[nfbcs] NEW BOARD FOR THE NFB IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

[Brian Buhrow]

	hello Kevin.  The mission of the NFB in Computer Science is to provide
support for those blind persons working in the field of computer science,
or related fields, or for students wishing to study and enter the field of
computer science.  As you point out, much of the discussion that results
from that support focuses on accessibility issues which may not seem to be
related to computer science directly.  The problem is that you cannot work
as a blind person in the field of computer science unless you can achieve
enough access to allow you to function at a competitive level.  In the
ideal world, all applicaitions and operating systems would be fully
accessible. If that were so, our discussion lists and meetings would be
filled with more discussions pertaining to issues appearing to be more
closely related to computer science.  Alas, because access to the most
basic of computer technologies remains challenging to this day, we end up
discussing issues of accessibility because that is the biggest challenge
facing blind folks who work in or wish to work in the field of computer
science.
	Having said all that, I'd like to point out that there have been
several lively discussions on the nfbcs mailing list over the past few
months which have been directly related to the topic of computer science. A
young lady has been asking about which languages she should study in her
quest to become proficient in the field of computer science.  Another young
man recently asked about what kind of computer science degree he should get
and what kinds of study it took to achieve it.  there have also been
discussions by folks working in the field about how to gain efficiency
using databases and spreadsheets.

	In our meeting, held in Orlando in July of this month, we had a talk
by a blind app developer tell us how he creates and markets apps in the
Apple and Google Play stores.

	In short, I believe the NFB in Computer Science is fulfilling its
mission and that it is appropriately named.  You suggest that certain
topics have been activly discouraged from being discussed on the nfbcs
list.  As far as I'm aware, no one has discouraged the discussion of any
relevant topics on this list. If there is a particular computer science
related issue you think we need to address as an NFB division, please let
us know what it is, either by e-mail to me, or by sending a note to the
list.  I will be happy to address your concern, either by bringing it up
before the NFBCS board, or by explaining why it is that we cannot address
your topic directly.

	Thank you for writing.  I hope I've partially addressed your concerns
and that I'll be able to further address them in future correspondence.

Sincerely,

Brian Buhrow, President, NFB in Computer Science
On Jul 17,  9:14am, Kevin Fjelsted wrote:
} Subject: Re: [nfbcs] NEW BOARD FOR THE NFB IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
} I have a question  regarding the mission of the NFB In Computer Science =
} division as it stands.=20
} In reviewing the archives 99% of the work appears to be centered around =
} accessibility/usability issues pertaining to computers. I see very =
} little reference to actual computer science topics or furthering!
} Since there is such a huge tilt towards general computer usage this =
} means that computer science subjects don't appear to be welcome or =
} emphasized.
} Would it make more sense to change the name of this division by removing =
}  "Computer Science" and then form a new division that focuses directly =
} on computer Science topics as well as methods for forwarding BLind =
} person's participation in Computer Science?
} -Kevin
} 
} > On Jul 17, 2016, at 9:00 AM, Brian Buhrow via nfbcs <nfbcs at nfbnet.org> =
} wrote:
} >=20
} > 	Hello fellow NFB-CS members.  As the newly elected president of =
} the
} > NFB in Computer Science Division, it is my honor and duty to crib my
} > immediate predecessor's announcement, below, of the changes to our =
} board's
} > membership.  I'd also like to say that it has been an honor and =
} privilege
} > to serve under Curtis Chong's presidency for a number of years.  He =
} has
} > served with honor and distinction in this capacity for a number of =
} yers,
} > and I have enjoyed working with and learning from him during some of =
} those
} > years.  I look forward to continuing to work with, and learn from, him =
} in
} > the coming years.
} >=20
} > 	In addition, I'm interested in hearing from folks on this list =
} about
} > things they'd like to see the NFB in Computer Science do in the =
} future.
} > I can't promise we'll do them, but I can promise to take suggestions =
} into
} > consideration and to make the NFB in Computer Science the best and =
} most
} > vibrant it can be.
} >=20
} > sincerely,
} >=20
} > your humble president,=20
} > Brian Buhrow
} >=20
} >=20
} >=20
} > At its 2016 meeting, held on Saturday, July 2, 2016, the National =
} Federation
} > of the Blind made  a change in the composition of its Board of =
} Directors.=20
} > Curtis Chong, its longstanding president, was elected treasurer, and =
} Brian=20
} > Buhrow, formerly a Board member, was elected president. Our officers =
} and Board
} > members are as follows:
} >=20
} > President, Brian Buhrow
} >=20
} > Vice President, Steve Jacobson
} >=20
} > Secretary, Louis Maher
} >=20
} > Treasurer, Curtis Chong
} >=20
} > Board members: Jim Barbour, Jeanine Lineback, and Lloyd Rasmussen
} >=20
} > Thank you.
} >=20
} > Cordially,
} >=20
} > Curtis Chong, Treasurer
} > National Federation of the Blind in Computer Science
} >=20
} >=20
} >=20
} >=20
} > _______________________________________________
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} > =
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} 
>-- End of excerpt from Kevin Fjelsted