[NFB-Maryland] Fall 2020 Braille Spectator
president at nfbmd.org
president at nfbmd.org
Fri Oct 9 22:06:52 UTC 2020
Braille Spectator, Fall 2020
THE BRAILLE SPECTATOR, Fall 2020
A semi-annual publication of the National Federation of the Blind of
Maryland
Ronza Othman and Sharon Maneki, co-editors
Published on <http://www.nfbmd.org/> www.nfbmd.org and on NFB Newsline by
The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
Ronza Othman, President
Comments and questions should be sent to <mailto:President at nfbmd.org>
President at nfbmd.org.
In this issue:
* The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland 2020 Annual
Convention: Rise Up!
* COVID-19 Cant Keep Our BELLs from Ringing
* State Board of Election Promotes Misinformation About Online
Ballot Tool
* Our History, Our Story
* List of Presidents of the National Federation of the Blind of
Maryland
* Chapter Spotlight: The Greater Cumberland and Eastern Shore
Chapters
* Fighting for Equal Access to Education for Blind Students
* The Convention Will Go On
* Remembering Charlie Cook
* Reflections on MTA Budget Cut Process
* Profile of an NFBMD Leader: Judy Rasmussen
· Spectator Specs
The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland 2020 Annual Convention:
Rise Up!
By Ronza Othman
The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland (NFBMD) will be holding our
54th Annual Convention from November 6 to 8, from anywhere and everywhere.
Our theme this year will be Rise Up! This is because we, the members of
the NFBMD, rise to meet every challenge we face, particularly during this
unprecedented year, and mobilize to ensure we can live the lives we want.
This years theme celebrates our resilience, creativity, and unrelenting
commitment to equal access to information, education, jobs, civil rights,
and all the aspects of life in which we participate. At this years
convention, we will highlight our efforts, celebrate our successes, and map
our way forward.
Our National Representative this year is Pam Allen. Pam is president of the
National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana, chairman and first vice
president of the National Federation of the Blind Board of Directors, and
executive director of the Louisiana Center for the Blind.
We will begin early on Friday, November 6, with the meeting of the Board of
Directors. This is an official business meeting, and we will read proposed
changes to our state constitution, as well as proposed rules of engagement
for the virtual convention. The board meeting will be followed by the
resolutions committee meeting. The host committee, consisting of the
At-Large, TLC, and Cumberland chapters, and chaired by Scott White, are hard
at work finalizing arrangements for virtual tours, the Breakfast Club (a
daily gathering to orient those interested to that days activities), and
other fun and exciting activities. You wont want to miss our virtual tour
of a museum via Aira.
We will, once again, have an Exhibit Hall, where a number of organizations
will demonstrate services and goods specific to the blind. This years
virtual exhibit hall will feature an Exhibitor Showcase, open office hours,
and a robust exhibitor web page. We also are planning some workshops,
including a New Members Open House, where new and potential members can
learn about our mission and programs, and ask questions about the NFB and
NFBMD.
The Parents Division is hosting a seminar on Friday morning for parents and
teachers. The students also will have a seminar on Friday afternoon. The
Merchants Division will have a meeting and reception Friday evening. The
Seniors Issues Division will hold its annual seminar Friday afternoon. The
Blind Parents Committee and the At-Large Chapter also will meet Friday.
Saturday and Sunday promise to be equally exciting. We will have many
dynamic and interesting presentations during General Session. As usual, we
will work with our partners to ensure high quality services for the blind.
We also will hear from members of the Maryland General Assembly and
Congress, with whom weve worked to enact legislation to help us live the
lives we want. We also will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Americans
with Disabilities Act and celebrate the abolishment of subminimum wages in
Maryland since the law we advocated for finalizes the phase-out of 14(c)
certificates this year.
The Banquet on Saturday evening promises to be as exciting as ever. We will
hear from our National Representative, award our NFBMD scholarships, and
give some awards.
We have a number of surprises in store this year. Please take advantage of
the discounted rates for registration by pre-registering prior to October
16. Those who register after October 16, will not be eligible to vote, to
win door prizes, and for other incentives. To register, visit
nfbmd.org/convention <http://nfbmd.org/convention> . Please also be sure to
enroll in voting for the NFBMD convention by October 16, by visiting
nfbvote.org <http://nfbvote.org/> . For more information about
pre-registration and to download the convention agenda once it becomes
available, visit nfbmd.org/convention <http://nfbmd.org/convention> .
The convention will be a time to have fun and grow, a time to meet new
friends and renew old friendships, and a time of inspiration and enthusiasm.
Come to the convention to experience the love, hope and determination we
need to make our dreams a reality. Come to celebrate that we, in the
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland always rise up to meet whatever
comes our way.
COVID-19 Cant Keep Our BELLs from Ringing
by Lizzy Muhammad-Park
[Editors Note: This year has been unlike any other year, and this was true
of our NFB Braille Enrichment in Literacy and Learning (BELL) Academy.
Though we were not able to hold in-person sessions due to public health
considerations, our children were nonetheless able to experience the BELL
magic. Lizzy Muhammad-Park served as our Maryland BELL coordinator for the
first time this year, and she did a tremendous job. Below is our 2020 NFB
BELL Academy roundup.]
As you've all probably heard by now, the BELL program looked a little
different this year. I am pleased to say that the BELL Academy In-Home
Edition was a success for our students. Maryland had 12 participants this
summer. Each student was able to take part in one of our three two-week
sessions held at either 11 a.m., or 6 p.m. Classes were one hour long
(Monday through Friday) and taught by well-known Federation teachers from
throughout the country. Before each class, students were to watch and
follow along with a video teaching them the lesson for the day. During the
class, students had the chance to ask any questions they had about the video
lesson, and have conversations facilitated by our teachers. In addition to
the classes, students also attended social hour at 3 p.m., each day. It was
here they were encouraged to meet and chat with other young blind students.
Students received a box of materials before their chosen session began. It
included sleep shades (called learning shades at BELL), braille paper,
labeling paper, flashcards, a free white cane, slate and stylus, braille
puzzle, foam shapes, jingle bells, tactile stickers, magnetic tape, a game
kit, and more! A huge thank you to our NFB National Center for gathering,
packing and sending these boxes to participantsall at no cost to the
students. Thats right, BELL was free this year. It is because of the
Federations generosity that our blind children could play accessible games,
make instruments like rain sticks and tambourines, plant sunflower seeds,
learn about Braille, and chat with new friends this summer. The kids really
loved it too! Marylands Braylee Mooney, daughter of Garret Mooney, said she
enjoyed drawing Braille pictures because she thought you could only draw
pictures in print. Comments like this are what make our program necessary.
Garret Mooney, president of the Maryland Organization of Parents of Blind
Children, said he was glad, The NFB did not let COVID-19 prevent us from
putting on a program. He said so many kids are not provided Braille
instruction, and that we made sure our blind children had something. He
finished by saying, No matter how different it was this year, our kids were
given the opportunity to become literate.
To continue their literacy after the program, each student is receiving two
Seedlings Braille books at no cost to their families. Thank you to our
National Headquarters for coordinating these efforts, and to Seedlings for
sending these books free matter for the blind to each of our 2020
participants.
A special thank you to our Maryland mentors: Miranda Williams, Judy
Rasmussen, Debby Brown, and Bernice Lowder. Thank you to the parents who
worked with their children through another home-based activity. Last, but
certainly not least, thank you to our affiliate President Ronza Othman, for
asking me to coordinate this years program. Though the National Office
took care of most of my responsibilities and coordinated a nationwide
program, I am so grateful to have served as Marylands 2020 BELL
coordinator. I even had the chance to mentor a few students myself. I hope
to see everyone again next year. Stay safe, and let the BELLS ring on!
State Board of Election Promotes Misinformation About the Accessible Online
Ballot Tool
by Ronza Othman
[Editors Note: The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland and the
National Federation of the Blind sued the State Board of Elections several
years ago to encourage them to provide an accessible online ballot marking
tool so blind people could request an absentee ballot and use this ballot to
vote privately and secretly. Although they created the tool and it is very
good, the Board continues to discourage its use and promote misinformation.
The latest example was a September 8, press release. Below is NFBMDs
response.]
September 30, 2020
VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL
Maryland Board of Elections
c/o Linda Lamone
151 West Street, Suite 200
Annapolis, MD 21401
info.sbe at maryland.gov
linda.lamone at maryland.gov
Re: September 8, 2020 Press Release - Ensuring Voting Rights of
Blind and Print Disabled Voters
Dear Chairman Cogan, Vice Chairman Hogan, and Members of the Board:
I write to you once again as President of the National Federation of the
Blind of Maryland on behalf of my organization and its members regarding a
press release your public relations firm issued on September 8, 2020. The
content and intent of the press release was completely inappropriate and
outright discriminatory. The press release is a further attempt to continue
segregation of voters who are blind and have print disabilities and
discourage those populations from exercising their constitutional right to
vote. As a result, we urge SBE to issue a press release correcting the
misinformation the September 8 release conveyed that explicitly clarifies
that email ballots are safe, inexpensive, and accessible to all. The
correction should attempt to mitigate the chilling effect for voters with
disabilities that the previous press release created by making it clear that
email ballot delivery is not less desirable than hard-copy ballot delivery.
The press release should also state outright that individuals with
disabilities rely on this form of voting to exercise their constitutional
right to vote.
The September 8 press release, issued by Kelly Jones, begins with the title,
Get your ballots sent by mail, not email, to save time and money. In
beginning the press release with the phrase The Maryland State Board of
Elections reminds, Ms. Jones is speaking for you. It is also public
knowledge that the PR firm where she works represents SBE. Moreover, she
quoted Administrator Lamone, who also, through her words, created a chilling
effect on using email-based voting. The press release failed to reference
the use of the email ballot delivery system for individuals with
disabilities and failed to offer any alternatives for that class of voter.
The press release states, When a ballot is sent to a voter by email, the
voter must print the ballot, fill out the ballot, find an envelope, and pay
for postage. Local election officials are also required to copy any ballot
printed on standard paper onto an official ballot to be scanned and
counted. While this is factually true, including this language in a
release with a subject line and intent to discourage this method of voting
creates the false impression that it is unsafe or unsecure for SBE workers
to copy the emailed ballot onto an official ballot.
Ms. Lamone also stated that completing a paper ballot is more convenient and
saves the voter money. This is categorically false if the voter has a
disability who cannot independently complete the paper ballot. That
individual will need to get someone to assist them to complete the ballot,
which takes time and money, as many such voters have to hire someone to
assist, whereas completing the emailed ballot costs nothing. In fact, for a
significant segment of the Maryland voter population, it is cheaper and
saves time to use the emailed ballot.
Id also like to remind the Board that SBE established the emailed voting
method as a result of litigation the National Federation of the Blind
brought against it because the previous vote-by-mail method was paper-based
only and thus discriminatory. Issuing a public statement discouraging the
use of a system the State deployed after being found to have discriminated
against blind and disabled voters both chills the use of this legally
mandated process and further perpetuates the Boards and SBEs attitude that
the votes of the blind and disabled in Maryland are unimportant. This is
untrue and frankly offensive.
One leader in the disability community, Michael Bullis, Executive Director
of the Image Center of Maryland, who is also a member of NFBMD, stated in an
email to SBE responding to the September 8 press release, Essentially, I
was given the choice of obtaining a printed ballot by mail and having
someone else fill it out for me or, obtaining an online ballot and
endangering the health of your employees, or, going to vote at a polling
place and endangering my own health. This was the impact of your September
8 press release among the disability community in Maryland.
As you well know, the key to our democracy is access to the ballot.
Decisions that foreclose that access have widespread and lasting
implications for both the disenfranchised voter and the public at large.
There is a means to have a safe and accessible election for blind and print
disabled voters by equally marketing all of the voting methods without
prioritizing one over another, and we urge you to do so.
Sincerely,
Ronza Othman
[CCs omitted]
Our History, Our Story
by Marc Maurer
[Editors Note: President Emeritus Marc Maurer gave the following remarks at
the 53rd Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of
Maryland. Dr. Maurer outlined the history of the Maryland affiliate and
provided a description of many of our leaders throughout our first 53
years.]
Thank you very much Madam President. The organization that first became an
affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind was organized in 1927, and
it joined the Federation in 1945. It wasnt especially an active
organization. Its president was named Rosario Epsora, known as Rosy to his
friends, and it was essentially a one human being organization with a few
members to give it an appearance of legitimacy. The organization was
suspended from membership in the Federation in 1960 and it was reinstated in
1961; but after its reinstatement questions were raised about the policy of
the organization because it was known as the Brotherhood for the Blind, and
the name meant precisely what it said. Women were not permitted in the
organization, and also, this particular brotherhood was a brotherhood of
white people only; black people were not permitted either.
John McCraw started talking about how it is that hed like to join the
organization. What happened was that our national president at that time, a
man by the name of Russell Kletzing, said he couldnt force the organization
to take John, but if John wanted to form his own organization, Russ would
see what he could do. In 1966, the organization was reorganized so that it
had a chapter that John McCraw put together and it also had a chapter of
people who had come in from the other organization. It was called the Free
State Association and it was our affiliate the Free State Federation of
the Blind.
Our current organization is from the reorganization of 1966. Our president
at the time it came together in 1966 was a fellow by the name of Albert
Balducci. Now I looked around and didnt find a lot about Albert except he
was in the former organization and he was an employee of the National
Brewery. That of course gives you some legitimate recognition in Maryland
because National Bohemian Premium Beer, is now Natty Boh. He didnt last
long as president.
In 1968, John McCraw became president. John was a big guy, but the thing
that was most notable about him is that he had the biggest voice I think
Ive ever heard. When he walked into a room and spoke, everybody listened.
There was no choice about that because he had the hugest, deepest, most
rumbling voice. He wanted to get things together. During the time of his
presidency, and he remained president for 10 years, he also pursued becoming
a member of the Board of Directors of the Workshop for the Blind. During
his time on the Board, the name of the organization was changed from the
Maryland Workshop for the Blind to Maryland Industries and Services for the
Blind, which is now BISM. He became chairman of the Board, as well as
president of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, which adopted
this new name later by the reorganized affiliate in 1970. John helped Blind
Industries know that paying subminimum wages was a very bad idea, and so
that plan of payment to the workers stopped under his leadership. John
McCraw died in the presidency in 1978.
We had had the National Convention in Maryland in 1978, and John was the
leader of our welcoming affiliate and he did an extraordinary job to welcome
us here. That was the first year we started talking about building a
National Center for the Blind. We gave tours of the building. It was a
wreck at the time, but he gave tours of it anyway. It was hot, and it was
raining, and I was sitting outside in the rain, which was fine because it
cooled me off, and then I would give tours and come back and sit outside
until the next group came along. John was our leader during that time, and
he brought the National Federation of the Blind into Blind Industries and
Services of Maryland.
Now when he died, a new president came, named Willy Thompson, who was a
vender. Willy kept the organization together. Willy was a good fellow, but
he did not have the stature of John McCraw.
Jim Omvig came to be president after that. Jim Omvig was a lawyer. He had
been a leader in the National Federation of the Blind, by that time, well
over 10 years. He became president in 1982 and he continued in office until
his health kept him from continuing.
I became president in 1984. I served in that office until 1986.
Then Sharon Maneki came along. There are many things that could be said
about Sharon Maneki, but we only have a few minutes. Lets say that Sharon
got to be known by every member of the legislature in Maryland and she got
to be regarded with enough honor and respect that the Maryland General
Assembly wanted her to be recognized as one of the principle people to have
expertise in the matters dealing with blindness in our state. Sharon also
did a thing: she got to know every single member in the affiliate and she
still does it. Not only that, she knows how to be helpful to every single
member of the affiliate. In support of our current president, she still
does. She served for 20 years.
Then Michael Gosse was elected to the presidency and he served for two
years.
Then came Melissa Riccobono. Melissa began to travel the state and to know
everybody as well and to serve in a capacity that would bring life and
spirit to our Federation family. She served from 2008 until Mark Riccobono
became president of the National Federation of the Blind in 2014. Not that
she didnt make a good president, but it was felt that if she were going to
be a state president, it would be a conflict if she served in that office
and Mark Riccobono served as the national president. I understand that
nature of conflict, so she did not seek re-election.
In 2014, Sharon came back. Now Sharon did not really want to come back, and
she tried to talk me into doing it. I thought, I cant compete in this
arena, youve done it before, and you already know everyone in town. So you
better do this. She said, Yeah, but I did that. And I said, Well, do
it again. Youre very good at it. And she was re-elected.
We started searching, because one of the reasons I ceased to be national
president myself is that life does not go on forever, and Sharon noticed it
might not go on forever for her too. So we were looking for somebody who
could carry on and bring the spirit that we need in the Federation, and we
found Ronza Othman could serve in that capacity.
So thats our current president.
And so, Ronza, I recommend maintain the policy of permitting people of any
color, any race, any sex, and any sexual orientation to be members of the
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland.
You know, one thing before I cease, the reason that we have an organization
is that the needs are great. Im sure well hear about the Maryland needs
this afternoon. The educational programs always need help. The
rehabilitation programs always need help. Access to information challenges
always are in need of help. The participation in government and business
always is in need of help. And there isnt anybody who knows how to do this
better than we know. If we dont do it, nobody will, and we have to carry
this spirit. We always are in search of a leader who can make sure we know
this in our hearts, that we know it in our minds, and that we can carry it
into effect in the most imaginative way, and thats why weve got Ronza
Othman as president.
List of Presidents of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
[Editors Note: The Braille Spectator is an excellent way of documenting our
history. To that end, we will publish key historical information in order
to maintain a record of key events in our history. Below is the list of
past and current NFBMD presidents.]
1. Albert Balducci, 1966 - 1968
2. John McCraw, 1968 - 1978
3. Willy Thompson, 1978 - 1982
4. Jim Omvig, 1982 - 1984
5. Marc Maurer, 1984 - 1986
6. Sharon Maneki, 1986 - 2006
7. Michael Gosse, 2006 - 2008
8. Melissa Riccobono, 2008 - 2014
9. Sharon Maneki, 2014 - 2018
10. Ronza Othman, 2018 present
Chapter Spotlight: The Greater Cumberland and Eastern Shore Chapters
by Sharon Maneki
[Editors Note: The Maryland affiliate has a rich and varied history that is
not widely known. As we move forward with our membership initiative, we
will continue highlighting a particular chapter or division in each edition
of this publication. After all, members are the lifeblood of our
organization, and chapters help build the foundation for membership. Since
the spring 2019 issue, we have been spotlighting a Maryland chapter in each
issue to share how that chapter originated, what makes it unique, and other
interesting information about it. In this edition, we will highlight two
chapters Cumberland and Eastern Shore.]
The Greater Cumberland Chapter and the Eastern Shore Chapter are long-time
fixtures in the Maryland affiliate. The Eastern Shore Chapter was founded
in 1968 under the name of the Chester River Federation of the Blind, but in
1970, it became known as the Eastern Shore Chapter. For a period of time in
the 1990s, the Eastern Shore Chapter temporarily disbanded and was restored
in 1995 with a new name: the Delmarva Chapter. This name change was an
attempt to attract members from Delaware and the Virginia shore. In May
2017, the chapter name returned to the Eastern Shore Chapter, which remains
its name to this day. The Greater Cumberland Chapter was established in
1969 under the name Associated Blind of Greater Cumberland Chapter.
Sometime in the 70s, the name was simplified to the Greater Cumberland
Chapter.
It is interesting to note the many similarities between these chapters.
Even though these chapters have existed for decades, they have the same need
as all NFB chapters for money and members. Chapter activities today are
similar to what they were in the 1960s and 70s. For instance, here is a
partial report about the Cumberland Chapter, taken from the first edition of
the Braille Spectator:
As the sixth month of the Federations newest affiliate closes, we would
like you to know that we have not been asleep. Between Thanksgiving and
Christmas, we held our first project, which was the sale of candy. This was
so successful that it will become an annual fundraising project for the
ABGC. Following the holidays, we began in earnest to get into the swing of
things. Acting upon a request from Dr. Isabelle Grant in collaboration with
Dr. Mae Davidow of the Pennsylvania Federation, we initiated a successful
campaigncollecting eye-glasses which will be distributed for purposes of
sight conservation in other lands.
It is no surprise membership and fundraising were concerns of these new
chapters. Here is an excerpt from the first edition of the Braille
Spectator from the Chester River Chapter:
The main project of our chapter is the enlargement of membership. Having
determined that the Kent and Queen Annes County area does not have a large
enough blind population to support a viable chapter, we have begun to
contact people in other parts of the Eastern Shore. The plan is to make the
Chester River Chapter of the Free State Affiliate the nucleus of a greater
chapter which will cover the whole Eastern Shore. Financial assistance for
this project has come from a grant from the NFB, through the Free State
Affiliate to our Eastern Shore Chapter development. We have also received
moral support from Free State officers who have come to work with us on
three different occasions. But, we will need more funds for the intensive
work which this job will take, and as this goes to press, final preparations
are being made for a concert by the Shomen, a group of Washington College
students, a concert that will benefit the Chester River Chapter.
By 1971, the Maryland affiliate followed the national trend and changed its
name from the Free State Affiliate to the NFB of Maryland, and NFB of
Maryland was added to the end of all chapter names.
Over the years, many members from both chapters have been employees at Blind
Industries and Services of Maryland, since BISM has plants in both
Cumberland and Salisbury. As you might expect, many of the chapter
presidents were also BISM employees. Some of the presidents from the
Greater Cumberland Chapter were the late Albert Gregory, Jearl Konrad, and
Ron Burns. Jason Adkins, who still works at BISM also served as president
inh the 2008 time period. The longest serving president of the Greater
Cumberland Chapter is Jean Faulkner, who retired from BISM after working
there for 43 years.
One of the proudest achievements of the Greater Cumberland Chapter was
convincing Allegheny County Government to host a Randolph-Sheppard business
enterprise location in their courthouse. Jearl Konrad operated this
location for many years. Later, the late Don Glover took over and operated
this location along with other vending facilities. Unfortunately, this
facility is closed, but the chapter hopes to get other opportunities for the
business enterprise program in Cumberland in the near future.
Two founding members of the Greater Cumberland Chapter worthy of note are
the late Georgia and Floyd Myers. They became involved in the chapter
because their daughter was blind but performed many tasks from driving to
serving as treasurer of the chapter. Under Georgias guidance, the chapter
sold United States flag pins for many, many years. Georgia also strived to
make sure the blind of western Maryland were not forgotten by service
providers. She was a member of the BISM Board of Trustees for many years.
In 1987, Georgia was the first person to receive the NFB of Maryland Kenneth
Jernigan Award for her contributions to the blind of Maryland. The Kenneth
Jernigan Award is the highest honor awarded to a member of the NFB of
Maryland. Dr. Jernigan was president of the National Federation of the
Blind who is credited with building the organization into a national
movement. He also developed many of the training techniques used in NFB
training centers today.
Jean Faulkner received the Kenneth Jernigan Award in 2019 for her
persistence and perseverance in holding the chapter together and for
spreading our positive philosophy on blindness. There are many challenges
when trying to keep chapters strong in a rural area, but Jean is always
looking for new opportunities to fundraise and gain members.
In 2005, the Gormley family moved to Frostburg and became active in the
chapter. Patrick Gormley is a renowned trumpet player who plays with the
Alleghany County Symphony and many other orchestras. He has served as
secretary and vice president of the chapter. His late wife, Tina, who died
in 2015, was an avid fundraiser, cook, and singer. She also made invaluable
contributions to the chapter. Their daughter Andrea also participated in
state conventions and chapter activities.
If you go to Cumberland, make sure to stop by and meet two of the newest
members of the chapter, Chris Myers and Carol Davis. Chris is a radio board
engineer at WCBC in Cumberland. When hes not at the radio station, you
will find him at their store, The Craft Table. You can purchase or order
handmade wreaths and seasonal décor for the home or office. Carol makes the
crafts, while Chris keeps books. The address is 11 South Liberty Street,
Cumberland, MD 21502. The phone number is 240-642-8828. The email address
for The Craft Table is craft.table21502 at gmail.com.
As in Cumberland, many of the presidents of the Eastern Shore Chapter were
BISM employees. These individuals include the late Deeke Spence, Knowles
Hovington, and the enthusiastic, energetic Ray Jackson, who served as
president and as a member of the NFBMD Board of Directors from 2005 until
his death in 2013. In the 1980s, president Benny Bagwell was an
enterprising leader who helped the chapter by selling employees anything
they wanted for lunch, a coffee break, or just to make the work day faster.
The chapter continued its enterprising spirit in the 1990s and early 2000s.
During this time period, we held our annual convention in Ocean City. The
chapter was a great host for our morning hospitality and helped everybody
survive by selling delicious snack packs.
>From 2013 to the present, women have come to the forefront in leadership of
the chapter. Danielle Earl, manager of Senior Programs at BISM, took over
immediately after Rays death. She was followed by Patricia Behr, and the
current president, Heather Guy, who began her first term in 2019. Heather
also is a rehabilitation specialist in the senior BISM training center.
Each of these ladies did a great job in moving the chapter forward.
Patricia Behr is a member of the BISM Senior Support Group and a community
activist. After serving as president, Patricia moved into the position of
chapter secretary, which demonstrates her dedication to the chapter and
willingness to serve.
During Danielles tenure as president, the NFB BELL Academy came to
Salisbury. With the help of BISM, students in Salisbury have experienced
the fun and growth of BELL for four years. Many thanks to the many chapter
volunteers, especially Tim Meagher, the chapter treasurer, who serve as role
models for the blind students and help with activities. Special thanks to
Danielle Earl and Heather Guy, who teach independent living skills, and Amy
Crouse, who helps with writing Braille. Mindy Demaris is a teacher of blind
students in Wicomico County Public Schools. She is a vital part of the
program because she helps recruit students and organizes reading activities
and more. The BELL Academy in Salisbury is a big hit with all participants,
especially the parents and students. Everyone is looking forward to BELL in
Salisbury in 2021.
Under Heathers leadership, the chapter held a special fundraiser and was
able to assist two of our BELL students to repair their assistive
technology. Making sure the chapter members know about community resources,
such as food banks, is another priority for Heather.
Congratulations to both the Cumberland and Eastern Shore Chapters for their
longevity in the Maryland Affiliate! These chapters are fine examples of
persistence and creativity. With love, hope, and determination, they
encourage blind people to turn their dreams into reality.
Fighting for Equal Access to Education for Blind Students
by Garret Mooney
[Editors Note: One major area impacted by the COVID-19 public health
emergency is education. Blind and low-vision students are experiencing
challenges obtaining access to curricula, textbooks and learning materials,
Braille, and Orientation and Mobility (O&M) for example. NFBMD and the
Maryland Organization of Parents of Blind Children (MDPOBC) are working hard
to ensure every blind student in Maryland receives a free appropriate public
education that meets their needs. MDPOBC President Garret Mooney
spearheaded an initiative this summer to engage all 24 Maryland school
districts on how they are ensuring equal access to education for blind and
low vision students. Below is the letter MDPOBC and NFBMD sent to the
Maryland State Department of Education and all 24 school districts, which
began the conversation.]
August 3, 2020
Dear educators,
We are writing on behalf of the members of the National Federation of the
Blind of Maryland, especially the members of our Parents of Blind Children
Division. We have concerns about the access to the curriculum that blind
and low-vision students will have in the 2020-21 school year. We feel
compelled to remind you of your obligations and to outline steps that should
be taken by every school district.
In March of this year, districts throughout the state of Maryland closed
schools to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Districts
transitioned K through 12 education from in person to completely online.
Due to the quick and unexpected nature of this shift, many students
state-wide suffered from accessibility barriers to their educationfor
example, many students did not have a home computer, stable internet, or an
able parent who could help them complete assignments. Blind and low-vision
students were not immune from these problems.
Blind students not only faced the same problems as their sighted peers, but
also were not provided the services guaranteed under their Individualized
Education Programs (IEPs). Blind and low-vision students were frequently
not given their instructional materials in an accessible format. The online
learning platforms deployed were inaccessible and prevented students from
fully participating in classroom instruction. Essential services, such as
instruction in Braille and the availability of Braille materials, were
halted or drastically reduced to the point of being ineffective. Most
students received limited mobility instruction, if they received it at all.
We understood that school districts were not prepared for the changes that
occurred in the spring of 2020. However, the school districts have had time
and should be ready in the fall of 2020 to meet the individualized needs of
blind and low-vision students. COVID-19 is not an excuse for any district
to fail to provide services to blind or low-vision students. Federal and
state laws make this perfectly clear, and anything less than equal access to
the curriculum is unacceptable.
As you know, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) assists
states with funding special education programs so long as they meet certain
requirements. In summary, states must provide a free and appropriate
education to disabled students that meets their unique needs and prepares
them for further education, employment, and independent living.
How is your district implementing the provisions of IDEA in light of
COVID-19 limitations?
Maryland law clearly recognizes the unique needs of blind and low-vision
students. For example, the Education Article, Title 8, Subtitle 4, Section
8-408 of the Annotated Code of Maryland mandates,
in developing the
individualized education program for a child who is blind or visually
impaired, provisions shall be made for instruction in braille and the use of
braille unless the IEP team determines, after an evaluation of the childs
reading and writing skills, needs, and appropriate reading and writing
media, including an evaluation of the childs future needs for instruction
in braille or the use of braille, that such instruction or use is not
appropriate for the child. Students must receive sufficient instruction in
Braille to meet the standards laid out in the Maryland Common Core State
Curriculum Frameworks for Braille in English, language arts, and
mathematics.
Just as there is a presumption that blind and low-vision students need
Braille, there also is a presumption in the states statute that they need
orientation and mobility services. The IEP team may determine that it is
not appropriate for a particular student to receive orientation and
mobility, but this determination must be supported by specific evaluation
results. A child may not be denied orientation and mobility instruction
solely because the child has some remaining vision. If the IEP mandates
mobility services for a student, these services must be provided for the
entire school year.
How is your school district providing the unique services blind and
low-vision students need?
School systems must develop policies and procedures for the purchase and
acquisition of accessible textbooks and supplemental curricular resources,
in print and digital format, that support teaching and learning in and out
of the classroom. The law is very specific, requiring blind students
receive accessible instructional materials at the same time as their sighted
peers. Every local school system in Maryland is required to purchase only
accessible instructional materials. Therefore, the district is obligated
not to purchase materials that cannot be made accessible.
How will you ensure all online platforms and instructional materials used in
your local school system are accessible as required in COMAR 13A.06.05
School Supplies and Equipment, Purchase and Use of Accessible Teaching and
Learning Materials? Please provide us with a list of technology being used
to provide instruction to all students in your local system and any lists of
such technology or material that has been approved for its accessibility.
Additionally, the Maryland Organization of Parents of Blind Children and the
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland would like to know the specific
steps you are taking to ensure:
· Blind and low-vision students receive required evaluations for
special education services mandated under IDEA
· Your school systems procedures to review students IEPs annually
and to expediently respond and process parent complaints, as well as resolve
any disagreements with the parent as prescribed by IDEA
· Your school systems procedures to deliver all instruction and
services mandated in the IEP
· Your school system obtains accessible technology-based
instructional products, hardware and software, to provide accessible
instructional materials in a timely manner for all blind and low-vision
students
· Your school systems procedures to provide services and
instruction for English as a second language students.
All blind and low-vision students are entitled to the same education as
their sighted peers. Despite COVID-19, state and federal laws, and
regulations have not become unenforceable and school systems still are bound
to uphold them.
While we appreciate the difficulties that you face during these
unprecedented times, blind and low-vision students must have a quality
education.
We are offering to partner with you by serving on any committee or focus
group responsible for evaluating, advising, and deciding instruction during
the COVID-19 pandemic. Please understand, we will take any steps necessary
to ensure equal access to the curriculum for blind and low-vision students.
We look forward to working with you and your prompt response to our
concerns.
Ronza Othman, President
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
Phone: (443) 426-4110
president at nfbmd.org
Garret Mooney, President
Maryland Organization of Parents of Blind Children
Phone: (480) 433-8003
james.garret.mooney at gmail.com
The Convention Will Go On
by Judy Rasmussen
[Editors Note: Judy Rasmussen, secretary of the National Federation of the
Blind of Maryland (NFBMD), also serves as the chairman of the NFBMD
ambassadors committee. This committee is charged with providing first-time
convention attendees with orientation to the numerous convention activities
and mentorship.]
In March, the coronavirus began hitting the United States with a vengeance.
Some thought it would last a short time, others thought it would go on for
months. As more and more events were cancelled, we began to wonder about
the NFB national convention, which was scheduled to take place from July
14-18 in Houston. The thought of cancelling it would have been one more
blow to the already long list of Federation activities which had been
postponed or canceled altogether. Then we got the word! Like everything
else we had been hearing about, the NFB convention was going virtual.
What would that look like?
On one hand, we were relieved there would be a convention. On the other
hand, would it be the same? Would there be the same energy and enthusiasm
as at past conventions? One of the big advantages of in-person conventions
is the mentoring that takes place in the hallways, at lunch, sitting next to
somebody in general session, or getting lost trying to find a meeting.
Would we really enjoy the convention from home? How could we help attendees
who did not have access to a computer or a smartphone enjoy the convention?
Then the agenda was released. Our favorite activities were still there with
Zoom links listed to access them. Even though we still had concerns, things
were looking better.
Many of us attended the rookie roundup a week prior to convention. We were
still going to have door prizes, an exhibit hall, and almost everything
(even virtual tours), that was a part of every other convention.
When we learned that registration was free, we realized that a golden
opportunity was available to spread the word about our organization to
people who would not have been able to attend the convention because of
health, cost, or a number of other reasons. We set to work, and spread the
word we did!
Every year the NFB holds a contest to see which state registers the most
participants. The prize is the winning state takes home the attendance
banner. Ronza Othman and Norma Crosby, presidents of the NFB of Maryland
and of Texas respectively, made a wager that their state would win. We are
proud to report Maryland took home the attendance banner with 593
participants registered, which is more than have ever attended previous
conventions. A total of 186 first-timers registered, which also is a
record. More than 8,000 people registered from the US and other countries.
This demonstrates the commitment of our members to spread the word, and the
reputation of the NFB to hold conventions that have excellent and meaningful
content, and faith we could host such an event with little notice and no
previous experience in doing so.
Advantages of a virtual convention: participants could move easily in and
out of meetings and attend more than one at the same time. All 250 meetings
were streamed and recorded. Nobody got lost. There were no crowded
elevators or long food lines. All state caucuses were held simultaneously.
Because it was essential everybody be able to participate, even if they had
no computer or smartphone, the NFB was able to arrange for streaming of the
convention on NFB Newsline, a service which provides more than 500
publications free to blind people in the United States.
Since we used the Zoom platform for all sessions and meetings, participants
could access any event they wanted to attend using their landline phone if
that is all they had. The Maryland affiliate did many things to help people
adjust to this very different kind of convention. A first timers call
several days prior to the convention provided telephone numbers for people
to call if they were having trouble with technology, needed information
about a particular seminar or meeting, or were just feeling overwhelmed with
the whole concept. The energy was beginning to build!
We are very grateful to Chris Nusbaum, Brian Keseling and Derrick Day for
helping Marylanders and others with technology questions throughout the
convention. It is often very gratifying to know the person helping you is
blind like you, they have worked through the difficulties, figured them out,
and are willing to share their talents with others. After all, with nearly
600 Marylanders registered, there were bound to be some glitches.
Sondra Burchette and Dezman Jackson worked tirelessly to patch people into
the convention through the phone number the Maryland Library for the Blind
and Print Disabled graciously provided to us.
Debbie Brown and Lloyd Rasmussen from the Sligo Creek Chapter held a
breakfast call every day prior to the start of the sessions, to read Zoom
numbers for all meetings occurring that day. At least 25 attendees came to
these meetings. It was gratifying to see people taking notes on their
slates and note takers to make sure they didnt miss anything. Many of us
observed people who did not have technology skills attending meetings on a
regular basis, so the breakfast calls were definitely worthwhile.
Many Marylanders added an extra special touch to the convention. A half
hour prior to each general session, Anil Lewis, Melissa Riccobono, and Chris
Danielsen held a running commentary discussing highlights of the previous
days sessions, as well as a preview of what was coming next. In the
background you could hear a faint general session this way. Human talking
signs are a part of every convention, and just hearing those words made the
convention seem more normal for those of us who have attended previously.
A perplexing aspect of holding a virtual convention: how would we vote for
board members, on resolutions, and any other matters that came before the
convention? Voice votes would be impossible using Zoom. Once again, the
NFB found a solution that for the most part worked. We were given specific
instructions as to how to register to vote, given an opportunity to
practice, and had many opportunities to use our phones to cast our votes.
Until we crashed the system with too many votes being cast at once. It was
a great way to include everybody in the process.
Resolutions are an essential part of every convention. The resolutions that
are passed set the policy for the organization and the priorities the NFB
will work on in the coming year. Sharon Maneki ably steered 29 resolutions
through the Resolutions Committee. Equal education for blind students,
accessible voting, and more money for programs for the older blind were only
a few of the issues covered.
Derrick Day, a teenager from Carroll County, presented a resolution before
the committee and the hundreds of people listening. Derrick wants to
participate competitively in robotics competitions using Lego Mindstorms.
The accessible workaround for programming these robots puts blind
competitors at a disadvantage because it takes much longer for their
software to load.
Many Marylanders did little things for people to make this convention
special. What began with some trepidation and disappointment ended with
pride and a feeling of unity and strength. We pulled it off and proved to
ourselves, agencies for the blind, family members and friends that we have
the will and the tools to move forward despite significant setbacks and
challenges. We hope the 2021 New Orleans convention will be held in person,
and the opening session will be filled with that boisterous and enthusiastic
roar. See you in New Orleans!
Remembering Charlie Cook
by Frederick N. Rasmussen
Baltimore Sun, July 14, 2020
[Editors Note: Charlie Cook was a longtime member of the Greater Baltimore
Chapter and the NFBMD. He always supported our efforts with enthusiasm.
Charlie lost his battle with cancer on July 2. Below is an interesting
obituary about Charlies life and about his contributions as a staff member
of the National Federation of the Blind for 20 years. The below article by
Frederick N. Rasmussen appeared in the Baltimore Sun on July 14.]
Charles R. Cook, a National Federation of the Blind computer programmer who
designed technological solutions for Braille translation, died of cancer
July 2 at Stella Maris Hospice. The South Baltimore resident was 73.
Charlie was a great person, who number one, was a man who lived life to the
fullest and found everything to be an adventure that had to be lived daily,
said Mark A. Riccobono, who since 2014 has been president of the National
Federation of the Blind.
He was a very friendly and warm person, and when he talked to you, you knew
you had his full attention, Mr. Riccobono said. He was a smart guy who
could look at any situation, give you an opinion on it, and always asked the
right critical questions.
Charles Roundley Cook, son of Albert Cook, and his wife, Elizabeth Cook, who
owned an employment agency, was born and raised in Lake Forest, Illinois.
He was a graduate of Lake Forest Academy and was 19 years old when he earned
a bachelors degree in 1966 from Mount Shimer College in Mount Carroll,
Illinois. He did graduate studies at the University of Chicago.
Mr. Cook left Chicago in 1969 and moved to Wyoming, and then to Boise,
Idaho, with his wife, the former Judy Tucker, whom he married that year. In
the early 1970s, he taught himself computing and worked for a marketing
firm, and then moved to Santa Monica, California, when he took a job with
Universal Studios.
He returned to Boise and then went to work for a bank writing computer
programs. After leaving the bank, he established Inline Computing, a
computer consulting firm, and Carlson and Cook.
In 1979, Mr. Cook came to Baltimore after being hired by the National
Federation of the Blind to work at its headquarters in the citys Riverside
neighborhood. He was given the task of writing one of the first computer
programs to translate digital text into Braille.
This was an urgent need at the time because the NFB had received a grant to
provide job information to blind and deafblind people, according to an NFB
profile of Mr. Cook. A recorded bulletin over the telephone would work for
the blind but not the deafblind, so Charlie created the means for the
information to be produced in Braille. His program NFBTrans, was later made
available for free to anyone who needed it.
Wrote Christopher S. Danielsen, NFBs director of public relations: Using
it helped me through law school and I know thats only one countless example
of its use.
Mr. Cook went on to create other early programs designed to work with the
text-to-speech technology, which was only just starting to emerge, so that
blind staff at our office could work with the computer system, Mr.
Danielsen wrote. Its important to note that there was not commercially
available computer technology for the blind at that time. He also mentored
other blind programmers and through all of that work established himself as
an early pioneer of digital accessibility.
Gary Wunder, who is blind, and worked for 31 years as a computer programmer
at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, before
retiring in 2014, vastly benefited from Mr. Cooks work.
What was so cool about Charlie was that he gave the blind the same kind of
computer access that sighted people had, said Mr. Wunder, who is the editor
of The Braille Monitor, the NFBs magazine, and lives in Columbia, Missouri.
He developed the technology and made it work and hed tell software
manufacturers this is what you need to make, he said. Im blind and I
have the same efficient and full computer access as a sighted person. Its
not just only about how you feel about yourself, but it enables you to get
and do a job and earn the same pay as a sighted person, and not have to tell
an employer, Well, I can do a little bit of this job, no, you can do the
whole job.
Mr. Cook had not retired at his death.
Charlie put his heart and soul into working it out, Mr. Riccobono said.
He also had many interests that he liked sharing with others whether it was
his knowledge, technology knowledge or even a book. He loved sharing with
others.
Said Mr. Wunder: He was not just another chip head. Thats what he did for
a living. He had many interests. Charlie was a Renaissance man.
In addition to his professional life, Mr. Cook was a musician, gourmet cook,
oenophile and neighborhood activist.
During the 1980s, Mr. Cook organized a people-oriented band to protest job
cuts and rate hikes and celebrate Baltimore at the City Fair.
An accomplished folk musician, he was a founding member of the Idaho
Folklore Society when he lived in Boise. A self-taught musician, he
mastered the hammered dulcimer, concertina, harmonica, pennywhistle, banjo
and bagpipes.
He played the hammered dulcimer at brunch at the Admiral Fell Inn and the
banjo at Berthas and the Cats Eye Pub in Fells Point, his daughter, Karyn
Chisholm of Canton, said. He was a very smart and intelligent man.
For years, he was a well-known street busker in Fells Point who dressed in a
striped vest and railroad engineers hat, and could often be found in front
of the China Sea Marine Trading Co. on the Ann Street wharf, playing his
concertina and banjo while talking to owners Steve Bunker and Sharon
Bondroff, and their parrots.
He was a frenzied collector when something struck his imagination he
would read and research tirelessly, and scrounge paycheck-to- paycheck to
acquire just the right piece, his son-in-law, Steve Chisholm, wrote in a
sketch of Mr. Cook.
After a gift of a Yoshitoshi print from a former wife Bess, he became a
minor authority on the 100 Aspects of the Moon print series, eventually
acquiring as many as 30 fine examples of the pressings, he wrote. He went
on a similar journey in collecting African masks, and could wax eloquently
on the specific tribal traditions and ceremonial uses of any of the dozens
of venerable carvings he acquired and displayed.
In his kitchen, Mr. Cook made meals using wild game and prepared
sweetbreads. Hed spend bustling hours in the kitchen preparing sauces and
morsels; the only help he would accept: frequent refills of his glass from a
fine wine in his collection, Mr. Chisholm wrote.
He was not a great traveler. Instead, he could find depth and breadth of
experience in place on the streets of Baltimore, in the world of books or
in the ones and zeroes of technology, he wrote.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic, plans for a celebration-of-life gathering are
incomplete.
In addition to his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. Cook is survived by two
brothers, Stephen Cook of Silver Spring and Frederick Cook of Salt Spring
Island, British Columbia; a sister, Carolyn Cook of Glendale, California;
and six grandchildren. Marriages to the former Judy Tucker, Lorinda Riddle
and Elizabeth Garrett ended in divorce, and at the time of his death, he was
separated from the former Shirley Johnson.
Reflections on MTA Budget Cut Process
by Sharon Maneki
[Editors Note: The Maryland Transit Administration announced in late summer
it would implement major cuts to MTA services effective early 2021. These
cuts included the elimination of many fixed bus routes, decreased frequency
on dozens of other routes, and service reduction on Marc Train. The purpose
of the budget cuts was to address the MTAs budget shortfall in light of the
COVID-19 pandemic. NFBMD and numerous other disability organizations
determined that the service cuts and reductions disproportionately and
adversely impacted blind and disabled riders. Though in early October MTA
halted plans to implement their proposed cuts, we are concerned that at some
future date MTA will implement changes that follow the same principles of
exclusion and disparate impact. Below is a letter NFBMD Board Member and
Director of Legislation and Advocacy Sharon Maneki wrote to the MTA.]
To: Secretary Gregory Slater, Dept. of Transportation
secretary at mdot.state.md.us
From: Members of the National Federation of the Blind of
Maryland
Contact: Sharon Maneki, Director of Legislation and Advocacy
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
9013 Nelson Way
Columbia, MD 21045
Phone: 410-715-9596
Email: NFBMDSM at GMAIL.COM
Date: October 5, 2020
The members of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland appreciate
the abandonment of the proposed Maryland Department of Transportation/
Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT/MTA) $150 million cuts that were to go
into effect in January 2021. The process used to make the proposed
decisions was deeply flawed. I am writing to you to share our concerns
about the process that MTA and MDOT use when determining budget cuts. We
recognize that more budget cuts will be coming and feel it is necessary for
your department to reflect on how this process takes place. The budget
process should reflect the values of society. Below are some principles and
priorities that should be considered if budget priorities are to be guide
posts for the values of society.
The Guiding Principles when Determining Budgets
The process of developing a budget must be transparent, equitable, and
contain input from stakeholders. From our vantage point, the process used
in developing the January 2021 proposal violated these principles. The data
analysis needs to be transparent. What data was used to drive the decisions
made in the 2021 plan? If only data during COVID was used, the ridership
statistics are not very valid because the government encouraged people not
to use public transportation and urged people to stay home. It should be
obvious to the reader what data was used in the analysis. In the case of
the 2021 plan, data should have been collected from before, not just during
COVID.
The proposal also lacked transparency because information given to the
public was not entirely accurate. According to Section 2 of the Americans
with Disabilities Act entitled Public Entities, each public entity
operating a fixed route system shall provide paratransit or other special
service to individuals with disabilities that is comparable to the level of
service provided to individuals without disabilities who use the fixed route
system. People were told that the 2021 plan would have no effect on the
availability of paratransit services because the effect would be under
evaluation for one year. This was not a true statement. If a bus route was
being eliminated, mobility service to that area would also be eliminated
because of the three quarter mile rule. This rule can be found in CFR
37.131. It states that if there is no public transportation in the area,
the public entity does not have to provide paratransit services.
Equity is an essential principle that was definitely omitted in the
development in the 2021 plan. The plan had an adverse effect on the
nondriving public especially people with disabilities. There is no evidence
that the effect on the lives of individuals was ever taken into
consideration. The plan would force disabled individuals to become
prisoners in their own home due to the lack of access to transportation.
Under the principle of equity, everyone should feel the pain not just people
on limited income who cannot drive.
While we understand why the scheduled October hearings were canceled,
MDOT/MTA must regularly seek input from stakeholders such as riders of fixed
route transportation and people who use paratransit. This input should be
sought throughout the entire process not after the plan has been developed.
If there had been more consumer input from the beginning, the plan would
have achieved its goal to save money without doing so much harm to the
people who need transportation.
Priorities to be Considered in the Budget Cutting Process
The 2021 proposal was discriminatory, immoral, and unfair. To avoid such
future problems, the members of the National Federation of the Blind of
Maryland suggest the following priorities:
Access to government should never be denied. The 2021 proposal called for
the elimination of Route 215, Downtown Baltimore to Annapolis. This is an
example of blatant discrimination. Elimination of this bus route would mean
that the only people who could provide input to the General Assembly and to
the Governor would be those who can drive. Think about the message that
this plan sent to people with disabilities and others who cannot drive. The
plan was implying that our input does not matter. The only people who count
are the driving public.
Access to medical care should never be denied. In the 2021 plan, access to
twelve vital dialysis centers would have been denied because of the proposed
elimination of service. There were also several examples of reduction or
elimination of transportation that would have prevented access to Johns
Hopkins Hospital. It is immoral and unfair to deprive the nondriving public
of access to the premier research hospital in the state. Yet again, another
example of discrimination.
People with disabilities must have access to training and this access should
not be denied by lack of transportation. If the state is going to pay for
such invaluable services such as those provided by the Library for the Blind
and Print Disabled, the Maryland School for the Blind, the Workforce and
Technology Center of the Division of Rehabilitation Services, the League for
People with Disabilities, etc., reducing the services due to lack of
transportation is not only fiscally irresponsible but is also detrimental to
the quality of life for individuals who use these programs.
There is a 70% rate of unemployment and underemployment among people with
disabilities of working age. Therefore, access to employment opportunities
should never be denied. For example, Blind Industries and Services of
Maryland (BISM) is the largest employer of blind people in the state.
Reduction and elimination of transportation service to BISM should be
avoided. Reduction of service should also be carefully evaluated because if
an individual cannot get to a job on time, there will be no job.
When determining budget cuts, access to quality of life issues must also be
evaluated. Are budget cuts reducing access to grocery stores, access to
education, or access to community activities? It is unfair and immoral to
imprison disabled people in their homes just because they lack the ability
to drive.
Conclusion
The executive departments of the state have difficult decisions to make when
they are forced to rearrange priorities and cut service. However, these
difficult decisions can be tolerated if the process used to reach these
decisions is transparent and equitable. Consumer input from the beginning
of the process will also lead to better decisions. The five priorities
outlined above of type of access that should never be denied will eliminate
discrimination on the basis of disability. These priorities will also
reduce discrimination against seniors and others with limited incomes. If
Maryland is to be an equal, open society to all of its citizens, these
priorities must be followed when determining government budgets and
policies.
Profile of an NFBMD Leader: Judy Rasmussen
By Melissa Riccobono
[Editors note: Most of us know the names of our affiliates leaders, and we
associate them with the projects and events they have led. However, we
dont always know how they came to be leaders in our organization. We are
continuing a series that profiles our affiliates leaders so our members can
get to know them better on a personal level. Our next leader profile
features Judy Rasmussen, secretary of the National Federation of the Blind
of Maryland.]
Also known as Fearless Crab, Judy Rasmussen, secretary of the National
Federation of the Blind of Maryland, has been a member of the National
Federation of the Blind since 1975. Judy first joined the Federation in
Washington, DC. She was invited to a meeting where Dr. Kenneth Jernigan was
reorganizing the DC Affiliate. Judy went very reluctantly to this meeting.
She just knew the NFB was full of mean people who didnt believe in folding
canes or braille markings on money. At the meeting, while listening to Dr.
Jernigan question the director of a local agency working with blind people,
Judy was struck by two things. First, the agency director was not really
answering any of Dr. Jernigans questions. Judy felt, as the director of an
agency, he should be able and willing to answer the types of questions Dr.
Jernigan was asking. Second, Dr. Jernigan was not being mean. He was
asking reasonable questions. So, Judy became a Federationist.
Before joining the Federation, Judy worked for six months at a workshop
making subminimum wages. She was a college graduate who wanted to be a
teacher, but she was discouraged by many people from fulfilling this dream.
She had no confidence in herself, and really did not know how to transition
from college into the workplace. This may be why Judy works so hard as a
rehabilitation counselor today. She wants to make sure her consumers have
all of the opportunities they need in order to follow the dreams they have.
Judy was the treasurer of the NFBMD for 20 years before her time as
affiliate secretary. She is a devoted member of the Sligo Creek Chapter.
At present she holds no leadership position in the chapter, but this suits
her just fine. Judy says she loves to give younger people a chance to serve
on the chapter board. She always will help where needed. She doesnt need
a board position in order to do that.
And help Judy does! Whether its working with students at the Glendale BELL
Academy, auctioning off items at the Bid for Opportunity event, or helping
first time convention goers feel welcome, Judy is there.
In her spare time, Judy is most active in her church. She truly misses
teaching Sunday School, which she has done since 1996. She also misses
ringing handbells in the bell choir. Judy is a full Deacon at her church
and is very proud of her church involvement. Judy and her husband, Lloyd,
have led devotions at state and national conventions for many years.
(Incidentally, Judy and Lloyd met while they were both involved in the DC
Affiliate.)
Judy is an extremely friendly person. She enjoys talking to others,
learning about them, and truly getting to know them. The NFBMD is very
lucky she decided to join the National Federation of the Blind 45 years ago!
Spectator Specs
Great Publicity
On September 8, NBC News4 Washington Investigation Team featured an item
called For Blind and Deaf Students, Virtual Learning Brings Extra
Challenges. Featured in this investigative piece were our own Naudia and
Teresa Graham, and Melissa Riccobono. Congratulations on a great interview!
To listen to the video presentation, visit
<https://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/for-blind-or-deaf-students-vir
tual-learning-brings-extra-challenges/2413020/>
https://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/for-blind-or-deaf-students-virt
ual-learning-brings-extra-challenges/2413020/.
Deaths
Charlie Cook, a long-time member of the Greater Baltimore Chapter and a
member of the NFB staff, died on July 2, after a long battle with cancer.
Please see an article about called Charlie earlier in this edition entitled
Remembering Charlie Cook.
Ruth Frech, the mother of Karen Herstein, died on Friday, July 31. Ruth was
a member of the Maryland Parents of Blind Children (MDPOBC) Division and
began attending national and state conventions in 1997. She lived a long
and fruitful life, making it to age 93. Although there is no memorial
service, the family requests those who wish to honor Ruths memory make a
contribution to the NFBMD.
Susan Baker died after a very long battle with lung disease. For the past
several decades, Susan came to our state conventions to recognize students
who overcame challenges and achieved progress in the skills of blindness.
The presentation of the Jennifer Baker Award was always a highlight. Like
the students we recognized, Jennifer Baker, Susans daughter, achieved many
things the experts said she could never do. Jennifer not only learned to
read and write Braille, but was an avid reader who thoroughly enjoyed the
opportunities that books offered to her. We will continue to offer the
Jennifer Baker award at our convention but we will miss Susans presence.
May they rest in peace.
Wedding Bells
On September 25, long-time Federationist and member of the Greater-Baltimore
Chapter Sheria Young and Earl Smith were married. Sheria met Earl when he
was a student in the BISM Core Rehabilitation Program and they claim it was
love at first sight! They were married in the Zion Baptist Church. Earl is
in the Business Enterprise Program. He manages the House of Five Hats,
which is a cafeteria on Ft. Meade. Congratulations to the newlyweds!
Significant Anniversary
Congratulations to long-time Federationists and members of the Greater
Baltimore chapter Mary and Orlo Nichols. They celebrated their 53rd wedding
anniversary on Wednesday, September 16. May they have many more years of
happiness together.
Significant Birthday
Ruth Stewart celebrated her 80th birthday on September 19. Ruth is a
long-time member of the Greater Baltimore chapter. Congratulations and best
wishes to this Octogenarian!
New Jobs
Congratulations to Michelle Lindsey from the Sligo Creek Chapter who
recently started her job as a certified nursing assistant with Griswold Home
Care!
Congratulations to long-time Federationist Jason Polansky. Jason started
his new job with Accessible Pharmacy LLC. Jason is the director of business
development for the Central Pennsylvania Region.
Achievements
Peale Museum Promotes Accessibility and Universal Design:
Congratulations to Cheryl Fogle-Hatch who consulted with students from the
University of Maryland during the 2019-2020 semesters to create a virtual
exhibit promoting universal design and accessibility! The exhibit promotes
participation in all aspects of community life for people with disabilities.
To check out the exhibit, visit redefine-able.thepealecenter.org/
<https://redefine-able.thepealecenter.org/> . Federationists, such as
Marguerite Woods, contributed to the exhibit!
Congratulations to Melba Taylor, who was honored by the Prince Georges
Commission for Disabled Individuals. She was recognized for her
entrepreneurial success and contribution to the community during their ADA
30th Anniversary Virtual Celebration held on July 25. For the past 17
years, Melba operated military dining facilities at the Fort Meade Army
Base. She managed various operations during her 22 years under the Randolph
Sheppard Program. Melba is president of the Maryland Association of Blind
Merchants and a member of the NFBMD Board of Directors. She was one of four
Prince Georges County residents honored during the celebration.
New Book Published
Fred Kamara from the Sligo Creek Chapter recently published a new book
entitled Light in the Darkness about his experience with blindness growing
up in Sierra Leone, where the culture believed blindness was a curse and a
blind person was half-dead. To purchase the book or learn more about it,
visit amazon.com/LIGHT-DARKNESS-Frederick-J-Kamara/dp/1601457502.
<https://www.amazon.com/LIGHT-DARKNESS-Frederick-J-Kamara/dp/1601457502>
Marguerite Woods is featured in a documentary entitled I am More Than My
Hair. From the time we are young, girls are pressured into a set belief of
beauty standards. Hair is certainly high on the list and is often labeled
as our crown and glory. Where does this notion fit for females with
alopecia (the partial or complete absence of hair from areas of the body
where it normally grows)? I Am More Than My Hair, is a companion piece to
the newly released book, of the same title. The documentary-style film
features interviews with females whove experienced hair loss, due to
health-related conditions and their journeys of self-empowerment to see
beauty beyond the medias standards.
In September, this documentary was presented at the DC Black Film Festival.
The documentary was produced by Alyscia Cunningham. Congratulations,
Marguerite!
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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