From dandrews at visi.com Sat Mar 5 23:08:14 2011 From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews) Date: Sat, 05 Mar 2011 17:08:14 -0600 Subject: [Nfb-dc] Curt Cylke Retires Message-ID: NLS Operations Alert no. 11-12 DATE : March 2, 2011 TO : Network Libraries FROM : Carolyn Hoover Sung Subject : Retirement of Frank Kurt Cylke, Director of NLS The following announcement came from Deanna Marcum, Associate Librarian of Congress for Library Services concerning the retirement of Frank Kurt Cylke Dear Colleagues, I am writing with the news that Frank Kurt Cylke, longtime director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), has retired from federal service effective February 28, 2011. Mr. Cylke was appointed to the position of NLS director in 1973. Since that time he has led NLS in a career of committed and dedicated service to the nation's libraries and to the blind and physically handicapped citizens of the United States. On March 3, 2011, NLS will celebrate the 80th anniversary of its founding legislation. Tribute will be paid to Mr. Cylke's exceptional career and to his leadership in accomplishing the transition from analog to digital technology in 2009 with the launch of the Digital Talking Book program. I am pleased to announce that Ruth Scovill will serve as acting NLS director. Ms. Scovill will serve in this role during an interim period, while the position of NLS director is being posted and filled permanently through a nationwide search. Ms. Scovill is the director of Technology Policy in Library Services at the Library of Congress. With extensive experience in information technology, and a knowledge and appreciation of NLS from her work in 2008 on a major study related to the development of the Digital Talking Book system, Ms. Scovill will work to assure a smooth transition for NLS until a permanent director is appointed. Special thanks to all of you for continuing your steadfast commitment to the mission of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Sincerely, Deanna Deanna Marcum Associate Librarian for Library Services Telephone: 202-707-5917 E-mail: dmarcum at loc.gov For more information contact: Carolyn Hoover Sung Chief, Network Division csun at loc.gov ===================END FORWARDED MESSAGE=================== ___________ From dandrews at visi.com Tue Mar 8 03:42:40 2011 From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews) Date: Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:42:40 -0600 Subject: [Nfb-dc] Fwd: [Nfbmd] Fwd: Web Accessibility Meetup - Baltimore April 9, 2011 Message-ID: >Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2011 10:19:25 -0500 >From: Tony Olivero >To: greater-baltimore at nfbnet.org, nfbmd at nfbnet.org >Subject: [Nfbmd] Fwd: Web Accessibility Meetup - Baltimore April 9, 2011 > >The following message may be of interest to those who are web >developers. Karl's message gives the details, but I am also pasting >the text of the attached word document below his signature in case it >does not come through as an attachment. > >Tony > >---------- Forwarded message ---------- >From: Karl Groves >Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2011 10:04:10 -0500 >Subject: Web Accessibility Meetup - Baltimore April 9, 2011 >To: Karl Groves > >Inspired by the success of Accessibility Meetups being held in >Washington DC, Boston, and elsewhere, I will be holding regularly >occurring meetups in Baltimore at the Library for the Blind and >Physically Handicapped. These meetups will follow the mold of those >which occur in DC, where each meetup will have a speaker who comes to >speak to the group about a specific topic of interest to those >involved in (or wish to learn about) web accessibility. > >The first meeting will be held April 9th 2011. I will be the speaker >at that meeting and will be discussing web accessibility testing and >tools. It is my intent that these meetings be technology & vendor >neutral, and therefore my talk on the 8th will mention characteristics >of testing tools and will list several tools, although I do plan on >giving a (rather quick) discussion of FireEyes. > >The Library is located at 415 Park Ave., Baltimore, MD 21201. The main >number is 410.230.2424. > >I hope you will be able to join me and would like very much if you >could pass this information on to others who you feel might find these >meetups beneficial. > >Also, I am looking for anyone willing to come speak at these meetups. >If you or someone you know would be interested, please get in touch. > > >Thanks. > >-- >Karl Groves > >---Text of Attached Document--- >Web Accessibility Interest Group > >Maryland Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped announces >the commencement of a new interest group. The purpose of the group is >to foster a new dialog for web accessibility. >The plan is for the group to meet monthly at the library on the second >Saturday from noon until two. The first meeting will be held April >9th 2011. The Library is located at 415 Park Ave., Baltimore, MD >21201. The main number is 410.230.2424. >The group will be facilitated by Karl Groves, Director, Training of >Deque Systems, Inc. and will welcome of web developers of all levels. >There will be people attending who are versed in this technology and >people who want to learn how to code web sites for optimum >accessibility. >The first two monthly topics will be "Tools and processes for >assessing accessibility" and "Research findings in the web >accessibility area. >Future meetings will seek speakers and look to the group itself for >presenters. >Anyone interested in this group may contact Mollyne Honor at >410.230.2456 or mrhonor at lbph.lib.md.us. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Web Accessibility Interest Group Announcement.docx Type: application/msword Size: 11608 bytes Desc: not available URL: From James.Newell at nara.gov Thu Mar 10 20:35:41 2011 From: James.Newell at nara.gov (James Newell) Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:35:41 -0600 Subject: [Nfb-dc] DOL and OPM Tool Kit for recruiting, individuals with disabilities Message-ID: The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy posted an online toolkit comprised of resources to assist federal agencies in recruiting, employing and retaining individuals with disabilities. The kit is available at http://www.dol.gov/odep/federal-hire. ODEP, in collaboration with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, designed a five-step process that agencies can readily follow to ensure an inclusive workplace for employees with disabilities. The steps are: employer training, creating a welcoming environment, recruitment, hiring and retention. Topics include "do's and don'ts" for interviewing, accessibility and accommodations, how to find technical assistance and creating a pipeline of candidates. President Obama issued Executive Order 13548 to establish the federal government, the nation's largest employer, as a model for the employment of individuals with disabilities. The order directs agencies to improve their efforts through increased recruitment, hiring and retention. The toolkit can be found on-line at: http://www.dol.gov/odep/federal-hire/ For more information on how CAP is supporting the Executive Order, please visit: www.tricare.mil/cap. ---------- CAP Questions for CAP? Contact Us STAY CONNECTED: Visit CAP on Facebook Follow DoDCAP on Twitter Visit CAP on YouTube Sign up for CAP email updates SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Preferences | Delete profile | Help Bookmark and Share ---------- This email was sent to james.newell at nara.gov by Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program: 5111 Leesburg Pike ?? Falls Church, VA 22041 ?? 703-681-8813 Powered by GovDelivery -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: a58ae3.gif Type: image/gif Size: 4786 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: a58af3.gif Type: image/gif Size: 1327 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: a58b03.gif Type: image/gif Size: 1410 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: a58b12.gif Type: image/gif Size: 1473 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: a58b22.gif Type: image/gif Size: 1307 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: a58b22.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 325 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: a58b31.gif Type: image/gif Size: 3048 bytes Desc: not available URL: From aphelps at BISM.org Fri Mar 18 01:52:49 2011 From: aphelps at BISM.org (Amy Phelps) Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2011 20:52:49 -0500 Subject: [Nfb-dc] Independence 2011 Message-ID: The birds are singing, the sun is out, it is time to start making plans for the summer and Independence 2011 is the place to be! Please be sure to help spread the word about this fantastic summer program for blind/low vision youth entering into the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. What is Independence 2011? Independence 2011 is a seven-week residential training program that provides blind and low vision teens with the nonvisual skills and confidence to help transition from high school to college and/or employment. * Learn to travel independently using a long white cane * Experience real-world career opportunities * Two-week paid work experience * Learn to read and write using Braille * Develop computer skills through assistive technology * Reside in campus apartments with blind instructor/mentors * Expand cooking, cleaning, and shopping skills * Attend the NFB Youth Slam, a STEP Leadership Academy * Develop a positive attitude about blindness * Attend the 2011 NFB national convention in Orlando, FL * Tour Baltimore, Washington D.C., and Disney World * Participate in recreational and athletic activities Who Can Apply? Legally blind high school students who are entering into the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades in the fall of 2011. Applicants should have an open case with their state?s vocational rehabilitation or have an alternative funding source. Where? Again we will return to Towson University where the students will live in apartments on campus Sponsored by? Blind Industries and Services of Maryland When? June 19 ? August 5 For more information or to apply, please contact Amy Phelps at 410-737-2642 or aphelps at bism.org Warm regards, Amy C. Phelps, CRC, NOMC Help sponsor our youth program activities Donate Check out information about our summer youth program: Independence 2011 Take the NCLB at BISM in Baltimore on March 26. For information: National Certification in Literary Braille Blind Industries and Services of Maryland 3345 Washington Blvd Baltimore, MD 21227 Phone: 410-737-2642 Mobile: 410-274-1647 Fax: 410-737-2689 Toll Free: 888-322-4567 E-mail: aphelps at bism.org "...given proper training and opportunity, the average blind person can do the average job in the average place of business and do it as well as his or her sighted neighbor..." Freedom for the Blind, James H. Omvig Confidentiality Note: The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential and protected from disclosure. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it from your computer. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From MRiccobono at nfb.org Thu Mar 31 15:46:26 2011 From: MRiccobono at nfb.org (Riccobono, Mark) Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:46:26 -0500 Subject: [Nfb-dc] Participants Needed for Braille Study Message-ID: Federationists, This is a brand new Braille study that we are conducting with Towson University. Please consider your participation. It is important that we gather meaningful data about Braille and its use by Braille readers. Sincerely, Mark Riccobono -------------- A Study of the Effects of Using Braille as a Primary Reading Source Participants are needed for an important study exploring the value of Braille reading in today's world. In collaboration with the NFB, a team at Towson University is looking for experienced Braille readers who use Braille on a daily basis for school or work. During this study you will read four stories, answer questions about the stories and complete some tasks that will measure your literacy skills. You will be compensated $50 for your participation. Sessions are completed individually, scheduled to your convenience, and should take less than two hours to complete. We will be able to meet you at the NFB Jernigan Institute in Baltimore, Towson University, or potentially at another location in the Washington/Baltimore area that is convenient for you. Please contact Mike Eskenazi (978-979-1479), Melinda Hines (410-310-1997),, or email braillestudy at gmail.com to see if you qualify for the study. Thank you! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: