[NFBNJ] NFBNJ: Fall Issue 2017 Sounding Board Pasted and Attached

[joe ruffalo]

Greetings to all!
Thanks for those that submitted articles for the fall issue of the Sounding 
Board, the publication of the NFBNJ.
A huge thanks to the editors and staff of the Sounding Board by providing 
another educational, motivational, inspirational issue.
Please read and share with others on your distribution lists.
Pasted and attached.

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

****

FALL 2017

The Sounding Board

The Publication of the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey



IN THIS ISSUE



KATHERINE GABRY
Encourages you to show your cane pride
on October 15

ALYSSA SHOCK, AMY ALBIN &
CONNOR MULLIN
Share their national convention experiences

ALICE EADDY
Tells how the kindness of a stranger can make a huge difference

BEN VERCELLONE
Discusses why he is a Federationist




Live the Life You Want

THE SOUNDING BOARD
Fall 2017

Katherine Gabry, Editor
Ann Marie Cooke, Mary Jo Partyka & Barbara Shalit, Co-editors
Barbara Shalit, Advertising Manager

Published by e-mail and on the Web through Newsline by
The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
www.nfbnj.org

Joseph Ruffalo, President
State Affiliate Office   254 Spruce Street   Bloomfield, NJ 07003
E-mail: nfbnj1 at verizon.net

Letters to the President, address changes, subscription requests, letters to
the Editor and articles should be sent to the State Affiliate Office or
e-mailed to choirnfb at gmail.com. Advertisements should be sent to
barbart at tullensound.com. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit all
articles and advertising for space and/or clarity considerations.

Please Note: The deadline for the Spring issue is March 15, 2018.

Donations should be made payable to the
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
and sent to the State Affiliate office.

To subscribe via Newsline: Jane Degenshein 973-736-5785 or
Jdegen16 at comcast.net

JACOBUS TENBROEK LEGACY SOCIETY
Help build a future full of opportunity for the blind by becoming a member
of the Jacobus tenBroek Legacy Society. Your legacy gift to the National
Federation of the Blind can be made in the form of a will or a living trust,
an income-generating gift, or by naming the NFB as a beneficiary of a
retirement plan or life insurance policy. You can also become a member of
the Jacobus tenBroek Legacy Society by making a legacy gift to your state
affiliate. By committing to support an NFB affiliate, your gift will benefit
both local and national programs, since all bequests made to affiliates are
split evenly with the NFB national treasury. In addition to having the
satisfaction of contributing to the future success of the NFB's mission,
tenBroek Legacy Society members also receive a specially designed thank you
gift and other benefits. For additional information, please contact Patti
Chang at the NFB Jernigan Institute by e-mail at pchang at nfb.org, or by
telephone at 410-659-9314, extension 2221.

Mission Statement
The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey, Inc. is an organization
of blind and interested sighted people who plan and carry out programs; work
to improve the quality of life of the blind; provide a means of collective
action for parents of blind children; promote the vocational, cultural and
social advancement of the blind; achieve the integration of the blind into
society on a basis of equality with the sighted; and take action that will
improve the overall condition and standard of living of the blind.

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.


The National Federation of the Blind Pledge
I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation
of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity and security for the blind; to
support the programs and policies of the Federation; and to abide by its
constitution.


The Sounding Board
The Sounding Board is the magazine of the National Federation of the Blind
of New Jersey. It is published twice a year. Through The Sounding Board, our
members can keep current with local, state and national news, and issues of
concern. We also aspire to provide a source of hope, inspiration, pride and
camaraderie through the personal stories in our publication.
Hundreds of readers receive our publication via e-mail and Newsline. The
Sounding Board is also available for download in its entirety from our
website at www.nfbnj.org. We encourage our readers to share The Sounding
Board with family members, teachers, professionals, neighbors, friends and
any other interested parties.  We estimate our circulation to be in the
thousands, as readers from across the country regularly report that The
Sounding Board influences their lives. We hope you enjoy this issue.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

After the Holidays Party    (inside cover)
Presidential Message, by Joe Ruffalo      1
>From the Editor’s Desk: Show Your Cane Pride on October 15, by Katherine
Gabry    3
National Convention Reflections, by Alyssa Shock    4
The Truth about Technology: Experiences from My First National Convention,
by Amy Albin    6
Embracing the Complexities of Blindness: My Reflections on the 2017 National
Convention, by Connor Mullin    8
NABS Announces New YouTube Channel    9
The Kindness of a Stranger Got Me Home: Alice Eaddy’s Story of a Fateful
Day, by Katherine Gabry    10
Braille Production Comes to NJ Bell Academy 2017, by Barbara Shalit    12
Reflections from a BELL Academy Volunteer, by Alba Milla    13
Why I am a Federationist, by Ben Vercellone    14
>From Vienna to Manahawkin: Indoor Audio Guide Technology Comes to State
Convention, by Barbara Shalit     16
To Save a Child, by Christine Moore     17
A Unique Disability, by Ruth Silver     18
Mary Fernandez Interviewed by User1st Spotlight, Excerpted by Barbara Shalit
19
A Reprisal of “There Is Nothing Like a Cane,” by Carol Castellano    21
>From Our Archives: Learning Through Leadership, by David Mostello    22
An Open Letter to the NFBNJ Family, by Jerilyn Higgins    24
Our President’s Response, by Joe Ruffalo    25
>From the Kitchen of Jerilyn Higgins    26
NFBNJ Contact Info    28



You are cordially invited
to the
National Federation of the Blind of NJ’s 9th Annual

After the Holidays Party

Saturday, January 6, 2018
1 to 5 p.m.
Knights of Columbus Hall
94 Bridge Street, Belleville, NJ
Access Link accessible    Cross Street:  Belleville  Avenue

$25 per adult; $15 for children 6- 12 years; free for children 6 & younger

Please include a separate sheet with attendees’ names & phone numbers.
All payment must be received no later than December 31, 2017.
Make your check payable to NFBNJ and mail to:

Joe Ruffalo, President
NFBNJ    254 Spruce Street    Bloomfield, NJ    07003

For additional information call Joe at 973-743-0075.

We’ll have door prizes, a sing–along & a special appearance by jolly old
Santa!

Special note: If you would like an attendee to receive a gift from Santa,
please bring a wrapped gift labeled with the name of the recipient.

MISTLETOE MAGIC MENU

Holiday Tossed Garden Salad with Vinaigrette Dressing
Chicken Savoy, Eggplant Rollatini, Meatballs, Pasta with Vodka Sauce
Assorted Cold Cuts and Potato Salad
Chicken Fingers
Rolls and Butter
Homemade Holiday Desserts
Coffee, Tea and Assorted Soft Drinks
Cash bar will be available.

Please join us in celebrating the holiday season!
We look forward to seeing all of our members, family and friends!


PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE

Greetings to all!
With only three months until 2018, now seems the perfect time to reflect on
the happenings of the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey since
the last issue of The Sounding Board.
At the national convention this summer, Jane Degenshein was re-elected to
the National Blind Senior board, and Alice Eaddy was re-elected as president
of the National DeafBlind Division. I would like to thank all who supported
me in my re-election to the National Federation of the Blind’s Board of
Directors. I’m honored to be serving my eighth two-year term.
On the home front, here in New Jersey, congratulations to Mac Biggers and
Andrew Rees, elected as president and vice president, respectively, of the
Central Jersey Chapter, and Mary Fernandez, who has been appointed chair of
the State Scholarship Committee. Andrew Rees has also been appointed as
chair of the Vehicle Donation Program. In addition, we continue to increase
opportunities for our members to live the life they want through the
development of two new NFBNJ committees. The first is the Spanish Committee,
chaired by Rosa Santiago. The second, the Sports and Recreation Committee,
chaired by Linda Melendez, has witnessed growth, involvement and
participation in a good number of activities. With this said, the affiliate
will establish the New Jersey Association of Sports and Recreation Division
at the state convention this fall.
Speaking of the state convention – our 41st – it will be held at the Holiday
Inn, 151 Route 72 East, in Manahawkin, from Thursday, November 9 through
Sunday, November 12. Our theme this year is celebrating you: Live the Life
You Want: Let’s Make It Happen! We will honor Jerilyn Higgins, a dedicated
NFBNJ member for more than 30 years. Jerilyn has moved to Florida to begin a
new chapter in her life, but she has made an indelible mark on the NFB
affiliate in the Garden State. Jerilyn’s thoughts are provided in this
issue, along with my remarks. Information pertaining to state convention
registration, payment procedures through PayPal or check, hotel reservation
information and the agenda are all posted on the state website and
Newsline, distributed to all on our distribution lists and promoted in all
upcoming chapter and division meetings. Please review your inbox as we will
be forwarding a good deal of information for your consideration pertaining
to the convention and other items of interest.
I encourage you to visit the state’s website at www.nfbnj.org for all the
latest information on the state convention, as well as all the goings on in
our active affiliate.
On a different note … did you know that the Atlantic Ocean is quite salty? I
made this observation while surfing – or, shall I say, while trying to
surf – during the second annual Surfing for Vision event held on August 13
at the Jersey Shore, in a small town called Long Branch. A huge thanks to At
Large Chapter member and a participant in the Sports and Recreation
Committee, Michael Benson, founder of Visual Experience Foundation, who
sponsored this event. I admire Michael’s dedication to providing activities
that demonstrate that there is life after blindness. The 29 blind/visually
impaired surfers, along with volunteers, family and friends, and those on
the beach witnessed us doing just that. After the actual surfing adventure,
a live band provided music and all of us enjoyed the camaraderie on the
beach.
As you read this issue of The Sounding Board, you will discover educational,
motivational and inspirational articles that express the importance of
getting into the game of life. As we play this game, we raise our own
expectations and the expectations of others, and we transform our dreams
into reality. Individual by individual, with love, hope and determination,
we continue to build our Federation family. Every one of us can make a
difference.
In closing, my challenge for myself and to all of you reading this issue is
to raise your expectations. Learn the skills and techniques of blindness,
share the gift of the Federation, and get and stay involved. See you all at
our state convention!



With much respect,
Joe Ruffalo, President



Upcoming Important Dates
October: Meet The Blind Month, various activities sponsored by our chapters
November 1: National scholarship applications available
November 9 – 12: NFBNJ’s 41st State Convention, Raising Expectations
December: Numerous holiday events sponsored by our chapters
January 6, 2018: After the Holidays party (see the flyer in this issue)
January: Annual Washington Seminar

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK:
SHOW YOUR CANE PRIDE ON OCTOBER 15
By Katherine Gabry

As far back as I can remember, I’ve known that a person using a white cane
is blind or visually impaired. I grew up in the 1960s in Minnesota, a state
known to be progressive for people with disabilities. Maybe that’s why all
school children learned about the legislation signed by President Lyndon
Johnson in 1964 designating October 15 as White Cane Safety Day. The
National Federation of the Blind was instrumental in the passage of this
legislation “… to gain recognition for the growing independence and
self-sufficiency of blind people in America, and also to gain recognition of
the white cane as a symbol of that independence and that self-reliance.”
(www.nfb.org/white-cane-safety-day)
I got my driver’s license in Pennsylvania in the 1970s, and there, too, I
remember everyone knowing that the white cane indicated a pedestrian who was
blind or visually impaired. For my own edification, I recently verified
that, indeed, the Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual still requires drivers to be
alert to the presence of the white cane, as does the New Jersey Driver’s
Manual.
Having raised a child who uses a cane and having worked as a support service
provider (SSP) for DeafBlind people for nearly 20 years, I’ve seen the
effectiveness of the cane in action. With proper training and use, it truly
is a tool that provides invaluable information for safe travel and, as a
result, confidence and independence for the user.
So why is it that most everyone I encounter has no idea that the tool is not
called a “stick,” but, rather, a “white cane”? Why don’t people know that
the individual using it is blind?  I don’t think they understand even these
basic concepts, so how can they understand the white cane as a symbol of
independence or self-reliance? All that most sighted people know is the fear
they feel when it’s dark and they can’t see. They don’t know the liberation
and fulfillment that can be realized by the skilled use of the white cane.
It’s our responsibility – all of us in the blind and DeafBlind communities –
to teach them. How can we do that? Here’s my suggestion: On Sunday, October
15, White Cane Safety Day, give the sighted public the opportunity to become
aware of you using your white cane. Go out! Visit a restaurant, a grocery
store, the gym, a mall. Take a walk in your neighborhood. Go to the park.
Stop and get an ice cream cone or a cup of coffee. Smile and visit with
people you meet along the way. I guarantee they will remember your smile,
confidence and pride.
We change the world one small step at a time, and each of us can – and
should – contribute to positive perceptions and education. On Sunday,
October 15, I hope you will take the opportunity to make the sighted public
aware of the independence and self-reliance your cane affords you.

NATIONAL CONVENTION REFLECTIONS
By Alyssa Shock

Editor’s Note: In the photo below, NFBNJ president Joe Ruffalo congratulates
national scholarship winner Alyssa Shock, a student at Fairleigh Dickinson
University. Here’s Alyssa’s story about her attendance at the convention.

As a psychology major, I’ve been asked: Isn’t psychology just common sense?
The fact is, no, psychology is not just common sense. One thing a psychology
major quickly learns is that he or she will be looking at a lot of
scientific research in the course of their education. Psychology majors also
learn basic skills to design and answer research questions. I applied for
the NFB scholarship because I had a sort of “research question” of my own:
Can someone with my qualifications and experience win a scholarship and a
great opportunity to attend a convention from the biggest scholarship
program in the United States? I proceeded to submit my application.
I was out to dinner on a Sunday when I got a call from an unknown number. I
usually don’t pick up calls from unknown numbers because of all the sales
and scam calls promising things such as discounts on my electric bill. If it
was important, I thought, the caller would leave a voicemail, and this
caller did. Because I volunteer for a sexual violence resource center, I was
worried that an emergency had come up, and someone from there was trying to
contact me, so, in the middle of dinner, I proceeded to listen to my
message. When I discovered the call was from a member of the NFB scholarship
committee, I couldn’t help but call back immediately.
I spent the rest of that meal celebrating the fact that I had won an NFB
scholarship … and wondering how in the world I would manage to make it
through the convention by myself. I had been to convention once before with
my mother and an aunt, but I knew this time I would be on my own. The
thought of that was a bit scary.
Before I knew it, I was inside the hotel on the first day of convention.
Being that I am easily overstimulated, I did find it overwhelming. One of
the first things I learned was that to keep calm, I was going to have to
break everything down into small steps, and focus on the action I was taking
at the moment. For example, if I wanted to get to a meeting from my room,
first I would have to get to the first floor, then find my way around the
rotunda, and so on. I would need to focus on each step, and try to keep
everything else out of my mind.
Once I figured out how to cope with the environment, I was able to gain a
lot of information from the meetings. I learned about forms of
discrimination and access barriers that blind people have faced, and how the
NFB helps overcome these issues. For example, I learned that the NFB has
fought for blind people who have faced low expectations from teachers and
lacked necessary accommodations to gain the same knowledge as their sighted
counterparts.
To be honest, I have personally faced little discrimination and few access
barriers thus far in my life. I was shocked to hear about the terrible ways
in which blind people have been slighted, and times when they had been
cheated out of opportunities and experiences. I believe that continuing the
fight to overcome discrimination and access barriers is extremely important.
With all of this in mind, I want to take a moment to thank those who have
been extremely accommodating and given me wonderful experiences throughout
my life, including, especially, my family, the Dumont (NJ) School District,
Fairleigh Dickinson University and the YWCA of Bergen County.
At convention, I also learned about technologies intended to help overcome
access barriers, such as the awesome development of a braille display that
makes images tactile. I also learned about Aira, a new technology that helps
blind people have easier access to information. I would be lying if I said
that I have come home from convention without the desire to invest in some
new technologies for myself.
Probably the most important thing I learned is that blind people all over
the world and the nation are overcoming barriers and getting the degrees,
finding the jobs and having the experiences they want. In other words, they
are living the lives they want. My mentors during convention were people I
will never forget. They affirmed my belief that I can obtain my career goal
of becoming a mental health counselor. Bigger than that, they affirmed that
I can do anything I put my mind to and truly want, even if doing so does
require me to overcome discrimination and access barriers. Speaking of that,
I learned that the NFB will do everything they can to help blind people with
these kinds of struggles.
Of course, I did not spend all of my time in convention activities. I used
my spare time meeting new friends and visiting with old ones. When things
became too overwhelming, my friends helped me relax and find some peace.
Learning did not stop when I was outside of convention events. I learned and
shared perspectives even in my spare time. All of this learning was fun and
certainly did not feel like “work.”
With all of this in mind, I would definitely recommend that everyone who is
blind or visually impaired try to go to an NFB convention. There is so much
to experience and so many great people to meet. However, I do have one word
of caution regarding convention: Sleep may be hard to come by. There is so
much to do that getting the normal six to eight hours of sleep per night may
not be possible.
Looking back from home, I cannot believe that one small “research question”
could lead to such awesome results. A final thanks is due to the NFB
scholarship committee for facilitating the awesome experience I had at
convention.

THE TRUTH ABOUT TECHNOLOGY:
EXPERIENCES FROM MY FIRST NATIONAL CONVENTION
By Amy Albin

Editor’s Note: Amy Albin graduated in June 2017 from Morristown High School
and successfully completed the Employment Development Guidance Engagement
(EDGE) program for teens from age 14 to 21. Amy has assisted as an
instructor for the Braille Enrichment, Literacy and Learning (BELL) Academy
for two years. Currently, Amy is receiving blindness skills training at
CBVI's Joseph Kohn Training Center in New Brunswick.

I had the great fortune of attending the 77th NFB national convention this
year, my first one ever!  I’d been to three New Jersey state conventions and
felt that it was time to take a leap into grander territory. With the help
of my Jernigan scholarship, I stayed six days and seven nights at the
largest convention of blind people—an amazing experience! I would like to
thank Allen Harris and the scholarship committee for selecting me as a
winner, as well as NFBNJ president Joe Ruffalo for his unwavering
generosity. Without these dedicated people, I would not have come away with
the insights I share below.
A significant motivation for attending this convention was to see the latest
and greatest in technology. On Monday, I attended a seminar exhibiting the
BrailleNote Touch by HumanWare and a different display of ElBraille by
Freedom Scientific.  These products are definitely worth considering as I
plan to start college in January.  I was particularly drawn to Aira, which
enables a person to wear smart glasses and connect to a live agent for
visual descriptions of the environment. This is useful for shopping; I heard
an anecdote of someone who used Aira to buy medicine and read the label on
the bottle. I was keenly aware that I was witnessing the cutting edge of
blindness technology within the walls of this convention center.
The next day, I heard something at the National Association of Blind
Students (NABS) division meeting that made me angry and confused. President
Mark Riccobono gave a speech stating that we students are too willing to
believe that our success as blind people emerges from technology.  He said
something to this effect: “It’s not technology that makes you capable; it’s
you that makes you capable.” I didn’t understand. Wasn’t there a huge
exhibit hall, weren’t there day-long presentations, all dedicated to
demonstrating technology? Why was he saying that we rely too much on it? Did
he mean that my BrailleNote and iPhone made me dependent? These thoughts
were gathering momentum in my admittedly exhausted mind.  I’d had a long day
and wanted to go to bed. I left this meeting with a bitter taste in my
mouth, and—I confess—I feared that maybe certain people were right, that the
NFB was just too radical.
On Saturday July 15, I woke up with no idea what time it was. I’d stayed up
past midnight at the talent show the night before.  Grabbing my phone to
look at the clock, I was alarmed to find that it had completely shut down.
I hit the Home button, the on-off button, nothing.
This is strange, I thought, as I headed for the shower.  When I turned the
familiar knob, the one I’d used successfully for six days, nothing happened.
I stood there for about five minutes trying to get the water started, but it
just wasn’t working. I began to panic. The shower wasn’t working, and my
phone wasn’t turning on, so I had no way of calling the front desk to get it
fixed. If I couldn’t wash up, I didn’t want to leave my hotel room. I was
trapped!
Then I remembered President Riccobono’s words: “It’s not technology that
makes you capable; it’s you that makes you capable.”  And finally I
understood the meaning.  My phone wasn’t working and neither was my shower,
but I had to figure out a way to get ready and leave my hotel room. With
newly found confidence, I returned from the bathroom to find the hotel
phone. I remembered something I had heard days before, “For guest services,
dial 0.” I picked up the phone, dialed 0, and explained that the shower wasn’t
working.  A hotel employee came and fixed it, and shortly thereafter my
iPhone came back to life as well.  I was prepared to go on with my final
day.
Now I appreciated the president’s message at the NABS meeting, having
experienced a lack of technology and solving my problems using my own
ingenuity.  One could argue that all the tools we use, even Braille, could
be considered technology.  The important point is that tools help us
accomplish certain tasks, and when a given tool fails, we create a new one.
We are the ones who learn the skills to use the technology that assists us
in achieving independence.
That night at the banquet, President Riccobono made a speech about the
misconception that technology has a greater impact on the progress of blind
people than it does everyone else – his point being that the entire world
benefits from technology. I was content as I recalled my shower panic that
morning and listened to the speech with nearly 2,000 other people. By the
end of the speech, I was completely swept away, chanting “Let’s go build the
Federation!” along with the crowd.  I was feeling the enormity of being with
such a large group of people united for a common cause.
The next day, I texted my mom that I was on my way home and boarded my
airplane.  I was feeling grateful to live in the 21st century, where
advances such as cell phones and airplanes are enhancing the lives of
everyone, both sighted and blind.  This new appreciation of technology and
of my own capabilities made the 77th annual NFB convention well worth
attending.

EMBRACING THE COMPLEXITIES OF BLINDNESS:
MY REFLECTIONS ON THE 2017 NATIONAL CONVENTION
By Connor Mullin

Editor’s Note: Connor Mullin is a recent graduate of The College of New
Jersey where he majored in political science. Connor has been employed with
the Family Resource Network (FRN) since August 2016 as a program coordinator
for the Employment Development Guidance and Engagement (EDGE) program, which
is jointly run by FRN and the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and
Visually Impaired. In his spare time, Connor plays bass guitar in a band,
reads and stays active at his local gym. Connor was a recipient of the
Kenneth Jernigan First Timers Scholarship. Continue reading to see how the
2017 national convention in Orlando has provided a road to growth for him as
a person.

After buying my plane ticket for the 2017 national convention in Orlando, I
felt a mix of emotions. On the one hand, I knew that NFB national
conventions are one of the biggest blindness events in the country, drawing
thousands of blind people from coast to coast and abroad, and I was excited
by whom I might meet, and what I might learn. Yet, I was also nervous about
traveling to and from the convention; this would be my first-ever
independent plane trip. In addition to disliking plane travel in general, I
had no idea who I would encounter or who or what I would have to deal with.
Yet, it took less than 24 hours to convince me that I had definitely made
the right choice to attend.
The biggest benefits I enjoyed at convention centered around what I was able
to learn. I focused most of my attention on learning about the NFB’s efforts
to increase braille literacy and the approaches taken to train people at the
NFB’s training centers. Admittedly ignorant of the low rates of braille
education among blind and vision impaired students, I was fascinated to
learn about the sheer scope of the issue, as well as the effects of a
student relying only on audio and/or large print materials, such as their
ability to recognize the spacial impacts of text, their spelling skills,
etc. Having learned braille at a very young age, I admit that I took it for
granted. Having transitioned to doing most of my reading through recordings
and screen readers, I now feel galvanized to brush up on my braille skills.
Concerning what I learned about the training centers, I was most moved by
the idea that all students, regardless of residual vision, must learn to do
all manner of tasks using only nonvisual techniques, to dispel the myth of
what President Riccobono described as the “vision-centered approach.”
Despite being totally blind since birth and used to doing all things without
vision, I realized that I have nevertheless experienced being judged as
someone who needs help by some individuals with residual vision, even those
who nevertheless struggle to do daily tasks themselves due to their refusal
to accept the limits of their eyesight. Consequently, I was moved by the
impassioned argument for having students at these facilities work under
training shades and the anecdotes from professionals of how instituting this
policy at other centers has mitigated such unproductive dynamics.
As someone who works in the blindness field with high school students, I was
excited to return home, ruminate on what I learned, and absorb aspects of my
discoveries into my work. Already, for example, I have had thoughtful
conversations with colleagues about how and under what circumstances
training under sleep shades can be beneficial, and I look forward to being
better prepared to counsel any of my future students who may be struggling
to read their schoolwork with residual vision on why learning or staying
sharp with their braille is important. Most of all, however, despite having
been born blind, attending the 2017 national convention has taught me that
the extent to which blind people can and have achieved is even greater than
I thought, and I intend to take the increased confidence and sense of self I
have gained from this realization into all the things I do in the hopes of
stretching my own goals even further.



NABS ANNOUNCES NEW YouTube CHANNEL
Received from Tarik Williams, NABS

On behalf of the National Association of Blind Students (NABS), I am proud
to
announce our new student division YouTube channel titled “How Blind Students
See It.” This channel is a platform for blind students to show what’s going
on in their lives, as well as their different successes. The channel also
has educational videos presenting situations that blind people face and how
blind students accomplish their goals.
Here is a link to our YouTube channel and our first video introducing the
board: https://youtu.be/QnLE5sghKic  We hope to have you subscribe and like
our videos. We look forward to connecting with all of you in the future!

THE KINDNESS OF A STRANGER GOT ME HOME
Alice Eaddy’s Story of a Fateful Day
By Katherine Gabry

Editor’s Note: Alice Eaddy is an active member of the NFB on the local,
state and national levels. In this story, she recounts an unfortunate
incident on her trip home following the 2017 national convention in Orlando.

Here’s a dreaded fear: Missing your flight home after the NFB national
convention. Guess what? It happened to me.
That fateful Sunday morning, I was definitely running on sensory overload.
For me, sensory overload can be triggered by bright lights, crowds,
movements or smells. I’d been up since 3 a.m. to catch a 6:45 a.m. flight
from Orlando to Philadelphia. All my travel arrangements were in sync:
First, fly to Philly, and second, meet paratransit for the ride to my home
in South Jersey.
I’m a DeafBlind passenger who uses a guide dog as a mobility aide. When I
booked my flight, I requested assistance upon arrival at the airports, at
all connection points, and upon arrival at my destinations. Escort
assistance is available from the airport curb to and from the gates, and, if
you have a connecting flight, between the gates.
I had done everything that my past experiences had taught me to be a
successful traveler: I checked in early (5:20 a.m.), checked my bags (5:30
a.m.), got my escort, and arrived at the gate early (6:11 a.m.). After
arriving at the gate, the escort told me to sit and wait, and that someone
would be back to pre-board me to be sure my guide dog would have enough
floor space.
I don’t have a watch. Well, I do have a talking watch, but I can’t hear it.
I don’t use a vibrating alarm on my phone either, because I can’t feel the
vibrations unless it’s in my hand, and I’m cautious about taking it out of
my purse for fear of dropping it and losing sight of it on the floor, or
having it stolen. In the airport, I can’t hear alerts or alarms, so I
trusted that escort who said that someone would be back to take me onto the
plane on time.
It seemed like I had been waiting a long time, so I pulled out my phone and
checked my Southwest® app. Imagine my surprise when it told me that my
flight had taken off. What?!? The plane left without me? I was left at the
gate, alone, isolated, with no one to tell me what was going on, and no idea
what I was going to do.
In my role as president of the DeafBlind Divisions of the NFB and the NFBNJ,
people often seek me out for ideas in solving their problems, and now, here
I was, deeply ensnared in a really awful problem of my own. I was terrified.
How could this be happening to me?
My dog, Wanda, and I set off to find help. At the first counter, a woman
sent me to the dreaded “over there” by pointing. I directed Wanda to find
the mystery counter, and she did. I immediately received new tickets to
Philadelphia by way of St. Louis, and successfully boarded the new flight at
7:21 a.m. That was the good news. The bad news was that I would miss the
paratransit I had set up from the Philadelphia airport to my home. I decided
to cross that bridge when I got to Philly.
Karma was with me upon my arrival in Philadelphia at 1:34 p.m. I could have
been easily overlooked and left to fend for myself, but no, my airport
escort – we’ll call her TG – went above and beyond the call of duty to
ensure that I would arrive home safely.
Because it’s hard for me to hear spoken communication, I used an app called
Speak2see to communicate with TG. With this app, I can type or speak into my
phone, as can those with whom I’m communicating, and I can read everything
on my phone’s screen. In noisy places, like the airport, I’ve stopped trying
to listen because it’s just too hard and makes me more anxious. Other
environmental sounds become distracting and confusing, and it all makes me
feel sick to my stomach. I have similar disconnects when the words become
confusing, and, when I become flustered, I can occasionally stutter and
stumble on what I’m trying to say. Speak2see helps me in all these
situations.
TG and I found my luggage, which had arrived from my original flight and was
being held for me.  Then, she texted step by step directions to me to be
sure that I would remember each step on my journey home. She also stayed
with me until I boarded the train, and took the extra step of explaining to
the conductor my status and communication methods, as well as where I needed
to go to connect with buses into South Jersey.
How fortunate that this woman of impeccable character and integrity was
placed in my path at just the right time! She stepped in and assisted me in
dealing with my trial with a vigorous and authentic spirit, and with a deep
concern for my well-being. That is the heart of life, of faith: Trusting
when and where we do not see or understand.
As a result, I was able to get home safely every step of the way. When I
finally arrived home at 6:56 p.m. that night, I said a prayer of thanks for
TG, the conductors and the escorts who made my journey safe and possible.
After the dust settled, I filed a complaint with Southwest Air, and I now
have $200 in complimentary airfare from them. In addition, I told them about
the fantastic agent in Philadelphia and asked that someone make note of her
supreme service that day. I also reported the incident to my contact at the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA), who will be providing
additional follow-up.
As frightening as the whole experience was, it was also a learning
adventure. I’ve realized that without my iPhone and apps, I’d be lost (quite
literally) and, probably, ignored. I also learned that sometimes I need to
ask for help to get things done and to feel safer. Finally, I’ve learned to
speak sparingly, so as not to confuse the issue. I hope that this never
happens again, but if it does: I know I’m ready, willing and able!

BRAILLE PRODUCTION COMES TO NJ BELL ACADEMY 2017
By Barbara Shalit


During the summer of 2016, NJ BELL Academy students vied for a turn on
eBrailler’s COSMO electronic braille writer/embosser, generously on loan
from eBrailler’s president Dave Pillischer. COSMO writes. It erases. It
embosses. It remembers where you left off writing after ejecting the paper.
It chops, dices and sautés (kidding), and is generally very cool. This past
summer of 2017, Dave lent COSMO again and added Duxbury Braille Translation
software to its capabilities. This was a boon to lead teacher, Barbara
Grames, because it enabled her to emboss print materials on the fly.
(Imagine your blind student’s classroom teacher handing out a print spelling
worksheet that could be turned into Braille at the same time.)


BELL 2017 student, Nate, practicing on the COSMO.



Lead teacher Barbara Grames using COSMO as a stand-alone Brailler/embosser.
Dave Pillischer instructs.

Ms. Grames and Dave with COSMO hooked up to a laptop with Duxbury
translation software.



REFLECTIONS FROM A BELL ACADEMY VOLUNTEER
By Alba Milla

Editor’s Note: Alba Milla graduated from Middlesex County College with an
associate’s degree in liberal arts and is now a student at Kean University
majoring in early childhood special education, with a minor in bilingual
education. Her daughter has been her inspiration to continue her education;
she hopes that her daughter will be proud of her, and that she will value
her own education and achieve her future goals, no matter how difficult they
may seem.

It was a pleasure volunteering this past summer at the Braille Enrichment,
Literacy and Learning (BELL) Academy. This was my first experience working
with young children who are vision impaired, like me. I have a condition
called Retinitis Pigmentosa, or RP. My vision was better when I was younger,
but I can still see a little, and my eye condition has never stopped me from
achieving my goals. I’m very independent and not afraid when I need to
adapt.
When I heard about the opportunity to volunteer at BELL, I wasn’t certain I
was prepared enough to work with these kids, but I was enthusiastic about
trying. All I can say now is “thank you” because I’ve learned so much from
these beautiful children, and I will not forget this opportunity for the
rest of my life. Here are some highlights of my BELL experience:
•    My first encounter with a blind child was a 4-year-old girl. She was
paying attention as I was reading stories to her in braille. I also taught
her some letters in braille, and she was able to copy them using the Braille
writer.  I felt so proud of myself and of this little girl because she was
willing to learn.
•    There were moments that, like any other kids, the BELL students just
wanted to play and do other things as a group. Each student had a white
mobility cane and was eager to go play outside on the playground.  Even
though all of these children had a disability, they played and had fun like
any other children of the same age.
•    Another great memory was working with a 10-year-old boy who was at
first reluctant to be with me because I was a stranger. Little by little, I
gained his trust, and was able to teach him a few more letters in Braille,
which seemed to make him quite happy. We also played with puzzles. The
puzzle pieces – shapes of animals – were labeled in Braille. I encouraged
him to try different activities with the puzzle pieces. He not only had fun,
but he also learned some important Braille reading skills.
I hope to volunteer next year at the BELL Academy because it provides a
wonderful opportunity to work with – and learn from – these children. They
are the future generation, and, therefore, we need to provide them the best
possible education.

WHY I AM A FEDERATIONIST
By Ben Vercellone

Editor’s Note: A former resident of New Jersey and a graduate of the
Leadership, Education, Advocacy and Determination (LEAD) program, Ben
Vercellone is now the president of the Springfield Chapter of the NFB of
Missouri. He wrote this article for the NFB of Missouri.

I have been totally blind since 1992, in my early childhood, due to a car
accident. My parents raised me to the best of their ability, with the goal
of me becoming a competent and independent person. They tapped into multiple
resources, one of which was the National Federation of the Blind. I began to
realize the NFB’s existence, purpose and dynamics in 2004, when I was 16
years old. Since then, I became increasingly involved in this organization.
The more I learned about the NFB and got involved, the more I experienced as
truth the message of this organization.
I attended the Louisiana Center for the Blind from late 2007 through
mid-2008, and the training I received there was absolutely life changing!
The Louisiana Center for the Blind (LCB) is a residential training center in
Ruston, Louisiana, where the model of training is second to none. Committed
students transition from LCB as confident and independent blind individuals,
having done many things that society believes to be impossible for the
blind. There are more than a few philosophical discussions that take place
at NFB training centers. Fortunately, the rubber is applied to the road on
at least an hourly basis!
All of the instructors at LCB, and at the other two equally great NFB
training centers, are either blind or can perform all aspects of their job
wearing sleep shades. At LCB, students with any remaining vision are
required to wear sleep shades from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5
p.m. They also must wear sleep shades during the many training activities
that occur outside these hours, such as the rock climbing trip, the white
water rafting and Mardi Gras. I could write volumes about my training at
LCB, but I'll keep it short.
I emerged from the Louisiana Center for the Blind armed with the knowledge
that blindness is not the real barrier between me and my goals. The real
barrier is constructed largely from low expectations. These low expectations
are not only held by those with sight. Low expectations, as I have learned
and frequently observed, are quite often accepted, internalized and
implemented by blind people themselves. Though most people are not out to
get me, or anyone else for that matter, the good intentions of much of
society regarding blindness are also part of the barrier to blind people
achieving our dreams. And then there is the old-fashioned discrimination due
to ignorance and apathy. Thankfully, the NFB has also succeeded in
decreasing these elements quite a bit.
I am a fairly driven person. I know for a fact that if I wait around for
equal access and equal opportunity in all aspects of life, I'll be waiting
until the cows come home, unless other blind people have already pushed for
this equal access and opportunity. The National Federation of the Blind has
indeed pushed the envelope since 1940, and I am glad that I am a part of
this great movement. It is only appropriate, and is quite beneficial, for me
to join in the efforts of the NFB. If I don’t, the chain will be shorter,
less multi-faceted and more taxed. If I get involved, our efforts to make a
difference are one person stronger.
After attending LCB, I went to Montclair State University in New Jersey and
got my bachelor's degree. Then I got my master's degree at Louisiana Tech
University, and also received my national orientation and mobility
certification. Since February 2015, I have worked as the orientation and
mobility specialist with Rehabilitation Services for the Blind of Missouri,
Southwest District Office. I may not have sought a career as an OM
instructor and found this job without the invaluable help of the National
Federation of the Blind.
I find it interesting that many people, at least in my area of the Midwest,
find it quite fitting for a blind person to teach other blind people how to
travel independently. Imagine that! I completely agree with this assessment!
Even as recently as my childhood, a significantly higher percentage of
society in the U.S. believed that sight is required to teach orientation and
mobility. The NFB was pivotal in the positive change that has taken place,
and is still quite revolutionary in this arena. I am thankful that
Structured Discovery, problem-solving, Socratic questioning, transferable
skills and an internal locus of control are all discussed at length now.
This has been the case for some time. This discussion greatly helps to flesh
out how blind people effectively teach OM. In fact, effective OM training
does not take place without these elements, even when the instructor is
sighted. The bottom line is that if it were not for the work of the National
Federation of the Blind, only a small percentage of society would believe
that blind people can teach independent travel, or do many other things for
that matter. Believe me when I say that there is still a lot of work that
needs to be done on this front. I could write a volume on this, too, but I
won't right now. I want to be involved in this work.
I am somewhat of a geek, especially when it comes to theorizing how new or
already-existing technologies may work or work together to help the blind. I
am not a programmer or hardware designer, so I spend a lot of time sharing
ideas with those who know much more, and I give feedback on existing
technologies. Some people view me as the go-to person when it comes to
technology. Technology is one of my big hobbies, but I’m glad it’s not my
job! My motivation to get involved in the technology arena, despite my
somewhat limited knowledge, has been enhanced by the “let’s make it happen”
philosophy of the NFB.
In summary, if I wait around for society to believe that I am a competent
individual, and that blindness does not define me or determine the length,
width, height and depth of my life, I'll be waiting an awfully long time. I
have seen the positive difference of the National Federation of the Blind in
the lives of many blind people, both inside and outside this organization.
Joining this organization and getting involved have brought this positive
difference to my own life. Activity in the NFB is basically the embodiment
of the American dream, but with an emphasis on overcoming the barriers
related to blindness and perceptions about blindness. I have greatly
benefitted from the many NFB members with whom I've worked and interacted. I
trust that I have also benefitted some blind individuals. It is an honor and
privilege to be serving as the president of the Springfield chapter of the
National Federation of the Blind of Missouri. Let's go build the Federation!



FROM VIENNA TO MANAHAWKIN
INDOOR AUDIO GUIDE TECHNOLOGY COMES TO STATE CONVENTION
By Barbara Shalit

“LowViz Guide,” a new, indoor, free, way-finding app can guide you to all
the meeting rooms, restrooms, vendor booths and other points of interest
(including guide dog relief areas) at the upcoming New Jersey NFB state
convention.
A way-finding technology company in Vienna (Google indoo.rs) inspired Liz
Trauernicht and Dan Roberts of MD Support (Macular Degeneration Support) to
have indoo.rs develop the technology to their conference specifications. Dan
has offered this service to NFBNJ and will mount beacons throughout the
Holiday Inn conference area. All the user has to do is go to the following
site and download the app onto his or her iPhone or iPad: www.mdsupport.org.
Search on “audioguide.” In addition, a four-minute, narrated video of the
app in action is available at this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCWecoWoPVM&feature=youtu.be
LowViz Guide is the latest embodiment of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon
technology, popping up in public venues all over the world. It is similar to
GPS, but useable indoors, where access to satellites, Internet and cell
service may not be available. In combination with your iPhone’s or iPad’s
speech capability, the guidance is audible. MD support personnel will be on
hand at the state convention to provide technical assistance.
TO SAVE A CHILD
By Christine Moore

Editor’s Note: Christine Moore works at the Xavier Society for the Blind, a
library and publishing center for religious and spiritual materials in New
York City. This story demonstrates how one seemingly small referral can
change a life, as well as a family’s hopes and dreams. The photo below shows
Michelle, the social worker who worked with this family, giving a “thumbs
up” and holding a handwritten note that says, “Thank You, Joe!”

This story begins with a hard-working father who came to this country from
Africa, with hopes of providing a better life for his blind daughter, whom
we will call K. When she arrived from Ghana, Africa, K was enrolled in the
public school system in the New Jersey town where they reside. Initially,
and without a diagnosis of her vision (as no services were ever received
while she was in Africa), she was placed in a general education setting with
an aide. As information was obtained and clarity of the situation was made,
she was moved into a special education setting.
Services for braille and mobility training were provided, but not at a level
that would be adequate to ensure her future success. Luckily, she
transferred schools and crossed paths with a social worker named Michelle,
who, along with K’s special education teacher and her personal aide, decided
that things had to change. For K to function as a blind person in a sighted
world, she would need more services than the public school could provide.
The daunting task of a getting K into a specialized program out of district
began and was met with numerous trials and tribulations. Michelle asked my
assistance because I work with the blind and because of my background as a
teacher. My natural instinct? Ask the NFB for help!
As the process began, the NFB was mentioned as an advocate for K. The
process continued, and K, accompanied by her father, teacher and social
worker, toured St. Joseph’s School for the Blind. K was accepted there. Her
father cried as he saw that there were other children like his daughter, and
that they were doing well and thriving. The available accommodations were
inspiring. Deadlines for decisions neared, and paperwork required approval.
Michelle copied the NFB on her reports and, even without NFB intervention,
just making it clear the NFB was informed, doors were opened, and approvals
were granted! The final paperwork loomed for weeks, thereby prompting a
follow-up email from Mr. Ruffalo. Expeditiously, the paperwork went through,
the arrangements were finalized, and K began the summer session July 5.
Michelle is convinced that it was the involvement of the NFB on this case
that led to its resolution. K now has opportunities she would otherwise have
missed, and will have friends who share the same challenges and will
normalize her fears and frustrations. Thank you to Joe Ruffalo and the NFB!
A UNIQUE DISABILITY
By Ruth Silver

Editor’s Note: Ruth Silver was a teacher, advocate, author and inspiration.
Her passing on September 17, 2017 leaves an aching hole in the hearts of
many in the DeafBlind community across the country. In her 80s, Ruth wrote
an autobiography: Invisible:  Journey Through Vision-Hearing Loss.  Proceeds
of her book support the Center for DeafBlind Persons, in Milwaukee. We
celebrate Ruth’s life with this eloquent essay:

DeafBlindness is not simply deafness plus blindness.  It is not two
disabilities put together.  It is one unique disability.  Let me try to
explain.  I am totally blind having lost my vision gradually starting in
childhood.  In young adulthood, I started losing my hearing.  With hearing
aids, I can understand some speech in a quiet environment.
When I was only blind, I could socialize with many people at a gathering.
Now, at best, I can converse with the individual next to me.
When I was only blind, I could interact with people in a room where the
radio was playing, dishes were clattering and laughter abounded.  Now, with
background noise, I can understand nothing and be alone in a crowd.
When I was only blind, I could sense sadness, joy, anger and agitation by a
person’s tone of voice. That is no longer possible and the loss sometimes
causes misunderstandings.
When I was only blind, I could hear the softest footsteps.  Today, I am
repeatedly startled by the voice of a person who has entered the room with
no forewarning.
When I was only blind, I could identify a person by his/her voice.  Now, I
cannot tell who is talking to me unless I first hear a name.
When I was only blind, I could move quickly with my white cane and, in
familiar surroundings, without it.  Now, I walk cautiously to avoid bumping
people since I cannot hear if others are around or where they might be.
When I was only blind, I could retrieve a dropped item in seconds by hearing
where it fell.  No longer able to localize sound, I must now search on my
hands and knees and even then may not locate the item because it rolled
behind a door or into another room.
When I was only blind, I could stand unsupported in the middle of a room,
bend over, turn sharply and jump out of bed quickly.  This is no longer the
case.  Like many others with hearing loss, I have balance problems, which
prohibit abrupt movements.
When I was only blind, I had no difficulty hearing the ring of the telephone
or doorbell.  Today, even with amplified ringers, my responses are
inconsistent and I must consider using a vibrating alert system.
When I was only blind, talking on the telephone was fun.  Now, even with
hearing aids combined with a volume control phone, some words are missed and
misunderstandings occur.  Sometimes I use a Braille-type telephone, which is
slower and does not convey the emotional nuances of the voice.
When I was only blind, I spent hours listening to “talking books.”  Most
voices now sound muffled.
When I was only blind, my husband and I enjoyed movies; he provided an
occasional description.  Movies are confusing and no longer pleasurable.
When I was only blind, life had minimal stress.  Now, piecing together bits
of information, localizing difficulties, balance problems,
misunderstandings, attitudes of others and unpredictable drops in hearing
increase daily stress and fatigue.
The list of challenges is equally long for individuals who are deaf and have
lost or are losing vision. Deaf people rely on their vision to compensate
for their hearing loss.  Blind people use their hearing to compensate for
their sight loss. Deaf-blind people are only able to compensate for the loss
of both sight and hearing by learning deaf-blind specific adaptations that
focus on developing and integrating touch, taste, smell, kinesthesia and any
remaining vision or hearing.
“When I acknowledged the need and learned new ways of doing old things, my
splintered pieces combined into a complete, though narrowed, whole.  I
rejoice once again in being able – differently able.”


MARY FERNANDEZ INTERVEWED BY USER1ST SPOTLIGHT
Excerpted by Barbara Shalit

Editor’s Note: User1st’s Spotlight interviews individuals who have advanced
the rights, opportunities and boundaries of what was thought possible for
individuals with disabilities. Born in Colombia, Mary Fernandez arrived in
the U.S. at age seven. In the interview, she tells her story; excerpts are
below. For the full interview, go to
https://www.user1st.com/web-accessibility-spotlight-interview-mary-fernandez/.

Mary Fernandez (MF): In Columbia, I was considered un-teachable. I would
never have graduated from high school, let alone college. Once in the U.S.,
learning braille and later assistive technology, I could not have been
happier. In school, I was more comfortable with adults than with classmates;
I knew my disability made me “not normal.” Although I knew braille, I didn’t
want to read my school assignments in braille. One day, my mother made me go
to my room and not come out until I had finished reading “Freckle Juice” by
Judy Bloom. I later emerged and asked if we had any more braille books,
beginning my lifelong love of literature.

MF: I was lonely in high school. My aide trailed up and down the school with
me, though I didn’t need her only for brailling materials. I exceled
academically, if not socially. I couldn’t wait to get to college at Emory,
where I could make my own decisions. Everyone is different and has different
education needs. There is more than one path to success; education should be
suited to a student’s abilities and the challenges that will expand
horizons. This is possible for all children.

MF: I majored in psychology and music; spent my freshman summer studying
abroad; and I began advocating. Getting textbooks in braille was a struggle,
and they arrived late. The university felt that one-on-one tutoring would
suffice. Students often feel powerless in situations like these. Their
success many times depends solely on an institution fulfilling its legal
responsibility of equal and timely access.

MF: Looking for work after college, I applied online getting nowhere until
my mother suggested exploring personal connections. I sent my résumé to
everyone I knew and was soon working for a civil rights litigation law firm,
Brown Goldstein & Levy. After three years there, I sharpened my blindness
skills at the Louisiana Center for the Blind, returned to New Jersey, and
found work helping develop the Employment Development Guidance and
Engagement (EDGE) Program there, focusing on developing employment readiness
skills for transitioning blind and vision impaired high schoolers. In the
fall of 2016, I took a break and traveled the world with my boyfriend.

MF: Perceptions of individuals with disabilities hasn’t changed much. We
still face the stereotypes of being either incredibly inspirational for
doing the things everyone else does, or of being objects of pity. I think
most people with disabilities will agree that it is societal misperceptions
about disabilities that present the biggest barriers, not lack of skill or
education.

MF: Have high expectations, allow children to take risks and to fail. Sure,
I got lost a few times traveling. Yeah, I’ve gotten burns while cooking; I’ve
cut my fingers a few times. But who hasn’t? Don’t listen to “you can’t.”



IN HONOR OF WHITE CANE DAY SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2017:
A REPRISAL OF “THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A CANE”
By Carol Castellano

Editor’s Note: The following, sung to the tune of “There is Nothing like a
Dame,” was performed by the Grassey Lassies at the 2011 NFBNJ State
Convention. The original performance is available at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9rX07K_pJU


We've got walls we can run into
We've got crevices and cracks
We've got drop-offs, we've got columns
That can give our heads a smack
We've got lumps and bumps and bruises
That can leave us in great pain
What do we need?
We need a cane!

We've got folks who want to guide us
They will take us anywhere
For our own sakes they assure us
They will keep us under care
In the kindliness of strangers
We can't be content to dwell
What do we need?
You know darn well!

Independent mobility is what we're enroute for
What we need is what there ain't no substitute for...

There is nothing like a cane,
Nothing in the world,
There is nothing you can name
That is anything like a cane!

We feel restless we feel stymied
We feel that we want to flee
We feel every kind of feeling
But the one of being free
We feel patronized, infantilized,
And so misunderstood
What don't we feel?
We don't feel good.
Lots of things in life are beautiful, but brother,
There is one particular thing that is nothing whatsoever in any way, shape
or form like any other.
There is nothing like a cane,
Nothing in the world,
There is nothing you can name
That is anything like a cane!
There is absolutely nothing like the frame of a cane

We will take our canes and travel
Anywhere we want to go
What we want is independence
In the fast lane not the slow
With the method of discovery
We'll figure out a lot
We'll get there with the canes we've got.

There is nothing like a cane
Nothing in the world
There is nothing you can name
That is anything like a cane!
There are no books like a cane,
And nothing looks like a cane.
Nothing can tap like a cane,
or react like a cane,
Nothing protects like a cane,
Or detects like a cane.
There ain't a thing that’s wrong with anyone here
That can't be cured by putting him near
A classy, really long, straight white, can't go wrong CANE!


FROM OUR ARCHIVES: LEARNING THROUGH LEADERSHIP
By David Mostello

>From the Editor: David Mostello is secretary of the NFBNJ’s Capital Chapter
and has served as Legislative Coordinator and Board Member of the New Jersey
Affiliate. He is a graduate of Seton Hall University. While a student at
Seton Hall, David completed a summer internship with the Federal
Communications Commission in Washington, D.C., an opportunity obtained
through the Washington Center www.twc.edu. David is also a member of his
local Lions Club and has chaired his community's Affordable Housing
Committee. In addition to spending a lot of time on his computer, David
likes to listen to XM radio and follow current events and national politics
with Newsweek magazine, which he downloads from the American Printing House
website (www.aph.org). The following are David’s remarks about a leadership
conference he attended in Baltimore. The article was originally published in
the Spring 2003 edition of The Sounding Board. As you’ll see, it’s still
relevant today.

Last May, a group of Federation leaders from New Jersey attended a
Leadership Conference at the National Center for the Blind in Baltimore.
Members from every chapter participated.
The van carrying Mary Jo Partyka and me, members of the Capital Chapter,
stopped in Cherry Hill to pick up six members of the Garden State
Chapter—Linda Deberardinis, Vito DeSantis, Ed Godfrey, Ann Jordan, Ryan
Stevens and Marilyn Swartz. We were joined by Northern and Central Chapter
members Julie Dawson, Andrew Godwin, Patricia Healy, Jerilyn Higgins, Ed
Lewinson, Gloria Lewis, Jerry and Madelyn Moreno, Joe Ruffalo, Adrienne Snow
and Stephanie Starosciak.
The National Center is a well-renovated, well-furnished, well-planned and a
welcoming facility. Conference participants were awakened at 6 a.m. by
invigorating music played over the center’s P.A. system from President
Maurer’s special collection. Selections included “Tie Me Kangaroo Down” and
“The M.T.A.” (The Man Who Never Returned). Meals were served in the Center’s
dining room, where guests are served cafeteria style and are expected to
deposit their dirty dishes in the appropriate bins, before leaving the room.
For the most part, all the activities in which participants took part were
located on the fourth floor which contains the guest rooms, the Annex, the
dining room, the soda machine, the bags of nuts with the donation box (a
contribution of Dr. Jernigan) and the Harbor Room.
No efforts are made to guide a blind person through the National Center.
Instead, visitors learn their way around using the Discovery Approach. For
example, I learned where the door to the fire escape was one evening when I
became disoriented while trying to find my room, and mistakenly opened it.
My action set off an alarm which required that someone from the Center
(thankfully not President Maurer) come down and reset it.
After lunch on Friday afternoon, President Maurer discussed his trip to
Japan last March. He told us about the three occupations for the blind in
Japan—massage therapy, teacher of the blind and government worker. He then
described a special type of massage therapy in Japan, where eucalyptus leaf
oils are rubbed into a person’s joints to ease muscular pain.
Another topic of discussion was fundraising. Did you know that if 720
individuals made $25,000 contributions, it would finance the entire
construction costs of the National Research & Training Institute for the
Blind? We also learned the purposes of the NFB’s four funds: the Jernigan
Fund, the SUN Fund, the tenBroek Fund and the White Cane Fund. Other methods
of funding the organization include the Pre-Authorized Check (PAC) Plan,
Associates and the endowment.
President Maurer solicited questions from participants regarding the NFB and
its policies, and offered advice on dealing with issues on the chapter
level. Many interesting issues were raised, including the differences
between the ACB and the NFB, how to motivate blind individuals to join a
chapter, what to do about an overprotective parent, and whether the national
convention would ever be held in New Jersey (don’t hold your breath).
After these discussions, we were provided with opportunities to tour the
National Center, purchase items at the Materials Center, and tour the
Technology Center, where the staff demonstrated four new accessible voting
machines.
At the close of Saturday’s session, President Maurer remarked that Thomas
Edison, while selling his projectors to schools, claimed that 80% of what a
person learns is learned through sight. President Maurer commented that the
most important sense we have as blind people is touch and that schools
should purchase Braille books and hire instructors to teach Braille to blind
students.
In sum, the Leadership Conference was a seminar on how each member of the
NFB can serve as an expert on blindness. The Conference provided a group of
leaders in the New Jersey affiliate an opportunity to bond with each other
while learning more about the organization we help to direct. Every
Federation leader has talents. When we join our talents together, our
collective action yields progressive results. Thanks to both Presidents
Maurer and Ruffalo for donating their time and making the 2002 Leadership
Conference a success.

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE NFBNJ FAMILY

Dear President Ruffalo and my NFB family,

Please accept my sincere appreciation and many thanks for all the
opportunities and challenges you have given me through the last 30 years. It
has been an honor to serve the blind community of New Jersey.
My first encounter with the NFB was the national convention in 1987. I
traveled with three other members of the New Jersey affiliate to Phoenix.
The experience was amazing. I never saw so many people who were blind in one
place. They were from all walks of life, going on their way independently.
The speeches were enlightening, encouraging, empowering and unforgettable.
Seeing so many competent blind people living prosperous, independent lives
changed the way I thought about my blindness. The speeches were inspiring;
the exhibit hall was full of all the technology and other items of interest
that you could ever imagine. That is not all; there were tours you could
take to experience the local area.
When I returned to New Jersey, I immediately joined my local chapter. I
couldn’t keep all the new information I learned to myself; I had to share it
with other people who are blind. The positive attitudes, the fact that it is
respectable to be blind, and that blindness is only a characteristic, it
does not define us. From volunteering for the first Youth Slam to working in
the NJ BELL Academy, it was all such a pleasure to be able to share the good
news of the NFB. In the last 30 years, I have held every position on the
Board except the presidency.
The best president any affiliate could have is Joseph Ruffalo. He goes above
and beyond for the blind people of New Jersey.  I am also taking credit for
finding him.  It took me a while to get him to attend an NFB meeting, but
when I see good potential, I can't let it go. So when I hear him asking over
and over again, “Where are my sesame cookies, or my chocolate coconut
cheesecake?” I have no one but myself to blame.
I will miss co-editing The Sounding Board, chairing the Scholarship
Committee, experiences at the Washington Seminar, and the Divisions I
enjoyed so much.
In 1999 the Central Jersey Chapter was established. We were a small team of
Federationists who reached out to Middlesex and the surrounding counties to
all people who are blind to improve our lives.  There is nothing like a
chapter to learn about blind issues, problem solving, and for sharing
information and ideas. We are a family and are there to help each other. It
was my pleasure to be president since the beginning of this chapter.  I will
miss everyone and wish everyone the very best!
I have moved to Florida. I would love to keep in touch with everyone.  My
email address is: jerilynhiggins at gmail.com

Respectfully,
Jerilyn Higgins
OUR PRESIDENT’S RESPONSE

We care. We share. We grow. We make a difference! These words are part of my
signature block; however, the words also highlight Jerilyn Higgins, a true
friend to me and to all members to whom she introduced the gift of the
Federation.
I didn’t want any part of the Federation, but Jerilyn was persistent,
contacting me for six months. She cared about me. Through her experience
with the Federation,  she knew that I needed what the Federation offered.
Thanks Jerilyn.
We shared many times via emails and phone, together at meetings, chapter
functions, editing The Sounding Board, reviewing applicants for the state
scholarships, attending national and state conventions, participating at
Washington Seminars, presentations, conferences, workshops, the Leadership,
Education, Advocacy and Determination teen program, working together with
the Senior Community Independent Living Services program for seniors, and
working as partners, with Jerilyn baking and providing me with cookies and
cheesecakes. Jerilyn, thanks for sharing.
We have grown as members, colleagues and friends, as we were always willing
to take a chance to grow as individuals and as leaders in the Federation. We
grew by discussing all the possibilities and outcomes, weighing the
potential outcomes and providing opportunities to our members to grow and to
think outside the box. Jerilyn, thanks for encouraging me – and so many
others – to grow.
We made a difference as we participated in numerous phone calls to inform
many that being part of the Federation will and has made a difference in
many lives.  Jerilyn, thanks for making a difference!
I will express my thoughts to you from your friends and the family of
Federationists with the following words: Thanks for all you have done, are
doing and continue to do to change what it means to be blind!
The members of the NFBNJ will be honoring you at the 41st state convention
this fall.
Jerilyn, I and all that you have touched with the gift of the Federation
will miss you in New Jersey; however, you are only a phone call, email and
flight away!
Enjoy your time in Florida and be prepared for visitors!
Judy and I are checking potential dates during the winter months.

With Much Love and Respect,
Your Friend,
Joe


FROM THE KITCHEN OF JERILYN HIGGINS

Editor’s Note: Jerilyn Higgins, a longtime member in the Federation and an
activities of daily living instructor, offers her favorite fall recipes.

Jerilyn’s Note: Here are three recipes to make a delicious fall dinner. We
made all of them in the Healthy Options class that I taught at Vision Loss
Alliance. Since this is the fall edition, we like to use the produce that is
in season.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH WITH WARM SPINACH WALNUT PESTO
Serves 4 – 6
Ingredients
3 large spaghetti squash
1 bag (16 ounce) bag of frozen spinach
½ cup walnut pieces
1/3 or ½ cup of chicken stock
1-1/2 cup fresh parsley
1 large shallot
2- 3 cloves garlic
¼ cup olive oil
Dash nutmeg
Parmigiana Reggiano cheese




Directions
1.    To soften the spaghetti squash to make it easier to cut in half: Place
it in the microwave oven for 3 or 4 minutes.
2.    Remove the spaghetti squash and cut it in half.
3.    Place it back into the microwave oven and cook for about 9 minutes.
Note: All microwave ovens are different; your microwave may need more time.
Check after 9 minutes; if the squash is not soft and easy to pull apart,
then let it cook another 2 to 3 minutes.
4.    Make strands with fork and season with salt and pepper.
5.    Defrost the spinach, squeeze the water out & use fingertips to loosen
it
6.    Toast the walnuts: Place them on a cookie sheet, spray with a little
oil and sprinkle with a little salt. Bake in the oven at350 degrees for 9 or
10 minutes. When you can smell their fragrance, take them out.
7.    In a food processer: Place the chicken stock, spinach, garlic,
walnuts, parsley, shallots and pulse to make the pesto.
8.    Heat the olive oil in an electric frying pan over medium heat.
9.    Add the pesto and sprinkle with nutmeg, salt and pepper. Heat for 2 to
3 minutes until warm.
10.    Add the spaghetti squash and the cheese.



FALL HARVEST SALAD WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH & RASPBERRY DRESSING
Incorporates the warm flavors of fresh fruits & vegetables harvested in the
fall. Serves 2-3.

Salad Ingredients

2 cups kale
2 cups romaine lettuce (one bunch)
1 honey crisp apple, sliced or diced
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 shredded carrots
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 peeled and cubed butternut squash
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tablespoon olive oil

Dressing Ingredients
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp honey
1 tsp Dijon mustard



1 chopped shallot
3 tablespoons vinegar
1/2 cup fresh raspberries


Directions for Salad
1.    Peel and cut butternut squash into bite size pieces.
2.    Toss butternut squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tsp cinnamon.
3.    Grill butternut squash on the George Foreman grill for 10 minutes, or
cook in the microwave oven for 6 to 7 minutes.
4.    While cooking, Combine remaining salad ingredients in a bowl and set
aside.

Directions for Dressing
1.    Process ingredients in the food processor until smooth.  Toss with
salad and top with butternut squash.

EASY HOME MADE APPLESAUCE
Ingredients
4 fresh apples, peeled, cored and chopped into chunks – any apples will do,
but I like to mix Granny Smith with Fuji or Pink Lady to get the sweet and
tart together
1 cup water (enough to cover bottom of pan)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg

Directions
1.    In a medium saucepan, combine apples and water. Cover and bring to a
boil.
2.    Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for approximately 10 minutes.
3.    Add cinnamon and nutmeg. Cook for another 10 minutes til soft.
4.    Mash the mixture with a fork or a potato masher, until your desired
consistency is achieved. Alternatively, you can use a blender for a smoother
consistency.

NFBNJ CONTACT INFORMATION

National Federation of the Blind National Center
    President    Mark Riccobono    410-659-9314
officeofthepresident at nfb.org
NFB State Affiliate
    President    Joseph Ruffalo    973-743-0075    nfbnj1 at verizon.net
    1st Vice President    Mary Jo Partyka    609-888-5459
choirnfb at gmail.com
    Secretary    Alice Eaddy    856-765-0601    nfbnj.secretary at aol.com
    Treasurer    Brian Mackey    609-953-6988    bmackey88 at gmail.com
    Board Members    Rebecca Bryant    973-732-6559
rirvin14 at optonline.net
        Linda DeBerardinis    856-735-5559    ljdeber3 at comcast.net
        Jane Degenshein    973-736-5785    jdegen16 at comcast.net
        Dan Facchini    201-906-8655    danfb at verizon.net
        Mary Fernandez    732-857-7004    trillian551 at gmail.com
        Linda Melendez    732-421-7063    lindamelendez220 at gmail.com
NFBNJ Chapters – Meeting dates, times & available at www.nfbnj.org
    At Large    Joe Ruffalo    973-743-0075    Nfbnj1 at verizon.net
    Capital    Mary Jo Partyka    609-888-5459    choirnfb at gmail.com
    Central Jersey    Mac Biggers    801-916-9753    macbiggers at yahoo.com
    Garden State    Ryan Stevens    856-240-1497    RYSteve at comcast.net
    Northeast    Dan Facchini    201-906-8655    danfb at verizon.net
    Northern    Rebecca Bryant    973-732-6559    rirvin14 at optonline.net
    South Jersey Shore    Anthony Lanzilotti    609-361-3038
Tti777 at gmail.com
NFBNJ Divisions
Blind Students    Vee Gaspa        434-989-1868
Veronica.gaspa at student.shu.edu
Braille Division    Mary Jo Partyka    609-888-5459    choirnfb at gmail.com
Deaf-Blind Division    Alice Eaddy    856-765-0601    Cheiro_alice at aol.com
Diabetes Action Network Rebecca Bryant    973-732-6559
Rirvin14 at optonline.net
Guide Dog Users    Dan Facchini    201-906-8655    danfb at verizon.net
Parents of Blind Children    Carol Castellano    973-377-0976
blindchildren at verizon.net
Senior Blind    Jane Degenshein    973-736-5785    Jdegen16 at comcast.net
Technology    Jane Degenshein    973-736-5785    Jdegen16 at comcast.net

Programs, Projects & Committees

Adopt Adaptive Equipment    Joe Ruffalo    973-743-0075
Nfbnj1 at verizon.net
BELL Academy    Mary Jo Partyka    609-888-5459    choirnfb at gmail.com
Blind Children’s Resource Center   Carol Castellano   973-377-0976
blindchildren at verizon.net
Blind Merchants    Dan Facchini        201-906-8655    danfb at verizon.net
Braille Mentoring    Mary Jo Partyka    609-888-5459    choirnfb at gmail.com
GreenDrop    Linda DeBerardinis    856-735-5559    Ljdeber3 at comcast.net
HAVA Liaison    Rebecca Bryant    973-732-6559    Rirvin14 at optonline.net
        Anthony Lanzilotti    609-361-3038    Tti777 at gmail.com
KNFB Reader Liaison    Rick Fox    973-743-6107    Richardfox1 at comcast.net
Legislative Coordinator    Ryan Stevens    856-240-1497
RYSteve at comcast.net
        Anthony Lanzilotti    609-361-3038    Tti777 at gmail.com
Liability Insurance     Phil Harrison    609-545-8575
pbharrison39 at comcast.net
Marketing Consultant    Amo Musharraf    732-821-1691
Amo.musharraf at outlook.com
Membership Engagement Rick Fox    973-743-6107    Richardfox1 at comcast.net
NFB-NEWSLINE®    Jane Degenshein    973-736-5785    Jdegen16 at comcast.net
PAC Plan Coordinator    Brian Mackey    609-953-6988    Bmackey88 at gmail.com
Parliamentarian    Ryan Stevens    856-240-1497    RYSteve at comcast.net
Public Relations/Press Corp     Alice Eaddy    856-765-0601
Cheiro_alice at aol.com
Resolutions Committee    Ryan Stevens    856-240-1497    RYSteve at comcast.net
Scholarship Committee    Mary Fernandez    732-857-7004
trillian551 at gmail.com
Social Media Coordinator    Alice Eaddy    856-765-0601
Cheiro_alice at aol.com
Sounding Board    Kathy Gabry    201-998-9427    Specialk38 at aol.com
        AnneMarie Cook    609-859-4084    aec732 at gmail.com
        Mary Jo Partyka    609-888-5459    choirnfb at gmail.com
        Barbara Shalit    201-213-2885    barbart at tullensound.com
Spanish Committee    Rosa Santiago    201-892-6946
rosa.santiago901 at gmail.com
Sports & Recreation    Linda Melendez    732-421-7063
lindamelendez220 at gmail.com
Vehicle Donation Program     Andrew Rees    732-659-6002
amrees567 at gmail.com
Webmaster    Brian Mackey    609-953-6988    Bmackey88 at gmail.com
White Cane Committee    Jane Degenshein    973-736-5785
Jdegen16 at comcast.net
    Brian Mackey    609-953-6988    Bmackey88 at gmail.com

Deadline for the Spring 2018 issue: March 15, 2018

CHECK US OUT ON THE WEB AT
www.nfbnj.org        www.blindchildren.org

To receive The Sounding Board and other information via e-mail,
please contact Alice Eaddy at nfbnj.secretary at aol.com






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