[NFB-Maryland] May Minute Message from the Movement

Mon May 27 04:09:46 UTC 2019

May 2019 Minute Message 

Fellow Federationists:

I continue to be inspired by our membership.  You show me on a daily basis
how blind people can turn dreams into reality.  As we move toward summer,
our members continue to work at the grassroots level to ensure that the
blind of Maryland achieve equal access to information, obtain meaningful
employment, receive high quality education services, and on and on.  In the
last month alone, we advocated at several IEP meetings, worked on two
employment litigation matters, gave a training to a college and separately
prepared a training for TVIs and parents, advocated for numerous individuals
to receive adjustment to blindness training, and helped two students gain
approval from Vocational Rehabilitation to attend summer programs at NFB
training centers.  I've also been privileged to be able to visit with many
chapters and divisions as we conduct our Membership Ceremonies, and I've
thoroughly enjoyed meeting many of the people who comprise the National
Federation of the Blind of Maryland.  I look forward to visiting the
remaining chapters and divisions in the next few months.  Thank you for all
you do - we exist because of you, and we thrive because of what you do!

Board of Directors Meeting

Everyone is invited to attend the NFBMD Board of Directors Meeting on
Saturday, June 1, from 9:45AM to 2:30PM. The Central Maryland Chapter is
hosting this meeting. We will meet at Pfeiffer's Corner School House in
Rockburn Branch Park, 6109 Rockburn Branch Park Road, Elkridge, Maryland
21075.  Lunch will cost $15 per person.  If you plan to attend, please
contact Ronza Othman no later than May 29, 2019 at President at nfbmd.org
<mailto:President at nfbmd.org>  or at 443-426-4110, as we need to take
specific lunch orders and ensure sufficient space.  Those planning to attend
are asked to bring an item - non-perishable food - that can be donated to a
food bank, as one of our members is a volunteer and is seeking donations.

Webinar for Parents, TVIs, and Those Interested in Equal Access to Education
for the Blind

Please join the NFB of Maryland and the Maryland School for the Blind (MSB)
for a free webinar entitled, "No Limits: Literacy, Information Access, and
Mobility - Keys to the Future for Blind Students." The live webinar,
presented by Sharon Maneki, NFBMD Director of Legislation and Advocacy, will
be streamed live on May 28, 2019 at 3:00pm.  To register, visit
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/3b1476ba1e68f87dd746f627e8486654.  The
presentation will reference laws and parents' rights as well as stressing
the unique needs of blind students for literacy, information access and
mobility.  Those who cannot attend the live webinar may view it once it is
posted to the MSB YouTube channel.  Individuals are encouraged to register
for the live webinar even if they cannot attend the live offering, as they
will receive a link to the recording as soon as it is posted.  This and all
MSB webinars are posted to the MSB YouTube channel, which is located at
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCaTTXax5a1I42lz9CTQj7Q.  For questions or
assistance registering for the webinar, please contact Maria "Conchita"
Hernandez Legorreta at hernandezlegorreta at gmail.com
<mailto:hernandezlegorreta at gmail.com> .  

Sign Your Child Up for NFBBELL 

Maryland will once again host three Braille Enrichment in Literacy and
Learning (BELL) Programs during the Summer of 2019.  The BELL summer program
is a two-week day program (weekends not included) designed to offer
pre-kindergarten and elementary age low vision beginning Braille readers an
opportunity to be immersed in Braille and increase the use of tactile skills
for reading Braille. Children will receive Braille instruction daily as well
as learn alternative techniques through arts and crafts, games, field trips,
and other fun activities.  Find out more about and register for the
<http://nfb.org/bell> BELL program here.  Specific information about
Maryland BELL can be found at
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-bell-academy/maryland>
https://nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-bell-academy/maryland.  For questions,
please contact Maryland BELL Coordinator Melissa Riccobono at
<mailto:MelissaARiccobono at gmail.com> MelissaARiccobono at gmail.com. 

Maryland BELL Dates and Locations:

-         Baltimore Bell (for students in Baltimore City, Baltimore County,
and surrounding areas): July 29 - August 9, 2019

-         Glendale BELL (for students in Montgomery County, PG County, and
surrounding areas): July 29 - August 9, 2019

-         Salisbury BELL (for students in Wicomico County, Worcester County,
Dorchester County and surrounding areas): July 22 - August 2, 2019

Help Needed: Voting Experiences

We need to hear your story if you:

-          Believe you were the only person or one of just a few people who
voted using the electronic Ballot Marking Device (BMD), which is the
accessible voting machine, in either of the 2018 elections (primary or
general); or

-          Experienced challenges using the BMD in either of the 2018
elections; for example, if you arrived and found the machines not set up or
unplugged, if the staff did not know how to operate the machines, if you
were discouraged from using the machines, or if there were other challenges
of this sort.

Please contact Sharon Maneki at NFBMD at earthlink.net
<mailto:NFBMD at earthlink.net>  or at 410-715-9596 to share your experiences.

NFBMD Scholarship Finalists

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland is pleased to announce that
two students have been selected as 2019 John T. McCraw  Scholarship
finalists.  Daniel Hodges is a rising second-year law student at the
University of Baltimore School of Law.  Katelyn Siple is a rising junior
studying elementary education at Lancaster Bible College.  They will both be
attending the NFB National Convention in Las Vegas and the NFBMD State
Convention in Baltimore, so you will have the chance to get to know them.
They will receive their NFBMD scholarships at the state convention in
November provided they remain eligible.  We are thrilled with this year's
scholarship class and know you will be impressed as well.

Where's Your Coin?

In late March, the NFB of Maryland began holding our membership ceremonies
for existing members, and we will continue holding these ceremonies at
chapter meetings through summer.  It is at this chapter meeting that members
will receive their long-awaited and eagerly anticipated NFB Membership Coins
- and other surprises.  The NFBMD Board, NFB National Center staff, Greater
Baltimore Chapter, Greater Carroll County Chapter, Central Maryland Chapter,
and Eastern Shore Chapter have already had their membership ceremonies.  If
you are a member of one of these chapters/groups and were not able to attend
your membership ceremony, please contact Ronza Othman at President at nfbmd.org
<mailto:President at nfbmd.org> .

The schedule for chapters and divisions that have not yet had their
membership ceremonies is as follows:

-         June 8: Sligo Creek Chapter

-         June 13: Cumberland Chapter

-         June 20: TLC Chapter

-         June 26: Baltimore County Chapter

-         July TBD (Maryland Caucus at National Convention): At-Large
Chapter, Parents Division, Students Division, Merchants Division, Seniors
Division, and those who could not attend their local chapter ceremonies

-         September 28: National Harbor Chapter

Note: These dates are subject to change.

Time is Winding Down to Pre-Register for National Convention

You will not want to miss the 2019 National Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada
from July 7-12. Save money and pre-register today! Pre-registration closes
on May 31 at midnight. You may  <https://convention.nfb.org/> pre-register
and purchase a banquet ticket online.  

NFB Student Seminars

There are two upcoming student seminars. The Southeast Student Seminar will
be August 16-18, and the Pacific Student Seminar will be August 9-11.
Registration opens May 15 for each of them. Contact Kathryn Webster at
nabs.president at gmail.com <mailto:nabs.president at gmail.com>  with questions. 

NFB RideShare Testing Program

We continue to need your help.  If you use a service animal or are
accompanying someone who does, please fill out a short form about your
experience each time you use Uber or Lyft. In Maryland, we have to complete
a certain number of surveys each year.  You can submit a survey for every
trip you took, so please look back at your ride history and do this if you
haven't already done so.  Please go to  <https://nfb.org/rideshare-test>
https://nfb.org/rideshare-test or use the NFB Connect app (instructions
below) to complete the survey. Please give us information about both good
and bad experiences. Spread the word, we need information from every blind
person whether they are a member of NFB or not. Ashley Alvey is the Maryland
coordinator for this program. If you have questions email her at
ashleyalvey1994 at gmail.com <mailto:ashleyalvey1994 at gmail.com> .

NFB Connect App instructions for Rideshare Survey

1.	On the top left corner of the screen, you will find a button that
says, Menu button. Double tap Menu.
2.	After double tapping on menu, at the top left corner of the screen,
you will see Home.
3.	Swipe to the right once and you will see Fast Facts. Double tap Fast
Facts.
4.	You will swipe right until you see, Rideshare Survey. Double tap
Rideshare Survey.
5.	Lastly, swipe to the right. When you see First Name, this is where
the form begins and this is where you put in the information for the survey.

Come Run With Us for Braille Literacy!

Join the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado and the National
Federation of the Blind of Maryland for the second annual 6 Dot Dash. The 6
Dot Dash is a 5K Race to raise awareness and funds for Braille Literacy and
blindness skills training. The name "6 Dot Dash" comes from the six dots
which make up the Braille cell. A combination of these six dots makes up
every letter in the Braille alphabet. For individuals who are blind or low
vision, these 6 dots represent literacy, independence, and the opportunity
to live the lives we want.  The race will be physically held in Colorado,
and Marylanders may run virtually, meaning they still physically run, but
they do so in Maryland rather than Colorado.

To race virtually and support NFBMD, use the promotional code "NFBMD" (all
caps and without the quotes)  and register at www.6dotdashco.com
<http://www.6dotdashco.com/> .  Participants will receive a race Tee shirt,
finishers medal and virtual coupons.  The NFB of Maryland will receive $5
for every race participant that uses the code.

 If there is interest among Marylanders to run as a group, the affiliate
will organize an in-person route.  For questions,  Please contact Ronza
Othman at president at nfbmd.org <mailto:president at nfbmd.org>  or 443-426-4110
or Jessica Beecham at jessica at wefitwellness.com
<mailto:jessica at wefitwellness.com>  or 615-497-0435.

A Great Resource

The NFB of Maryland website <http://nfbmd.org/>  is a great resource! It
contains everything from blindness resources to information about our
rights, and the Maryland laws that relate to blindness. There is specific
information for parents, students, seniors, people with diabetes and people
who are just starting to lose their vision. There is information about every
local chapter and division of NFBMD as well as their constitutions.  

Check the website frequently to find out about current advocacy issues, to
read the latest newsletter and to get information about upcoming events.
Local chapters should remember to email Graham Mell at blind at trailstone.com
<mailto:blind at trailstone.com>  with details of their events for posting. If
you have ideas about other information that you would like to see on the
website, please contact Ronza Othman at President at nfbmd.org
<mailto:President at nfbmd.org> .

Important Dates for 2019

*	June 1 - Board of Directors Meeting; Elkridge , Maryland
*	June 16 - 22 - NFB EQ, Baltimore, MD
*	July 7-12th - NFB National Convention, Las Vegas, NV.
*	July 22 - August 2 - NFB BELL Academy, Salisbury, MD
*	July 29 - August 9 - NFB BELL Academy, Baltimore and Glendale, MD
*	August 17th - Annual Crab Feast - Tall Cedars, 2501 Putty Hill Ave.,
Parkville, MD 21234
*	November 8-10 - Annual State Convention - Crown Plaza Baltimore
Downtown

Ronza Othman, President

National Federation of the Blind of Maryland

443-426-4110

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland 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 you back.

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