[NFBNJ] Updated State Convention page

[joe ruffalo]

Greetings to all!
provided is an updated state convention page posted on the state website.
Pre registration is closed however, registration is still open.
Please take special notice on all activities for all to consider.
Special notice: As soon as we receive the information pertaining to the link to stream the state convention, we will post on the state convention page and distribute to all on the NFBNJ distribution list.

Any concerns and or questions, please contact me at 973 743 0075 or via email at nfbnj1 at verizon.net


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



**

State Convention
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey 41st ANNUAL STATE CONVENTION
November 9th through 12th, 2017
Theme: Live The Life You Want; Let’s Make It Happen – Honoring Longtime Member Jerilyn Higgins
Hosts: Central Jersey Chapter and the Braille Division

The 41st Annual State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey will be held at the:
Holiday Inn Hotel
151 Route 72 East
Manahawkin, New Jersey 08050
Access Link accessible.

Mark your calendars and make every effort to attend the 41st annual state convention of the NFBNJ. Get Involved. Make a Difference!

Walk Up Registration
The pre registration for the 41st state convention of the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey concluded on October 26 however, walk up registration is available through Saturday, November 12. Payment can be made through PayPal using debit card, credit card or if you have a PayPal account.

The walk up registration rates are the following:

·         Registration-adult: $25

·         Registration-children age 16 & under: $0

·         Friday’s lunch: $15

·         Friday’s dinner: $35

·         Saturday’s lunch: $15

·         Saturday’s banquet: $40

·         Saturday’s banquet, children ages 12 & under – Chicken Fingers: $10

The regular banquet meal choices are:

·         Salmon

·         Prime Rib

·         Vegetarian/Pasta

·         Kosher

Paying via PayPal or Credit/Debit Card:
If paying via a personal PayPal account or a credit/debit card, please complete the online registration form. When submitting the form, please make sure the state drop-down field states the correct state. For example, press N about four times to get to New Jersey and make sure it says New Jersey before moving on to the zip field. The payment method drop-down is preset to PayPal, regardless if you are paying via PayPal or a credit/debit card.

After hitting the submit button, you will be redirected to the PayPal payment page. Once there you can either enter your PayPal login information or click on the “pay via credit or debit card” button to enter the information from your credit/debit card.. 

Paying via Check
If you wish to make payment wwith check, please call President Joe Ruffalo at 973-743-0075 and he can assist with the registering process. he will discuss important details that are needed to streamline the process.

If you wish to make payment with check, please make check payable to NFBNJ and write 2017 convention in the memo. Mail checks to:
Joe Ruffalo
254 Spruce Street
Bloomfield, NJ 07003

Agenda
·         2017 NFBNJ State Convention Agenda (Word Format)

·         2017 NFBNJ State Convention Agenda (PDF Format)

Live Audio Stream
We will be doing a live audio stream of this year’s convention. Once we have the link for the stream, we will post it here.

The schedule for the live stream is:

·         Friday , November 10, Afternoon Session—1:30 – 5:00 pm

·         Saturday, November 11, General Session—8:45 am – noon

·         Saturday, November 11, Banquet—7:00 pm – Conclusion

·         Sunday, November 12—Business Meeting—8:30 am – Conclusion

Live Facebook Stream
Throughout the convention, the New Jersey Association of Blind Students will be streaming the convention live via our Facebook page, m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238.

Food Drive
To all attending the state convention, the Barnegat Food Pantry will be accepting all unexpired
nonperishable food items. In addition, the pantry will accept items such as shampoo, soap, body wash, laundry soap, papertowels, toilet tissue, etc.
The staff will be guests of the NFBNJ and will join us at the banquet where we will present all items collected. Please consider this outreach program.

White Cane Collection
Wondering what to do with that old cane you no longer use in the closet? Is that drawer of used canes collecting dust and taking up space? Donate your old canes to the new “You Cane Give” program. Kustom Cane is collecting donated canes to refurbish and send to individuals who are blind and visually impaired around the world. Let’s face it, we have it good in America. With the click of a button, we can order almost anything we need, including a cane. In countries like Mexico, China, India, and South Africa, people do not have access to the proper tools to empower independence and success. Do not let your canes go to waste! “You Cane Give” allows you to help us give your used cane to a person far away who needs it! We are in need of canes in all sizes. Kustom Cane has contacts in Peru, Nigeria, and South Africa wishing for a cane of their own.

Bring your used canes to the forty-first NFB of NJ state convention for a chance to win a cane exxessury pack from Kustom Canes. The pack will include a Bluetooth speaker cane charm, another charm of the winner’s choice, and a cane tip of the winner’s choice, a $60 vallue. One cane equals 1 raffle entry. If you are not able to attend state convention but would still like to take part in the raffle or if you would like more information on this program please contact Vee Gaspa at 434-989-1868 or veronica.gaspa at student.shu.edu.

Salsa Dance Lesson
Please contact Krystle Allen, coordinator of the Friday evening activity! We want to encourage the individuals who are interested to participate in a dress code for that session. Krystle could provide assistance with obtaining a list of some salsa like attire. It adds to the festivity of the session.

Any questions or concerns, please contact:
Krystle Allen
862-600-2144

Guide Dog Relief Area
The guide dog relief area will be in one location only. There will be both a grassy area and a cement area. Directions from the hotel lobby: Step off the elevator and turn right. Proceed 8 or 9 steps and turn left. Proceed about 50 steps through the convention hall corridor to reach the rear exit doors. Once outside, walk about 4 steps and turn left to find the sidewalk. Walk on the sidewalk about 100 feet to the relief area. The grassy area and cement areas are on the right at the end of this sidewalk. There is a line trash can on the grassy area. Please note: there is a parking lot to the right of the long sidewalk and a service delivery area just beyond the relief area. It is not necessary or advisable to step off the curb at any time to access the relief area. If there are any questions, please contact Dan Facchini at 201-906-8655.

Hotel Navigation
We are pleased to feature LowViz Guide, an indoor navigation app for the blind and visually impaired. Developed in 2015 as a free community service by Macular Degeneration Support, the app has been provided at more than a dozen state and national conventions for blind/visually impaired attendees who have access to iPhones or iPads. LowViz Guide gives information on hotel points of interest and meeting room and schedule details. They will provide step-by-step user instructions in large print, audio, and Braille formats and personal support for users during the entire event. For more information about LowVis Guide, visit http://www.mdsupport.org/audioguide. 

Step Challenge Hosted By The Sports & Recreation Committee
Get healthy and be entered for a drawing to win a $50.00 Amazon gift card by walking or pedaling and tracking your steps for the month of October. You will need to walk or pedal 7,000 steps a day, 49,000 steps a week for a grand total of 217,000 steps from October 1 to October 31, 2017. The winner will be announced at the State Convention Banquet. You do not have to be present to claim your prize although it would be great if you are there.

Steps can be tracked by using the “Health App” on your iPhone or an Activity Tracker if you own one. If you are using your iPhone to track your steps it must be carried on your body in order for the steps to be acknowledge and counted. Weekly or monthly results must be submitted by email to Linda Melendez by November 2, 2017 to verify step activity totals. The email address to submit your step log is lindamelendez220 at gmail.com. If you need assistance setting up the Health App on your iPhone or have any questions please call Linda at 732-421-7063.

NFBNJ Sports & Recreation Committee October Step Challenge Details:
When: October 1 to October 31, 2017
How: Walk or Pedal 7,000 steps a day; 49,000 steps each week for a grand total of 217,000 steps. Walking 7,000 steps per day from October 1, to October 31, 2017 equals approximately 109 miles. Get stepping together and see how many miles we can do as an affiliate! Our total number of miles will be announced at the state convention. So start walking and let’s see how far our virtual miles will take us together!

Sponsors
The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey’s exhibit room sponsorship for the 41st state convention, Live The Life You Want; Let’s Make It Happen, is provided below. We thank all exhibitors for their support to change what it means to be blind.

Let’s Make It Happen:
Capco

Raising Expectations:
Radwell International

Live The Life You Want:
Vanda Pharmaceuticals

Transforming Dreams:
3D PhotoWorks
AIRA
C TECH
Eye Assist, LLC
Independence Science
Sprint Vision

Can Do Believers:
Amway
Association of Blind Athletes of New Jersey (ABANJ)
Family Resource Network, EDGE Program
ICanConnect/NJ
JW.org
Mariposa Essence
NJ Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired (NJCBVI)
NJ State Library Talking Book & Braille Center (NJSL TBBC)
Support Service Providers of NJ (SSPNJ)
SW Unlimited, LLC

National Rep
We are honored and excited to have Scott LaBarre, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado and the National Association of Blind Lawyers, as our national representative for our state convention. Please read his bio to learn more about Scott prior to meeting him at convention.

Scott C. LaBarre, Esq.
LaBarre Law Offices P.C.
Denver, Colorado
Scott C. LaBarre owns and operates LaBarre Law Offices P.C., (LLO). LLO specializes in employment law, disability rights, Randolph-Sheppard Act cases, and some international policy work particularly in the area of copyright law. Mr. LaBarre has appeared in federal and state courts throughout the United States securing many important victories for his clients such as Enyart v. National Conference of Bar Examiners, 630 F.3d 1153 (9th Cir. 2011)(securing the right for blind students to use assistive technology as an accommodation on the multistate bar exam) and Cannon v. Palmer College of Chiropractic, 850 N.W.2d 326 (Iowa 2014)(securing the right of a blind student to pursue a doctor of chiropractic degree with his requested accommodations). He is permanently admitted before the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Courts of Appeals for the Second, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth and DC Circuits, the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, the Supreme Court of Colorado, and the Maryland Court of Appeals (Maryland’s highest court). LaBarre has been named one of Colorado’s Super Lawyers, a distinction recognizing the top five percent of Colorado attorneys.

Prior to launching his own firm in July of 1998, Mr. LaBarre acted as general counsel for the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Colorado, where he specialized in laws affecting the blind and disabled. Mr. LaBarre served in that capacity for five years. Even after establishing LLO, he remains very active in the NFB through his volunteer service in many leadership roles. In October of 2005, members of the NFB of Colorado elected LaBarre their President. He also serves as Chairman of the Preauthorized Contributions Committee, one of the Federation’s major national fundraisers. Additionally, he is President of the National Association of Blind Lawyers and serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Colorado Center for the Blind. The Federation has presented LaBarre with the Raymond W. McGeorge Award in 2010 for his work on behalf of the blind in Colorado and the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award in 2014 for his efforts to achieve successful adoption of the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Individuals Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, and Otherwise Print Disabled.

Since 2010, LaBarre has acted as the NFB’s lead delegate to the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO’s) Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights to work on an international treaty to create the international exchange of published works in accessible formats for the blind and print disabled leading to the adoption of the Marrakesh Treaty in June of 2013. This work has led to his election to the Accessible Books Consortium Board, a body sponsored by WIPO and designed to serve as an entity implementing the Marrakesh Treaty on a practical level, promote cross-border exchange of accessible books for the print disabled, and to encourage inclusive publishing.

As an original and current member of the Steering Committee, LaBarre helped to establish the Federation’s Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium on Disability Rights which gathers leaders from all sectors in the arena of disability rights to discuss the current status of the law and to plan needed reform. LaBarre has presented at the Symposium on several occasions. He is active in national, state and local bar associations through his service in many roles. LaBarre is a founding member of the Disability Rights Bar Association and serves on its Executive Board as Chairman. In September of 2016, LaBarre began a three year term on the American Bar Association’s Board of Governors. He has also been a Commissioner on the ABA’s Commission on Disability Rights and served as its Chair from 2004-2007. Mr. LaBarre is also active in the ABA’s Solo, Small Firm, and General Practice Division and reassumed a position on its governing council starting in August of 2013, previously serving on the Division’s Council from 2005 through 2009. In the last decade plus, he has also performed the roles of a Director in the ABA’s Young Lawyers Division, Vice Chairman and a member of the ABA-YLD Bar Leadership Team, YLD Liaison to the ABA Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law, a member of the Colorado Bar Association Board of Governors, and Treasurer and a member of the Executive Council of the Denver Bar Association’s Young Lawyers.

Mr. LaBarre received his Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota in 1993 and his Bachelor of Arts from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota in 1990. He left Minnesota in 1993 to work at the National Headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind. He moved to Colorado in June of 1994. He is married to a wonderful woman who originally hales from Armenia, Anahit Galechyan. Anahit and Scott have two children, Alexander (born October 2002) and Emily (born December 2004).

Videos from Previous State Convention
Videos from a previous year’s state convention can be viewed on our YouTube channel, NFBNJTransformDreams.

Here are the direct links to the playlist for previous state conventions.

·         NFBNJ 40th State Convention (2016)

·         NFBNJ 39th State Convention (2015)

NFBNJ Presidential Reports
Here are the NFBNJ Presidential Reports given by affiliate president Joe Ruffalo during our state conventions.

·         2016 NFBNJ Presidential Report

Additional Information
If you have questions and need additional information, please contact:
Joseph Ruffalo, President
254 Spruce Street
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Phone: 973-743-0075
Email: nfbnj1 at verizon.net

 
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