[NFBMI-Talk] MIABS Mosaic Vol. 1.3- Jan. 18th, 2026

[Jeffery Crouch]

    Don't have time to read? Check out this installment along with others on our

Youtube page.<http://www.youtube.com/@miabs_social>

The MIABS Mosaic
Jan. 18th, 2026

Message from the Secretary: Steven Crouch
    I would like to welcome you all to the third installment of the MIABS Mosaic. This weekly newsletter is designed to ensure that all of our amazing members are kept up to date on the latest information and happenings of the MIABS division.
    Just as a mosaic is made up of hundreds of shards of glass and stones that come together to create a beautiful and inspiring masterpiece, we are many individuals coming together to build connection, foster community, and grow our collective strength as blind students across the state of Michigan. Each new member adds depth, color, and brilliance to our shared work.
    On every Sunday each month, you will receive an email from one of the four board members of MIABS with information pertaining to a specific area. Keep an eye out for specific dates each month, and if there is a bonus week, there may or may not be content, but we will let you know either way. Below is the schedule on which board member you will receive an email from, and the topic area.


Week 1: President Jeffery Crouch: Advocacy
Week 2: Vice President Riley Letterman: Membership and Outreach
Week 3: Secretary Steven Crouch: Communications and Technology
Week 4: Treasurer Danielle Agajan: Fundraising and the monthly wrap up


We sincerely hope that you will find value in these newsletters. If you have any suggestions, you can email MIABS President Jeffery Crouch at
miabs-president at outlook.com
\with your feedback.

Communications Information
Tech Talk
As the Secretary of MIABS, I am delighted to announce that I, along with Shaun Williams, a new member of the Michigan Association of Blind Students, will be hosting a show called Tech Talk, a MIABS radio show and live zoom production devoted to your questions and Answers about technology.
From vintage tech discussions, to the latest with today's tech, there's something for everyone.
We'll also present tutorials and Demonstrations on various tech, such as Tips and tricks for screen readers like Jaws, NVDA and VoiceOver, smart speaker tips like Amazon Alexa devices and Google Home Devices, and we will also cover everything in between such as Talking Digital Voice Recorders for leisure or for notes, Talking Book Players such as the NLS Players, the Victor Reader Stream, Braille Displays, , and maybe even AI. You'll never know what you might discover, so come join in on the fun with Technology!

Announcements
XOXO Auction : Have a Heart Take A Part Information
The XOXO Auction is starting off strong! Things are starting to heat up, so if you don’t want to miss out on something for you or someone else, get those bids in! From Men's/Women's Jewelry, to baked goods, and so much in between such as bop its and STEM Kits, this auction has something for everyone. If you want to support, but aren't looking for any new items, we also accept cash donations through our paypal, the link is on the auction page. If neither of those options appeal to you, but you would still like to show your support, please share. Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, heck tell your neighbors friends, the more the word gets out, the better chance we have to assist every student who comes to us for support. The money for the Auction will go towards funding for the Midwest Regional Student Seminar, that is held annually in Chicago, Illinois. Whether you're bidding on an item for a special person or yourself, keep those bids coming! Deadline is Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM. Our auction link can be found
here<https://www.32auctions.com/MIABSXOXO>
Midwest Regional Student Seminar Information
Registration is still active for those who are interested in attending the Midwest Regional Student Seminar. This Three day Seminar will be held on March 13th through the 15th, in Chicago, Illinois. If you have any questions about the registration process, please feel free to reach out to MIABS Vice President Riley Letterman at
rileyletterman07 at gmail.com.
Hotel Room Rates at the Holiday Inn Chicago O’Hare are $119 per night, with a total of $240 in taxes and fees, if you're staying for two Nights. Deadline to register and reserve a hotel Room for the Midwest Regional Student Seminar is February 20, 2026. The registration link can be found
Here<https://nabslink.org/civicrm/event/register?id=7&reset=1>
Midwest Regional Student Seminar Funding Application
Please fill out this form if you are interested or are planning on attending Midwest Regional Student Seminar.
If you have a vocational rehabilitation Counselor, we will help you get funding through BSBP. We look forward to seeing you in Chicago. Deadline is January 31. The form can be found
here<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEy7QiQUg5pKkusVurWgAhUfQflt4uAujJYKDUnttuvAm1LQ/viewform>

Calendar of Events
Do not forget that MIABS has two meetings. A MIABS Board meeting happening on Saturday, January 24th, 2026 at 1:00 PM, and a MIABS Membership meeting on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 1:00 PM.
If you have any additional questions regarding MIABS, do not hesitate to reach out to Jeffery Crouch : President of the Michigan Association of Blind Students at
miabs-president at outlook.com


Connect With Us
If you want to know more about the Michigan Association of Blind Students, there are many ways to keep up to date with information regarding the student division.
MIABS has a listserv, where you will receive information regarding our business meetings, Membership meetings and information regarding fundraising events. We encourage you to sign up, so that way you can stay in the loop on what's going on with MIABS. Sign up
at this link<https://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/mi-abs_nfbnet.org>
MIABS also has a WhatsApp social community group. Sign up
here<https://chat.whatsapp.com/E4Ws8giIDSF8BIQHuXTBfG>>

If that's not enough, MIABS has social Media, where you can also stay up to date with everything regarding MIABS. We are on many different platforms. So, check us out on
Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/miabssocial>
Youtube<https://www.youtube.com/@miabs_social>
X<http://www.x.com/miabs_social>
Instagram<http://www.instagram.com/miabs_social>
TikTok<http://www.tiktok.com/@miabs_social>
Our Blog<http://www.miabssocial.wordpress.com>


Follow NABS
The National Association of Blind Students has plenty of methods on staying up to date on the latest happenings with NABS.
Website link
NABS Link<https://nabslink.org/>On the NABS Website under the stay up to date menu, you will find links to the following.
The NABS Network, where you will find links to the NABS Listserv, as well as verrious social Media Links.
The NABS Now Podcast, a podcast discussing student affairs.
NABS Notes, Keep informed of the latest happenings with NABS.
And The Student Slate, A Blog Devoted to stories, as well as Tips and tricks on being successfull as a blind Student.

In Closing
    Thank you for reading this week's installment of the MIABS Mosaic. Please keep your eyes peeled for the monthly rap up and announcements from the Fundraising Committee from our Treasurer Danielle Agajan next Sunday Jan. 25th, 2026

With love, hope, and determination: let's go build the federation!