[NFBO-Linn-benton] BEAM Press release

[kjocums at icloud.com]

Hello,

 

Here is the text of the press release which was sent out to local
newspapers.  We included some pictures, too.

Blind Equity Achievement Month Awards Presented in October 2023

 

In October 2023 The Linn-Benton Chapter of the National Federation of the
Blind of Oregon presented twelve recipients with Blind Equity Achievement
Awards for their dedication to achieving equity for blind people in Oregon.
These recipients helped the Linn-Benton Chapter pursue security, equality
and opportunity for blind people in our communities.  The recipients and
contributions were:

 

Hillary Bain, Massage Therapist, for volunteering time and talent at
outreach events for the blind and visually impaired

Staci Belcastro of the City of Albany for listening and implementing
necessary ADA improvements.

Dave Busby of the City of Corvallis for recognizing the contribution blind
people bring to emergency planning.

Dan Glowicki of Corvallis School District for contributions to Equality and
Achievement for blind students 

Grace Lutheran Church of Corvallis for being an Equal Opportunity Employer

Brad Gumpf and the Support Team at Heroic IT for innovative work that
supports blind employees. 

Eric Ikenouye of the City of Albany for listening and accommodating blind
and visually impaired individuals. 

Dr. Lori Kayes, College of Science at OSU for going above and beyond to
provide accessibility and inclusion of blind students in the classroom.

Lorena Reynolds of the Reynolds Law Firm for advocacy on behalf of blind
people's right to be independent.

Chris Shown of Brigadoon Wine Co for supporting fund raising events which
fuel the advocacy of the blind and visually impaired.

Martin Storksdieck of Oregon State University STEM Research Center for full
inclusion of blind and visually impaired in STEM research 

Lindsey Williams of View Plus Technologies for bringing coloring books to
the blind.

 

"By recognizing the talent and needs of blind and visually impaired people
in Linn and Benton Counties, the BEAM Award recipients have made significant
contributions to advancing equity for the blind and visually impaired in
Linn and Benton Counties," says Kristen Jocums, President of the local
chapter of the National Federation of the Blind.  "With these amazing
friends and advocates, our community is becoming a barrier-free and
accepting community in which to live."

 

Blind Equality Achievement Month occurs every October.  The month-long
celebration is used across the country to mark the efforts to break down
barriers to full participation in society by blind and visually impaired
individuals.  "From competitive employment, access to classroom materials
and pursuit of inclusion in city planning, our members are finding ways to
contribute to the fabric of our community just like our sighted peers.  We
thank our BEAM Award recipients for their dialog and action in all the ways
they have helped to make a difference." 

 

To learn more about vision loss and the National Federation of the Blind,
contact us at nfb-oregon.org.

 

Kristen Jocums

(706) 718-8055

 

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