[NFBNJ] July 2017 Commission Edition

[joe ruffalo]

Greetings to all!
Please read and share the July issue of the Commission Edition.

The information is educational, motivational and inspirational!
Let’s work together to make a difference!

We care. We share. We grow. We make a difference
Joe Ruffalo, President 
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey 
973 743 0075
nfbnj1 at verizon.net
www.nfbnj.org
Your old car keys can be keys to literacy for the blind.
Donate your unwanted vehicle to us by clicking 
www.carshelpingtheblind.org 
or call 855 659 9314


The Monthly Newsletter of the NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
July 2017 – Volume 5, No. 7

 

Daniel B. Frye, J.D.                                                                                                                                             Pamela Gaston

Executive Director                                                                                                                                               Editor

>From the Director’s Desk 
The month of July has been active, adhering to many of our summer traditions at the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI or Commission). By month’s end, I will have participated in the graduation ceremonies of two cohorts of our Work Skills Prep (WSP) program, our College Preparation Orientation, and our College Bonner initiative, all administered with the support of our partners at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). Additionally, on Thursday, July 20, Commission staff, consumers, and supporters assembled at the Trenton Thunder baseball game for our 12th  annual Covering the Bases event, where we awarded five scholarships to deserving college students, and where I briefly spoke to the audience about the services of our agency; the capacity of blind, vision impaired, and deaf-blind consumers to live independent, self-sufficient lives; and let all in attendance understand that, should they have questions about blindness or vision loss, CBVI should  be their one-stop shop for such queries.

In an effort to immerse myself in all matters blindness-related, I spent the second week of July attending the 77th national convention of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), held this year in Orlando, Florida. This year directors of multiple state Vocational Rehabilitation agencies attended all, or a part of, the NFB convention. Most of my professional colleagues participated in either the 16th annual Orientation and Mobility and Vocational Rehabilitation conference, jointly sponsored by the Blindness Professional Certification Board (BPCB) and the Institute on Blindness at Louisiana Tech University on Monday, July 10 or the meeting of the National Association of Blindness Rehabilitation Professionals (NABRP) that convened on Wednesday afternoon, July 12. In both sessions speakers provided updated information on operating in an environment governed by regulations from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), discussed attracting sufficient numbers of well-qualified blindness professionals to the field of Vocational Rehabilitation, and generated ideas about supporting one another  via new networks to help us all manage with greater effectiveness and efficiency.

In addition to these highlights, I have been concentrating on a variety of critical matters to keep the Commission moving forward. As I close this month’s column, I hope that you’ll find some time to play and rejuvenate while the weather outside is inviting, and know that all of you, particularly those of you who are supporting the execution of our summer season programs--for our children to our college students—are especially acknowledged and appreciated. The logistical efforts to successfully carry off all of our summer season Pre-Employment Transition Services (PRE-ETS) and youth programs 

 

 

are substantial, but these programs will create transformative memories and impart invaluable skills to those who attend and enjoy them. Stay cool.

Daniel B. Frye

Executive Director

 

Learning Lunch Reminder: 

As previously noted, during each of these monthly sessions, I will meet with five CBVI staff and a member of our Executive Management Team to receive feedback or suggestions on what the Commission might do that is new and exciting.  Please indicate your interest in being part of such an up and coming forum by sending an email with the subject line “Learning Lunch” to my assistant, Melissa Brown, at Melissa.Brown2 at dhs.state.nj.us 

***************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Program Administration – John C. Walsh, Chief
Summer Reading…That’s “Meaningful”

A short while ago, Patrick Pallies, CBVI’s newly hired Deaf-Blind Specialist in the Newark Service Center, sent me an email and at the bottom of his email signature was the following quote: “Everything can be taken from a (person) but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”   

I recognized the quote immediately as being from Viktor Frankl’s landmark book “Man’s Search for Meaning”.  When I responded to Patrick’s question, I also mentioned to him that this was one of my all-time favorite books.  For those not familiar with the book, Frankl recounts his experiences within the Nazi concentration camps.  However, Frankl is a trained psychiatrist and he gives us the benefit of viewing this hell-realm from his very unique perspective.   He learns that even in the worst of situations that one can find meaning and continue to affirm life.  

Although I have read the book several times, I again revisited it for its pearls of wisdom.   I highly recommend this book to you as well, in that although his descriptions of camp life are quite bleak, one is affirmed that even in the darkest moments one can still find the light.   I believe his work is so relevant to the human condition in general, and in particular to the work we do at the Commission.   We often encounter individuals who experience major losses in their lives and are in a time of crisis.  Individuals with newly acquired vision loss often experience a ripple effect throughout their individual life, impacting their career, relationships, and the way they generally interact with the world.   We know that blindness need not stop an individual from pursuing their dreams and achieving goals, but in that moment of crisis, we often revert to what is the “known”.   The “known” often includes societal misperceptions about blindness that often presumes the event of loss of sight as “tragic” and one that ends the person’s capacity for having a full existence.  Therefore, our work here at CBVI is not only to provide instruction to our consumers in alternative methods and to coordinate a full range of services, but also to be catalysts for changing attitudes about blindness.   If one’s attitude is that blindness is a life-sentence of dependency and despair, that individual is very unlikely to embrace new ways of interacting with their environment.  A shift of attitude makes all the difference in opening ourselves to new possibilities.  

The second book I would recommend for your summer reading is a book that I had in my Kindle library for some time, saved for future reading.  However, it took a conversation with our new Physical Education Instructor at the Joseph Kohn Training Center (JKTC), Amo Musharraf, to bring it back to my consciousness.   Amo is also a big fan of Frankl’s works and we were discussing his various books.  Amo reminded me that others have also continued the work of Frankl’s logotherapy, and in particular he very much enjoyed Prisoners of our Thoughts: Viktor Frankl’s Principles for Discovering Meaning in Life and Work by Alex Pattakos, and found it meaningful in his life.   The book provides applications of Frankl’s logotherapy as a means of self-help.  In particular, he looks at why some individuals have an easier time dealing with challenging situations than others. The premise being that when we exercise our freedom to choose our attitude in any given situation, we are able to more fully embrace life in the present moment.  As the title suggests, however, we can often become a prisoner to our thoughts, by believing our perceived shortcomings fueled by societal misperceptions about any given situation. That moment of freedom, when we change our attitude, often is the key to unlocking us from our own self-imposed prison.

Although I also enjoy lighter summer reading as well, I highly recommend these two powerful books that I believe you will find meaningful in your personal life and in the work we do.  

Organizational Logistics – Ines Matos, Chief 
We are very pleased to have the opportunity to welcome some new members to the Technology Services Specialists (TSS) team. TSS staff members are assigned to each of the regional service centers and the JKTC. Although their work efforts support various offices and programs, they all work together to provide quality services to our consumers. 

Jose Ruiz, who previously worked closely with TSS staff as a driver/aide and with the i-CanConnect program, is now a TSS assigned to the Newark Service Center (NSC). He will continue his work with the i-CanConnect program and will also assist with VR consumers and in the MIS unit as necessary. 

Desmond Grayer, who also worked closely with TSS staff, is now assigned to the JKTC as a TSS, where he will provide technology training alongside Jay Durnan.

Chris O’Neill, who was previously stationed at the JKTC, will work out of the NSC, providing assessments and supportive services for consumers as a VR-TSS.

Damon Fibraio recently joined us after having worked as an Assistive Technology Support Specialist for Freedom Scientific. He will be assigned to the Freehold Service Center (FSC) and will provide services for the education caseload with Mac Biggers. 

With these reassignments and addition of new staff, we are looking forward to expanding and enhancing our ability to provide technology services to CBVI consumers across the state. I want to acknowledge and thank Colleen Faupel for her leadership in coordinating CBVI’s efforts to build an effective TSS team that shares the focus of consumers being the first priority.

 

 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Transitional Services – Amanda Gerson, Coordinator
The Career Index Plus: A Career Exploration Tool for Counselors and Consumers

In May 2016, CBVI presented training for all Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselors on using Labor Market Information. Labor Market Information (LMI) is data and predictions related to the supply of and demand for workers; the wages, skills, knowledge, and training associated with specific occupations and industries; and unemployment levels, often broken down by education level, geographic location, industry, or specific occupation. In this training, VR counselors learned about a variety of LMI tools, resources, state and federal websites, and strategies and techniques for assisting consumers on their path to employment, whether choosing a vocational goal or post-secondary/vocational training program, or looking to move further along on their career pathway. That initial training was supplemented throughout the year, with LMI being revisited at other trainings, such as in our VR 101 Training Series on Informed Choice, and our Business Engagement Training by Mississippi State University.

Based on a pre and post-assessment conducted in May 2016 and May 2017 respectively, VR counselors overwhelmingly and consistently reported an increased use of LMI as a tool with consumers overall, as well as an expansion of its use as a resource and strategy for covering a wider range of information, but a desire for additional training and resources was still indicated.  

The Career Index Plus is a new tool, created by the Workforce Innovation Technical Assistance Center (WINTAC), which solves the problem faced by most LMI resources, having all relevant information available on one website. Pulling together information from  several reliable resources (the O*NET, Occupation Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Indeed.com, etc.), the Career Index Plus includes all relevant LMI on any given career: Salary Information; Job Trends and Projections; Current Job Openings; License Requirements and Certifications; Education and Experience Requirements; Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities; Related Training Programs; a Holland Interest Inventory; O*NET Transferrable Skills Analysis; Career Ladders; SSI/SSDI Benefits Calculator. It also allows individuals to create a personal career profile, track and save their searches, get recommended job postings based on the information in their profile, and allow interaction between VR counselor and consumer so information can be easily shared. The Career Index Plus is an LMI tool created specifically with the VR system in mind, targeting the needs of both VR counselors and the consumers we serve. 

To continue to support our VR counselors and consumers with high quality tools and resources to help achieve successful employment, we will be providing training to VR counselors in the fall on the Career Index Plus, with support and technical assistance from the WINTAC. Additional information will be coming out in the next few weeks to introduce this tool, and lay the groundwork for the upcoming training. Stay tuned.

 

 

 

Educational Services – Eva Scott, Director of Blindness Education
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”   

                                                                                               Benjamin Franklin

  

I’m always amazed, and admittedly slightly jealous of those who spend a large part of the summer sitting on the beach reading a good book.  But, then I think about the important work we are doing in Blindness Education throughout the year, especially during the summer months.  Summertime is when we can provide students with the opportunity to use new skills in ways that are fun and engaging as they exercise their independence and self-determination.

 

SHARP 2017:  Student Hands-On Alternatives Reinforcement Program: SHARP 2017 has begun!  Our three locations in Newark, Freehold, and Cherry Hill are filled with the sounds of happy young people as they work, learn, and have fun.  Each group of students and teachers has carved out a unique way of demonstrating literacy and other skills of independence.  Our students are exploring dinosaurs, fossils, sustainable community gardening, music, art, and community involvement.  As each student engages in these activities they are experiencing new ways to learn that are both fun and memorable.  Regardless of their age, the students who participate in SHARP are preparing for their transition to the next phase of their lives in high school, college, and beyond.  Independence, self-advocacy, and networking are themes that are reinforced throughout the activities of SHARP.  Networking with other students, in other words, making friends has become a very important part of SHARP.  Many students, especially those attending SHARP for the first time, have told us that this is the first opportunity that they have had to meet someone their own age that is also blind or vision impaired.  Students who are reluctant to read Braille, use a cane, or wear their glasses are more likely to do so when they are in the company of others who are using the same skills and tools.  The ability to share these experiences is valuable in promoting self-awareness and becoming more self-confident.

 

Advanced Training in UEB (Unified English Braille) for Blindness Education Teachers: It was recently announced that our Blindness Education Teachers will be participating in advanced training in Unified English Braille (UEB).  As many members of our CBVI community know, in January 2016, the Braille Authority of North America (BANA) formally adopted UEB as the literary Braille code for the United States.  At that time, in order to make sure that our teachers had some level of proficiency in UEB, they completed UEB coursework that was web-based.  Since it is our goal to provide the best instruction possible to our students, we have asked Dr. Edward Bell of Louisiana Tech University to conduct an advanced course in UEB that will prepare our teachers to take and pass the National Certification in Unified English Braille (NCUEB) exam.  Our Executive Director, Dan Frye and I believe that by requiring our teachers to participate in this development process, they will be counted among the most highly competent teachers of Braille in the country.  Recognizing lifetime literacy is important to all, we are making Braille literacy instruction available to a larger number of students including those with diverse needs.  Advanced training in UEB is one step in assuring that our Blindness Education teachers have the proficiency needed to fully meet the needs of all CBVI students.

 

 

>From the George F. Meyer Instructional Resource Center: 49 Days Left Until School Opens – But Who’s Counting? - submitted By Christine Hinton: Each year during the summer, the staff at the Meyer Center work diligently to process orders in preparation for the new school year with the understanding of how important it is to make sure that students with vision impairments have all of the tools needed for their success in the classroom. This year the Meyer Center received over 200 book requests in the Braille department and over 200 book requests in the large print department.  Most of these book requests are for math and science transcriptions and enlargements.  The current trend with text requests from school districts is to request handouts versus a traditional textbook. The requests for handouts have increased, and approximately twenty percent of book orders received were nontraditional texts. 

Both the Major Equipment Department and the Educational Aids Departments are restocking shelves in anticipation of the opening of school.   We are also reviewing products to make sure that needed materials will be available for ordering in September.  As discussed in the teachers’ statewide meeting, products for infants with vision impairments will be reviewed.  The Meyer Center staff is working very hard to fulfill all orders while concentrating on ensuring our students will be prepared for the coming academic year, and as usual, we are counting the days until school opens in September. 

Independent Living & Clinical Services – Elizabeth DeShields, Coordinator
Independent Living Department Deaf-Blind Services - submitted by Victoria Jarosz: There has been a lot of activity in Deaf-Blind Services within the Independent Living Department over the last three months, and I am thrilled to be serving as the new Deaf-Blind Independent Living Consultant. The referrals and consumers being serviced are rapidly growing statewide from Bergen to Cape May Counties. I am also pleased to be collaborating with the O&M Specialists, Rehabilitation Teachers, and Eye Health Nurses as a consultant to provide services to those consumers who have dual-sensory loss.

 

With the growing number of consumers being served within the Deaf-Blind Independent Living Department, the referrals have also increased for the i-CanConnect program (ICC). The ICC is a federally-funded program for consumers who have both vision and hearing loss, as defined by Helen Keller National Center. The definition for deaf-blindness is 20/200 or less in the better eye with corrective lenses, or a field loss of 20 degrees or less; a current or progressive loss of hearing that makes speech incomprehensible, even with optimum amplification. 

 

ICC ensures consumers have access to telephones, advanced communications, such as Internet-based voice communication, email, instant messaging, video conferencing services, and the Internet by providing consumers with hardware, software and/or applications to meet their specific needs. For more information about this program, please visit ICC’s website at http://www.icanconnect.org/how-to-apply/new-jersey   

 

On July 10th, a new hearing aid policy and fee schedule went into effect.  This is a pilot program designed to assist those consumers in independent living obtain audiological evaluations and hearing aids. The policy directive can be found in FACTS located in the Independent Living Policy and Procedures Manual. In addition to the new hearing aid policy and fee schedule, also in the works, is the development of a directory of active audiologists, hearing aid dispensers, the different insurance plans accepted and the counties/areas they serve. More information will be forthcoming on this exciting project.

Joseph Kohn Training Center – Del Basha, Manager
The Joseph Kohn Training Center has made its home in the city of New Brunswick since 1988. Over the past few decades, New Brunswick has undergone many developments. The enhancements to Rutgers University, expansion of the RWJ Hospital network, and renovation of surrounding highways have resulted in increased traffic. Currently, the city has plans to renovate certain blocks and has requested feedback from surrounding residents.  

Making New Brunswick More Pedestrian-Friendly - Submitted by, Melissa Durnan: The Joseph Kohn Training Center (JKTC) is situated along a heavily-trafficked county road called Livingston Avenue, which extends from North Brunswick Township all the way into the heart of New Brunswick.  While traveling on foot between the JKTC and the downtown New Brunswick area, it is common for pedestrians to encounter a variety of obstacles (from difficult street crossings to sidewalk obstructions). This can pose challenges, as well as learning opportunities, to those who are blind and vision impaired.

Since Livingston Ave is such a regularly traveled thoroughfare, plans are currently underway to renovate a 25-block stretch of the roadway, with the goal of making it more user-friendly to motorists and pedestrians alike.  The $6 million, federally-funded project is a collaborative effort, involving traffic engineers and project managers, as well as representatives from Middlesex County, the City of New Brunswick, and NJ Transit.  Recently, JKTC O&M instructor Melissa Durnan had an opportunity to offer some feedback, to ensure restoration efforts will positively impact JKTC students.  Plans for the project are supposed to be finalized by the end of 2017, and construction will likely begin in late 2018/early 2019, once funding is approved.

Upon completion, the project will feature the following pedestrian-focused upgrades:

·         Clearly marked bike lanes along the edge of the roadway, reducing bicycle presence in foot-traffic areas;

·         Accessible pedestrian signal (APS) devices at all traffic light controlled intersections, with auditory and vibrational feedback to notify pedestrians with vision and hearing loss when the walk signal is displayed;

·         Updated detectable warning surfaces at all crosswalks within the renovation zone, ensuring tactile warnings are available to cane users prior to entering the street; and

·         Enclosed bus shelters at all NJ Transit bus stops where covered waiting areas are not already present.  

The above-described changes should ideally make the overall area more navigable to individuals with varying levels of vision, and will provide opportunities for JKTC Orientation and Mobility staff to further educate their students on safe outdoor route travel and street crossing strategies.

Business Enterprises of New Jersey – Deacon Truesdale, Manager 
Business Enterprises of New Jersey (BENJ) adopted the online Hadley Business Enterprise Program Licensee Training over a year ago.  Since adoption, several VR referred BENJ candidates have completed these online courses. Most recently two candidates who have successfully completed the online training are now preparing for on-the-job training at various locations.  These new candidates will also learn the New Jersey Administrative Code 10:97, the rules and regulations that govern the program that were adopted and published in the NJ Register on July 3, 2017.  

In the coming months, BENJ will have more growth and opportunities as some blind managers retire and we venture into the private sector.  

 

 

Staff Development – Kenya Whitehurst-Percell
DHS Leadership Academy

The Department of Human Services (DHS) Leadership Academy was established to inspire and empower the next generation of DHS leaders by providing staff with advanced leadership training, including access to networking with colleagues and opportunities to exercise strategic thinking abilities. There are limited slots available in this valuable development program, but every year, the department hopes to advance at least three groups. 

I had the pleasure of attending one of the units, and all participants agreed the training raised their consciousness and perception of what is required of and defined as an effective leader.   An effective leader is someone that communicates clearly, honestly, and with purpose. They have the ability to inspire idea sharing and collaboration. Although every idea may not be able to be brought to fruition, a good leader shows appreciation for the contribution nonetheless.

I believe each one of us here at CBVI has had times when we have been called upon to learn new things and adapt to change. When those times have come, we have adjusted by learning the new task and committing ourselves to the new or modified goals, and in some cases been called upon to facilitate the same from our co-workers. The techniques and the strategies we use to adjust to change may require creativity. Without realizing it we have just exhibited key leadership qualities - the ability to grow, learn, adapt, remain focused, and execute, all while having a positive attitude. 

Another quality of an effective leader is self-evaluation and recognizing our strengths as well as the areas where improvement may be warranted. I encourage you all to keep working on being a better you by continuing to develop your leadership skills. 

Regional Updates 
Southern Region – Jack Thompson, Manager 
DHS Leadership Academy - submitted by Leann Ennis: I participated in the DHS Leadership Academy at Katzenbach School for the Deaf this past spring. On the first day of class, we were split up into groups and asked to come up with a presentation about how DHS can improve customer service as a whole. I was put into a group with a Program Support Specialist from the Division of Aging; an Assistant Supervisor from the Institutional Services Section, which helps determine Medicaid eligibility for age, blind, and the disabled community; and a Unit Director from the Vineland Developmental Center. My group ended up winning, and our presentation is going to be submitted to Acting Commissioner Connelly for possible implementation. What follows is what we presented.  

We started by saying that customer service at DHS can be improved by enhancing community awareness through the use of technology and liaisons. The website should be improved and include a 1-800 hotline for direct contact with a person who would connect you to the service provider you need. 

Each DHS division should have a liaison who would travel around the state providing community education and doing outreach to promote awareness of the services that are available through DHS to mutually benefit both the public and private sector. Liaisons would be chosen in each department (employees who already work for those departments) and visit the private sector businesses appropriate to their department (this includes nursing homes, hospitals, insurance companies, etc.), and explain the various benefits available through DHS services. This way they can educate the general public to our programs, especially entities that may need to refer someone for services. The 1-800 number located on the DHS website, and on our social media accounts, would allow the general public to be able to call and speak directly to a person who is knowledgeable in all aspects of services offered by all DHS divisions and will direct callers to the appropriate provider. Our work group believes that the implementation of the 1-800 number and divisional liaisons would be an efficient strategy for boosting community awareness  that will ultimately benefit residents of NJ in need of DHS services. It is our hope that our idea will be taken under consideration. 

Northern Region – John Reiff, Manager
·         The Newark Service Center (NSC) continues to operate with the much appreciated assistance of Margaret Stroud and Liz DeShields. Measures to back-fill are well underway.. 

 

·         The NSC VR Unit meeting was held on July 27th. VR Coordinator Amanda Gerson attended and discussed the particulars of VR eligibility. Ed Sroczynski led a brainstorming session focused on identifying the counselor and consumer actions that have the greatest impact on successful outcomes as well as the challenges that sometimes impede progress.

 

·         Anyone who visits the Freehold Service Center these days will find themselves transported to a place where imagination reigns.  The lobby as well as Room 33 on the second floor have been recreated to resemble the world of Harry Potter for the SHARP students. Kudos to all staff who contributed their time, efforts, and creativity. We all know that children learn many of the skills they will use as adults through play.

 

·         We in the NSC extend well wishes to our friend and coworker, Kalpana Parikh, who rejoined Project Best on July 24th to function as a Field Rep, Eye Health. Kalpana had been a mainstay in handling new referrals and will be missed in that role. 

 

·         Please join us in welcoming our newest addition to the First Point of Contact team in the NSC, Nkechi Onukogu. Nkechi has learned to swim quickly in the everflowing river of referrals that passes through our Newark office. 

 

 

New or Noteworthy
On Thursday, July 20th CBVI hosted “Covering the Bases 2017”, the 12th Annual Blind and Vision Impaired Awareness Night with the Trenton Thunder baseball team at Arm & Hammer Park in Trenton. During the traditional pre-game ceremony the achievements of this year’s CBVI Board of Trustees’ scholarship awardees were recognized.  SHARP program participant and avid baseball enthusiast, Andy Fass performed with an Irish dance troupe and if the weather had cooperated, National Braille Challenge 2nd Place Winner, CBVI student and accomplished vocalist Kaleigh Brendle would have performed during the 7th inning stretch. Although the game was called due to rain, many of CBVI’s guests, including 20 education services’ consumer families stayed for an exciting fireworks display. 

This year’s scholarship awardees:

Kunali Gurditta, is an AmeriCorps volunteer and an Amherst College graduate who will enter the University of Rochester School of Medicine in the fall. Kunali will receive The Mary Louise Buckley Scholarship for a student majoring in the fields of Health Services or Communications. This scholarship was established in accordance with the last will and testament of the late Mary Louise Buckley, a Registered Nurse who lived and worked in Mercer County. Throughout her life she enjoyed giving back to the community as a volunteer for organizations such as The American Cancer Society, Interfaith Caregivers, and Learning Ally, formerly known as Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic.

Ilirie Goca will receive The Caroline Rose Foster Scholarship for Independence and Self-Determination.  Caroline Rose Foster was a client of the Commission from 1964 until her death in 1979 at age 102. This noted NJ philanthropist, bequeathed a sizable sum from her estate to promote the Commission's work for blind and vision impaired people.  A Morristown resident since 1881, Miss Foster distinguished herself in the social and political life of Morris County and the state.  Appropriately, she specified in her will that the funds derived from the interest on her gift to the Commission be used for "the amelioration of the condition of the blind."

Bryan Woolbert, a resident of Egg Harbor Township is a National Honor Society member who will major in Music Technology at Cairn University in Langhorne, PA in the fall.  Bryan will receive The Nathan and Sally Rogoff Scholarship for Academic Excellence. Nathan Rogoff, who served on the Commission’s Board of Trustees for over 30 years, established this scholarship when his dear wife Sally passed away. The late Nathan and Sally Rogoff were both well known for their generosity and dedication to helping others, especially young people who are blind or vision impaired.  

 

Andrew Chin, a resident of Morristown, who will major in occupational therapy at University of Sciences in Philadelphia in the fall, is an Eagle Scout, musician, athlete and Habitat for Humanity volunteer.  Through the generosity of The Fund for the NJ Blind, Andrew will receive The Sarah Churchill Scholarship for Leadership and Community Service. The original name for the Fund for the NJ Blind was the Churchill Fund, named for Sarah Churchill, a blind music teacher who taught in schools in Newark and Orange.  Churchill was a prominent Montclair resident who dedicated her time as well as her substantial resources to the Commission and its clients.  

 

Emmanuelle Steplight, is a resident of East Orange who decided to pursue a college degree later in life and recently graduated from Essex County College with a 3.95 GPA. She is continuing her education at Caldwell College where she will major in Business Administration in the fall. Emmanuelle will receive The Cathy and Herb Bodensiek Scholarship. This scholarship was established by retired businessman and Bergen County resident, Herb Bodensiek to encourage and support the career goals of CBVI students who are pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, mathematics or business.  Bodensiek and his late wife, Cathy, both contributed many volunteer hours and personal resources to organizations serving people who are blind or vision impaired.

comments 

The Last Words
“Courageous people do not fear forgiving for the sake of peace.” – Nelson Mandela

 

 

Please send items or suggestions for the next issue of the Commission Edition by or before 11 a.m., Monday, August 21, 2017:

Pamela.Gaston at dhs.state.nj.us and Melissa.Brown2 at dhs.state.nj.us 

 

 

From: joe ruffalo [mailto:nfbnj1 at verizon.net] 
Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2017 4:29 PM
To: Brian Mackey <bmackey88 at gmail.com>; joe ruffalo <nfbnj1 at verizon.net>
Subject: Convert Paste in the body Fw: July 2017 Commission Edition

 

Brian, paste in the body.

Thanks 

 

 

We care. We share. We grow. We make a difference
Joe Ruffalo, President 
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey 
973 743 0075
nfbnj1 at verizon.net
Your old car keys can be keys to literacy for the blind.
Donate your unwanted vehicle to us by clicking 
www.carshelpingtheblind.org 
or call 855 659 9314

 

From: Daniel.Frye at dhs.state.nj.us 

Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2017 1:16 PM

To: CBVI.AllUsers at dhs.state.nj.us 

Cc: Doris.Windle at dhs.state.nj.us ; Nicole.Brossoie at dhs.state.nj.us ; Ellen.Lovejoy at dhs.state.nj.us ; Bonny.Fraser at dhs.state.nj.us ; Christina.Mongon at dhs.state.nj.us ; Joseph.Amoroso at dhs.state.nj.us ; David.Alexander at dhs.state.nj.us ; Jennifer.Bryan at dhs.state.nj.us ; Walter.Valora at dhs.state.nj.us ; Elizabeth.Connolly at dhs.state.nj.us 

Subject: July 2017 Commission Edition

 

Colleagues:

 

Please find attached the July 2017 issue of the Commission Edition, the internal newsletter of the Commission. As always, I want to express my gratitude to Pamela Gaston and Melissa Brown for their invaluable assistance in proofreading and editing our publication. Additionally, I continue to encourage all staff to offer creative contributions for our internal communications tool; your ideas and work are what make our monthly release useful and reflective of our meaningful work.

 

As we find ourselves more than half way through the summer season, I hope all of you are enjoying the rituals and traditions of this time of year. You will be able to see that CBVI is undertaking its important work with our younger consumers, a regular practice of our summer programing. Further, it seems appropriate to congratulate our scholarship winners, all of whom are acknowledged near the end of this version of the Commission Edition. Finally, despite the rain, I appreciate all of our staff who made the time to join us for our twelfth annual Covering the Bases, blindness-awareness night with the Trenton Thunder on Thursday, July 20.

 

Thank you all for your contributions to the work of CBVI. Stay cool during this warm summer. Keep in touch, be well, and do good work.

 

 

 

With Kind Regards,

 


     Daniel B. Frye, J.D.

      Executive Director

      State of New Jersey

      Department of Human Services

      COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED 

      153 Halsey Street, 6th Floor, P.O. Box 47017

      Newark, NJ 07101

      Office: (973) 648-2324 ● Mobile: 973-951-1156 ● Fax: (973) 648-7364

      Email: Daniel.Frye at dhs.state.nj.us
     

 


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