[nFBMI-Talk] Save The Dates - May 10 and 11: Announcing 4th Annual BEET Conference - Goshen, Indiana

[Kane Brolin]

The secret is out!  Feel free to copy this to your friends

More and more all the time, people who live with blindness, low
vision, and other disabilities have been finding out that living the
life you want doesn't have to mean being trapped in a cocoon of
isolation, poverty, and boredom, reinforced by the kindly but low
expectations of others.  There is a way forward and upward.

We cordially invite you to an expanded edition of "the Blind in
Education, Employment, & Technology" for 2019: two days of unique
content that includes hard-to-find details useful to those receiving
government benefits and also some Structured Discovery training to
help with building everyday skills.

4th Annual BEET Conference
Sponsored by Goshen College and the Michiana Chapter, National
Federation of the Blind
Friday, May 10, 2019 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (conference)
Saturday, May 11, 2019 from 9:00 AM Until Desired (training and
optional cookout)
College Mennonite Church
1900 South Main Street
Goshen, Indiana

Friday is earmarked for presentations, practical advice, and free form
discussion that centers on how someone who is blind or of low vision
can transition into college, trade school, or work, and make it
through with flying colors.  Appropriate for blind people seeking a
path to more opportunity.  Appropriate also for teachers or rehab
professionals and loved ones helping those who are blind or of low
vision to carve out such a path for themselves.  A continental
breakfast and lunch are provided free of charge to participants on
Friday.  A $5 donation is suggested.  We request an RSVP, so proper
seating and sufficient food are arranged for.

On Saturday, we are prepared to lead individual participants through
exercises in Structured Discovery: learning the basics of getting
around, reading Braille, and preparing food--no use of eyesight
permitted!  Oh, did we mention food?  It all culminates in an informal
cookout--weather permitting--at the conclusion of Saturday's training.


Expected speakers on Friday, May 10 include:

•	Jill Skehan of Indiana Works.  A survey conducted by the National
Organization on Disability in 2010 indicated that 23% of disabled
Americans said they feared getting a job will cause them to lose
health benefits. The same survey shows that 34% of people with
disabilities were living on a yearly income of $15,000 or less.  Jill
will explain to us how careful planning can help  you get and keep
employment while not jeopardizing Medicare, Medicaid, or Social
Security benefits that may be critical to your health and survival.
•	Christopher Meyer, who until recently served as president of the
Indiana Association of Blind Students.  Along with a degree from
Indiana University, Chris has substantial knowledge of public policy
in his own right, along with technical skill in specialty areas,
including 3D printing.
•	Jeanette Shown, secretary of the NFB Michiana Chapter and head of
the Computing Science discipline at Goshen College, will give us the
sneak preview of a coding camp for blind teens and adults, intended
for the summer of 2020.  Using basic, low tech examples, we'll get a
hands-on introduction to the mindset that is most useful for computer
programmers.  Think you can do it? This will be a direct opportunity
to test your natural aptitude for writing code.
•	Christine Boone, blind attorney and former director of the Michigan
Commission for the Blind Training Center.  In addition, Christine has
provided legal support  for a  multi-faceted non-profit Maryland
agency which included a large manufacturing operation, a comprehensive
training center serving blind persons from transition age to senior
citizens, and a series of base service stores operating at military
installations.
•	Douglas Boone, who happens to be Christine's spouse, most recently
served as head of the Division of Visual Services, a unit of the
Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services.  Along with
administrative expertise, Doug is accustomed to directly teaching
blind and visually impaired individuals to be brilliant at life
skills, having earned the National Orientation & Mobility
Certification (NOMC).

Got questions? please reply to this message, or write to
nfbofmichiana at gmail.com, or phone (574)383-9584.

See you at the BEET Conference in Goshen on May 10 and 11, 2019.

Kind regards,

Kane Brolin
President, Michiana Chapter
National Federation of the Blind
(574)386-8868 (mobile)
(574)254-7180 (office)
(574)383-9584 (Google Voice)