[nfbmi-talk] Fw: NFB Imagineering Our Future: Making the world's books accessible
Larry Posont
president.nfb.mi at gmail.com
Mon Mar 1 19:36:58 UTC 2010
----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Riccobono
To: president.nfb.mi at gmail.com
Sent: Monday, March 01, 2010 10:13 AM
Subject: NFB Imagineering Our Future: Making the world's books accessible
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Imagineering Our Future
Issue 20
March 1, 2010
In this issue:
a.. Message from the Executive Director
b.. What's New
c.. Education
d.. Braille Initiative
e.. Advocacy
f.. Straight Talk About Vision Loss
g.. Technology Talk
h.. From the Jacobus tenBroek Library
i.. Independence Market
j.. Parent Outreach
k.. Spotlight on the Imagination Fund
l.. NFB Calendar
m.. Citation
Message from the Executive Director
Dear friends,
You may have noticed that in the last month Baltimore took first place in the nation for snowfall this winter. Despite the record snowfall that shut Baltimore and surrounding communities down, the NFB Jernigan Institute remained open in order to continue progress on the many important initiatives that are underway.
While we have made great progress, it might be argued that our leadership and commitment is more important today than any time in the past. While we have greater access to information, while more quality training programs are available, while our network is stronger and more vibrant, and while our reach is broader than ever before, we stand on the edge of an uncertain history--a history that will be determined by our actions today.
The continued expansion of digital information stores and online services has the potential to greatly expand access to information for the blind. These same resources have the potential to cut us off from the progress we have worked so hard to make--particularly progress made over the last two decades. If we continue in our conviction that the blind deserve equal access, we can soon have more books than we had ever dreamed would be available to us. If we continue our leadership, emerging technologies in the workplace will not shut us out and, if experience is any indication, they will be more usable for everyone. With our determination, the growing number of silent electric vehicles on the streets will not be a threat to blind and sighted pedestrians. And with our innovation, we will engineer an interface that will empower the blind to drive a car, and that same technology will change how we think about access to information. Whether it is access to the emerging e-book revolution, improved instruction in Braille, training for the blind leaders of the next generation, or implementing best practices in Web site design, our constant work to protect and provide access to information is the key to our success in the future.
As you review this month's offerings from the team at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, remember that the promise of the future is only available to us if we continue our commitment to be an active part in securing the outcomes we desire. Despite historic snowfalls in Baltimore, the NFB Jernigan Institute continues to push forward toward that future with strength and determination.
Mark A. Riccobono, Executive Director, NFB Jernigan Institute
Featured NFB News
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the NFB, testified at a federal hearing in New York on February 18 to support a settlement that will allow Google to create the world's largest digital Internet library. National Federation of the Blind members with white canes filled the courtroom to support Dr. Maurer's testimony that the audio capabilities of Google's system "will give us access to 10 million books." Google wants to scan the books and make them available online but some authors and publishers oppose it. Google's reply is that "No one seriously disputes that approval of the settlement will open the virtual doors to the greatest library in history, without costing authors a dime they now receive or are likely to receive if the settlement is not approved." The court has not yet made its ruling. See coverage of the hearing in articles in the New York Times and the Associated Press syndicate.
Education
2010 NFB Leadership and Advocacy in Washington (LAW) Program, April 16-20
It was a tough decision, but we have selected the participants for this year's LAW program. Twenty-five middle school students (ages 12-16) from across the country have been notified that they were chosen. We thank all of those who applied and are pleased to report that we received nearly one hundred applications for this first-time program. More details to come about the exciting plans for this event later this spring.
2010 NFB Junior Science Academy, July 28-August 1 and August 4-8
Preparations are heating up for this summer's Junior Science Academy program. We are excited about some of the new activities taking place this year. Participants will be "gearing up for greatness" as they participate in a number of hands-on activities to teach simple principles of physics in a nonvisual way. We are still accepting applications for this summer's Junior Science Academy for children ages 8-12. We also are still accepting mentor applications. If you are interested in learning more about NFB's science programs or in submitting a JSA student or mentor application, please visit www.blindscience.org.
NLCSD Doctoral Fellows Announcement
The National Leadership Consortium in Sensory Disabilities (NLCSD), funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, is accepting applications to doctoral programs in the areas of blind/visually impaired, deaf/hard of hearing, and deaf-blindness. Full tuition and a minimum of $20,000 annual living stipend will be provided to NLCSD Fellows for up to four years of full-time on-campus study while they earn their doctorates at one of the twenty-five Consortium Universities. Fellowships are available to U.S. citizens/permanent residents who must first be accepted into a doctoral program. The first cohort will begin Fall 2010. Applications for the first cohort must be postmarked by March 26, 2010. Notifications will be made to applicants by May 3, 2010.
The NFB is deeply concerned that we have strong leaders in order to continue our work to improve the education of blind children and the programs to train teachers to work with those children. We encourage those interested in providing leadership in this area to consider applying.
Braille Initiative
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and NFB President Marc Maurer
Throughout the fall, the NFB collected testimony in blind people's own voices about the power of Braille literacy. A compilation of these personal stories formed a book called Let Freedom Ring: Braille Letters to President Barack Obama. On February 1, 2010, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan accepted the publication on behalf of the President at a ceremony at the United States Department of Education. When presenting the letters, we asked the Secretary to support the NFB's goal of doubling the number of school-age children reading Braille. Secretary Duncan will take back to President Obama the book and the knowledge that Braille is vital to the independence of the blind.
We have identified three states for this year's Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning Program (BELL). Utah, Texas, and Virginia will facilitate a two-week program this summer for elementary school children using the curriculum developed from last summer's BELL program. The program aims to encourage the use of Braille by blind and low-vision children, and to foster some of the early literacy skills for Braille instruction. The facilitators of this program will meet at the NFB Jernigan Institute next month for a training seminar to help them in the development and facilitation of their summer programs.
If you'd like to help support the Braille literacy efforts of the NFB Jernigan Institute, please consider making a matching gift to the "Braille Readers are Leaders" campaign.
Advocacy
Washington Seminar
Once a year NFB delegates visit Washington to inform Congress about issues of importance to the blind. Delegates to the Washington Seminar meet with Members of Congress to make them aware of the issues most important to blind Americans. This year, the event took place in the first days of February.
Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz receives plaque from NFB President Marc Maurer
On Wednesday, February 3, 2010, the NFB presented the Distinguished Legislative Service Award to Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida for her leadership in securing funding for the Digital Talking Book program of the Library of Congress National Library Service. Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz is also a cosponsor of the Blind Persons Return to Work Act and the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act.
Download and read the full Legislative Agenda of Blind Americans: Priorities for the 111th Congress, Second Session here. Fact sheets on the three main issues give a lot more detail: Enhancing Pedestrian Safety: Ensuring the Blind Can Continue to Travel Safely and Independently, A Technology Bill of Rights for the Blind, and Removing the Earnings Penalty: A Common Sense Work Incentive for Blind Social Security Beneficiaries.
Pursuing Her Professional Dream
On February 4, 2010, a federal court ruled that the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) must provide individualized testing accommodations to a blind law school graduate. The judge found that it will cause irreparable harm not to have the technology-based testing accommodations the graduate requests when taking the exam to become a member of the California Bar.
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "The National Federation of the Blind is extremely pleased with the ruling in this case. Law and equity simply do not permit the NCBE to dictate a one-size-fits-all solution for all bar candidates with disabilities. We hope that this ruling will cause the NCBE to think long and hard before it denies the requested accommodations of applicants to take its examinations."
The plaintiff said: "Tonight I can go to sleep knowing when and how I can effectively take the exams to fulfill my dreams."
Now other individuals can pursue their professional dreams despite high-stakes testing providers who take a rigid approach to disability accommodations. Read more about the NCBE's refusal to allow the plaintiff to use the technology that she was accustomed to during the test and the NFB's suit under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in this February press release.
Straight Talk About Vision Loss
We invite followers of the Straight Talk About Vision Loss Web-based video series to join us in our Race for Independence. This is not a race in the traditional sense. We are not content with merely traveling by foot--our imagination is putting us in the driver's seat as we speed toward our goal of first-class citizenship in society at an ever-increasing pace! This video will tell you more about empowering the blind to do something most believe is impossible.
Product and Access Technology Talk
The Access Technology team of the Jernigan Institute has some very exciting news--Target received the Gold level NFB nonvisual accessibility certification for its Web site target.com. The increasing acceptance of the certification with online retailers bodes well for blind and low-vision shoppers.
During the annual Washington Seminar last month, the team co-hosted a booth with Blackboard to showcase to students attending Washington Seminar the improvements Blackboard has made to Blackboard Learn.
The AT team worked with Towson University on how blind technology users take advantage of groupware applications to keep track of tasks, meetings, and other appointments. Towson interviewed five National Center for the Blind staff members to get an understanding of how applications such as Microsoft Outlook are used for group collaboration and to identify problems that blind users encounter when using groupware applications.
After consulting the Access Technology blog readers, the team locked in the last session for the technology day at National Convention in Dallas this summer. The day will consist of one long morning session and two shorter afternoon sessions. The first session of the day will be devoted to the increasing number of fully accessible Apple devices. The first afternoon session will take a look at Blackboard Learn and the great strides it has seen in enhancing accessibility in its latest release. At our readers' behest, the day's final topic will be eBooks. The Access Technology team will examine the rapidly expanding market of digital books and the devices used to access them.
Finally, the team also conducted a low vision demonstration at the North Oaks retirement community, thereby increasing awareness in the area of the NFB's activities in low vision.
From the tenBroek Library
BIG NEWS!! We're pleased to announce the public launch of our online library catalog. There is now a link from the library's Web page, or you can surf directly to the catalog.
When you visit the library catalog, please be sure to read the information on its home page, and you may want to take a look at the "link to FAQs" for answers to some frequently asked questions. If you have any questions or comments of your own, please click on "questions about this catalog." This will bring up a form you can use to let tenBroek Library staff know of your questions or concerns. We promise prompt replies to all questions, comments, or criticisms.
Last September we announced a contest to choose a name for the catalog. In honor of the launch, we've extended the deadline for entries to April 15 (an easy date to remember for deadlines). This is the first general purpose library catalog developed with the collaboration of blind access technology experts. It deserves a fitting name. Let us know what you think it should be!
Independence Market
The NFB Independence Market carries products that enhance the independence of a blind or visually impaired individual. Our new product offerings include the following:
Wilson One-Hour Digital Voice Recorder This unit has the capacity to record fifteen messages up to four minutes in length. Easy three-button operation: record, play/stop, and delete. Buttons are easy to feel and beep tones give audio feedback during operation. Measures 2 x 3 x 1/2 inches and features a belt clip. Requires two AAA batteries (included).
PenFriend Voice Labeling System A tool for labeling household items. Records voice labels of varying lengths and associates them with stick-on labels. Has 1 gigabyte of internal memory (seventy hours of recording time). Features volume control, external speaker, and headphone jack. Includes 127 re-recordable labels and 2 AAA batteries.
These products would be especially helpful to someone who is not able to use Braille to label various items or jot down short notes. For further information, please contact the Independence Market staff by e-mail at IndependenceMarket at nfb.org or by phone at 410-659-9314, extension 2216.
Parent Outreach
Braille Reading Pals Club--A Pre-Literacy Program for Blind and Low-Vision Children
Registration is now open! The Braille Reading Pals Club is an NFB Jernigan Institute early literacy program that encourages parents to read daily with their blind or low-vision child (ages infant to seven). Participating club members will receive: a print-Braille book, a plush reading pal, a monthly parent e-newsletter promoting tips for early Braille literacy, quarterly Braille activity sheets for young children, Braille birthday cards for child participants, access to a network of resources devoted to serving parents of blind children, an electronic reading log to track the time read with children each day, and a free subscription to Future Reflections, a publication for parents of blind children. This program will introduce young children and their families to Braille. The Braille Reading Pals Club will help parents promote early literacy skills, a love of reading, and a positive attitude about Braille through daily reading with their blind children. The Braille Reading Pals Club is co-sponsored by the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC). To learn more about this new, exciting program, or to register, please visit www.nfb.org/readingpals.
New Addition to the 2010 NFB Youth Track at National Convention
We are pleased to announce an addition to our Youth Outreach education initiatives. This summer at the NFB convention in Dallas, Texas, there will be Junior Youth Track activities for youth ages 11-14, timed to coincide with the main convention week and activities of the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children. Additionally, we will continue our facilitation of the NFB Youth Track for high school students ages 14-18. A more complete listing of activities during the week will be available in future Braille Monitors or in the convention agenda when it becomes available. Please contact Mary Jo T. Hartle, Jernigan Institute Director of Education, at (410) 659-9314, extension 2407, for more information.
Spotlight on the Imagination Fund
"Hundreds have already made the commitment to support the 2010 Race for Independence. But we need you. We must make workplace technology and home appliances accessible to the blind now! Sign up at www.raceforindependence.org or call (410) 659-9314, extension 2371.
"During 2010, we are building a nonvisual interface that can be installed in an automobile. If we can do it with a car, we can do it with anything. Come on, let's race toward tomorrow together!"
--Parnell Diggs, Chairman, Imagination Fund
The Imagination Fund provides support for the outreach efforts of local Federation chapters and affiliates throughout the United States as well as the research, technology, and education programs and initiatives of the NFB Jernigan Institute. The Imagination Fund was established January 2004 with the Grand Opening of our NFB research and training institute.
NFB Calendar
Now Open: Room reservations for 2010 National Convention. Write directly to the Hilton Anatole Hotel, 2201 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75207, or call (214) 761-7500.
Now Open: Nominations for the 2010 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Program. Please visit the Application Information and Materials page to submit a nomination or letter of recommendation.
March 1, 2010 Pre-registration begins for 2010 National Convention.
March 22, 2010 Registration deadline for Braille Reading Pals Club to guarantee the receipt of your print-Braille book and plush reading pal.
March 31, 2010 Deadline to apply for a 2010 NFB Scholarship, thirty awards ranging from $3,000 to $12,000, plus a trip to the 2010 National Convention, for blind postsecondary scholars.
March 31, 2010 Final day to submit nominations online for the 2010 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Program. Please visit the Application Information and Materials page for more information.
April 1, 2010 Program year begins for Braille Reading Pals Club, A Pre-Literacy Program for Blind and Low-Vision Children, Sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind and the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC)
April 15-16, 2010 2010 Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium, National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute.
April 16-20, 2010 NFB Leadership and Advocacy in Washington (LAW) Program, for blind students in grades 6-9, National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute and Washington, D.C.
April 30, 2010 Deadline for Onkyo Braille Essay Contest, administered by the NFB for the North America-Caribbean Region of the World Blind Union.
May 1, 2010 The Cane Event, National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute.
Our annual fundraiser features casino games, live entertainment, heavy hors d'oeuvres, drinks, dancing, and more! The proceeds from the evening benefit our Imagination Fund, supporting programs at the NFB Jernigan Institute and in our state affiliates. For more information or to become a sponsor of The Cane Event, e-mail Karen Zakhnini or call (410) 659-9314, ext. 2297. Ticket information coming soon.
June 10-12, 2010 Research in the Rockies international seminar devoted to Braille reading and writing, Denver, Colorado. For more information, please contact Dr. Judith Chwalow, NFB Jernigan Institute Director of Research.
July 3-8, 2010 NFB National Convention, Hilton Anatole Hotel, Dallas, Texas.
The annual meeting of the NFB and the largest gathering of the blind in the country, drawing approximately three thousand blind people from all across the United States. Become a convention sponsor or exhibitor--contact Karen Zakhnini, (410) 659-9314, ext. 2297.
July 28-August 1 and August 4-8, 2010 2010 NFB Junior Science Academy, A STEM program for blind children in grades 3-6 offered by the NFBJI's National Center for Blind Youth in Science (NCBYS). See a video about the 2009 NFB Youth Slam science academy for high school students.
Coming Summer 2011-NFB National Convention in Orlando, Florida!
Citation
Dear New York Times Magazine Editor:
The article "Listening to Braille" in the January 3 issue of the magazine highlighted one of the most serious misconceptions faced by blind Americans: the idea that technology is a replacement for Braille literacy. No one would seriously argue that sighted children should learn exclusively by means of the spoken word, yet this is exactly the argument propounded by Laura J. Sloate and some others in the article who falsely believe that Braille has outlived its usefulness. The National Federation of the Blind, the nation's oldest and largest organization of blind people, believes that all blind children must be given the opportunity to learn Braille for the same reason that sighted children must learn print: so that they are able to read and communicate using the written word. Braille is the key to literacy for the blind, and proper Braille instruction is essential if blind children are to receive an equal education.
Sincerely,
Marc Maurer, President
National Federation of the Blind
--"Listening to Braille," February 2010 Braille Monitor
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Thank you for reading the NFB Jernigan Institute's Imagineering Our Future.
Support the Jernigan Institute through the Imagination Fund
Interesting links:
Archive of Straight Talk about Vision Loss videos
National Center for Blind Youth in Science
Access Technology Tips
Blogs:
Access Technology
Voice of the Nation's Blind
Publication archives:
Voice of the Diabetic
Future Reflections
Braille Monitor
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