

 

Mary Jo and Stan Partyka became grandparents to Emaline this summer, and
their son Keith recently returned from a 27-month stint in Rwanda At the
2106 National Convention in Orlando:Carol Castellano, named national
director of programs, NOPBCBill Cucco, elected board member of the NOPBCJane
Degenshein, elected board member of the National Association of Senior Blind
Alice Eaddy, elected president of the NFB’s National Deaf-Blind
DivisionPatricia Ebel, certified as 1 Touch instructorNicky Gacos, elected
President of the National Organization of Blind MerchantsJerilyn Higgins,
certified as 1 Touch instructorHolly Miller, elected second vice president
of NOPBCLynn Reynolds, elected board member of the National Organization of
Blind MerchantsJoe Ruffalo, received The Twig is Bent award for his
continued support of the NOPBC

 

GET READY FOR THE NFBNJ STATE CONVENTION! 

 

 

Editor’s Note: The articles on pages 5 – 10 preview events and activities
set for the State Convention – “Live the Life You Want” – Nov. 5 – 8, 2015
in Manahawkin. A detailed schedule and registration information are
available at www.nfbnj.org <http://www.nfbnj.org> 

 

 

1TOUCH SELF DEFENSE OFFERS CLASSES IN NEW JERSEY & AT STATE CONVENTION

 

By Trisha Ebel

 

 

Editor’s Note: Trisha Ebel is an active member of the NFBNJ and president of
the New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users. She is a certified 1Touch
coach and also serves on the 1Touch Board of Directors as secretary. To sign
up for the 1Touch workshop at the State Convention, please see the flyer on
page 31. For more information on 1Touch, contact Trisha at 201-456-0091 or
patriciaebel0302 at comcast.net <mailto:patriciaebel0302 at comcast.net> .

 

 

I was introduced to the 1Touch Project at the 2014 NFB National Convention
in Orlando. As I read through the agenda, in the sports and recreation
section, I saw something named 1Touch Project that seemed intriguing. I
decided to take the 2-hour self-defense workshop, and after that, I knew I
wanted to pursue it further.

 

I worked with Miranda Brown, the executive administrative assistant of
1Touch, to set up a coaching certification course in New Jersey. I’m pleased
to report that this past March, New Jersey had its first coaching
certification class! Seven people took the course: five from New Jersey, one
from Vermont and one from Ohio. The class was 2 ½ days, and I must admit
that it was very exhausting, both mentally and physically.  After I finished
the course, for the next few days I didn’t want to think about it or
practice at all, but on the 3rd day, I was ready to rock and roll!

 

The 1Touch Project is the first comprehensive, hands-on, self-defense
project designed for people with vision loss taught by people with vision
loss.  The beauty of the project is that it can be adapted for any
disability, including blindness, deafness, deaf-blindness or multiple
disabilities. The project is for children, seniors, veterans and
professionals in the blindness field. Not only does one learn how to protect
themselves, there are other benefits as well: increased independence,
self-confidence, spatial orientation, mobility and dexterity, tactile
sensitivity, social interaction, communication skills, building enthusiasm
and feelings of self-worth, and greater health, both physically and
psychologically.  

 

Jerilyn Higgins and I are both 1Touch certified coaches, and together we’ve
instructed more than 100 students between the ages of 14 – 92.  If you’re
interested in learning more about the project, or if you’re interested in
taking a workshop, please don't hesitate to contact me. We also do private
lessons as well!  

 

Dance without Sight: Creating New Steps of Freedom

 

By Mana Hashimoto

 

 

Editor's note: Mana Hashimoto is a choreographer, contemporary dancer, dance
instructor and the founder of Dance without Sight workshop. The New York
Times has called Mana the “serene, imposing center of the storm,” and in
2010, she received the Asian American Arts Alliance Award. Mana has toured,
performed and taught dance workshops in North America, Europe and Asia. She
is passionate about improving access to dance performance and dance
education for blind and low vision individuals.  Mana sings in her church
choir every Sunday, and she lives with her 11-year-old daughter in New York.
To learn more about Mana's performance and workshop, visit her website
www.manahashimoto.com <http://www.manahashimoto.com>  or e-mail her at
manahdance at gmail.com <mailto:manahdance at gmail.com> . Mana’s workshop at the
State Convention will be held Friday afternoon, November 6. 

 

 

Do you remember what kind of child you were when you were little? I was a
dreamy child, and I always loved to look at the sky.  During the day, I
loved to ride my bike and look at the white clouds floating in the sunny,
light blue sky. At night, I would look at the silver moon hanging in the
tranquil dark blue heaven.

 

I grew up in Tokyo and started classic ballet training at 4 years old.  When
I was a teenager, one day, I suddenly lost my vision - half of my sight was
gone. The condition was called optic nerve atrophy, which has no cure.

 

The difficulties extended beyond the physical challenges.  As a low vision
individual in Japan, I faced stigma from both my community and some family
members.  At times the stigma was obvious, other times it was subtle, but
all the time I felt helpless. I felt lost. 

 

I needed to take a different step, and so I came to the United States to
pursue my artistic dream. I studied at the New England Conservatory and
Berklee College in Boston and dance schools in New York. While studying at
Martha Graham School in New York City, I began to lose more vision. For the
next few months, I lived in fear as I lost the rest of my sight. Finally, 6
months later, I was completely blind. When that happened, I felt relieved. I
thought to myself: Now I have nothing more to lose. What do I still have to
fear?  

 

If there is one place where any dream is possible, that place is America.
Even after losing my sight, wherever I went in New York, even when I went
grocery shopping, I would secretly carry my dance shoes with me in my
backpack, hoping somehow I would find a chance to dance again.  I never
doubted that I could dance: I have my legs, my head, my arms, I have my body
- I simply lost my sight. Most of all, I still have my passion and my dream.


 

Soon, my opportunity arrived. A friend took me to a ballet class at Broadway
Dance Center.  In class, I learned the movements through touching her body
to follow the instructions.  Three months later, I performed on the stage.
I was pursuing my dream again!  For the next 14 years, this dream would take
me to stages across North America, Europe and Asia.

 

Dance has been my freedom.  I especially enjoy dancing solo because when I
dance, I am in the moment of complete latitude.  Unlike in daily life where
I face barriers, on stage I don't have to depend on anyone's help.  I can
decide where to go, when to move. I can be totally independent in the
limelight. 

 

And I want to share this amazing feeling of freedom with everyone.  That is
why I founded Dance without Sight workshop.  In my workshop, I share with
participants my own experience of how I re-learned dance after vision loss.
Since our bodies are an important part of dance, participants learn the
movements by touching my body as I simultaneously provide verbal description
of each move.  They also feel various costumes, repertoire and dance shoes,
and they feel with their feet the tapes on the stage that serve as
landmarks.  

 

Without sight, dance doesn't become darkness; it becomes a rich,
multisensory experience.  Dance is often believed, or misbelieved, to be a
strongly visually oriented art form.  In fact, dance can be experienced
through touch, a sense natural to many blind individuals.  Through touch,
participants can feel my mind, feel my energy, and feel my feelings and
emotions as we dance.  Through each touch, through our fingers, we all share
the beauty and power of dance with our hearts.

 

And as we dance, we learn that life is about forming your own style and
creating your own steps.  Dancing with my white cane is part of my style.
My cane is my life partner that gives me independence.  It is also a part of
my body. It is like my extended fingers. Being blind helps me see dance in a
new light. I used to observe my every dance move in the mirror like an
outsider.  But now I can focus on expressing my dance from within.  As my
perspective changed, so has my view on beauty and dance. Instead of
following strictly the style one is taught, each of us can create our own
dance, both on stage and in life.

 

Now I realize why I was so mesmerized by the sky when I was little! Looking
at the endless spreading sky gave me a sense of freedom. The sky exists for
every human being in this world, whether you are happy or sad, black or
white, Asian or Hispanic, blind or sighted, a man or a woman.  The sky
reflects our collective dreams.  And through dance, I found my sky. I found
my freedom.  I could not have reached this point without my blindness or my
challenges.  Today, even though I cannot see the sky, I can still feel its
enormity, the enormity of freedom and the dream that awaits us.  And that is
why I will continue to keep working to make dance accessible for everybody,
every human being, just like the sky exists for all of us.

 

 

 

NFBNJ SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

 

By Mary Jo Partyka

 

 

The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey’s Scholarship Committee
is pleased to recognize Ida Behreini, Daniel Frye, Phil So and Danielle
Sykora as this year’s scholarship winners. Ida, Daniel, Phil and Danielle
will attend the State Convention in November and will receive their
scholarships at the banquet on November 7.  Based on their past histories,
it is anticipated that all of these students will achieve great things
throughout their educational and vocational journeys.  Congratulations to
all! Ida Behreini, from Bayonne, is a freshman at Drew University and plans
to major in English with a specialization in journalism.  Ida graduated from
a high-tech high school where she excelled and earned a 3.8 grade point
average. Ida was an involved student, and she exhibited leadership qualities
when she established several fund raisers and a book club. Ida is a Braille
reader and uses JAWS. She acquired a guide dog this summer.  She believes
she must clear some obstacles to succeed in college, but she is excited
about getting involved in residential life and student-run organizations.
She believes that by being an outgoing person, she can educate her peers
about the capabilities of blind/visually impaired people.   Daniel Frye, of
Newark, received an NFB National Scholarship in 1990 which enabled him to
graduate from Erskine College in Due West, SC with a bachelor’s degree in
history and a minor in government. In 1993, he earned a juris doctor degree
from the University of Washington Law School. Now, Dan plans to earn a
master’s degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling by taking online
courses at the University of San Diego. In the future, he may seek to earn a
doctorate in either educational leadership or vocational education, but for
now, his educational goal is to earn specific credentials to show respect
for the body of knowledge inherent in the profession of vocational
rehabilitation and as a means of modeling to his staff the importance of
obtaining a quality background in this unique field. Dan’s leadership
qualities are evident in his position as executive director of the New
Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NJCBVI), which he has
held since 2013.  In this position, Dan has reached out to stakeholders to
take part in the design and planning for the agency, and supported our BELL
program by assisting in securing a $5,000 grant from the NJCBVI Board of
Trustees for supplies and equipment. According to Dan, “I use a variety of
blindness skills to manage my daily life, such as cane travel, Braille and a
variety of computer-assisted technology. The most important issue facing the
blind community today remains broad public misunderstanding about the
capacity and capability of our community to function normally in all aspects
of daily life. Blindness impacts us in employment opportunities, social and
political participation, information access, and a variety of
discrimination, occasionally blatant and, more often, unconscious.” Danielle
Sykora, is a freshman majoring in environmental science at Delaware Valley
Community College in Doylestown, PA. Danielle is a graduate of Warren Hills
High School where she earned a grade point average of 3.79 and was a member
of the track and field team, the choir, the National Honor Society and the
Future Farmers Club, of which she was elected secretary. She has also been
active in the 4H club and volunteered at her local animal shelter where she
walked dogs, cleaned cages, socialized the dogs with one another and
assisted her coworkers. During high school, Danielle participated in the
LEAD (Leadership, Education, Advocacy and Determination) program where she
demonstrated excellent blindness skills.  She is a Braille reader and a
white cane user, and she obtained a guide dog last summer. Danielle says her
goal is to continue to provide a positive attitude, and to demonstrate
proper skills and techniques in order to teach the sighted public that
blindness is not the characteristic that defines her future.   Phil So, from
Fort Lee, received an NFB National Scholarship at the 2002 Kentucky National
Convention in Kentucky and has not stopped believing and teaching the
Federation philosophy of raising peoples’ expectations to live the lives
they want ever since.  Phil is pursuing a master’s degree in education and
computing at Columbia Teachers College, where he maintains a 4.0 grade point
average.  His educational goal concerns the intersection of technology,
disability and policy in teaching computer skills to blind students.  With
his background in a variety of software applications, website creation and
technology accessibility in education and work settings, Phil plans to
become a social entrepreneur and bring innovative solutions to solve
challenges facing blind people with differing abilities.  Phil also believes
in giving back to his community.  Since 2011, he has served as a board
member at City University of New York Baruch College’s computer and job
placement center for the blind and visually impaired.  In 2012, Phil served
as the moderator at the center’s conference concerning employment,
technology and the visually impaired.  He also set up a workshop for the
center’s board of directors to spend a day with Google engineers at their
New York office.  In 2012, Phil became a member of the Access Advisory Board
at the Lower East Side Museum where this organization’s goal is to make
tours and exhibits more accessible to visitors with disabilities. In
summary, Phil wants to expand economic and educational opportunities to
people with different disabilities. 

 

 

NJAGDU Tupperware Fundraiser

 

By Trisha Ebel

 

 

The New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users is sponsoring a Tupperware
fundraiser through November 10, with 40% of the sales going to the Division.
Our Tupperware representative, Christina Brino, will have samples available
at the State Convention.  For a print catalog, or if you have any questions,
please contact me at 201-456-0091 or Patriciaebel0302 at comcast.net
<mailto:Patriciaebel0302 at comcast.net> . Here’s the Tupperware link:
http://www.tupperware.com/b/10106844011?fundraiser=55f32979d8687b303cb84d8d
<http://www.tupperware.com/b/10106844011?fundraiser=55f32979d8687b303cb84d8d
&field_subjectbin=&field_price=&field_color_map=&searchRank=-product_site_la
unch_date&searchSize=12&searchPage=1&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2C
color_map>
&field_subjectbin=&field_price=&field_color_map=&searchRank=-product_site_la
unch_date&searchSize=12&searchPage=1&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2C
color_map. Thanks for your support!

 

 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

 

By Lynn Reynolds

 

 

We’re currently following two legislative issues. First, the TIME Act has a
bill in the Senate, recently introduced as S2001; in the House, it’s HR188.
This Act is requesting all certificate workshops that pay sub minimum wages
to disabled workers to phase out this practice within a 3-year period.  As
of this writing, none of the New Jersey House members or our two senators
have signed on as co-sponsors.  We need to reach out to our representatives
to encourage them to do so. The other issue is the SMART Act, which will
make it mandatory for institutions of higher learning to make all digital
textbooks accessible for all blind and print disabled students. 

 

We need to get involved by making phone calls, sending e-mails and setting
up meetings with our representatives to advocate for the things that we need
as blind people to have equal opportunities so we can “live the lives we
want.” 

 

 

VENDOR LIST FOR 2015 STATE CONVENTION

 

The vendors confirmed at press time are: NFBNJ           NJCBVI3DPhotoWorks
New Jersey State Library/TBBCC TECH          SafeGuard MarketingE.A.S.Y.,
LLC               SW Unlimited LLCEducational Testing Service (ETS)
The Brailler DepotEye Assist LLC             The Family Resource
NetworkHeightened Independence & Progress            The Seeing EyeMackey
Enterprises LLC

 

A SOUNDING BOARD ONGOING SERIES

 

MEET OUR STATE BOARD MEMBERS

 

By Linda DeBerardinis

 

 

Editor’s Note: This series continues, leading up to the 40th anniversary of
the NFBNJ in 2016. 

 

 

My name is Linda Jo Mazzarella DeBerardinis. I was born and raised in
Philadelphia, and moved to the Garden State about 25 years ago, where I call
Delran home. I feel blessed to have two fantastic daughters, three wonderful
granddaughters and two adorable great-grandchildren.

 

My children made very good subjects for my passion:  photography. Prior to
becoming blind, I took photos of everything – from statues to animals, from
people to scenery. I often framed my favorite prints, or decoupaged them to
wood.

 

My other interests include wild life and traveling. My two favorite vacation
spots are Colorado and Sanibel Island, Florida. When my girls and I visited
Colorado in 1982, I was awed by the beauty of the majestic Rocky Mountains.
Sanibel Island is just off the West Coast of Florida. I have visited this
island with and without my sight, and every year find it more enchanting. I
love waking up and hearing unusual birds singing! It is a wildlife-protected
island, where the beauty makes relaxing easy.  

 

I was employed at Amtrak for many years, and I met my wonderful husband
there. He passed away close to three years ago, but those who knew him knew
he was the sweetest man around. Mario was always supportive of me and, in
turn, the NFB, as well.

 

I lost my eyesight overnight from a brain tumor operation, where my optic
nerve was damaged during the surgery. I was 39 years old. In 1993 I found
the NFB, and things haven’t been the same since! I went to my first meeting
as a timid woman, guided by my mother, but soon my natural “people person”
instincts took over. I love making people laugh and helping others, and I’ve
found a perfect fit with the NFBNJ. 

 

Today, I attend every New Jersey State Convention. In addition to serving on
the State Affiliate’s Board of Directors, I’m the treasurer of my chapter, a
member of the Scholarship Committee and a member of the Membership-Building
Committee, and I serve as the coordinator for the GreenDrop Program. My
dedication and love for this wonderful organization can never be measured.
I’m very grateful to those who have encouraged me along the way. It’s now my
turn to encourage others and give back what I have learned. I am a true
Federationist!

 

 

 

 

 

White Cane Safety Day: A Symbol of Independence – OCTOBER 15

 

By Marc Maurer

 

 

Editor’s Note: This article is reprinted with permission. In addition, the
Nebraska Center for the Blind has created a video training series called
“Pathways to Independence.” The link to their video on cane travel can be
found at   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV9XFzKo1aE
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV9XFzKo1aE&feature=em-subs_digest->
&feature=em-subs_digest-

 

 

In February of 1978 a young blind lady said, “I encounter people all of the
time who bless me, extol my independence, call me brave and courageous, and
thoroughly miss the boat as to what the real significance of the white cane
is.”

 

The National Federation of the Blind in convention assembled on the 6th day
of July, 1963, called upon the governors of the fifty states to proclaim
October 15 of each year as White Cane Safety Day in each of our 50 states.
On October 6, 1964, a joint resolution of the Congress, HR 753, was signed
into law authorizing the President of the United States to proclaim October
15 of each year as “White Cane Safety Day.” This resolution said: “Resolved
by the Senate and House of Representatives
 that the President is hereby
authorized to issue annually a proclamation designating October 15 as White
Cane Safety Day and calling upon the people of the United States to observe
such a day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”

 

Within hours of the passage of the congressional joint resolution
authorizing the President to proclaim October 15 as White Cane Safety Day,
then-President Lyndon B. Johnson recognized the importance of the white cane
as a staff of independence for blind people. In the first Presidential White
Cane Proclamation, President Johnson commended the blind for the growing
spirit of independence and the increased determination to be self-reliant
that the organized blind had shown. The Presidential proclamation said: The
white cane in our society has become one of the symbols of a blind person’s
ability to come and go on his own. Its use has promoted courtesy and special
consideration to the blind on our streets and highways. To make our people
more fully aware of the meaning of the white cane and of the need for
motorists to exercise special care for the blind persons who carry it,
Congress, by a joint resolution approved as of October 6, 1964, has
authorized the President to proclaim October 15 of each year as White Cane
Safety Day.

 

Now, therefore, I, Lyndon B. Johnson, President of the United States of
America do hereby proclaim October 15, 1964 as White Cane Safety Day.

 

With those stirring words President Johnson issued the first White Cane
Proclamation which was the culmination of a long and serious effort on the
part of the National Federation of the Blind to gain recognition for the
growing independence and self-sufficiency of blind people in America, and
also to gain recognition of the white cane as the symbol of that
independence and that self-reliance.

 

The first of the state laws regarding the right of blind people to travel
independently with the white cane was passed in 1930. In 1966, Dr. Jacobus
tenBroek, the founder of the NFB drafted the model White Cane Law. This
model act - which has become known as the Civil Rights Bill for the Blind,
the Disabled, and the Otherwise Physically Handicapped-contains a provision
designating October 15 as White Cane Safety Day. Today there is a variant of
the White Cane Law on the statute books of every state in the nation.

 

>From 1963 (and even before) when the NFB sought to have White Cane Safety
Day proclaimed as a recognition of the rights of blind persons, to 1978 when
a blind pedestrian met with misunderstanding regarding the true meaning of
the white cane, is but a short time in the life of a movement. In 1963, a
comparatively small number of blind people had achieved sufficient
independence to travel alone on the busy highways of our nation.

 

In 1978 that number has not simply increased but multiplied a hundredfold.
The process began in the beginning of the organized blind movement and
continues today. There was a time when it was unusual to see a blind person
on the street, to find a blind person working in an office, or to see a
blind person operating machinery in a factory. This is still all too
uncommon. But it happens more often and the symbol of this independence is
the white cane. The blind are able to go, to move, to be, and to compete
with all others in society. The means by which this is done is that simple
tool, the white cane. With the growing use of the white cane is an added
element–-the wish and the will to be free–-the unquenchable spirit and the
inextinguishable determination to be independent. With these, our lives are
changed, and the prospects for blind people become bright. That is what
White Cane Safety Day is all about. That is what we do in the National
Federation of the Blind.

 

 

TBBC Celebrates Blindness Awareness Month 2015

 

By Mary Jo Partyka

 

 

The NJ State Library Talking Book & Braille Center (TBBC) hosted its Fall
Festival Saturday, October 10, 2015 at the Grounds for Sculpture. TBBC
serves NJ residents who are visually impaired and people with reading
disabilities.  This year’s activities started with a 2-hour continental
breakfast with the vendors, followed by the opportunity to attend book club
group discussions, innovative hands-on workshops and walking tours of the
grounds. Approximately 200 people attended the festival. The weather was so
nice that I could feel the enthusiasm of those touring the Grounds for
Sculpture.  The docents provided explanations which pointed out the nature
of the different sculpture pieces in each group.  I hope you will consider
attending future Fall Festivals.

 

 

 

EXERCISING YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE PRIVATELY & INDEPENDENTLY

 

By Lou Ann Blake

 

 

Editor’s Note:  Lou Ann Blake from the National Center submitted the
following article on the Help America Vote Act and blind people being able
to exercise their right to vote.  A video on the subject is available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_yTfEO2Kz8.

 

 

As the 2016 election season approaches, it is extremely important that
voters who are blind or visually impaired know their rights and how to apply
them when barriers to the right to vote privately and independently are
encountered at the polling place. While sighted voters are able to take for
granted the right to vote privately and independently, it is not uncommon
for blind and visually impaired voters to encounter barriers to the exercise
of this right at the polling place. Poorly trained poll workers and the
absence of an accessible voting system may result in the blind voter having
to vote with assistance. However, when a blind or visually impaired voter
knows her rights and how to apply that knowledge, barriers encountered at
the polling place can frequently be removed.

 

 

Your Right to Vote Privately and Independently

 

Prior to the passage of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) in 2002, voters who
were blind or visually impaired had to rely on sighted assistance to mark
their ballot. HAVA has enabled voters with disabilities to fully exercise
the fundamental right to vote privately and independently by requiring that
every polling place have at least one accessible voting system for all
federal elections. In addition, many states have enacted legislation to
require at least one accessible voting system in each polling place for all
state and local elections.

 

 

What to Expect at Your Polling Place

 

If you are voting on Election Day, you will need to go to the polling place
for your election district or precinct. The location of your polling place
will be indicated on your voter registration card. You may also be able to
find your polling place location on the website of your local or state board
of elections. 

 

Once you have arrived at your polling place, you will need to check in with
poll workers by giving your name and requesting an accessible voting system.
Be aware that you may need to repeat your request to use an accessible
voting system. After your check-in process is complete, a poll worker will
show you where the accessible voting system is located and hand you the
headphones and control box. Once the audio ballot has started, the poll
worker should walk away so you can vote in private.

 

 

What to Do When Things go Wrong

 

Poll workers have many responsibilities on Election Day. In addition, the
training they receive on the accessible voting system is frequently
insufficient to equip them with the knowledge they need to set up and
operate the system, and to resolve any problems that may occur.
Consequently, it is not uncommon for blind and low vision voters to
encounter poll workers who do not know how to set up or operate the
accessible voting system.

 

If upon your arrival at the polling place for a federal election, poll
workers tell you that the accessible voting system is not available or not
working, or if the system malfunctions while you are voting, it is extremely
important that you politely, but firmly, insist on your right to vote
privately and independently. Request that an accessible system be brought to
the polling place, or that a technician be sent to the polling place to
repair the system. If poll workers offer to assist you in marking a paper
ballot, politely decline this offer, and firmly, but politely, repeat your
desire to vote privately and independently using an accessible system.

 

In many cases when a voter is patient and politely, but firm, insists on her
right to vote using an accessible system, poll workers are able to resolve
the problem. However, if poll workers have made every attempt to honor your
request, but are unable to provide an accessible voting system that operates
properly, you should still exercise your right to vote by voting with
assistance.

 

If you are unable to vote privately and independently on an accessible
voting system at your polling place during a federal election because there
is no accessible system available or the system is not operating, the most
important thing you can do is to file a HAVA complaint with your state or
local board of elections. While HAVA guarantees the right of blind and
visually impaired voters to vote privately and independently, it does not
provide them a means to enforce this right through private action when it is
violated. Therefore, filing a HAVA complaint is the most effective way blind
voters can be sure that problems are brought to the attention of election
officials and the U.S. Department of Justice, which has authority to enforce
HAVA. Because there is no private right of action under HAVA, it is
imperative that blind voters who are not able to vote privately and
independently at their polling place during a federal election file a HAVA
complaint so that the Justice Department has a true picture of the problems
that voters with disabilities are experiencing.

 

 

Make Your Voice Heard

 

The United States Constitution guarantees the right of all blind and
visually impaired citizens to vote, and the exercise of this right is vital
to the function of our democratic form of government. With the passage of
HAVA, it is now possible for blind and visually impaired citizens to
exercise their right to vote both privately and independently. Making your
voice heard through voting is imperative because state and federal elected
officials implement policies and pass legislation that directly affect our
lives as blind or visually impaired people. Make your voice heard. Register
to vote and exercise your right and responsibility to vote!

 

ASPIRE PROGRAM

 

By Susan Vanino

 

 

Editor’s Note:  Susan Vanino is the Support Program Coordinator for the
ASPIRE Program. She is a licensed social worker with a master’s degree from
New York University. Susan began losing her own vision during childhood,
struggling alone for many years to adjust to blindness, and this is just one
of the reasons she’s so passionate about the ASPIRE Program.  Susan welcomes
your questions and thoughts about the program. You can contact her by phone
at 973-648-2821, or by e-mail at Susan.vanino at dhs.state.nj.us.  The ASPIRE
program is offered through the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and
Visually Impaired. CBVI Executive Director Dan Frye will present at the
State Convention on Saturday morning, November 7. 

 

 

As the number of seniors losing vision continues to rise, many of the “older
blind” are dealing with difficulties associated with living a quality life
with vision loss.  Life events such as chronic and debilitating vision loss
and the diminishing ability to participate in once cherished activities can
take a heavy toll on an aging person’s emotional well-being.  Vision loss
can often give rise to negative emotions such as anxiety, sadness,
loneliness and lowered self-esteem.  

 

I am very enthusiastic about ASPIRE, an exciting new program now offered by
the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) that is
likely to change the quality of life for many older adults living with
blindness and vision impairments.  ASPIRE – Assistive Support Programs for
Independence, Renewal and Education – is a state-wide network of peer
support groups designed to provide individuals who are  living with vision
loss the opportunity to gain the necessary coping skills, information and
education needed to thrive.  

 

ASPIRE is administered by the Independent Living Unit of CBVI, and though
geared towards those with vision loss who are 55 years or older, the program
is available to all adults interested in attending.  Our peer support groups
connect people who share the same life experience.  Through attendance in
monthly group meetings, program participants talk with one another for
emotional support, to exchange useful information, and to find practical
solutions for challenges related to low vision and blindness.  ASPIRE helps
people with vision loss to realize they are not alone and that they can
achieve much more than they ever thought possible.  

 

 

 

 

Braille Literacy through Technology

By Jeremy Capati

 

 

Editor’s Note: Jeremy Capati, a former New Jersey LEAD student, interned at
the White House this past spring and at the National Center this past
summer. He is currently a student at Ramapo College. In this article, he
describes how he came to the realization that Braille really would make his
life more full. This article is also available at www.nfb.org. 

 

 

As a summer intern for the Jernigan Institute, I came to realize that there
were many areas in which I needed to improve in order to gain more
confidence and independence. It has been about 10 years since I became
blind, and I have to credit the National Federation of the Blind for pulling
me off the dark path that I was going down. The Federation shed light on the
importance of receiving training, and as a graduate of the Colorado Center
for the Blind, I can state that I can confidently use the majority of the
blindness skills taught there. My pride and stubbornness allowed me to leave
the center with the perception that it was acceptable to barely read and
write Braille. 

 

After my training at the Colorado Center, I returned to college and was
still a successful student by using technology and other strategies to avoid
the reality that I was still missing an integral piece by not applying
Braille to my daily routine. Currently, I am comfortable with access
technology such as JAWS, Kurzweil 1000 and Voiceover for the iPhone. My next
move is to consistently practice and apply Braille. I had the patience to
learn to use access technology, and with that same patience, I must take my
development as a blind person to another level in finally accepting the need
for Braille.

 

My direct supervisor and the executive director of the Jernigan Institute,
Anil Lewis, has shared how the Federation challenges interns and other
Federationists to be better. The feedback from the Federation can be direct:
The NFB tells it like it is, even if it is something one would not want to
hear.  Anil’s honest assessment of my skills in the areas of technology and
Braille was a wake-up call. It turns out that I have some limitations. For
example, during the National Convention in Orlando, a critical part of the
week was deliberating the types of policies that the Federation will engage
in with the Resolutions Committee. I was selected to speak in favor of a
resolution on the ABLE Act, which allows the disability community, including
those who are blind, to set up an account that enables us to set aside money
for housing, employment, transportation, healthcare, etc., without impacting
benefits such as supplemental security income. Since I focus on memorizing
my presentations when I speak formally, I lose a crucial part of public
speaking, which is being comfortable and confident.  My presentation to the
Resolutions Committee was a disorganized, rambling train of thought that
could have been avoided if my preparation had included Braille and a concise
set of bulleted notes (in Braille) to refer to as needed. I have experienced
this situation a number of times in college, as well, and it’s time to be
proactive in being a well-rounded person.

 

The accessible technology week of my internship was timely. The access
technology team laid out the various hardware and software options that I
could use to be more independent and productive in school, as well as in the
work force. I realized that I could be a more proficient Braille reader and
writer with the use of technology. Towards the end of the week, I reached
out to President Riccobono to share my thoughts and listen to the advice he
had. He reinforced the value of Braille and emphasized that it’s never too
late to become more proficient. He suggested practicing reading and writing
30 minutes a day and including Braille in my daily routine. The use of
technology to increase my Braille skills would be applied in increments and
at different levels. The first level is to have hard copy of Braille to read
while listening to my screen reader, JAWS, or to Voiceover on my iPhone. As
I read and listen, the audio reassurance from JAWS can guide me in the
recognition of words and gradually build speed. This is a basic and
cost-effective way to combine technology and Braille, and allows me to
practice independently. Next is to use a Braille display or BrailleNote to
read and write messages, and this is an ideal option to increasing my
reading and writing speed. This is a straight-forward plan for combining
technology and Braille that requires a great amount of time and patience.
Consistent motivation and discipline in the use of Braille and technology
will enhance my blindness skills. I admit that this will be a difficult
process, especially as I near graduation and hope to enter the work force,
but as the NFB has shown time and patience in mentoring me, I must give
myself the same energy in becoming a more complete blind individual. 

 

HIDDEN, A POEM BY SUE TILLET

 

 

Editor’s Note:  Sue Tillett has been a member of the Capitol Chapter since
its founding in 2000.  She also belongs to the Guide Dog and Braille
Divisions. Here is a poem she wrote: 

 

 

 

Hidden They say the eyes are windows to the soul, letting you look deep
inside.  Without working eyes, is a person not whole?Is their entrance to
the soul denied?   We bare our soul through words and touch  with soul mates
near and   far -our laughter, joy, confessions, tears   At times we hide,
and act demureto protect our  fragile psyche. With eyes cast down, we feel
secure from others' piercing scrutiny.   But I have found a different key,
Hands are the way to the soul for me.

 

revealing who we are.BELL RINGS IN NEW JERSEY

 

By Mary Jo Partyka

 

 

New Jersey’s second BELL (Braille Enrichment through Literacy and Learning)
Program was held once again at the Puerto Rican Association for Human
Development (PRAHD) located in Perth Amboy, NJ, July 13 - 24, 2015.  The
BELL Program is open to blind and low-vision students ages 4 – 12. The goals
of the program include enhancing the children’s Braille skills and teaching
Activities of Daily Living (ADL) which will support them in becoming more
independent and self-sufficient. The six students who participated in this
year’s program enjoyed the lessons and activities very much.  

 

The person who spent the greatest amount of time planning and coordinating
the program was Barbara Shalit, a certified teacher of the blind and
visually impaired formerly employed by the New Jersey Commission for the
Blind and Visually Impaired (NJCBVI). Ms. Shalit managed the coordination,
selection and scheduling of volunteers; planned the daily lessons and
schedules; organized materials and supplies; collaborated with the BELL team
members and the PRAHD staff; set up field trips; communicated with some of
the teachers of the visually impaired who work with the students during the
school year; and maintained ongoing communication with parents and
volunteers.  

 

The other members of the BELL team included Joe Ruffalo, NFBNJ president,
Jerilyn Higgins, an ADL instructor, Holly Miller, a leader in POBC-NJ, and
Mary Jo Partyka, president of the Braille Division/NJ.  

 

In conformance with the goals of the BELL Program, the students worked on
their Braille skills each day.  Ms. Shalit prepared appropriate and
individualized lessons for each child, based on their abilities.  The
volunteers acted as Braille mentors, working with each child on a one-to-one
basis and helping them to read and complete worksheets.  In ADL class, the
emphasis was on preparing healthy snacks, making sandwiches, spreading,
cutting fruits and vegetables, and pouring. Science lessons focused on the
dwarf planet Pluto, which corresponded with the historic study of the New
Horizons probe in mid-July, and basic flower parts, using large lilies.  

 

Music was also a big part of the program. The children learned the song “All
About That Braille,” the “White Cane Song” and the dance moves to the
“Cha-Cha Slide” developed by the South Carolina BELL Program in 2014. The
BELL students also participated in a joint music program with the host
facility’s summer school children, which included a sing-along and exposure
to the guitar and saxophone.   

 

This year more emphasis was placed on communicating the NFB’s philosophy –
Live the Life You Want – to the parents and students.  In addition to the
parent seminar Joe Ruffalo and Holly Miller conducted the first day, Carol
Castellano, from POBC-NJ, spent several hours discussing concerns expressed
by the children’s parents.  Dan Frye, executive director of NJCBVI, visited
our program and talked about the importance of Braille and the challenges of
being different from sighted people.  Prior to the beginning of this year’s
program, Ms. Shalit compiled biographies of blind role models – some famous
blind people, as well as members of our affiliate – and their stories were
used to inspire the children. In addition, each morning the children were
excited to tell what they did independently since the day before – and ring
their bells – and what they would like to learn to do independently. 

 

The members of the BELL team cannot begin to thank PRAHD Director Yvonne
Lopez and her staff for the extra effort they put forth to make our program
successful.  On a tip from Ms. Lopez, Verizon personnel visited our program
on the last day of class, videotaped the students in action, and interviewed
students and staff.   The video is available at
http://cdnapi.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/openGraph/wid/1_5c6ghkhe

 

As you can see from this article, it takes an enormous amount of time,
resources, commitment, and money to run the BELL program.  We are extremely
grateful to and would like to thank the Chester, Bloomfield and Nutley Lions
Clubs, as well as family, friends, and members of our affiliate divisions
and chapters for their financial contributions which made this program
possible again this year.  

 

 

 

FAMILIES CONNECT AS BELL CONTINUES TO CHIME

 

By Mary Jo Partyka

 

 

Although the BELL Program officially ended on July 24, the “bell” continues
to keep families connected!  Mom Lana Savron-Abbott reports, “It all started
with BELL camp. Ryan and Ethan became friends last year. They didn’t see
each other for (a whole) year, yet, they were best friends again this past
summer at BELL Camp.  It was like no time had passed at all.  

 

“After this year’s program concluded,” she continues, “Ethan’s family
invited us over for a day of swimming, playing and Braille enrichment where
we made chocolate chip cookies using the extra-large chocolate chips as
Braille dots.  Next summer, Ethan and Ryan plan to spend a week together at
sleepaway camp.

 

“At the BELL Program, not only do the students learn to enrich their Braille
skills, they also build their socialization skills.  By the use of these
skills, Ryan and Ethan made a lifelong friendship in which they feel 100%
accepted, and as they grow, they will be able to discuss similar challenges
that they face and celebrate achievements together.  If it wasn’t for BELL,
they may not have found each other.”

 

According to Rachel Bodek, parent of Schmuel, “After Schmuel attended the
BELL Program and was introduced to the cane, I thought to myself that if I
want him to be comfortable using the cane in the community, I have to do the
same thing.  Even though I don’t need the cane most of the time since I have
good peripheral vision, I started using it, and told myself and my kids that
there is nothing to be embarrassed about when using the cane and announcing
to the world that I am visually impaired. That is how God created me, and I
need to be proud of who I am.  The other day, I gave Schmuel’s twin the
option of whether I should use the cane while walking with him. He instantly
responded, ‘Sure, then all the cars will stop for you.’ That day, we proudly
used our canes together.  Thank you for all you have done and what you will
continue to do for the visually impaired population through the BELL
Program.”

 

 

 

HUGE & HEART-FELT THANKS TO OUR BELL PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS!

 

By Mary Jo Partyka

 

 

The BELL Program is grateful for all our wonderful volunteers who served as
mentors and role models for the children. We couldn’t have done it without
them! Here are some specific examples of how the volunteers participated:

 

·       Christina Brino assisted with ADL, read to the children, and taught
them how to use the slates and styluses they received from the free slate
program sponsored by the Jernigan Institute. 

 

·        Amy Albin, Renee West, Jerilyn Higgins, Peggy Kane, Jillian Milton,
Siham Atshan and Ann Wasserman helped the students with their Braille
reading and writing lessons, and took turns reading books to the children at
lunch time. 

 

·         Hank Miller helped the children with Braille, taught them a song
and demonstrated Braille technology. 

 

·         The sighted volunteer graduate students Hannah Canuto (who is
studying to become an optometrist) and Qoc Anh Tren (who is studying to
become an occupational therapist) taught the students songs and dance moves,
provided help supervising the children, read to them, and played with them
in the gym.  

 

“I was surrounded by energetic and positive kids that valued being
independent and knew of the importance of Braille for their future,” Hannah
Canuto said. “(The) teachers and volunteers, both blind and sighted,
supported these children and were great role models. Volunteering at the
BELL program will be something I will take with me, especially as I pursue
optometry.”

 

“I was so glad to be part of the BELL program,” said Christina Brino.
“Barbara and all the other volunteers did a wonderful job. I wish they had a
similar program to BELL when I was younger. The program makes learning
Braille so much fun and interesting.  It is also wonderful how the children
learn activities of daily living at an early age.”

 

 

BELL PROGRAM BENEFITS BY RECEIVING FREE BOOKS FROM SEEDLINGS

 

by Deborah Bond

 

 

Editor’s Note:  Deborah Bond is the founder of Seedlings, which provides
Braille books to children from age 0 to 21 years old.  This is a great
service since it helps children read Braille rather than relying solely on
technology.  Seedlings is such a great service that it was granted a $10,000
Jacob Bolotin Award at the 2015 National Federation of the Blind National
Convention for providing braille books at low cost to the children who can
enjoy them.   Seedlings Braille Books for Children is a small nonprofit
organization dedicated to increasing the opportunity for literacy by
providing high-quality, low-cost children’s literature in Braille.  When I
founded this program in 1984, my goals were to make more Braille books
available and to keep them affordable.  With the help of volunteers, grants
and donations, Seedlings has kept its average price to $10 per book.  A
popular give-away program we offer is Seedlings Book Angel Program.  Through
this program, blind and visually impaired children ages 0 to 21 in the
United States and Canada can get two free books per year.  Over 30,000 free
books have been distributed through this program since its inception in
2002.  In recent years, grants and bequests have enabled Seedlings to give
away over 40% of these books. As a result of such a bequest, Seedlings has
given $200 worth of Braille books to each of the BELL program sites for
three years in a row.  Over 2,100 Braille books have been distributed by
Seedlings since 2013 to children across the country who have attended the
BELL program.  According to my recollection, Seedlings had received a
bequest from a donor and decided to use part of it to send free books to the
BELL sites.  When we read about the BELL Program, we thought it was right in
line with what Seedlings wants to accomplish: More opportunities for Braille
literacy for the nation’s blind.  We contacted the National Federation of
the Blind to see if some free books would help, and NFB gratefully accepted
our offer.  I’m sure these books have helped the children tremendously in
their efforts to learn Braille.According to Barbara Shalit, the teacher for
the BELL Program in New Jersey, “Because of the generosity of Seedlings, we
can meet the needs of a wide range of emerging and proficient Braille
readers.  Silence falls when the BELL mentors read a Seedlings book and when
eager little hands read to each other.”For more information about Seedlings
and its books and programs, please visit seedlings.org or call toll-free at
800-777-8552.   

 

PARENTS SOMETIMES HAVE TO GET CREATIVE, ADAPT & CHANGE

By Suzanne Woolbert

 

 

Editor’s Note:  Suzanne Woolbert is employed as a rehabilitation teacher
with the New Jersey Commission for the Blind. In this article, she shows how
raising her own children gave her an understanding of how important it is
for all children to become independent, although there is no guarantee that
it will happen to all of them.  As Suzanne says, “If you want to live the
life you want, a great way to get your kids started is to foster
independence early.” 

 

 

In my job as a rehab teacher, I sometimes have the privilege of working with
teenage students on independent living skills. Being a totally blind single
mom, I have the awesome – and often daunting – task of raising two
teenagers: Bryan, 16, who is legally blind, and Lauren, 14, who is perfectly
sighted. They each present an array of challenges for me and have required
different teaching methods through the years. It was most important for me
to keep my expectations reasonable and high for both of them.

 

>From infancy, Bryan and Lauren learned differently. With Bryan, I became
very adept at placing objects in his hands and helping him to manipulate and
maneuver them, with a great deal of verbal description. “Bryan, let’s spin
the big orange ring,” or, “Let’s pull the red wagon,” as I placed the handle
in his hand and helped him pull it across the floor. With Lauren I would
say, “Watch mommy,” as I spun the toys on her high chair, and she imitated
me. Or, “Jump like the monkey,” as she watched a favorite video character
and copied what she saw. Lauren reached her baby milestones early, walking
at 9 months and feeding herself at 13 months. Bryan tried hard, but
struggled to meet these milestones on time, needing constant direction and
repetition. Exhausting? You bet! I grew tired of describing and jumping up
to assist whenever he became frustrated because he could not make something
work.

 

Moving through their toddler years, Bryan needed hands-on direction to hold
a fork correctly and wipe his mouth with a napkin. Lauren watched me in the
kitchen, and would grab a towel to dry a dish, or grab the broom and sweep
the floor. Bryan learned to find the tag at the back of his shirt, but had
to practice many times to get the shirt over his head, his arms through the
sleeves, and make it face the right direction. Lauren watched and, almost
effortlessly, buttoned, snapped, zipped and tied a bow. 

 

In elementary school, Bryan needed less orientation to tasks and began to
figure out how to do things that interested him, such as playing video games
with simple graphics and building vehicles out of Legos. He was often
required to help Lauren with her math problems or print out her reading
assignments. In return, Lauren might have to help him find a lost object or
read something he could not see. Probably the most difficult concept for
Bryan to grasp was tying his shoes. I tried different visual and tactile
methods, and finally, after much practice and frustration, he got it! Yahoo!

 

Both Lauren and Bryan came into their own in high school.  Lauren is a
skilled athlete and made striker on the varsity girls soccer team.  She’s
also artistic and her paintings hang in the rooms of our home, in my work
cubicle, and in the art gallery in her school.  Bryan attends a performing
arts high school and is a gifted piano player and vocalist, participating in
venues including church choirs, school congregations, charity benefits,
street fairs, holiday parties and more.  Bryan is part of the tech crew at
his school and does light and sound work backstage for other performers.
Both Lauren and Bryan maintain A averages and have been inducted into the
National Honor Society. 

 

Today, I have very similar expectations for both kids: They are responsible
for cleaning up after themselves, making beds, putting laundry away, taking
care of their hygiene, preparing simple meals and more. Are they both lazy
and rebellious teenagers at times? Of course they are. Did having a mom who
is a rehab teacher help Bryan to learn every necessary life skill that he
will need for the rest of his life? Of course not. 

 

So, how does this connect with other children I work with? Well, I get to
see the whole gamut. I have met visually impaired high schoolers who can
prepare their own lunches, and others who can’t hang their clothes or find
the milk in the refrigerator. Others are already traveling independently on
Access Link, and others don’t walk out their front doors alone. Some middle
schoolers are combing their hair, dressing themselves, and pouring cereal
into bowls, and others are relying on parents to zip their jackets and put
book bags over their shoulders. Does this mean that some parents are better
equipped to teach their blind children independence skills? Of course not. 

 

What it means, though, is that most of us, including me, need lessons in
patience and follow-through. It means that we cannot – and should not – take
the easier, faster way out very often, to do things for our kids that they
should be learning to do for themselves. It means that, sometimes, we need
to let them make mistakes or messes until they get it right, or even,
occasionally, get hurt or scared. It means that if we want our children to
be living independent lives as adults, we need to invest the time in our
children 
 now! I, for one, do not want Bryan to be living under my roof
when he is 30, and I trust that other parents feel the same.  We want them
to grow up, be happy and be self-sufficient.  

 

 

 

TIPS FOR APPLYING MAKE UPBy Angela Perone Editor’s Note: Angela is a board
member of the Senior Division of the NFBNJ. 

 

 

In July 2008, I lost part of my vision due to ischemic optic neuropathy. In
November 2010, I heard Linda Thomas and Johanna Baccan on a radio show
called Looking Good without Looking. They were talking about fashion and how
to apply makeup if you were blind. When I was fully sighted, I used to apply
makeup, but I was nervous about doing it with low vision. I called them for
some pointers, and we met at a State Convention. Linda and Johanna taught me
how to apply makeup, and we even took before and after pictures. I was
surprised with the difference and the confidence I gained in applying makeup
on my own. I can’t thank Linda and Joanna enough! I hope their tips will
help you in feeling more confident about applying makeup, too. 

 

 

Tips for Makeup Success

 

Purchasing your makeup: Visit the makeup counter at one of the big
department stores at the mall and ask for their recommendations for your
coloring. I went to Macy’s and used Clinique products: moisturizer,
foundation, pressed power, blush, eye shadow, lip liner, lipstick, eye brow
liner and mascara. Loose powder can also be used. Be sure to get a good set
of makeup brushes and a magnifying mirror, too.

 

Applying makeup: Thoroughly cleanse your face, and then apply moisturizer
all over, including your neck area. Avoid the eye area. Apply foundation
using your fingers or a sponge, and be sure to cover whole area. 

 

Applying powder: Apply pressed or loose powder the same way as above (for
makeup).

 

Applying blush: Smile and feel the “apple” of your cheek bone. Place blush
on the area of the “apple,” but not above. Do 2-3 coats. If you have a
sighted person available, ask them if it is ok.

 

Lipstick and lip liner: Follow the outline of the lips when applying.

 

Eye shadow:  Follow the eye socket and use 1-2 coats.

 

Eyebrow liner: Follow the upper eye socket, feel your brow, apply liner.  

 

 

 

 

 

update on the Vehicle Donation and GreenDrop Programs

 

By Mary Jo Partyka The National Federation of the Blind continues to partner
with Vehicles for Charity on a vehicle donation program. This program
accepts almost any vehicle for donation including trucks, cars, boats,
motorcycles, and recreational vehicles.  Donations may be eligible for a tax
donation on the donor’s federal income tax return. The organization receives
an average of $360 for each vehicle donated.  We need your help in order for
this program to succeed.  You can visit the Vehicle Donation material
webpage at nfb.org/vehicle-donation-materials where you will find ideas on
how to share this program with potential donors.  Remember our main job is
to let the public know about the Vehicle Donation Program.  On this website
you will find flyers, mail inserts and press releases that can be shared
with businesses and the local media.  According to Alice Kallaugher from the
National Center, donations from New Jersey include 13 vehicles in 2014, and
seven vehicles so far for 2015.  The New Jersey contact for the Vehicle
Donation Program is Anthony Lanzilotti, who can be reached at
tti777 at gmail.com or by calling 267-414-0410.  In terms of GreenDrop, the
National Federation of the Blind has teamed up with this organization to
collect donations of clothing, household items, kitchenware, toys and games,
sporting goods, baby items, and movies, books and CDs.  See the NFBNJ or
goGreendrop.com for more information.  Your donations can be taken to
specified drop-off locations, or you can arrange for a pickup by calling
(888) 610-4632 or by going to nfbpickup.org.  The funds raised from this
program go into the National Federation of the Blind’s General Fund to
support programs for veterans, blind STEM (science, technology, engineering,
and math) students, and seniors as well as the ongoing efforts to improve
equality for the blind.  According to Alice Kallaugher, New Jersey donated
190.5 skids which is equivalent to 24 standard GreenDrop trucks of
donations. Each skid is approximately 50 bags of donations.  These
statistics indicate that New Jersey has taken a very active part in
supporting these programs.  The New Jersey contact for the GreenDrop program
is Linda DeBerardinis, who can be reached at ldeber at comcast.net or by
calling 856-764-7014.For further information on the Vehicle Donation or
GreenDrop Programs, please contact Alice Kallaugher at akallaugher at nfb.org
or call her at 410-659-9314, extension 2282.     

 

GreenDrop CREATES BLOG TO PROMOTE THE PROGRAM 

 

Editor’s Note: GreenDrop, LLC, is a paid professional solicitor, and they
are working with the NFB to collect clothing and household items that are
then sold to benefit the NFB’s general fund, which supports programs for
blind STEM students, veterans and seniors, as well as the ongoing efforts to
improve equality for the blind. The interview below is condensed from the
original, which is available at https://www.gogreendrop.com/blog. You can
also visit GreenDrop on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/gogreendrop.

 

 

To give donors a sense of how their donations make an impact, GreenDrop sat
down with Joe Ruffalo, President of the NFBNJ. He shared with us his journey
and what the team at the NFB means to him.

 

 

GreenDrop: Tell us about yourself and your experience with the NFB.

 

Joe: After coming home from Vietnam and working in retail for several years
during the 1970s, I began to experience some vision loss; however, I was
able to continue as a retail manager for about seven years. In need of
direction – already married for five years and with two kids – I began
searching for ways to continue my life as a husband, father and provider,
but I encountered many roadblocks along the way. A lot of people said, “You
can’t do this” and “You can’t do that.” Needless to say, I wasn’t a happy
camper.

 

Thankfully, I met some good people along the way who believed in me even
before I believed in myself. And, they happened to be members of the
National Federation of the Blind. It turned out the NFB was doing everything
I wanted to do. Its members were doing things with pride and dignity, and I
knew I needed to have a part of that in my heart. I decided to get involved
with the NFB through various leadership roles. In 1993 I became President
[of the New Jersey affiliate], and still hold that position today. In 2001,
I was elected to the National Board of Directors of the NFB and currently
remain on the board. The confidence I gained through my leadership with the
NFB helped me get involved with my community – as a Cub Master, Boy Scout
leader, member of the Lions Club and the Knights of Columbus.

 

 

GreenDrop: How did you find out about the NFB?

 

Joe: Though my friend’s sister, who was an active member of the
organization. She invited me to a meeting, which I originally didn’t want to
attend. But, she called me six times! Finally after the sixth call, I
accepted. Talk about persistence.

 

At that time I had some usable vision. I always thought my vision was better
than no vision, but it wasn’t. People at the NFB were doing things I
couldn’t. Those same people pushed me and told me to pick myself up. If you
make a mistake, so what, you learn from it. So when I say the organization
is important to me, it is. The National Federation of the Blind is nothing
more and nothing less than its members reaching out to help others. None of
us gets paid for what we do, but we still get it done as volunteers.

 

 

GreenDrop: What would you say makes the NFB so unique?

 

Joe: Its members. We share information with each other. We embrace each
other. We cry with each other. We laugh with each other. And when one of us
succeeds, we all succeed. I love working with students because they are our
future.

 

 

GreenDrop: What are your main responsibilities as president of the NFBNJ?

 

Joe: I’m retired, but the NFB keeps me extremely busy. And I love every
minute of it. My main responsibilities are to grow and build the Federation
and to provide love, hope, and determination to each person that I come in
contact with. When a person who is experiencing blindness knows that someone
cares and believes in them, this usually sparks an interest to gain
additional knowledge to live the life they want. I guess, at times, I serve
as a cheerleader by providing the history and philosophy of the Federation,
and I represent that it is respectable to be blind.

 

One of my primary roles is correspondence. I get up at 5 or 6 a.m. every
day, check my e-mails, and review my weekly calendar. Then I check my
messages and return phone calls. Most calls I receive are from newly blind
individuals seeking assistance. Essentially I make sure everything at the
New Jersey affiliate runs smoothly.

 

 

GreenDrop: What would you like our readers and donors to know about the NFB?

 

Joe: The NFB was established in 1940, making it the largest and oldest
organization of the blind in the country. Funds generated from GreenDrop
open many doors for the blind and will make a difference in people’s lives.

 

 

GreenDrop: On behalf of GreenDrop, thank you so much, Joe! It was a pleasure
speaking with you! Be sure to check back to the blog for updates on the NFB.

 

 

GreenDrop welcomes your new or gently used items, including: clothing and
shoes, household items, kitchenware, games and toys, small appliances,
electronics, sporting goods, books, CDs, videos and baby items. All bags and
boxes must be labeled NFB in order for you to receive credit for your
donations. Our contact in New Jersey is Linda DeBerardinis: 856-764-7014 or
ldeber at comcast.net To schedule a pick up, call 888- 610-4632 or go to
nfbpickup.org.  

 

 

For more information on the GreenDrop program, visit
https://www.gogreendrop.com

 

 

TECH TIPS & INFORMATION 

 

 

Kevin’s Consulting is on the Air! – Tune in to Kevin’s Consulting the third
Tuesday of the month, at 8:30 a.m., radio dial 1500 AM or listen on the web
at http://www.wghtradio.com (hit ENTER on the “Listen Live” link). Topics
covered include how to protect yourself online, and why and how people hack
into computer systems, and much more. You don’t want to miss this show!

 

 

Adopt Adaptive Equipment – Do you have a piece of blind/low-vision
technology that you would like to donate to someone who can use it?  Or are
you in need of a piece of equipment which will enable you to do something
more independently?  If you can answer “yes” to either of these questions,
you may be interested in our Adopt Adaptive Equipment Program.  If you would
like to donate or acquire such technology, please call Joe Ruffalo at
973-743-0075 or Ed Godfrey at 856-848-6372, and we will match requests with
what people need, based on availability. We will connect the two parties,
and they will be responsible for arranging the exchange of the equipment.
The most popular items which have been donated are CCTVs. Please know that
there is no charge for these items. Thank you to all who have donated in the
past as these items have made a difference in peoples’ lives. – Submitted by
Lynn Reynolds

 

 

New VoiceOver Website – I wanted to let you know about a wonderful, free
website filled with specific VoiceOver commands and tutorials/tests for you.
Just go to:

 

www.voiceover-easy.net. You will be asked specific information about the
phone you have and the IOS device you are using.  After receiving this
information, the lessons will populate for that exact configuration. The
site is all in text form and the person who developed this site is a good
friend of mine. I highly recommend that you take a look and see how you like
this site. – Submitted by Jane Degenshein, President, Technology Division of
the NFBNJ

 

 

Freedom Scientific has several free training webinars on the agenda this
fall: “New in JAWS 17” on October 14, “Windows 10 Basics with JAWS and
MAGic” on October 28, “Introduction to Office 2016 with JAWS and MAGic” on
November 11, “Domain-specific Scripts for Web Pages with JAWS” on November
24, and “Voice Profiles with JAWS and MAGic” on December 9. Thought many
might find this an incredible way to learn. For more info, go to
http://www.freedomscientific.com/Services/TrainingAndCertification. –
Submitted by Jane Degenshein, President, Technology Division of the NFBNJ

 

 

 

 

 

 

DID YOU KNOW 


 

 

NFB Channel Now Available on Newsline - For subscribers using the telephone
access method: Find the new NFB National Channel under Option 1 from the
main menu. One of the first offerings on the channel is the NFB’s recently
published e-book, Building the Lives We Want: The Seventy-Fifth Anniversary
History of the National Federation of the Blind. Revisit and celebrate NFB
history through this exciting new e-book!

 

 

List of Great Books for Parents & Students Available through NFBNJ.org –
Carol Castellano’s books Getting Ready for College Begins in Third Grade and
Educating the Blind/Visually Impaired Student in the Regular Classroom, as
well as Joe Cutter’s book Independent Movement & Travel in Blind Children: A
Promotion Model, as well as other must reads for parents and students are
available on our website. Check them out!

 

 

Social Security has Updated More Publications – To see all Social Security
publications, go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/. To stay connected
with Social Security, open a mySocialSecurity account at
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount/.

 

 

 

FROM THE KITCHEN OF THE NORTHEAST CHAPTER: CRUNCHY CHEDDAR CHICKEN

 

This recipe was submitted by Jessica Scanell. Jessica is a board member of
the Northeast Chapter and the Braille Division.  She is a magna cum laude
graduate of Montclair State University with a degree in Family and Child
Studies. She also earned a graduate certification to teach kindergarten
through 5th grade.  Jessica is also a graduate of the Louisiana Center for
the Blind, where a computer instructor shared this recipe with her. She
hopes you have a chance to make it and enjoy it as much as she does. 

 

Ingredients – Serves 4

 

 

 

1/2 teaspoons freshly ground red pepper1/2 teaspoon of salt1/4 cup shredded
white cheddar cheese 3/4 cup Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing1 cup
crushed cornflakes4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

 

 

 

Directions

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.2. Combine cornflakes, cheese, salt and
pepper in a pie plate.  3. Evenly coat the chicken with the dressing and
dredge in the cornflake mixture. 4. Place the chicken on a parchment-lined
cookie sheet and bake 30 – 35 minutes.

 

Announcing

 

A 2-hour introductory 1TOUCH™ Workshop

 

At the State Convention = Holiday Inn = 151 Route 72 East
=ManahawkinSaturday, November 7, 2015 at 3 p.m.   Cost: $10

 

Please Note: You must submit payment and your waiver form to reserve your
spot.

 

 

1TOUCH™ is the first comprehensive self-defense program designed
specifically for the blind. It will empower you, raise your self-confidence
and improve your self-esteem. Just one touch will give you the hope, faith
and courage to travel independently.

 

 

For more information:

 

Trisha Ebel at 201-456-0091 or patriciaebel0302 at comcast.net

 

Jerilyn Higgins at 973-239-8874 or jdhiggins3 at verizon.net

 

 

Space is limited. To register, send your $10 check payable to Jerilyn
Higgins and completed waiver form by Oct. 23, 2015 to Jerilyn Higgins, 2 Old
Farm Road, Verona, NJ 07044

 

 

Waiver and Release

 

In consideration of participating in today’s 1TOUCH™ program, I, the
undersigned, freely understand and acknowledge that 1TOUCH™ involves
physical contact which might result in serious injury or death. I agree:

 

1.  To comply with the terms and conditions for participation.  If I
encounter any hazard, whether from myself or from others, during my
participation in the 1TOUCH™ program, I agree to withdraw from
participation, alert a 1TOUCH™ representative of my withdrawal and remove
myself from participation. 

 

2.   To indemnify and hold 1TOUCH™, its Director, its Coaches and its Agents
harmless from any and all injuries I may incur while participating.

 

3. To grant all rights, title and interest in and to my name, image, voice
or statement, including any and  all photographic images, audio or video
recordings captured during the 1TOUCH ™ program. 

 

I certify that I am in good physical health and have no disclosed or
undisclosed conditions or injuries that would impact upon, impair or prevent
my participation in the 1TOUCH™ program.  

 

In the event I am injured during the course of the 1TOUCH™ program, I
consent to being medically attended or treated by a physician, a nurse,
athletic trainer or other medical emergency personnel. 

 

Name
Signature:
Date:                                   

 

 

 

NFBNJ CONTACT INFORMATION

 

 

 

NFB National Center                      

 

    President


 

        Mark Riccobono                             410-659-9314

 

NFB State Affiliate

 

    President


 

        Joseph Ruffalo                               973-743-0075

 

    First Vice President 

 

        Jerilyn Higgins                                 973-239-8874

 

    Second Vice President                                                

 

        Mary Jo Partyka                             609-888-5459


 

    Secretary


 

        Brian Mackey                                  609-953-6988

 

    Treasurer


 

        Tom Ferry                                         973-694-5922

 

    Board Members                                                           

 

        Rebecca Bryant                              973-732-6559

 

        Linda DeBerardinis                        856-764-7014

 

        Alice Eaddy                                      856-765-0601

 

        Dan Facchini                                    201-906-8655

 

        Anthony Lanzilotti                         267-414-4010


 

        Lynn Reynolds                                908-251-5510

 

NFBNJ Chapters

 

At-Large Chapter

 

        Conference call last Thurs. of the

 

        month, 8 p.m., except July & Nov

 

                              712-432-0180, enter code 460994

 

        Joe Ruffalo                                       973-743-0075

 

 

Capital Chapter

 

Third Sat., Hamilton Twp Public Library, 10 a.m. - noon


 

Mary Jo Partyka                                 609-888-5459

 

                                                  choirnfb at gmail.com

 

Central Jersey Chapter                                                   

 

Second Sat., JKTC, New Brunswick,     10 a.m. - noon

 

Jerilyn Higgins                                     973-239-8874

 

                                            jdhiggins3 at verizon.net

 

Garden State Chapter

 

Third Sat., Kennedy Memorial Hospital auditorium, Cherry Hill
10 a.m.

 

    Ryan Stevens                                      856-520-0016

 

                               rysteve at comcast.netGlasstown Chapter 

 

First Sat., Inspira Fitness Center, 

 

1430 W Sherman, Vineland                   9:45 a.m.

 

Lydia Keller                                          856-696-3518

 

                                          lydiakeller at comcast.net

 

Northeast Chapter

 

Third Sat., St. Mathew’s Church, Secaucus 10 a.m.


 

    Dan Facchini                                        201-906-8655

 

                                                        danfb at verizon.net

 

Northern Chapter

 

Third Sat., Free Public Library, 3rd Floor, Newark, 10 a.m. – noon, Braille
classes immediately following

 

    Rebecca Bryant                                  973-723-6559

 

                                                 rirvin14 at optonline.net

 

South Jersey Shore Chapter 

 

Third Sat., Ocean City Free Public Library, Ocean City, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

 

Anthony Lanzilotti                             267-414-4010

 

                                                       Tti777 at gmail.com

 

NFB of NJ Divisions

 

Blind Merchants

 

    Dan Facchini                                        201-906-8655


 

                                                        danfb at verizon.net

 

Blind Students

 

Shafeka Hashash                               551-697-1568

 

                                                        snh278 at nyu.edu

 

Braille Division

 

Mary Jo Partyka                                 609-888-5459

 

choirnfb at gmail.com

 

 

 

Deaf-Blind Division

 

Alice Eaddy                                          856-765-0601


 

cheiro_alice at aol.com

 

Diabetes Division

 

    Joe Ruffalo
973-743-0075

 

                                                       nfbnj1 at verizon.net  

 

Guide Dog Users

 

Trisha Ebel                                            201-456-0091

 

                              patriciaebel0302 at comcast.net

 

Parents of Blind Children

 

    Carol Castellano                                 973-377-0976

 

blindchildren at verizon.net

 

Senior Blind

 

    Jane Degenshein                               973-736-5785

 

                                               Jdegen16 at comcast.net

 

Technology Division

 

        Jane Degenshein                           973-736-5785

 

                                               Jdegen16 at comcast.net

 

 

Programs, Projects & Committees

 

Adopt Adaptive Equipment

 

    Joe Ruffalo                                           973.743.0075

 

                                                       nfbnj1 at verizon.net

 

    Ed Godfrey                                          856-848-6372

 

                                             egodfrey137 at gmail.com

 

BELL Program

 

    Mary Jo Partyka                                 609-888-5459

 

                                                      choirnfb at gmail.com

 

    Holly Miller                                           732-610-5478

 

                                                         pobcnj at gmail.com

 

 

 

Blind Children’s Resource Center

 

    Carol Castellano                                 973-377-0976

 

                                                www.blindchildren.org

 

                                          blindchildren at verizon.net 

 

Braille Mentoring Program

 

    Mary Jo Partyka                                 609-888-5459

 

                                                      choirnfb at gmail.com

 

Building Chapters & Membership

 

    Rick Fox                                                 973-743-6107

 

                                            richardfox1 at comcast.net

 

GreenDrop

 

    Linda DeBerardinis                            856-764-7014

 

                                                     ldeber at comcast.net

 

Legislative Coordinator

 

    Lynn Reynolds                                    908-251-5510

 

                                                 lhr1827 at optonline.net

 

NFB Newsline                                                            

 

    Jane Degenshein                               973-736-5785

 

                                               Jdegen16 at comcast.net

 

Public Relations/Press Releases

 

    Tara Carty                                             973-650-4438

 

                               sugarfreet at gmail.comResolutions

 

    Ryan Stevens                                      856-520-0016

 

                               rysteve at comcast.netScholarship

 

   Jerilyn Higgins              973-239-8874 

 

                                                jdhiggins3 at verizon.net

 

Vehicle Donation Program

 

Anthony Lanzilotti                             267-414-4010

 

                                                        tti777 at gmail.com  

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER AND DIVISION UPDATES CAN BE FOUND ON THE NFBNJ WEBSITE

Deadline for the Spring 2016 issue is March 15, 2016.

 

CHECK US OUT ON THE WEB AT

 

www.nfbnj.org        www.blindchildren.org            

 

 

To receive The Sounding Board and other information via e-mail,

 

please contact Brian Mackey at bmackey88 at gmail.com

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