[NFBMD] [Md-sligo] March Minute Message

Mon Mar 20 20:19:07 UTC 2017

hello NFB did all the bills pasted? Or  I still need to mack calls

On 3/19/17, nfbmd via MD-Sligo <md-sligo at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> March Minute Message
> Fellow Federationists:
> March Madness NFBMD Style.
> Just like March Madness in basketball, March Madness for NFBMD means it is
> a
> time with lots of activities, a time of surprises and time to take action
> quickly.  On March 1 we met the challenge in Annapolis of having to attend
> three hearings at the same time.  These hearings were on HB1140:  the
> Procurement bill, SB 587:  Library Governance and Structure, and HB 1446:
> a
> bill to limit BISM's priority in obtaining state janitorial contracts.  We
> did not know that this bill was going to be introduced, but when we learned
> of it we stood up for the need to protect the livelihood of blind workers.
> We also learned of HB 1493:  the Assertion of Bad Faith bill.  We convinced
> the sponsor to withdraw this bill because this bill would punish persons
> with disabilities who falsely claimed that a website was not accessible.
> This bill was unfair and unnecessary because it offered protection to
> businesses who should be complying with the Americans with Disabilities
> Act.
> Instead, this bill would have limited the civil rights of persons with
> disabilities.
> During the second week of March we had both Basket Bingo and Annapolis
> activities.  Our March 10 Basket Bingo event was a great success.  Many
> thanks to all who participated.  Special thanks to the Central Maryland
> Chapter, who always runs this important event. Basket Bingo not only raises
> much needed money from the public, but also educates the public about the
> capabilities of blind persons in a fun environment.
> On March 7 we attended the House hearing on HB 1094 concerning changing the
> governance and structure of the libraries in Maryland.  This bill will move
> library functions out of the Maryland State Department of Education and
> into
> a new Maryland State Library agency.  This change will benefit the Library
> for the Blind because it would be able to manage its own resources and
> would
> lessen the bureaucracy.  I hope everyone made their calls and sent their
> emails about the library bills. Be looking at the listservs for further
> details or calls to action.
>
> March is a Time for Planning.
> The Deaf-Blind and Hearing Loss Issues Committee is planning an interesting
> seminar on Independent Travel with Blindness and Hearing Loss.  This
> seminar
> will look at high-tech and low-tech approaches to maintain independent
> travel.  Date: April 22; time: 12:30 - 3:30 pm; place: Wallace Presbyterian
> Church, Building B- which is also called House of the Crossroads, 3725
> Metzerott Rd, College Park, MD 20740.  For more information, contact Janice
> Toothman, janice.toothman at verizon.net <mailto:janice.toothman at verizon.net>
> .
>
>
> The Maryland Association of Blind Students is helping to plan a regional
> weekend seminar for students from several northeastern states, including
> Maryland.  Date: May 19-21; place: The Jernigan Institute, 200 East Wells
> Street, Baltimore, MD 21230.  For further information, contact Ellana Crew
> at eemcrew at gmail.com <mailto:eemcrew at gmail.com> .
> Don't miss An Afternoon of Musical Inspiration, a gospel concert with
> proceeds benefitting NFBMD summer youth programs.  Date: April 30; time: 4
> pm; place: Pikesville Internationals SDA Church, 4619 Old Court Road,
> Pikesville, MD 21208.  For further information contact Latonya Phipps,
> phippslatonya at gmail.com <mailto:phippslatonya at gmail.com> .
>
> Calling all Parents and Students.
> It is time to fill out scholarship applications and forms for summer
> programs. Remember, the National scholarship deadline is March 31. Go to
> this link for more details:  <https://nfb.org/scholarships>
> https://nfb.org/scholarships. The NFBMD John T. McCraw applications are due
> April 15. Go to this link for more details:  <http://nfbmd.org/scholarship>
> http://nfbmd.org/scholarship. Youth Empowerment Stipends are available to
> help middle and high school students attend summer training programs, such
> as those run by Blind Industries and Services of Maryland and by our three
> NFB centers in Louisiana, Minnesota, and Colorado. Applications are due at
> least 30 days before the funds are needed. Go to
> <https://www.nfbmd.org/youth_stipend> https://www.nfbmd.org/youth_stipend.
>
> It is not too early to enroll students in one of the Maryland BELL academy
> programs. The Salisbury Academy will be held July 17-28, 2017, and the
> Baltimore and Glendale Academies will be held July 31-August 11, 2017. No
> weekends. To apply go to https://nfb.org/bell-academy#apply_now.
>
> Save These Important Dates.
> March 31, 2017. Deadline for submitting National Scholarship Application.
> April 1, 2017.  Board of Directors Meeting and Leadership Seminar.
> April 6, 2017. Diabetes Conference Call, 7 pm. Call 641-715-3272. The
> access
> code is 720125#.
> April 15, 2017. Deadline for submitting State Scholarship Applications.
> April 22, 2017. Independent Travel Seminar sponsored by Deaf-Blind and
> Hearing Loss Issues Committee, 12:30 - 3:30 pm. Wallace Presbyterian
> Church,
> Building B, 3725 Metzerott Rd., College Park, MD 20740.
> April 30, 2017. Gospel Concert, 4 pm. Pikesville International SDA Church,
> 4619 Old Court Rd., Pikesville, MD 21208.
> May 7, 2017. Deadline for Youth SLAM student applications.
> May 19-21, 2017. Regional Student Seminar. The Jernigan Institute, 200 East
> Wells St., Baltimore, MD 21230.
> June 3, 2017. Board of Directors Meeting, time and place to be announced.
> June 4, 2017. 6 Dot Dash, 8 am. 200 East Wells St., Baltimore, MD 21230.
> July 10-15, 2017. National Convention, Orlando, FL.
> July 17-28, 2017. NFB BELL Academy in Salisbury, MD.
> July 23-29, 2017. NFB Youth SLAM Towson University, MD.
> July 31-August 11, 2017. NFB BELL Academies in Baltimore and Glendale, MD.
> August 19, 2017.  Annual Crab Feast, Columbus Gardens, Baltimore, MD.
> September 9, 2017. Board of Directors Meeting, time and place to be
> announced.
> October 19-20, 2017. Braille Literacy in the 21st Century Conference,
> jointly sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind and the Maryland
> School for the Blind.  200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, Maryland.
> November 10-12, 2017.  Annual State Convention, Sheraton Baltimore North
> Hotel in Towson, Maryland.
>
>
> Sharon Maneki, President
> National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
> 410-715-9596
> The National Federation of the Blind 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.
>
>