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Fellow Federationists, <br><br>
<br><br>
This is your last chance to decide which chapter or affiliate will be
this year’s Meet the Blind Month Innovative Event Challenge winner.
Please visit the <a href="http://www.nfb.org/meet-blind-month">Meet the
Blind Month homepage</a> to see the list of qualifying events. You can
then cast your vote by contacting Mika Baugh by phone at (410) 659 9314,
extension 2371, or by E-mail to
<a href="mailto:mbaugh@nfb.org">mbaugh@nfb.org</a>. For your convenience,
the list of events has also been included at the end of this message.
Voting will be open through 5 p.m. Friday November 30 so be on the
lookout in early December for the official Innovative Event Challenge
winner! <br><br>
<br><br>
Thanks again to everyone who participated in Meet the Blind Month!
<br><br>
<br><br>
Kind Regards, <br><br>
<br><br>
Mika Baugh<br><br>
Outreach, Jernigan Institute <br><br>
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND<br><br>
200 East Wells Street <br><br>
<i>at Jernigan Place<br><br>
</i>Baltimore, MD 21230<br><br>
(410) 659 9314, extension 2371<br><br>
<a href="mailto:mbaugh@nfb.org">mbaugh@nfb.org</a> <br><br>
<br><br>
Innovative Event Challenge Qualifying Events<br><br>
<br><br>
Event A<br><br>
Chapter: Sponsored by the Colorado Center for the Blind, NFB of
Colorado<br>
Description: Come and see how we spend the day learning and practicing
blindness skills at the Colorado Center for the Blind! Learn about
Braille, access technology, alternative techniques used in the woodshop,
cane travel, and why we wear sleep-shades. Our Open House will be filled
with demonstrations and provide you with a whole new understanding of the
abilities of blind people.<br><br>
<br><br>
Event B<br><br>
Chapter: Sponsored by the NFB of Georgia<br>
Description: Blind students in the Smyrna, Georgia area will make several
presentations on blindness to their peers in kindergarten through fifth
grade. Students collaborated and voted on their Meet the Blind Month
activities. Students voted to discuss Braille, independence, and to
demonstrate their access technology.<br><br>
<br><br>
Event C<br><br>
Chapter: Fountain City Chapter, NFB of Georgia<br>
Description: In cooperation with the Accessible Services Department of
the Chattahoochee Regional Library and Country’s Barbecue, the NFB of
Georgia, Fountain City Chapter, will support a screening of the film
“Going Blind.” This is a portrayal of one person’s experience with losing
his sight. The Federation will participate in a panel discussion
following the film and distribute information and applications for its
mentoring program.<br><br>
<br><br>
Event D<br><br>
Chapter: Indianapolis Chapter, NFB of Indiana<br>
Description: Members will participate in a White Cane Day celebration at
the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. As part of the
event, some members will speak to the students about the importance of
the long white cane and the NFB's effort in passing the White Cane Law in
Indiana.<br><br>
<br><br>
Event E<br><br>
Chapter: Sponsored by the NFB of Iowa<br>
Description: NFB members from the state of Iowa will attend a court
hearing on the merging of programs for blind and deaf youth in the state.
The NFB of Iowa president will testify to the importance of specialized
programs for blind youth in the state. Other members will attend in
support of this testimony and to demonstrate the importance of an equal
and appropriate education for blind students.<br><br>
<br><br>
Event F<br><br>
Chapter: Sponsored by the NFB of Iowa<br>
Description: The president of the NFB of Iowa will be interviewed by a
local television station regarding the purchase of inaccessible voting
machines by 11 counties in the state of Iowa. The interview will be an
opportunity to provide education about blindness as well as a chance to
share information about the NFB.<br><br>
<br><br>
Event G<br><br>
Chapter: North Central Chapter, NFB of Louisiana<br>
Description: Members will participate in the 19th Annual Northeast
Louisiana Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. By participating in the event
and giving back to the community, members will demonstrate that the blind
are equal members of society.<br><br>
<br><br>
Event H<br><br>
Chapter: North Central Chapter, NFB of Louisiana<br>
Description: As part of a community effort to plant trees and beautify a
local park, members will create Braille labels and descriptions for 30
trees in the park. The Braille labels will appear alongside the print
labels and descriptions of the trees. Once this project is complete, the
chapter plans to plant its own tree in the park.<br><br>
<br><br>
Event I<br><br>
Chapter: North Central Chapter, NFB of Louisiana<br>
Description: Members will attend and participate in an open house held by
a local food pantry and clothing assistance mission. Members have
volunteered at the food pantry before, and will continue to support this
local nonprofit.<br><br>
<br><br>
Event J<br><br>
Chapter: North Central Chapter, NFB of Louisiana<br>
Description: The chapter will host a fundraising carwash near a popular
restaurant. Proceeds will go to the North Central Chapter. This event
serves to increase public awareness of the capabilities of blind
people.<br><br>
<br><br>
Event K<br><br>
Chapter: Greater Baltimore Chapter, NFB of Maryland<br>
Description: Chapter members will compete in an accessible sailing
competition. The chapter will field two heats of blind sailors. The
chapter will also participate in the fundraising effort for the Downtown
Sailing Center, with whom we partnered to make this event
possible.<br><br>
<br><br>
Event L<br><br>
Chapter: Greater Baltimore Chapter, NFB of Maryland<br>
Description: After our monthly chapter meeting, members will travel to
the Inner Harbor (a highly populated tourist attraction) to participate
in a flash mob! Friends, family, and community members are invited to
attend as we demonstrate the capacity and creativity of the
blind!<br><br>
<br><br>
Event M<br><br>
Chapter: Kansas City Chapter, NFB of Missouri<br>
Description: Chapter members will volunteer at a local food
pantry.<br><br>
<br><br>
Event N<br><br>
Chapter: Kansas City Chapter, NFB of Missouri<br>
Description: Chapter members will host a battery drive for a local
nonprofit that supports blind and low vision children.<br><br>
<br><br>
Event O<br><br>
Chapter: Capitol City Chapter, NFB of Oregon<br>
Description: Members will hold an art access event at the Yost Gallery in
Salem, Oregon. During guided tours, chapter members will educate museum
staff and the general public about the issues faced by blind people as
well as the positive impact of the NFB.<br><br>
<br><br>
Event P<br><br>
Chapter: Rose City Chapter, NFB of Oregon<br>
Description: Members will host a "White Cane Walk" in downtown
Oregon. Sighted members of the public will be paired with a blind
"guide" and offered the chance to learn how to use a long white
cane. Participants will learn that traveling as a blind person is not
difficult or amazing; rather, it is simply done using alternative
techniques. The chapter will also partner with another local nonprofit
that aims to increase the "walkability" of the Portland
area.<br><br>
<br><br>
Event Q<br><br>
Chapter: Happy Valley Chapter, NFB of Pennsylvania<br>
Description: The chapter will collaborate with the Pennsylvania
Association of Blind Students to participate in the Penn State University
homecoming parade. Members will ride “conversation bicycles,” which hold
up to 6 people.<br><br>
<br><br>
Event R<br><br>
Chapter: Austin Chapter, NFB of Texas<br>
Description: The chapter will host a fashion show performed by successful
blind individuals. Blind models will model clothing borrowed from local
and chain clothing stores and boutiques.<br><br>
<br><br>
Event S<br><br>
Chapter: Sponsored by NFB of Utah in partnership with Megaplex
Theaters<br>
Description: The NFB of Utah is partnering with Megaplex Theaters to
promote positive images of blindness in the community and the newly
installed Descriptive Video Service (DVS) at all Megaplex Theaters. The
affiliate will hold events at four different theater locations throughout
the month of October.<br><br>
<br><br>
Event T<br><br>
Chapter: Peninsula Chapter, NFB of Virginia<br>
Description: Chapter members will visit the Virginia Living Museum.
Members will participate in a museum tour and thereby demonstrate that
blind people can and do participate in all sorts of activities.<br><br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
<br>
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