<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto">I know for me years ago, I stopped going to state convention. With my Tampa Bay chapter. Because it got to the point where I could not hear anything.<div><br></div><div><br></div><div>And the president for the TAMPA chapter for the NFB here she will not look into getting an interpreter to come to the meetings. Because they feel since I can voice, I don’t need an interpreter for the NFB meetings that’s every fourth Saturday of the month.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>So I stopped going to the nfb chapter meetings the last time I’ve been July of last year for the pancake breakfast, because right after we had like a short meeting and I couldn’t hear anything. So that was my last time going to the Tampa Bay chapter meeting.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>The last time I’ve been to a state convention was back in 2017. That’s when I still had hearing loss in both ears but it still made it hard for me to hear.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I never been to national convention, and now that my hearing loss and both ears is considered profoundly deaf, without hearing aids, and profoundly hard of hearing with hearing aids. I still cannot make out words even using a Bluetooth with my hearing aids.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>The last time I did, my hearing test was last year and my hearing has gotten severely worse to wear now with hearing aids, and without hearing aids I’m just deaf. And thank God I learned ASL when I was 16 through 18 from the Florida school for the deaf and blind and Saint Augustine I had a friend she taught me every Friday that we went home American Sign Language and I had a death boyfriend.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>But I totally agree with everyone that still has some hearing that they need all need some kind of listening device to help them out during the convention, no matter for state convention, or Washington convention or national convention.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I would like to go someday to either national convention or Washington seminar with the.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I hope all the suggestions will get answered when it goes in front of Mark Rico. Because we as a death line needs equal opportunity to know what’s going on also.</div><div><br></div><div>Ineko <br id="lineBreakAtBeginningOfSignature"><div dir="ltr">Sent from my iPhone</div><div dir="ltr"><br><blockquote type="cite">On Feb 26, 2024, at 5:00 PM, Deborah Kendrick via NFB-DB <nfb-db@nfbnet.org> wrote:<br><br></blockquote></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria Math"; }
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Hi, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Deborah<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> NFB-DB <nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Carla McQuillan via NFB-DB<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, February 26, 2024 4:44 PM<br><b>To:</b> Michael Forzano <michaeldforzano@gmail.com><br><b>Cc:</b> Carla McQuillan <carla@mainstreetmontessori.org>; NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db@nfbnet.org><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [NFB-DB] Reminder, please read the repost below.<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">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.<span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> Carla McQuillan<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal">Executive Director<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Main Street Montessori <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">President<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">NFB of Oregon<o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><br>On Feb 26, 2024, at 1:33 PM, Michael Forzano <<a href="mailto:michaeldforzano@gmail.com">michaeldforzano@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">-Mike<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal">Sent from my iPhone<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">On Feb 26, 2024, at 4:27 PM, Carla McQuillan <<a href="mailto:carla@mainstreetmontessori.org">carla@mainstreetmontessori.org</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></div><blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt"><div><p class="MsoNormal">hello All,<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Please continue to have this conversation, and we will make every effort to improve your large meeting experiences.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> Carla McQuillan<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal">Executive Director<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Main Street Montessori <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">President<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">NFB of Oregon<o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><br>On Feb 26, 2024, at 12:36 PM, Michael Forzano via NFB-DB <<a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">-Mike<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal">Sent from my iPhone<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">On Feb 26, 2024, at 3:29 PM, Ineko Gary via NFB-DB <<a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></div><blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt"><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Sending all my love always<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Ineko <span style="font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif">🤟🏽🤟🏽❤️❤️</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Sent from my iPhone<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">On Feb 26, 2024, at 11:28 AM, Milton via NFB-DB <<a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></div><blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt"><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">I have a few suggestions that might be considered:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p><ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">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.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">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.<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class="MsoListParagraph"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p><div><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> NFB-DB <<a href="mailto:nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org">nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>mmines1 via NFB-DB<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, February 26, 2024 10:11 AM<br><b>To:</b> NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <<a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> mmines1 <<a href="mailto:presidentdeafblindnfb@mauricemines.org">presidentdeafblindnfb@mauricemines.org</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> [NFB-DB] Reminder, please read the repost below.<br><b>Importance:</b> High<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal">Please read what Jessi has written below. We look forward to reading your comments.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Dear Deaf-Blind Federationist,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Thank you <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Jessie Kramer<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Acting Secretary for the Deaf-Blind Division of National Federation of the Blind .<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:11.75pt"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:11.75pt"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:11.75pt">Maurice Mines, President <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:11.75pt">National Federation of the Blind Deaf-Blind Division <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:11.75pt">Email: <a href="mailto:presidentdeafblindnfb@mauricemines.org"><span style="color:#954F72">presidentdeafblindnfb@mauricemines.org</span></a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:11.75pt">Website: <a href="http://www.nfb.org/">www.nfb.org</a> <<a href="http://www.nfbdeaf-blind.org/">http://www.nfbdeaf-blind.org</a>> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:11.75pt">Live the life you want. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:11.75pt">The National Federation of the Blind Deaf-Blind Division, a proud division <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:11.75pt">of the National Federation of the Blind, is a community of members and <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:11.75pt">friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:11.75pt">we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. <o:p></o:p></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">_______________________________________________<br>NFB-DB mailing list<br><a href="mailto:NFB-DB@nfbnet.org">NFB-DB@nfbnet.org</a><br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org</a><br>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFB-DB:<br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-db_nfbnet.org/rubiigary%40gmail.com">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-db_nfbnet.org/rubiigary%40gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></blockquote></div></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">_______________________________________________<br>NFB-DB mailing list<br><a href="mailto:NFB-DB@nfbnet.org">NFB-DB@nfbnet.org</a><br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org</a><br>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFB-DB:<br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-db_nfbnet.org/michaeldforzano%40gmail.com">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-db_nfbnet.org/michaeldforzano%40gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></blockquote></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">_______________________________________________<br>NFB-DB mailing list<br><a href="mailto:NFB-DB@nfbnet.org">NFB-DB@nfbnet.org</a><br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org</a><br>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFB-DB:<br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-db_nfbnet.org/carla%40mainstreetmontessori.org">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-db_nfbnet.org/carla%40mainstreetmontessori.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></blockquote></div></div></div></div><span>_______________________________________________</span><br><span>NFB-DB mailing list</span><br><span>NFB-DB@nfbnet.org</span><br><span>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org</span><br><span>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFB-DB:</span><br><span>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-db_nfbnet.org/rubiigary%40gmail.com</span><br></div></blockquote></div></body></html>