[NFBNJ] Letter from Dr. Davis, Executive Director NJ Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired

[Linda Melendez]

Greetings all,

Please see letter below from Dr. Davis,  Executive Director NJ Commission
for the Blind & Visually Impaired With an update and information regarding
COVID-19 and services.

I appreciate Dr. Davis’s commitment and partnership with the NFBNJ. Also,
keep in mind this is a difficult time for all including  employees of the
New JerseyCBVI as well as consumers.


Please read and share with others.

Warmly,

Linda Melendez, President

National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey

732-421-7063

president at nfbnj.org

****

 Good day Linda,

Congratulations once again on becoming the President of National Federation
of the Blind of NJ! I sincerely appreciate your continued partnership and
enthusiasm, as we work in unison to ensure that blind, deafblind and
visually impaired New Jerseyans live the lives they want.

Per our recent discussion, CBVI is looking forward to connecting with
consumers and delivering programs services face to face, as soon as it is
deemed safe and reasonable to do so. Currently, CBVI continues to deliver
program services, such as orientation and mobility, education, vocational
rehabilitation and assistive technology through virtual platforms to our
consumers.  Although we have discovered some benefits of virtual
programming and received many accolades regarding our virtual service
delivery, I certainly acknowledge that it is not ideal or beneficial for
all of our consumers.

Presently, New Jersey is working hard to expand its Covid-19 vaccination
program in an effort to reach herd immunity. I also recognize that this a
time when many are experiencing pandemic fatigue as we make our way through
the second wave of the pandemic, however it is paramount that we do not let
our guards down prematurely. CBVI continues to put safety first and abide
by protocols set by the NJ Department of Health and the Centers for Disease
Control.

Although we are in the mist of the difficult winter months, we know that
there is an end to this, as vaccines are being distributed and access to
vaccination is being enhanced every day. At this juncture, we have not
established any dates for when face to face services will resume, including
on-site services at the JKTC, as we continue to assess the development of
the COVID-pandemic and safety to return to face-to-face activities.
However, CBVI staff are being trained in proper use of PPE, mask fitting
and other COVID-related policies, so that everyone is safe and well
prepared when itinerant services resume.

Please know that I am excited to discuss CBVI possibly holding the 2022 NJ
Regional Braille Challenge at the JKTC, and looking forward to updating
NFB-NJ on what's happening at the Commission at the March 29th Townhall.
Thank you very much for the invitation.

We can do all things together, and we will get back to face to face
services when it is both reasonable and safe to do so. Looking forward to
great things.

Stay safe and be well,

Bernice

Dr. QBernice M. Davis

Executive Director

NJ Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired

153 Halsey, 6th Flr.

P.O. Box 47017

Newark, NJ 07101

973-648-3160

www.cbvi.nj.gov


-- 
Warmly,
Linda Melendez, President
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
732-421-7063
Email: president at nfbnj.org
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*Live the life you want.*
The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey is a community of
members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s
blind. Everyday we work together to help blind people live the lives they
want.
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