[NFBNJ] Highlights For The Week Of June 22
joe ruffalo
nfbnj1 at verizon.net
Mon Jun 22 03:48:21 UTC 2020
Notes For Week Of June 22
Greetings to all!
As we approach the last days of June and the beginning of summer, the season
of mosquitoes, the Jersey shore, walks along the beach, ice cream on the
boardwalk, emails continue to read and the opportunity to participate on
numerous Zoom and conference calls. We continue to raise the expectations
to live the life we want by transforming dreams into reality!
Judy and I are hopeful that the next months will bring much good for all to
applaud.
Remember: To keep informed, please visit the following New Jersey website.
www.covid19.nj.gov
In addition, for state resources in your county, dial 211.
Updated information is available on the National Federation of the Blind
Website. We have provided the following information, please share.
COVID-19 Resources
The National Federation of the Blind is closely monitoring the COVID-19
emergency, which is changing everyone’s lives but has unique effects on
blind people. The health and safety of all of our members, colleagues, and
friends is always our top priority. Information on the NFB’s COVID-19
Resources page, www.nfb.org/resources/covid-19-resources, provides resources
that may be particularly useful to blind people facing challenges during the
emergency. If you have found other resources that you believe are useful,
please email the information to communicationsteam at nfb.org For the latest
happenings with the NFB surrounding COVID-19, please visit www.nfb.org.
If emails I received are time sensitive,I will email as soon as possible.
If needed, contact information for each entry will be available.
Special note: The agenda for the national convention is targeted for
distribution later in the week.
When we receive, this information will be distributed via the NFBNJ
Distribution list, located on Newsline and located on the state website
with a link to the national website.
As of this writing, only 22 days until Tuesday, July, the opening of the
national convention.
Regards,
Joe
____
Items of Interest:
*Lyft Coupons Available Deadline July 1
*GreenDrop Benefits The Federation
*Sixty Second Contest Message
* Jernigan Fund raffle
* Career Fair For Employers And Those Seeking Employment
* DeafBlind Accommodations For National Convention
* Free Technology Classes
* Technology Items Free Until August 31
* First Generation Victor Streams Available
* Surfing Experience August 15 At Long Branch
*Our rideshare partners at Lyft are providing us with additional general
coupons worth $25 per user.
It is a $25 credit. The offer by Lyft can be used until the $25 credit has
been spent. One $25 trip or five $5 trips. If the trip is $30, the coupon
will cover $25 and the user pays $5.
The code is being made available for use through July 1. It should be used
to assist our members or any other blind person in your affiliate who you
feel would benefit from this assistance.
In response to COVID-19, Lyft is offering free rides to Federation members
using the $25 valued code. Note, please contact Linda Melendez at 732 421
7063 or email, lindamelendez220 at gmail.com to obtain the code.
The offer by Lyft expires on July 1, 2020 for essential services. These
rides may include the following, subject to local guidance:
a.. Rides to "essential services" as deemed by your locality (such as
grocery store, food bank, pharmacy, hardware store)
b.. Rides for families/caregivers/social workers to deliver needed
supplies or services for homebound and/or self-isolating people (such as
older adults)
Rides for families/caregivers/social workers to deliver needed supplies or
services for homebound and/or self-isolating people (such as older adults)
a.. Rides for senior citizens and other individuals to health appointments
b.. Rides for senior citizens to go shopping during seniors-only shopping
hours at a grocery store
This offer is intended for NFB members. Please do not post this on social
media channels.
Limited quantity available. Max one redemption per user. Valid for rides
through July 1, 2020. Cannot be combined with other ride credits or offers.
Subject to Lyft's Terms of Service. All riders are asked to stay home if
they are sick, and should work with a medical professional to discuss
transportation options if they need to see a doctor. Per the CDC, anyone who
suspects they may have or is diagnosed with COVID-19 should not use
ridesharing.
In order to use the code, individuals who you approve must:
a. download and install the Lyft mobile application (“Lyft App”) on a
compatible mobile device
b. create and maintain an active Lyft account, including agreeing to Lyft’s
Terms of Service.
c. successfully redeem the code in the Rider’s Lyft App
d. take a standard ride on the Lyft App
(Note: for a ride taken by a rider that exceeds the amount of the Lyft code,
Lyft will charge the rider’s personal payment method on file for the
remaining cost of the ride.)
We need to use discretion in assigning the code. The code should not be
shared with anyone. If they are aware of someone they feel could benefit
from this assistance, they should refer them to Linda Melendez.
We want to make the process as simple as possible, while exercising care to
protect the code, and to collect information that would be helpful to us.
When assigning the code, please collect the following information:
1. Name of individual requesting the code:
2. Their city and state:
3. Description of how the code will be used:
4. Linda will store this information in a spreadsheet or in a simple Word
document, and send it to Mya Taylor at mtaylor at nfb.org by July 2, 2020.
5. Enjoy this offer from Lyft!
____
*The National Federation of the Blind has teamed up with GreenDrop to
collect donations of clothing and household items. People living in
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, DC, and
Virginia can donate unwanted items through drop-off locations or by calling
for a pick-up from their home or business. The funds raised from this
program go to the National Federation of the Blind general fund to support
programs for blind STEM students, veterans, and seniors, as well as the
ongoing efforts to improve equality for the blind.
Please mark all bags and or boxes with NFB in order for the NFB to receive
credit for the donations. The entire listing of accepted items can be found
on the GreenDrop website, www.gogreendrop.org. GreenDrop accepts new or
gently used items including:
· Clothing & Shoes
· Household Items
· Kitchenware
· Games/Toys
· Small Appliances
· Electronics
· Sporting Goods
· Books, CDs & Videos
· Small Furniture
To schedule a pickup, dial 1-888-944-3767. Secondary number 1-888-610-4632.
Please visit www.gogreendrop.org. If you have any questions, you can contact
the NJ GreenDrop coordinator Linda DeBerardinis at 856-735-5559 or
ljdeber3 at comcast.net.
Home Cleanout Program
GreenDrop is now servicing apartment complexes and condos. What they will do
is put a good size blue plastic box in the lobby, community room, or club
house. This way the people who live there can access it any time by putting
their gently used items in the box, via bag, or cardboard box. NFB must be
written on all bags and boxes. You must check with your landlord or
management to be sure this is allowed. During November 2019 they were just
starting to work on a sensor to let them know when the box was full. When
full, GreenDrop will come & put the plastic box in the truck and replace it
with another empty one. How easy can it get for the donors?! If anyone is
interested in having a GreenDrop box at their apartment complex or condos,
please let Linda DeBerardinis know at 856-735-5559 or ljdeber3 at comcast.net
and she will gladly inform the correct person who can get it done.
GreenDrop locations
Note: Call the GreenDrop number at 888-610-4632 to verify the times and days
to drop off items.
You can drop off your GreenDrop donations at one of the following locations:
CHERRY HILL MAPLE
1060 Maple Ave.
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
METUCHEN
359 Amboy Ave
Metuchen, NJ 08840
SPRINGFIELD
The town officials, GreenDrop administrators, Michael Herman (Governor
Livingston High School senior), and Joe Ruffalo (President of the National
Federation of the Blind of New Jersey) are proud to cut the ribbon at the
GreenDrop Grand Opening in Springfield. Michael is coordinating with his
school to collect items to be donated to GreenDrop for credit to the NFB in
October 2016.
831 South Springfield Ave
Springfield, NJ 07081
Totowa
360 Union Blvd.
Totowa, NJ 07512
Second Avenue Value Store Location
After donations at GreenDrop locations are sorted, the highest quality items
are then sold at 2nd Avenue Value Stores, a family business. 2nd Avenue
Value Stores benefit donors with high quality product at huge savings.
Union
2661 Morris Avenue
Union, NJ 07083
____
* 60 seconds could win you up to $200 as part of the Convention Memory
Minute Contest
For many, our very first convention becomes a life-changing experience.
During the May 2020 Presidential Release, President Mark Riccobono shared
memories from his first convention: dodging the persistent Buna Dahal who
wanted him to buy a candy bar, exploring Disneyland with other students from
the Louisiana Center for the Blind, and putting together all the pieces of
Federation philosophy at the end of the convention.
As a means of encouraging others to register for this year’s convention, we
ask that you share a video or audio message about a special memory of your
first convention in less than sixty seconds. By tagging your social media
post with #NFB20 or submitting the entry directly to us by email or phone,
you will be entered to win a cash prize and have your story shared at this
year’s convention.
A Word about Creativity
We encourage you to be creative with the video, but don’t over-think it,
either. Did convention inspire you to go kayaking? Film the video near (or
on) a lake! Did convention inspire you to walk with a cane? Shoot your video
while walking in your neighborhood! That said, do you feel most comfortable
filming the video from your couch? Then do it! Let the setting be uniquely
you, but know that we strongly value creativity.
Contest Rules
We are seeking entries that are heartwarming, funny, and creative. All
entries must:
a.. be less than one minute!
b.. be received by July 1, 2020
c.. include the words “National Federation of the Blind” in full
d.. include your name in spoken form
e.. nominate three other people by name to participate
f.. have the submitter’s name preregistered for convention
How to Submit
Contest submissions can be made in several ways: social media, e-mail, or by
phone.
On Social Media
Post your video using #NFB20 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok. In
the same post, tag three others to participate, too.
The easiest way to record a video is from your smartphone’s camera. Switch
the camera to be front facing, hold the camera about an arm’s length away
from your face, and hit record. Then, open your social media network of
choice.
a.. On Facebook, tap the “Create Post” button, then “Photo/Video.” You'll
then see a listing of all your recent photos and videos. Add a brief bit of
text, include #nfb20, and tag your friends. Finally, check the “View
Privacy” button to be sure that the post is set to “Public.” (We won’t see
your post if that setting only shows it to your friends!)
b.. On Twitter, you can attach your video using the “add photos or video”
button that can be found on twitter.com just after the “Tweet“ text edit
field. iPhone and Android Twitter users will have a similar option after
selecting the “new tweet” button. In addition to your video and brief bit of
text, be sure to include #nfb20, and mention your friends’ Twitter handles
preceded by the @ sign. Remember that your Twitter privacy settings need to
be set such that your tweets are public.
By E-mail
If you don’t have social media, record a video, voice memo, or audio file
with your phone or computer, and e-mail the file to NFB20 at nfb.org.
By phone
We’ve made participating as easy as leaving as a voicemail! Simply call the
National Center at 410-659-9314, dial extension 2020, and leave a one-minute
voicemail of your experience. Still be sure to nominate three friends as
part of your message, then call them to share the news after you hang up.
Note: Submissions by phone or email may be used on National Federation of
the Blind social media.
Prizes and Award Announcement
The Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund Committee will review
submissions and award the top three winners based on creativity and impact
of their story. Submissions will be played during convention, and winners
will be announced at the banquet.
a.. First Place Winner: $200
b.. Second Place Winner: $150
c.. Third Place Winner: $100
Be sure to register for national convention to get the latest updates and
agenda. You can register and learn more at www.nfb.org/convention.
Please contact Tracy Soforenko, Chairman of the Kenneth Jernigan Fund
Committee, with any questions by e-mailing nfb20 at nfb.org.
Good luck!
Sincerely,
The Kenneth Jernigan Fund Committee
____
* Support the Kenneth Jernigan Fund.
This fund provides financial assistance to support Federation members in
attending their first convention of the National Federation of the Blind.
Many of us received support to attend our first convention, and that first
convention experience was life changing.
We need to pay it forward.
In 2020, we still need your generosity to fund the great programs of
the National Federation of the Blind. When you give twenty dollars or more
between May 15 and July 18, you will be entered into the Kenneth Jernigan
Convention Drawing to win the following:
round-trip transportation for two for the 2021 National Federation of the
Blind Convention
hotel at the convention
registration and banquet for two
$1,000 in walking around cash
Donations can be made online at www.nfb.org and selecting "donate."
Donations can also be made by calling our donation telephone line at 410-
659-9314 and selecting option four to donate. You must specify the
breakdown of your donation among the White Cane, Jernigan, and SUN funds in
the notes field, and your donation will be counted for the drawing
regardless of which fund you designate. The drawing is for individuals and
is not intended for contributions by divisions, state affiliates, or
chapters. The winner of the drawing will be announced on July 18 at the
banquet. Help us share the Federation with others, and thank you for your
generosity.
____
* DeafBlind Specific Accommodations For National Convention
We are pleased that you will be joining us for the 2020 Convention of the
National Federation of the Blind. Due to the size and complexity of this
convention, as well as the need to appropriately plan for additional human
and other resources, we are working on responding to requests for specific
accommodations. We are committed to providing captioning for every general
meeting and for those meetings attended by deafblind participants. If you
plan to attend a seminar and would like to ensure that captioning is
provided, please email jerniganinstitute at nfb.org ahead of time. Once the
convention agenda has been published, we will need a list of the convention
sessions you will be attending. You may also connect with the NFB Deafblind
Division to learn more.
Sincerely,
Anil Lewis, M.P.A.
Executive Director
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314, Exalewis at nfb.org
____
* Career Fair At National Convention
Tuesday, July 14 | 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. EDT
Dear Employers and Jobseekers:
Thank you for your interest in the 2020 NFB National Career Fair. Our plan
this year is to have the Career Fair on Tuesday, July 14 from 1:00 to 4:00
p.m. Eastern Time. That means it will start at noon Central, 11 a.m.
Mountain, 10 a.m. Pacific, 8 a.m. Alaskan, and 7 a.m. Hawaiian-Aleutian.
Here’s how it will work.
Registration:
In order to participate in the Career Fair, employers and jobseekers will be
required to register ahead of time. Registration will end at 10 p.m. EDT on
Sunday, July 5, 2020. Registrations will not occur after then. There will be
no walk-ins or last-minute registrations this year for technical reasons.
Employer registration: nfb.org/form/career-fair-employer-registration
Jobseeker registration: nfb.org/form/career-fair-jobseeker-registration
Employer Information:
This year’s Career Fair will be on Zoom. Our plan is to give each employer a
Zoom room. At every hour and half-hour, employers will be expected to
provide an overview of their organization and employment opportunities,
leaving time for questions from jobseekers before the next overview begins.
In addition to having at least one recruiter to provide the overview and
talk to jobseekers, it will be necessary for each employer to provide an
individual to manage the Zoom room, mute participants, and allow individuals
to ask questions. Jobseekers who have attended one half-hour session should
be asked to leave the Zoom room to allow space for new people.
Jobseekers who want to have more in-depth discussions or interviews with
employers should schedule them outside the Career Fair by calling or
emailing employers using the contact information provided a week before the
Career Fair.
Employer and Jobseeker Information:
We will have a Zoom room for the Employment Committee in case employers or
jobseekers have questions at the time. More information on that will be
provided to all employer and jobseeker registrants.
On Monday, July 6, we will send each jobseeker contact information for the
employers registered for the Career Fair so they can send resumes and cover
letters to employers who interest them. We will also send each employer the
resumes of all registered jobseekers. In that way, both parties will be able
to contact each other and arrange to meet before, during, or after the
Career Fair.
Each registered employer and jobseeker will receive technical information on
how to use our Zoom system. Everyone who wants to participate will need to
download free Zoom software onto their computer or phone in order to access
the system we are using for the Career Fair and the Convention.
Questions?
This is the most accurate information that we have on the NFB 2020 Career
Fair plan to date. If there are any changes, you will be notified. If you
have questions, please email Dick Davis at ddavis at blindinc.org or John Dubay
at jdubay at strategiccontactsolutions.com.
If you are in doubt about what to do, please register, as that will get you
on our mailing list. You can withdraw before the Career Fair if you decide
not to participate. There is no charge for employers or jobseekers to
attend. Note: registering for the Convention or the Exhibit Area does not
register you for the Career Fair; you must register using one of the above
links.
We would have liked to give you this information earlier, but as is the case
with many organizations facing COVID-19, we have had to put our plans for
the 2020 NFB National Convention together piece by piece, learning as we
went.
Since this is the first time we have taken on such an immense task, we
cannot guarantee that things will run perfectly or that we won’t have to
make some changes. But I can promise you we will do our best to make this
Career Fair a success for everyone.
Best wishes,
Dick Davis, Chair
NFB Employment Committee
____
* Free Technology Classes
Here is a wonderful opportunity to get help free of charge by our friend
Matt Vollbrecht
He has presented at our last two state conventions and has given over 12
courses in the past three years to anyone free of charge.
His goal is solely to assist us the blind community to live a better and
more technological life
What a wonderful premise and he knows our division and our affiliate first
hand.
I know that several of you have taken courses and can agree with me that
this is a valuable learning experience no matter what Matt touches
Please read and hopefully you too can join in the fun and learning through
the summer.
In addition, share at your chapter meetings this great news!
ttjblogowner posted: "Since March, 2020, The Tech Juggernaut has been
holding virtual help sessions, where anyone can join, free of charge, to ask
questions about Apple products and related accessories, apps, services, and
more. We are pleased to announce that these help sessi"
New post on The Tech Juggernaut
TTJ Announces Summer Schedule of Virtual
Help Sessions
by ttjblogowner
Since March, 2020, The Tech Juggernaut has
been holding virtual help sessions, where anyone can join, free of charge,
to ask questions about Apple products and related accessories, apps,
services, and more. We are pleased to announce that these help sessions will
continue through the rest of the summer. After Thursday June 18, we will
begin operating in our summer training hours. At that point, we will hold
virtual help sessions once per week. These sessions will take place every
Wednesday, beginning Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at 3PM Eastern, 2PM Central.
Sessions will continue weekly, with the final summer help session to be held
on September 2, 2020. We will announce plans for our Fall and Spring
Training Season in early August.
At TTJ Virtual Help Sessions, everyone is
welcome. Imagine your own service and support appointment, conducted
remotely using the Zoom Cloud Meetings platform, where every person gets
approximately ten minutes to ask questions about Apple devices, Apple and
third-party apps, accessories, TV streaming, Wi-Fi networking, home
automation and home security, cell phone providers, and much more. This is
the format of our awesome Virtual help sessions, and we can't wait for you
to experience it.
To join, just use Zoom Meeting ID:
3116952583
Or join directly with This Link.
For more information and all TTJ Events, visit
our Schedule Page.
ttjblogowner |
Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from The Tech
Juggernaut.
Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions.
Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your
browser:
https://ttjtech.net/2020/06/12/ttj-announces-summer-schedule-of-virtual-help-sessions/
____
* Free JAWS, ZoomText, Fusion Offer Extended Until August 31
People can get these Freedom Scientific Programs for free use because of the
COVID-19 virus until the end of August 2020, and if you have been taking
advantage of the offer, your license will be automatically extended by two
months:
https://bit.ly/314OrPt
____
* Available First Generation Victor Stream
I got a phone call from Roger, the Blind gentleman who has an Organization
that refurbishes various devices for the blind and vision impaired and sells
them at the lowest prices possible. He has a few victor Stream Readers,
First Generation. They will go to the “First come, First Served” for $139,
and that includes shipping and insurance. If you are interested, call roger
at (603) 827-3859.
____
* Surfing for Vision August 15th 2020
Registration is open @ Surfingforvision.org
We just got great news. Under the new rules for NJ regarding gatherings.
Long branch Beach has notified us that our 5th Annual Surfing for Vision
scheduled for Saturday August 15th weather date Sunday August 16th IS A GO!
WE ARE HAVING THE EVENT!
We are typically almost fully registered by July, This year we have not
opened registration until now and expect a smaller event for those that want
to have a fun day with community fellowship while sending a message to the
world! We need you to register right away so we can get an idea of how many
people want to come out this year.
This is a great family day in which the beach is free to everyone and your
guests. We have wave runners pulling rides, surfing lessons for
non-participants provided by Christian Surfers and of course our brave
Surfers with our instructors sending a message to all that there is an
amazing life after blindness with no limits!
Based on recent lock downs we expect to get news coverage to further our
message. Come out and be part of something good!
Register to surf, volunteer, attend, or sponsor@ www.surfingforvision.org
Please share
Sincerely,
Michael Benson Founder
VISUAL EXPERIENCE FOUNDATION
Po Box 346 Spring Lake, NJ 07762
Tele:732-616-3304
Email : michael at lovevision.org
Web: visualexperiencefoundation.org
Facebook/visualexperiencefoundation
Visual Experience foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization
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
Raising Expectations To Live The Life You Want!
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
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