[NFB-Maryland] February Minute Message from the Movement
president at nfbmd.org
president at nfbmd.org
Mon Mar 2 06:40:53 UTC 2020
February 2020 Minute Message
Fellow Federationists:
February gave us an extra day this year, and we took advantage of it to work
on our many priorities. The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
continues to be busy raising expectations for the blind and fighting for our
rights. Many of us gathered at the Columbia Mall to usher in a new business
on Leap Day called Chop Chop to support the Maryland Association of Blind
Merchants. As one passer-by stated, "This mall is full of blind people!"
Read below for information about news and upcoming activities.
Raising Expectations in Annapolis!
We continue to advocate for our legislative priorities at the Maryland
General Assembly. We held our Annual Day in Annapolis on Thursday, January
16, 2020, and more than 60 Federationists participated. We spoke with
representatives from all 47 State Senator offices and 141 Delegate offices.
Thank you all for your hard work!
On February 12 and 13, we testified at legislative hearings in support of
SB326 / HB604 to rename the Maryland State Library for the Blind and
Physically Handicapped to the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print
Disabled and to ensure that one member of the Maryland State Library Board
is blind. You can view the testimony for one of the hearings, including
heart-felt words by nine-year-old Oriana Riccobono explaining why a blind
person must protect our library, by clicking
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Committees/Media/false?cmte=w%26m&ys=2
020RS&clip=WAM_2_13_2020_meeting_1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmgahouse.maryland.gov%2F
mga%2Fplay%2F10d10b4c-6a26-4f01-91d5-69715f6bd245%2F%3Fcatalog%2F03e481c7-8a
42-4438-a7da-93ff74bdaa4c%26playfrom%3D2091005. We are making substantial
progress on this issue - the Maryland State Senate passed it 46 / 0 on
February 27, 2020, and the Maryland House of Delegates is expected to bring
it to a vote on the floor on March 2 or 3 because the House Committee gave
it a favorable report and voted it out of Committee. Should the House of
Delegates pass the bill, then the two chambers will make sure both the
Senate and House bills are the same and eventually, barring a veto, Governor
Hogan, will sign the bill into law. You all did a tremendous job on this
issue!
On February 20, 2020, we testified at the Maryland House of Delegates on
HB557, which ensures that blind people have equal access to information with
regard to dockless electric scooters. The Senate version of the bill,
SB607, will have its hearing on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Anyone wishing
to attend this hearing should contact Sharon Maneki at 410-715-9596 or at
NFBMD at earthlink.net <mailto:NFBMD at earthlink.net> . Last year, the House of
Delegates passed the bill, the Senate Finance Committee sat on the bill for
a very long time and eventually passed it but by the time they got it out of
Committee, there wasn't enough time for the full Senate to vote on it.
We're hoping the bills will move more quickly this year, but we need your
help to make sure this happens. Keep reading to find out what you can do.
The funding for the Center for Excellence in Non-visual Access is currently
in the Governor's Budget. Members attended the Senate and House hearings
for the Department of Disabilities budget, and we expect this money should
be protected. Great work on this initiative.
The hearings on our legislative priorities to restore the secret ballot and
desegregate voting based on disability, SB757 / HB1314, will take place on
Tuesday, March 3, and Thursday, March 5, 2020. If you wish to attend the
hearings, please contact Sharon Maneki at 410-715-9596 or at
NFBMD at earthlink.net <mailto:NFBMD at earthlink.net> .
The Maryland legislature is extremely busy this year with a tremendous
number of bills. In order to make sure that our delegates and senators know
our matters are critical to us, we need to contact them to tell them to
support our initiatives. Our Director of Legislation and Advocacy, Sharon
Maneki, has posted information on our lists about how to do this as well as
visited many chapters. We will shortly repost all this information in one
list message. You may also contact Sharon Maneki directly to request it at
410-715-9596 or at <mailto:NFBMD at earthlink.net> NFBMD at earthlink.net.
Thanks for all you do! Legislative advocacy is the true embodiment of
collective action.
Raising Expectations in Washington!
We had a very successful Washington Seminar where we raised expectations
about blindness. On February 11, Maryland joined Federationists from
throughout the country on Capitol Hill to let Congress know about the
priorities for blind Americans. The three issues that we discussed are:
cosponsoring the Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 2086 / S. 815);
cosponsoring the Greater Accessibility and Independence through Nonvisual
Access Technology Act (H.R. 3929); and cosponsoring the Accessible
Instructional Materials in Higher Education Act (H.R. 5312 / S. 3095).
You may read the Washington Seminar fact sheets by visiting
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-agenda>
https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-agenda or on
Newsline. Maryland's Congressional delegation highlighted your efforts when
four out of the fifteen Members of Congress who attended our NFB
Congressional Reception on February 11, 2020 were from Maryland. These
members were Senator Cardin, Majority Leader Hoyer, Congressman Raskin, and
Congressman Sarbanes. NFBMD will continue working to ensure that the entire
Maryland Congressional delegation cosponsors all of our bills. If you have
questions about the status of any Federal legislation, please contact me at
<mailto:President at nfbmd.org> President at nfbmd.org.
Basket and Bag Bingo is Coming!
Would you like to win over $4,000 in prizes? Would you like to play 23 games
of BINGO? Snacks and raffles will also be available. Buy your tickets early
because we always sell out.
We are busy arranging and filling baskets and procuring bags (purses). We
need financial contributions to help with these purchases. Please let us
know whether you would like to sponsor a basket or bag for $100. All
contributions of any amount are welcome. You may also purchase your ticket
for $25. Please contact Sharon Maneki at <mailto:NFBMD at earthlink.net>
NFBMD at earthlink.net for more information or visit <http://nfbmd.org/bingo>
http://nfbmd.org/bingo.
Update on Voting Lawsuit
In August, the National Federation of the Blind, the NFB of Maryland, and
three blind members, Joel Zimba, Marie Cobb, and Ruth Sager, filed suit in
Federal Court against the Maryland Board of Elections. The suit asserts
that the Maryland Board of Elections maintains a segregated system of voting
that denies blind voters their right to a secret ballot and equal voting
experience as non-disabled voters. The suit claims this violates the
Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act and that the
Board of Elections' actions are discriminatory based on disability. In
early September, the Board of Elections filed a Motion to Dismiss our
lawsuit, claiming: 1) the Board could not get the appropriate number of BMDs
from the manufacturer; 2) the policy the Board adopted in June 2019 to
require 5 people to use the BMD at each polling location solves our problem
of not having private ballots; and 3) it would be too costly to obtain a
sufficient number of BMDs. The Board later corrected itself, saying it
could indeed get enough BMDs from the manufacturer to make the BMDs the
default, but it was standing by its other two reasons for not thinking it
should have to do so.
On September 20, 2019, we filed a preliminary injunction to compel the Board
of Elections to have to use the BMDs as the default means for all voters in
the 2020 General Election unless a voter specifically asks for a paper
ballot. We argued that we should not have to sacrifice our privacy and
civil rights for the illusion of security and that since the Board is able
to obtain enough machines, they should do so. We also argued that since the
Board couldn't successfully get even two people to use the BMDs before, they
aren't going to succeed in getting five to use them unless the BMDs are the
default method of voting.
In mid-October, the Board filed an Answer to our Motion, arguing that it
would, in essence, be too costly and burdensome for the State to make using
the BMDs the default voting method in Maryland.
In January, the Federal judge presiding over the case heard oral arguments
(this means the lawyers talk about the case but witnesses don't testify) in
our Motion for a Preliminary Injunction and the Board's Motion to Dismiss.
Many Federationists were there in person to show the Court and the Maryland
State Board of Elections that our right to a secret, desegregated ballot is
a vital civil right.
On February 4, 2020, the Board of Elections administered the Special Primary
Election in the Seventh Congressional District. Our members experienced
tremendous difficulty voting privately, secretly, and independently, which
was proof that none of the Board's policy changes were effective. On
February 7, we filed a Motion to Seek Leave to Supplement the Preliminary
Injunction Motion, which means we were requesting approval to provide
additional evidence. However, the Judge did not consider our new evidence
of all of the issues that happened in the Special Primary Election and
issued a ruling on February 10.
The Judge ruled in our favor with regard to the Board's Motion to Dismiss
the lawsuit. This means that we can continue with the litigation. However,
she ruled in favor of the Board when she denied our Motion for a Preliminary
Injunction. This means that she is not requiring the Board of Elections to
make the Ballot Marking Devices the default method of voting for the 2020
General Election.
If you had a challenging experience with the BMDs, were not given neutral
language upon check-in, or have other matters related to the Special Primary
you wish to discuss, please contact me at <mailto:President at nfbmd.org>
President at nfbmd.org.
We are optimistic about the overall lawsuit and will continue fighting to
ensure that the blind have a secret, non-segregated voting experience.
National Convention is Coming!
The 2020 national convention of the National Federation of the Blind will be
held July 14-19 <x-apple-data-detectors://0> in Houston, Texas. The Main
Convention Hotel will be the Hilton Americas - Houston, 1600 Lamar Street,
Houston, TX 77010. Room rates are $105 per night for singles, doubles,
triples, and quads, plus 8.25% sales tax and 17% occupancy tax.
Reservations may be made by calling 1-800-236-2905. You will need to pay
the first night's room and taxes on a credit card or mail a check to the
hotel to reserve a room.
The overflow hotel is the Marriott Marquis Houston, which is about three
blocks away, or across the park (also accessible indoors by walking through
the Convention Center. The nightly rate is $119 plus taxes. To make
reservations at the Marriott Marquis Houston, call 1-877-688-4323.
Convention registration opened on March 1, 2020 and closes on May 31, 2020.
Visit the following link for Convention information including registration
information. <https://www.nfb.org/convention>
https://www.nfb.org/convention
Those seeking financial assistance should speak with their chapter president
to find out what assistance their local chapter may have available. The
affiliate's Financial Assistance Application Form is now live and must be
submitted by April 15, 2020. It can be found at
<http://www.nfbmd.org/financialassistance>
http://www.nfbmd.org/financialassistance. Please note that though the
Financial Assistance Committee will give due consideration to every
application, the affiliate has limited resources and is unable to grant
every request. For questions about the Financial Assistance Application
Program, please reach out to your chapter president or me at
<mailto:President at nfbmd.org> President at nfbmd.org.
Supporting Our Maryland Scholarship Program!
Please join us on April 4, 2020 at our NFB of Maryland Bid for Opportunity
and Scholarship Dinner. This is an annual event that raises funds for the
John T. McCraw Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships for
post-secondary students in Maryland. The dinner and auction will begin at
5PM and end at about 9PM. It will take place at the VFW Post 9619 in
Morningside, located at 6527 Suitland Road, Morningside, Maryland 20746.
Tickets cost $40, and those interested in attending should purchase tickets
by March 28, 2020 by mailing a check payable to "NFB of Maryland" to Debbie
Brown, 11923 Parklawn Drive, #104, Rockville, MD 20852 or purchase online by
visiting <http://nfbmd.org/bidforopportunity>
http://nfbmd.org/bidforopportunity. Individuals may also contact Debbie
Brown at <mailto:deborahb14 at verizon.net> deborahb14 at verizon.net, or call
(301) 881-1892 to donate items for the auction.
Blind Cruising 2020!
The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland will be hosting a cruise
fundraiser from September 27, 2020 to October 4, 2020. There are a few
cabins left in our block. The affiliate will receive a portion of the cost
of each cabin that is booked. All are welcome, including members of the
NFBMD, other affiliates, families, colleagues, and friends. For additional
information or to reserve your cabin, please email
<mailto:NFBMD.outreach at gmail.com> NFBMD.outreach at gmail.com. Details are as
follows:
Ship: Carnival Pride
Date: September 27 - October 4, 2020
Port of Departure: Baltimore, Maryland
Number of nights: 7
Ports visited: Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Half Moon Cay, Bahamas; and
Freeport, Bahamas
Key Dates:
- First deposit due: Until All Cabins Booked = $25 per person
- Second deposit due: April 15, 2020 - $250 per person plus full names
of sailors
- Final payment due: June 15, 2020
Types and prices of cabins (this is a per person price based on double
occupancy and includes cabin fee, port charges, and taxes); we have a
limited number of cabins, so prices may change once our block is filled.
- Balcony cabin (extended balcony) = $951.64 per person
- Balcony cabin (standard balcony) = $928.64 per person
- Balcony cabin (obstructed view) = $885.64 per person
- Ocean View cabin = $835.64 per person
- interior cabin = $770.64 per person
- if anyone needs a triple or quad cabin, they should let us know.
Note: There are no longer cabins available at all price points, so please
email to inquire about availability.
NFB and NFBMD Scholarship Programs
The National Federation of the Blind and the National Federation of the
Blind of Maryland each administer a separate scholarship program for
post-secondary students. The deadline to apply for an NFB scholarship is
March 31, 2020, and the deadline to apply for an NFBMD Scholarship is April
15, 2020.
National Scholarship Program: Each year, the NFB awards 30 merit-based
scholarships totaling at least $120,000.
- Scholarships range in amount from $3,000 to $12,000.
- Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement,
leadership, and community service.
- The 30 scholarship finalists are announced in the spring and
attend the National Convention, where they are awarded a specific
scholarship.
- Application materials must be submitted (online or postmarked) by
11:59PM on March 31, 2020.
- To be eligible, applicants must:
o Be legally blind in both eyes;
o Reside in the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico;
o Be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of
study in a degree program at a U.S. institution in the Fall of 2020 (one
scholarship may be awarded to an individual who works full-time and attends
school part-time); and
o Attend the entire National Convention of the National Federation of the
Blind (and all scholarship activities) in Houston, Texas from July 14
through 19, 2020 (scholarship finalists will receive convention assistance).
- To apply:
o Submit an application using the online application system at
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/scholarships/login>
https://nfb.org/civicrm/scholarships/login; or
o Download, complete, and email or mail in a hard copy application form by
visiting: <https://nfb.org/programs/scholarship-program>
https://nfb.org/programs/scholarship-program.
State Scholarship Program: Each year, the NFB of Maryland awards the John T.
McCraw Scholarship to two students in the amounts of $2,000 and $1,500 each.
NFBMD may award a third scholarship to a former McCraw scholarship
recipient.
- Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement and
community involvement.
- Application materials must be submitted (online or postmarked) by
11:59PM on April 15, 2020.
- To be eligible, applicants must:
o Be legally blind in both eyes;
o Be a legal resident of Maryland or be pursuing post-secondary studies at
a school in Maryland;
o Be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of
study in a degree program in the Fall of 2020; and
o Attend the entire National Convention of the National Federation of the
Blind in Houston, Texas from July 14 through 19, 2020 and the annual
convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Towson,
Maryland from November 6 - 8, 2020 (scholarship finalists will receive
convention assistance).
- To apply:
o Submit an application using the online application system at
<http://nfbmd.org/scholarship/apply> http://nfbmd.org/scholarship/apply; or
o Download, complete, and email or mail in a hard copy application form by
visiting: <http://nfbmd.org/scholarship> http://nfbmd.org/scholarship.
LBPH and BookShare Partner to Give Us More Books!
The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH)
has partnered with BookShare, an online repository of thousands of books, to
make BookShare service available to patrons of LBPH free of charge. To be
eligible, individuals must be a member of LBPH and not have an existing
BookShare membership. For more information, contact LBPH at 410-230-2424.
Do You Feel Lucky?
The NFBMD spring raffle is underway. During the months of May and June, you
have the opportunity to win $50 Sunday through Friday, or $100 on Saturday.
Purchase a 3-digit number raffle ticket for $10. You will be the only one
who has this number. You can get your tickets from chapter and division
presidents, Board members, affiliate leaders, or from me at
<mailto:President at nfbmd.org> President at nfbmd.org. Help us sell all 1,000
tickets! The individual who sells the most winning tickets will win a
prize, provided we sell all 1,000 tickets.
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.
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.
Important Upcoming Dates
* March 13, 2020 - Basket and Bag Bingo at The Lodge, 2832 9 Mile Cir.
Catonsville, MD.
* March 31, 2020 - Deadline for National Scholarship Applications.
* April 4, 2020 - Scholarship Dinner and Bid for Opportunity at VFW
Post 9619, 6527 Suitland Rd, Morningside, MD
* April 15, 2020 - Deadline for NFBMD Scholarship Applications.
* April 15, 2020 - Deadline for Second Blind Cruising 2020 Payment.
* May 2, 2020 - MDPOBC and MDABS Joint Seminar, Baltimore, MD
* May 9, 2020 - Muir's Tavern Homecoming Fundraiser, Baltimore
(Federal Hill), MD
* June 15, 2020 - Final Payment Due for Blind Cruising 2020
* July 14 -19, 2020 - NFB National Convention, Houston, Texas
* July 20 - 31, 2020 - NFB BELL Academy - Salisbury, MD
* August 3 - 14, 2020 - NFB BELL Academy - Baltimore, MD
* August 3 - 14, 2020 - NFB BELL Academy - Glenn Dale, MD
* August 8, 2020 - Annual Crab Feast - Tall Cedars, 2501 Putty Hill
Ave., Parkville, MD 21234
* September 27 - October 4, 2020 - Blind Cruising 2020, Carnival
Pride, Departing from Port of Baltimore
* November 6-8, 2020 - Annual State Convention, Towson, Maryland
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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