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<b>Imagineering Our Future</b> <br><br>
<b>Issue 55<br><br>
August 2013 <br><br>
</b> <br><br>
<b>In this issue:</b>
<ul>
<li><a href="#Executive">Message from the Executive Director</a>
<li><a href="#news">What's News at the NFB</a>
<li><a href="#education">Education</a>
<li><a href="#BrailleInitiative">Braille Initiative</a>
<li><a href="#Advocacy">Advocacy</a>
<li><a href="#Technology">Product and Access Technology Talk</a>
<li><a href="#Library">From the tenBroek Library</a>
<li><a href="#Market">Independence Market</a>
<li><a href="#calendar">NFB Calendar</a>
<li><a href="#Citation">Citation</a>
</ul><br>
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<br><br>
<h3><b><a name="Executive"></a>Message from the Executive
Director</b></h3>Dear Friends,<br><br>
What would happen if a giant comet was headed towards Earth and officials
from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) called on
aspiring scientists and engineers from the National Federation of the
Blind (NFB) Jernigan Institute’s latest summer program for blind youth to
save the day? You would get Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math to
the EXTREME, or NFB STEM-X! <br><br>
Earlier this week nearly fifty blind youth from around the country
gathered together at NFB STEM-X and began working on their charge to
solve the problems created by the fictitious impending hit of the
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2048&qid=217530">
comet named ISON</a>. In our NFB summer program we equip blind youth with
great blind mentors, outstanding STEM instructors, and accessible tools
in order to tackle the toughest challenges. And every summer the group of
blind youth that assembles in Baltimore teaches us something about their
hopes and dreams that further raises our expectations for the
future.<br><br>
Whether it is instruction in STEM or Braille (we have also had Braille
enrichment programs for youth in nineteen states this summer), there are
a lot of expectations being raised and futures being shaped because of
the National Federation of the Blind. What else can we imagine and build
together? I am looking forward to listening to the blind youth discuss
their dreams as they leave NFB STEM-X. I am certain it will shape what we
do in the years to come and give us even more drive to pursue our
work.<br><br>
On behalf of the hundreds of blind youth positively impacted through NFB
programs this summer, thank you for your support of our efforts to build
a future full of opportunities.<br><br>
Warmest summer greetings,<br><br>
<img src="https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/images/MAR_signature.jpg" width=160 height=40 alt="Graphic: Signature of Mark Riccobono">
<br>
Mark A. Riccobono, Executive Director<br>
NFB Jernigan Institute<br><br>
Vehicle Donations Take the Blind Further <br>
Donate your car to the National Federation of the Blind today!<br>
For more information, please visit
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2009&qid=217530">
http://www.carshelpingtheblind.org,</a> or call 1-855-659-9314.<br><br>
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<br><br>
<h2><b><a name="news"></a>What's News at the NFB</b></h2><b>Convention
Information<br><br>
</b>If you weren't able to attend the 2013 NFB National Convention, or if
you want to enjoy it a second time, you can find the highlights at
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2021&qid=217530">
https://nfb.org/national-convention-highlights</a>. The highlights
include audio downloads of many of the speeches, including Dr. Maurer's
banquet speech, <i>The Power of Belonging</i>. The 2013 resolutions have
also been posted, and can be found at
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2022&qid=217530">
https://nfb.org/resolutions</a>.<br><br>
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<br><br>
<h2><b><a name="education"></a>Education</b></h2><b>NFB STEM-X<br><br>
</b>NFB STEM-X is currently underway at Towson University in Baltimore,
Maryland. Approximately fifty blind high school students are spending
this week working in their chosen discipline (robotics, computer science,
aerospace engineering, civil engineering, or chemistry), participating in
additional enrichment classes, enjoying a variety of recreational
activities, and hanging out with other blind students and mentors from
across the country. Follow the action on Twitter at hashtag
#NFBSTEMX. <br><br>
You can read one mother's reflections as her son traveled to STEM-X at
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2049&qid=217530">
http://kariskhaos.wordpress.com/author/kariskhaos</a>. <br><br>
We would like to thank the American Honda Foundation, the UPS Foundation,
the Susquehanna Foundation for the Blind, M&T Bank Charitable
Foundation, and the National Security Agency for their support of this
exciting program.<br><br>
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<br><br>
<h2><b><a name="BrailleInitiative"></a>Braille
Initiative</b></h2><b>Braille Certification Training Program<br><br>
</b>Under a contract with the National Library Service for the Blind and
Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress (NLS), the NFB administers
the courses leading to NLS certification of Braille transcribers and
proofreaders. Successful completion of these rigorous courses requires a
great deal of time and effort on the part of the students. We
congratulate the following individuals who earned certification during
the month of April and May, 2013:<br><br>
<h2><b>Literary Braille Transcribing</i></b></h2><b>Connecticut<br>
</b> Raul Robles, Cheshire <br><br>
<b>Idaho<br>
</b> Dennis A. Orr, Boise<br><br>
<b>Indiana<br>
</b> Gawaine K. Allen, Bunker Hill<br>
Jeffrey Higgenbottom, Bunker Hill<br><br>
<b>Kentucky<br>
</b> Purnella A. Hodges, Louisville<br><br>
<b>Michigan<br>
</b> Erin L. Swaine, Livonia<br><br>
<b>Minnesota<br>
</b> Lisa S. Tellijohn, Owatonna<br><br>
<b>Missouri<br>
</b> Sinjin R. Cobretti, Jefferson City <br>
Reginald M. Ewing, Jefferson City <br>
John M. Logan, Jefferson City <br>
Mark A. McCord, Jefferson City <br>
Rick L. Salmon, Jefferson City <br>
Joseph P. Watson, Jefferson
City <br><br>
<b>Nebraska<br>
</b> Thomas W. Chamberlin, Lincoln<br><br>
<b>Nevada<br>
</b> Gary W. Blalock, Las Vegas <br>
James R. Burke, Las Vegas <br>
Davon S. Phillips, Las Vegas <br>
David J. Rodius, Las Vegas <br>
Raul Rojo, Las Vegas <br><br>
<b>North Carolina<br>
</b> James R. Locklear, Lumberton <br>
Demetrius R. McCray, Laurinburg <br>
Derrick L. Watkins, Laurinburg<br><br>
<b>Ohio<br>
</b> Mary Ellen Imm, Cincinnati <br>
Brenda (Kathy) McKinsey, Lakewood<br><br>
<b>Oregon<br>
</b> Heather A. Wilson, Gresham<br><br>
<b>South Carolina<br>
</b> Tiffany Elmore, Greenwood <br>
Desiree S. Hopkins, Greenwood<br><br>
<b>South Dakota<br>
</b> Charles Edward Keith, Sioux Falls<br><br>
<b>Texas<br>
</b> Deborah J. Armstrong, Gatesville <br>
LaVerne Adams Blaasse, Gatesville <br>
Criselda Y. Casas, Gatesville <br>
Leeann Y. Garza, Gatesville <br>
Christy Elise Hopkins, Gatesville <br>
Tracie Elizabeth Kinkade, Gatesville<br><br>
<i>Literary Braille Proofreading<br><br>
</i><b>Washington<br>
</b> Mike Sivill, Vancouver<br><br>
<i>Mathematics (Nemeth) Braille Transcribing<br><br>
</i><b>Nebraska<br>
</b> Kent D. Fleischmann, Lincoln<br><br>
<b>Texas<br>
</b> Susan Moravec, San Antonio<br><br>
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<br><br>
<h2><b><a name="advocacy"></a>Advocacy</b></h2><b>Provide Feedback on
Your Travel Experience<br><br>
</b>The NFB is committed to removing barriers and promoting equality for
blind travelers. With travel providers’ increasing use of self-service
kiosks, and the expansion of travel booking services available online,
the NFB recognizes the immediate need to advocate for accessible
information and services and appropriate treatment by airport and airline
personnel. Gathering information about your travel experiences will aid
in our collective advocacy efforts.<br><br>
In order for the survey to be truly effective, we ask that members
complete the travel survey each time they travel so as to provide an
accurate picture of accessibility at travel centers across the nation. We
therefore encourage all 2013 National Convention attendees to complete
the brief online travel survey at
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2050&qid=217530">
www.nfb.org/TravelSurvey</a>. Please take time to share your travel
experiences, both positive and negative, via the survey. <br><br>
Please contact Valerie Yingling, paralegal at the NFB, at
<a href="mailto:vyingling@nfb.org">vyingling@nfb.org</a>, or
410-659-9314, extension 2440, for additional information.<br><br>
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<br><br>
<h2><b><a name="Technology"></a>Product and Access Technology
Talk</b></h2>At this year’s national convention in Orlando, the access
technology team held its customary technology sessions for the gathered
tech-savvy blind. General technology sessions on using iOS with Braille,
communication apps for deaf-blind users, and Windows 8 were followed by
more specialized sessions on travel and job hunting, co-hosted by two
giants from the industry: Travelocity and Monster. The tech sessions have
long been not only a place to learn about the latest in access
technology, but a venue for meeting fellow geeks and starting
conversations. Also at the national convention, we were delighted to see
a long-time partner Desire2Learn receive the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award for
their hard work. The learning management system (LMS) designers were
honored for their ongoing efforts in not only building and maintaining an
accessible LMS, but for inviting feedback from the user community and
involving blind employees in the project. <br><br>
In June, Anne Taylor presented as part of a panel at the M-Enabling
Summit in Washington, D.C., an event geared specifically towards seniors
and users with disabilities in the mobile arena. The panel, chaired by
Adobe’s Andrew Kirkpatrick, featured prominent experts in the field: Sue
Swenson, Deputy Assistant Secretary, OSERS, U.S. Department of Education;
Michele Woods, Director Copyright Law Division, World Intellectual
Property Organization (WIPO); Richard Orme, Head of Accessibility and
Digital Inclusion, Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB); Steve
Jacobs, President, IDEAL Group, Inc. / CEO, Apps4Android, Inc.; and Betsy
Beaumon, VP & General Manager, Literacy Program, The Benetech
Initiative. The topic for discussion was "e-Book Readers and
e-Publishing for Mobile Platforms."<br><br>
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<br><br>
<b><a name="Library"></a>From the tenBroek Library<br><br>
</b>The NFB is the oldest, largest, and most influential nationwide
membership organization of blind people in the United States. Since 1940
its members have been working to achieve equality of opportunity for all
blind citizens. But do you ever wonder how the NFB came to be? How did it
develop into the organization that it is today? Who were significant
leaders in the early days of the Federation? And what were some of the
major events in history that they influenced? <br><br>
The answers to these and other questions about the history of the
organized blind movement can be found in a series of articles in the
NFB’s flagship publication, the <i>Braille Monitor</i>. Each article in
the series features an intriguing historical document from the archives
at the Jacobus tenBroek Library and highlights a key person, event, or
aspect of the organization. Learn about the life of a teacher in 1949 Los
Angeles who didn’t want to give up her job when she lost her vision, a
Washington lobbyist whose work on behalf of Federationists in the 1960s
helped secure advantageous legislation for all blind people, or about the
development of the NFB’s state affiliates in the 1950s. Find out for
yourself just how interesting the history of the NFB really is by
checking out one of these articles today!
<ul>
<li>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2023&qid=217530">
A Life in the Movement: Perry Sundquist</a>
<li>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2024&qid=217530">
Edna Schmidt: A Federation Fundraiser Goes to Washington</a>
<li>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2025&qid=217530">
A Vote of Confidence for Isabelle Grant, Blind Teacher</a>
<li>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2026&qid=217530">
John Nagle: Friend of the Blind</a>
<li>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2027&qid=217530">
What Makes an NFB Affiliate?</a>
</ul><br>
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<br><br>
<h2><b><a name="Market"></a>Independence Market</b></h2>The NFB
Independence Market was open for business in the exhibit hall at our
annual national convention the first week of July in Orlando, Florida.
Visitors had an opportunity to browse our entire collection of sales
products and much of the free literature on various blindness-related
topics available from the NFB. We brought all of our sales items because
we know that our customers appreciate the chance to closely examine
products before making a purchase.<br><br>
We would not have been able to operate the Independence Market at
convention without the hundreds of volunteers who assisted with product
demonstrations and processing orders. We would like to take this
opportunity to thank all those who volunteered one or more shifts as
demonstrators, storekeepers, pay station attendants, and cashiers. Your
contributions were invaluable and we would not have been able to do it
without you. Thanks again for all your help. We hope that we can count on
many of you again to assist next year. <br><br>
Many of the visitors to the NFB Independence Market want to know what
products are new this year. Readers of this newsletter have already heard
about the
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2051&qid=217530">
iBill Bank Note Identifier</a> and the
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2052&qid=217530">
New Generation Victor Reader Stream</a> book reader and recorder. One of
the popular items this year was the
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2053&qid=217530">
Rattle Soccer Ball</a>, which makes a nice loud sound when the ball is in
play. <br><br>
This year we added two more clocks to our product line. The
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2054&qid=217530">
Temperature Talking Clock</a> is a small inexpensive desk clock that
announces the time, in either twelve or twenty-four hour format, followed
by the temperature in either Fahrenheit or Celsius. A convenient feature
is that one can set the hourly announcement not just to announce every
hour on the hour, but also set it to announce only between the hours of
7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., leaving one's nightly rest undisturbed by
announcements. The other new clock is the
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2055&qid=217530">
Rosie Reminder Voice Interactive Talking Alarm Clock</a>, which one can
also use as an accessible appointment calendar. When the trigger mode is
enabled, one can verbally inquire about the time, date, and any upcoming
reminder alarms, as well as set the time, manage the alarm, record and
play reminders, and ask for help. Up to ten six-second reminder alarms
may be recorded for every day, today only, or any day of the week.
<br><br>
We also recently added the
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2056&qid=217530">
Braille Caravan: Braille Learning Activity Kit</a> to our product line.
This kit includes fifteen magnetic Braille cell blocks with movable pegs,
a non-skid mat, a cloth tote bag for storage, and an activity guide in
print and Braille. One can practice creating and recognizing Braille
signs as well as simulate slate writing with the Braille Caravan. The
activity guide suggests a variety of games that will make Braille
learning fun for very young learners. Some adult students may also find
it helpful to practice Braille sign recognition and simulate slate
writing with the Braille Caravan.<br><br>
We will be sharing more details about the rest of our new Independence
Market offerings in an upcoming newsletter, so stay tuned. For more
information or to request a complete catalog in various formats, please
e-mail us at
<a href="mailto:independencemarket@nfb.org">independencemarket@nfb.org</a>
, or call us at 410-659-9314, extension 2216. <br><br>
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<br><br>
<h2><b><a name="calendar"></a>NFB Calendar</b></h2><b>Upcoming
Events<br><br>
</b>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2063&qid=217530">
Colorado Center for the Blind</a> 25th Anniversary – September 13-14,
2013<br><br>
Washington Seminar – Great Gathering-In – January 24, 2014<br><br>
<b>State Conventions<br><br>
</b>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2064&qid=217530">
NFB of South Carolina</a> – August 9-11, 2013<br><br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2029&qid=217530">
NFB of North Carolina</a> – September 12-15, 2013 <br><br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2031&qid=217530">
NFB of Arizona</a> – September 13-15, 2013 <br><br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2065&qid=217530">
NFB of North Dakota</a> – September 14, 2013<br><br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2028&qid=217530">
NFB of Hawaii</a> – September 14-15, 2013<br><br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2066&qid=217530">
NFB of New York</a> – October 4-6, 2013<br><br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2032&qid=217530">
NFB of Georgia</a> – October 10-13, 2013<br><br>
NFB of Montana – October 25-27, 2013<br><br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2033&qid=217530">
NFB of Maryland</a> – November 8-10, 2013<br><br>
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<br><br>
<h2><b><a name="Citation"></a>Citation</b></h2>The misunderstandings
about what we are signal a direction for us to take, and they create a
challenge that we willingly accept. We belong within our society even
though many members of it have not yet recognized that we belong. We also
belong to each otherto our families and to the members of our
Federation. This belonging adds to our strength and increases our power.
Our talent, our power, is within our hands, and our tomorrows do not
belong to the ill-informed. Rather, they belong to us. Gaining the
recognition that must be ours will require all that is best within us,
but we have the strength we need. With the determination inherent in our
power, nothing can stop us. We own our freedom. We will achieve equality;
we will win our independence. Our plans have been developed; our
decisions have been made; our declarations have been proclaimed. We have
the power, and we will make the joy of our future come true! <br><br>
--Marc Maurer. "The Power of Belonging." Banquet speech, 2013
NFB National Convention, Orlando, Florida, July 6, 2013.<br><br>
<br><br>
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<br><br>
<h2><b>Thank you for reading the NFB Jernigan Institute’s Imagineering
Our Future</i>.</b></h2>Help make a significant difference in the lives
of blind people across the country.<br>
<img src="https://nfb.org/images/civimages/accred_charity_ltr.jpg" width=55 height=87 alt="[]">
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Make a Gift
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If this issue was forwarded to you and you would like to subscribe,
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To donate a vehicle to the NFB, call toll-free <br>
<b>1-855-659-9314<br>
or visit our <br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2012&qid=217530">
vehicle donation</a> <br>
page.<br><br>
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<img src="http://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/image/jinewsletter/musician.jpg" width=100 height=139 alt="Photo: Girl Playing Flute">
<br><br>
<b>Interesting links:<br><br>
</b>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2013&qid=217530">
Archive of Straight Talk About Vision Loss videos</a><br><br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2014&qid=217530">
National Center for Blind Youth in Science</a><br><br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2015&qid=217530">
Access Technology Tips</a><br><br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2016&qid=217530">
TeachBlindStudents.org</a><br><br>
<br>
<img src="http://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/image/jinewsletter/martial-arts.jpg" width=80 height=80 alt="Photo: Martial Arts">
<br><br>
<br><br>
<br>
<b>Blogs:</b> <br><br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2017&qid=217530">
Access Technology</a><br><br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2018&qid=217530">
Voice of the Nation's Blind</a><br><br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
<br>
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Support the Jernigan Institute through the
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2019&qid=217530">
<i>Imagination Fund.</a><br>
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Baltimore, MD 21230<br>
United States<br>
410 659-9314 </body>
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