[NFB-DB] Reminder, please read the repost below.

Mon Feb 26 21:59:12 UTC 2024

Hi, 

I am so glad to hear this topic getting attention.  My last convention, New Orleans 2022, I would have missed just about everything were it not for Zoom. I wound up joining every session virtually in order to hear. When you are sitting right there in the convention hall, that seems kind of silly, and there was definitely a latency issue, where every syllable was echoed in real time some seconds afterward, but it made the difference between hearing or missing out.  

In 1999, I attended the American Association of DeafBlind. I was a volunteer, typing verbatim versions of what was said for the blind/low vision people who had difficulty hearing but did not speak American Sign Language.  They displayed my typing  transcript on large video monitors, and those needing to see it were given priority seating.  

If we could do that in 1999, before iPhones and Braille displays and so many more amazing things, I wonder if we couldn’t have typed transcript sent electronically, in real time, that people could receive either in their hearing aids or on their braille displays.  Just thinking out loud here, but it seems feasible to me.  

Deborah

From: NFB-DB <nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Carla McQuillan via NFB-DB
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2024 4:44 PM
To: Michael Forzano <michaeldforzano at gmail.com>
Cc: Carla McQuillan <carla at mainstreetmontessori.org>; NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [NFB-DB] Reminder, please read the repost below.

I could not agree with you more.  As I said at the Deaf-Blind meeting on Saturday, I do not consider myself deaf-blind, but I was in the back of the room at Washington Seminar, and could not hear most of the questions asked.

It is my hope that we can do exactly what you are suggesting: to develop a written set of things to keep in mind when running large meetings.  President Riccobono is very interested in doing what he can to promote inclusion and a welcoming environment for all members.  I believe I can speak for him when I say that he appreciates your input, and taking the time and understanding to work with the National Leadership to resolve these issues.

 Carla McQuillan

Executive Director

Main Street Montessori 

President

NFB of Oregon

On Feb 26, 2024, at 1:33 PM, Michael Forzano <michaeldforzano at gmail.com <mailto:michaeldforzano at gmail.com> > wrote:

Thanks Carla. Using a mic is just best practice. I really hope this can be addressed before this year's convention. There's a lot that can be improved beyond that, which may take more time, and I'm happy to write up my thoughts on that as well. But again, passing around a mic when questions are being asked is one of the most basic aspects of inclusive meetings. I would strongly encourage making this a top priority request when you meet with the board.

-Mike

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 26, 2024, at 4:27 PM, Carla McQuillan <carla at mainstreetmontessori.org <mailto:carla at mainstreetmontessori.org> > wrote:

hello All,

The plan is for Shelia Wright and I to compile your thoughts, and make a recommendation to President Riccobono about large meetings and gatherings in the Federation, and best practices for being inclusive of our Deaf-Blind community members.  It’s not that Federation leaders are knowingly conducting meetings in a way that excludes people, we are often not sure what is most effective for everyone.

Please continue to have this conversation, and we will make every effort to improve your large meeting experiences.

 Carla McQuillan

Executive Director

Main Street Montessori 

President

NFB of Oregon

On Feb 26, 2024, at 12:36 PM, Michael Forzano via NFB-DB <nfb-db at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-db at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

It would be helpful if the national board would send out guidelines to anyone running meetings to ensure that microphones are being used at all times. This has been a persistent problem. At Washington seminar this year, during the training session on Monday afternoon, the mic was not passed around for folks to ask questions. And at some meetings at national, for example the digital accessibility professionals, a mic was not used at all. I have had to walk out of that meeting 2 years in a row because of hearing difficulties.

-Mike

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 26, 2024, at 3:29 PM, Ineko Gary via NFB-DB <nfb-db at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-db at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

Oh yes, I totally agree with both comments. It will make sense. If those who have some hearing can pick up that device that will help them here what is going on around them.

I also think that when you ask people to lower their voice so others who have trouble hearing that they will respect and lower their voice, instead of talking over to the people who sit upfront.

I also think The Blind should yes sit in the first rows upfront with their listening device. And double check to make sure they’re listening. Device is working proper before the meetings start.

And I think if they’re playing music, really really loud for people like us who are deathly and those who has some hearing would help if yes, turn the music down low. So they can stay oriented in the room or anywhere else in that room.

And also, I also think that For The Blind for those who cannot see print, will have it in braille and those who can still see large large print. They will also put it in print. Because I think this will help those who are deaf LINE to know what is going on, or being said at the meetings.

It is important for all of us who are death blind to know the information as the fully sided, and the fully Hearing. And The Blind, legally blind, and fully Hearing. The death line should have the same access as well. We should not be left out.

I think also that those who use ASL should request before the convention. As well as those who uses tactile sign language should also request before the convention. And those who use ASL and sign language should sit in the very front row, so they interpreters will have room to sit in front of them.

Sending all my love always

Ineko 🤟🏽🤟🏽❤️❤️

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 26, 2024, at 11:28 AM, Milton via NFB-DB <nfb-db at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-db at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

I have a few suggestions that might be considered:

1.	See if the Amateur Radio Division would make available during Washington Seminar for the Great Gathering the listening device that they are using for the national convention.
2.	Setting aside seating on the front row of the ballroom for both Washington Seminar and Convention and during the banquet a table near a speaker in the ballroom for the deafblind people that need to sit somewhere close enough to be able to hear.

From: NFB-DB <nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org> > On Behalf Of mmines1 via NFB-DB
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2024 10:11 AM
To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-db at nfbnet.org> >
Cc: mmines1 <presidentdeafblindnfb at mauricemines.org <mailto:presidentdeafblindnfb at mauricemines.org> >
Subject: [NFB-DB] Reminder, please read the repost below.
Importance: High

Please read what  Jessi has  written below. We look  forward to  reading your  comments.

Dear Deaf-Blind Federationist,

During our Deaf-Blind Division Meeting. We discussed some important helpful accommodations that would help us to get the most out of Nation Conventions. We would like to make some positive  changes to help all member achieve valuable experiences with the National Federations activities i.e. :State and National Conventions and Washington Seminar. We are collecting ideas for what Accommodation’s and accessibility needs would work for our members.

For example ,it was suggested that outlines of content for speeches would be provided in Braille or large print if there is challenges with the audio system, loudness of the room or lack of assistive listening devices. Please, submit your suggestions to this list email no later than 5 PM Pacific that's 8 PM Eastern on the 29th as, for the reason that is when our division has the opportunity to share your ideas with a national board representative.

Thank  you  

Jessie Kramer

Acting Secretary for the Deaf-Blind Division of National Federation of the Blind .

Maurice Mines, President 

National Federation of the Blind Deaf-Blind Division 

Email:  <mailto:presidentdeafblindnfb at mauricemines.org> presidentdeafblindnfb at mauricemines.org   

Website: www.nfb.org <http://www.nfb.org/>  <http://www.nfbdeaf-blind.org <http://www.nfbdeaf-blind.org/> > 

Live the life you want. 

The National Federation of the Blind Deaf-Blind Division, a proud division 

of the National Federation of the Blind, is a community of members and 

friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day 

we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.   

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