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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><h1 style='text-indent:.5in'>NABS Notes – May 2021<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer." -F. Scott Fitzgerald, <i>The Great Gatsby</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Welcome to the May edition of our NABS Notes! Congratulations on the end of another successful academic year! We know it hasn’t always been easy, but we’ve loved walking alongside you through both the good and the bad times. Now it’s time to relax, rejuvenate, and read. We hope you’ll take some time to catch up on all things new with NABS. Read on to learn more about our upcoming events and updates from committees. In this edition you will find:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>•A Message from the Board<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>•May Episode of the NABS Now Podcast<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>•Committee Updates<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>•Stay Connected | NABS Social Media<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h2>Celebrating Our NABS Family!<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;color:black'>As we reach the end of May, congratulations are in order for all of our NABS members. Whether you graduated this spring or are in the middle of your schooling, you deserve to be celebrated for the incredible perseverance and determination you put forth during this crazy, unexpected year. We in NABS know that the journey is not always an easy one, but now is the time we hope you can relax long enough to appreciate the steps you have taken during the 2020-2021 academic year toward both your generalized success and personalized goals. We have loved walking with you through your journey thus far, and we cannot help but celebrate all of the milestones logged this year.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;color:black'>If you are a member of the class of 2021, we would love to celebrate your success in our NABS graduation ceremony, taking place on Sunday, June 6 at 7:00 PM EST. Please keep an eye on our social media platforms and the NABS listserv for further details.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h2>May Episode of the NABS Now Podcast | Crafty & Careful Spending - A Beginner’s Guide to Credit Cards<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Credit cards are obtained by students for various reasons, but learning to select and smartly use a credit card can be tricky. In this episode, we explore some important terms to both recognize and understand when applying for a credit card, how to get the most out of a credit card, and what to consider when deciding if a credit card is right for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Thank you to special guests Janae Peterson and Santiago Hernandez.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Created and produced by Nina Marranca, Seyoon Choi, and Kinshuk Tella.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Interested in assisting with the production of the NABS Now podcast? Email Nina at </span><a href="mailto:ninam0814@gmail.com"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>ninam0814@gmail.com</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'> for more information.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Find us on </span><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/47rJlZrFHD4EIqvgLRNhHM">Spotify</a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>, </span><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nabs-now-podcast/id1507437256?uo=4"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Apple Podcasts</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>, </span><a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xYWRjNWZmNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==%20"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Google Podcasts</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>, or see </span><a href="https://anchor.fm/nabs-now%20"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>our Anchor page</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'> for more ways to listen!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h2>Committee Updates<o:p></o:p></h2><h3>Reaching Out to You<span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:106%'><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>The NABS Outreach committee invites you to participate in our next committee meeting, where we will discuss the NABS Now Podcast, upcoming blog post content, and more, taking place on Sunday, June 13 at 8:00 PM EST. For questions on how to get involved, </span><a href="mailto:Ninam0814@gmail.com"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>email Committee Chair Nina Marranca</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h3>Raising Expectations & Funds<o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>The NABS Fundraising Committee is gearing up for full participation at our national convention in July. The embodiment of this enthusiasm can be seen through the three NABS initiatives, either currently running or on the horizon. Our NABS 5<sup>th</sup> annual Walk-A-Thon is live, and you can </span><a href="https://go.rallyup.com/9cebd4/Campaign"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>get registered</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'> anytime between now and the day of our event. Next, there’s still time to </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNvFswnDSv6RG7OOnmHv2DS47xtw1AOvArVRElLQN5xgucag/viewform"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>share a recipe</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'> for the “NABS Nuggets” cookbook, production for which will begin soon. Finally, production of our NABS Greek Tees is well underway; stay tuned for more information. Join us in the exciting work of fundraising by tuning in to our next committee meeting, taking place on Sunday, June 13 at 9:00 PM EST. For questions on how to get involved, </span><a href="mailto:Robert.e.parsons@wmich.edu"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>email Committee Chair Robert Parsons</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h3>When They Don’t Believe in Our Majors or Employment Goals<o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>In the month of May, the NABS Legislative and Self-Advocacy Committee held a conference call focused on self-advocacy, specifically regarding others doubting our abilities to succeed. Many students find themselves in situation when they must advocate for themselves if a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor does not want to support an employment goal or someone at a college/university does not believe that blind students can succeed in a certain program of study. We often talk about these challenges in the context of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) fields; however, low expectations can affect blind students in any career field or major area of study. To engage in dialogues similar to this one, aimed at fostering change in the perceptions of our abilities, join our next committee call, happening on Sunday, June 20 at 8:00 PM EST. For questions on how to get involved, </span><a href="mailto:president@alumni.ecu.edu"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>email Committee Chair Justin Salisbury</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h3>Add to Our Committee with Your Diverse Self!<o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>The NABS Diversity and Inclusion Committee encourages anyone with an interest in getting involved in our efforts to join our next committee meeting, happening on Sunday, June 20 at 9:00 PM EST with your thoughts, ideas, and opinions. Unable to attend our next meeting or simply have more questions on how to get involved? </span><a href="mailto:Monica.wegner@outlook.com"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Email Committee Chair Monica Wegner</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'> or join the committee </span><a href="https://groupme.com/join_group/58566316/Tqug79NE"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>GroupMe</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>, where members coordinate our activities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>… And don’t forget our monthly membership call, taking place on Sunday, June 27 at 9:00 PM EST!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h2>Connect with Us | NABS Social Media<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Follow us on:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://twitter.com/nabslink?lang=en"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Twitter</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>, </span><a href="https://gramho.com/profile/nabslink/8395929238"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Instagram</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>, </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Nabspage"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>like us on Facebook</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>, </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/173482726798026"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>join our Facebook group</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>, & </span><a href="https://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>join the NABS email listserv</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>