[NFBNJ] Fwd: CBVI Invites You To This Month's Community Connection Call - Please Share

[Linda Melendez]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: CBVI Public-Email <CBVI.Public-Email at dhs.nj.gov>
Date: Thu, Jan 15, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Subject: CBVI Invites You To This Month's Community Connection Call -
Please Share
To: CBVI Public-Email <CBVI.Public-Email at dhs.nj.gov>


*YOU MAY FORWARD THIS EMAIL OR THE ATTACHMENT TO ANYONE WHO MAY BE
INTERESTED OR WHO COULD BENEFIT*

*The NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired *
*Invites You To:*
*The January 2026*
*Community Connection Call*

* “2026 Tuning Into Your Resource Mix;*
*New Year, New View, and How It Applies To You”*

*Wednesday, January 21, 2026 | 10:30am to 12:00pm*

*Hosted by Krystle Allen, CBVI Community Outreach Specialist  *

NJ CBVI’s Community Connection Calls are evolving, and you’re invited to be
part of what’s next. Beginning this month, these interactive Zoom sessions
will focus on connecting you directly to community resources and services
through live and comprehensive demonstrations designed with your daily
living needs in mind.

Who’s helping you to navigate online content and assistive technology live
and in real time?
Which community connections make the biggest difference in your everyday
life?
Where do you turn for trusted resources and support?

As the New Year begins, many of us are reflecting, setting intentions, and
embracing fresh starts. It’s the perfect time to explore new tools,
strengthen community connections, and reimagine what’s possible. Join NJ
CBVI as we navigate a dynamic mix of:

   - Live demonstrations of resources and technology
   - Community services tailored to your needs
   - January’s 31 observances
   - Interactive conversations and shared stories from the blind and low
   vision community


If any of these questions resonate with you or someone you care about, this
is your opportunity to discover new ways to navigate daily living in 2026
and beyond.

*Keynote Presenter:*

   - Maureen Clerc, Supervisor – Bureau of Energy Programs and Assistance,
   NJ Board of Public Utilities.

*Resource Provider:*

   - Sarah Gerdes – Outreach and Development Specialist – Hadley School for
   the Blind
   - Ian Matty, Director – Mountain Lakes Public Library
   - Bianca Johnson, App Developer – No Limits App & Ms. Altruistic 2025

The benefits of networking and sharing information are the primary focus of
the Community Connection Calls. This month’s *“In Our Own Voices”* panelists
will share their stories. All are members of New Jersey’s blind, deafblind,
and visually impaired community.

*“In Our Own Voices” Panelists:*

   - Omar Tzic
   - Rhea Hood
   - Corey Rainford

Here are the simple directions for participating in the CBVI Community
Connections Call:


*Option 1: Join via Zoom*

   1. Either Click the Zoom meeting link here: *Join Zoom Meeting
   <https://dhs-nj-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1611162134?pwd=CqHj9534NT9nKPYzxgdtQjDb4cju7t.1>*
   2. Or Open the Zoom App and Enter the Meeting ID and Passcode

*Meeting ID: 161 116 2134*
*Passcode:* *1910*

*Option 2: Join on the phone via One Tap Mobile (click the link from your
mobile device)*

   - *+16468287666,,1611162134#,,,,*1910#* (New York)


*Option 3: Dial-in via Phone*

   1. Dial the conference phone number: *1-646-828-7666*.
   2. Enter the Meeting ID: *161 116 2134* when prompted
   3. When asked for a participant ID, simply press the pound key (#).
   4. Enter the Passcode: *1910*



That's it! You're all set to join the meeting.


*Relay Captioning Link for individuals who are Deaf or Hearing Impaired:*
(At the start time of the event, please login by clicking on the link below)

*https:/www.captionedtext.com/client/event.aspx?EventID=606138fe-2013-4152-914c-d57fffc2a6b7&CustomerID=477
<https://www.captionedtext.com/client/event.aspx?EventID=606138fe-2013-4152-914c-d57fffc2a6b7&CustomerID=477>*

If you have any questions, or would like to be a Community Connections Call
panelist, please don’t hesitate to email: *Krystle.Allen at dhs.nj.gov
<Krystle.Allen at dhs.nj.gov>* or call: 973-648-4497

This E-mail, including any attachments, may be intended solely for the
personal and confidential use of the sender and recipient(s) named above.
This message may include advisory, consultative and/or deliberative
material and, as such, would be privileged and confidential and not a
public document. Any Information in this e-mail identifying a client of the
Department of Human Services is confidential. If you have received this
e-mail in error, you must not review, transmit, convert to hard copy, copy,
use or disseminate this e-mail or any attachments to it and you must delete
this message. You are requested to notify the sender by return e-mail.
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