[NFBMT] FW: NFB-NEWSLINE Availability - Coronavirus

Mon Mar 16 19:27:09 UTC 2020

NFB Newsline is again available in Montana during the Coronavirus.  Details below.

Also, please e-mail Sheila Hogan, Director of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, and Chanda Hermanson-Dudley, Administrator of the Disability Employment and Transitions Division, to request restoration of Montana funding for NFB Newsline.  Below are more details along with the e-mail I just sent to Sheila and Chanda.  Sheila’s e-mail is sheilahogan at mt.gov <mailto:sheilahogan at mt.gov>  and Chanda’s is chandahd at mt.gov <mailto:chandahd at mt.gov> .  Let’s push, folks, to get NFB Newsline funding restored.  We simply cannot go without access to information when that information is a life or death matter.  Thanks!

Jim Marks

President

National Federation of the Blind of Montana

president at nfbofmt.org

(406) 438-1421

www.nfbofmt.org

You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

From: president at nfbofmt.org [mailto:president at nfbofmt.org] 
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2020 1:20 PM
To: 'sheilahogan at mt.gov' <sheilahogan at mt.gov>; 'Hermanson-Dudley, Chanda' <ChandaHD at mt.gov>
Subject: FW: NFB-NEWSLINE Availability - Coronavirus

Sheila and Chanda,

As you know, blind and other Montanans with print disabilities do not have full and equitable access to emergency and other information.  The Coronavirus crisis makes it clear that access to information can be a life and death matter.  That’s why the National Federation of the Blind is opening up NFB Newsline, the information service for the blind and others with print disabilities, during this international crisis.  NFB Newsline can be the sole source of information for many as there is no alternative.  Montanans must have access to NFB Newsline.  

Please feel free to share this information widely.  Also, please reconsider funding for NFB Newsline.  No Montanan should be left out.

Best!

Jim Marks

President

National Federation of the Blind of Montana

president at nfbofmt.org <mailto:president at nfbofmt.org> 

(406) 438-1421

www.nfbofmt.org <http://www.nfbofmt.org> 

You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

From: President, National Federation of the Blind [mailto:OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org] 
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2020 2:44 PM
To: State President, Alaska <Lucas.bonnie at gmail.com <mailto:Lucas.bonnie at gmail.com> >; State President, Montana <president at nfbofmt.org <mailto:president at nfbofmt.org> >; State President, North Dakota <jesseshirek at gmail.com <mailto:jesseshirek at gmail.com> >; State President, South Dakota <gatorbumps at rushmore.com <mailto:gatorbumps at rushmore.com> >; State President, Puerto Rico <arguza at attglobal.net <mailto:arguza at attglobal.net> >; State President, Wyoming <president.wy.nfb at gmail.com <mailto:president.wy.nfb at gmail.com> >
Cc: President, National Federation of the Blind <OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org <mailto:OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org> >; White, Scott <SWhite at nfb.org <mailto:SWhite at nfb.org> >; Pare, John <JPare at nfb.org <mailto:JPare at nfb.org> >
Subject: NFB-NEWSLINE Availability - Coronavirus

Dear Colleagues,

In response to the current situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19), the National Federation of the Blind has decided to make NFB-NEWSLINE® available in unsponsored states in order to provide blind people free access to the most up-to-date news sources. This is a great opportunity for you to do outreach for your affiliate.

We will be providing information on the coronavirus in the Breaking News Online category of NFB-NEWSLINE. This information is being obtained by the system searching the thirty-four publications in the Breaking News Online category for “coronavirus” and displaying the results. As you know, your state is not currently sponsored to receive the full content of NFB-NEWSLINE, only a few magazine publications. However, for the next sixty days starting Monday, we will be providing this important health information to blind persons in your state. Other information on NFB-NEWSLINE will be available as well. All of the access methods such as the touchtone telephone, NFB-NEWSLINE Mobile IOS app, secure website, Amazon Echo, Victor Reader Stream, etc. will be accessible to the eligible people in your state.

You can read the coronavirus COVID-19 information using the telephone by pressing 5 from the main menu, then press 1 for the Breaking News Online category, followed by pressing the 1 key which will bring you to the virus information. If you are using the NFB-NEWSLINE Mobile IOS app, look for the virus information under the “All Publications” section. 

If you already have codes for the NFB-NEWSLINE service, please use them to gain access to the system. In the case of needing a refresher of your codes, please contact 866-504-7300 during the week from 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. eastern for assistance.  

New subscribers to NFB-NEWSLINE can sign up in a variety of ways. First of all, as state president you can certify that an individual is eligible for the service and send their contact details, including full name, mailing address, phone number, and email address (if they have one) to swhite at nfb.org <mailto:swhite at nfb.org> . An online application is also available on www.nfbnewsline.org <http://www.nfbnewsline.org>  for an individual to sign up. Persons that are patrons of the Talking Book Library can call them in order to get subscribed to NFB-NEWSLINE. Finally, interested persons can call us at the toll free number mentioned above to obtain a print application.   

Scott White will be contacting each one of you toward the beginning of the week to answer any questions that you may have. Also feel free to contact Scott by calling the National Center on extension 2231 or via email at swhite at nfb.org <mailto:swhite at nfb.org> .

Sincerely,

Mark A. Riccobono, President

200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

(410) 659-9314 |  <mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org> officeofthepresident at nfb.org 

 <https://nfb.org/> 

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The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. 