[NFBofAlaska] NFB of AK, Notes and Information

Tue Nov 17 07:19:30 UTC 2020

A very Thankful Greetings To All,

The NFB of Alaska had our monthly meeting and if you were not there, we
missed you! The following information and announcements come from both our
Saturday meeting and the National Office of the NFB. ! For those who
attended, , we enjoyed the time sharing with one another, hearing about a
new app from Shane Lowe, a student and creator from Kentucky and giving
encouragement and support to each other.

This email also includes a calendar of dates to remember. All State Meetings
are classified as virtual. I do not anticipate a change before March, but we
can all hope. Of course, our Board will continue to monitor our situation
and receive guidance from President Riccobono. I encourage you to keep this
email in an easy-to-find location so you may refer to it often.   

Please make note of the following Announcements: 

Deadline November 17-Blind and Low-Vision Voter Experience Survey:

Blind and low-vision voters who voted in the 2020 general election but have
not yet completed our survey are urged to take it by the deadline, November
17. This year it consists of two separate surveys: 

*       If you voted absentee or by mail using an accessible, electronic,
ballot-delivery system or a traditional paper ballot, please complete the
survey for blind and low-vision voters who voted absentee or by mail at
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YJJL7GN.

*       If you are a blind or low-vision voter who voted at an early voting
center or at a polling place on Election Day, please complete the survey at
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NGFMPF2.

Questions about the blind voter survey may be directed to Lou Ann Blake at
lblake at nfb.org <mailto:lblake at nfb.org>  or 410-659-9314, extension 2221; or
Jeff Kaloc at jkaloc at nfb.org <mailto:jkaloc at nfb.org>  or at 410-659-9314,
extension 2206.

Federation Celebration: Read Our History:

On this day in 1940, the National Federation of the Blind was founded by
blind delegates from seven states across the country. We invite you to read
and share the following publications that trace our rich history of the
organized blind movement:

*	Building the Lives, We Want
<https://www.nfb.org/about-us/history-and-governance/building-lives-we-want>

Walking Alone Marching Together
<https://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/books/wamt/wamtc.htm> 

Teachers of Tomorrow Program:

If you are preparing for a career in teaching blind students, or if you are
an early career educator looking to enhance your teaching, then the National
Federation of the Blind invites you to apply for a spot in the first cohort
of our Teachers of Tomorrow program. This immersive, professional
development program connects teachers of blind and low-vision students to
the lived experiences of blind people, equipping participants with knowledge
about the skills and attitudes that can help blind students thrive in school
and beyond. The program is free to participants thanks to a partnership
between the National Federation of the Blind and the Gustavus and Louise
Pfeiffer Research Foundation. For more information or to apply visit
https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/education/teachers-tomorrow.

New Podcast Episode-Continued Fight for Fair Wages:

Our Nation's Blind Podcast's hosts, Anil Lewis and Melissa Riccobono, talk
with Stephanie Flynt, government program specialist for the National
Federation of the Blind. They discuss the continued momentum to eliminate
the practice of paying workers with disabilities subminimum wages, including
recent reports from the United States Commission on Civil Rights and the
National Council on Disability. Listen to the latest episode now
<https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast>
!

Applications Now Open for 2021 Bolotin Awards:

National Federation of the Blind is accepting nominations of individuals or
organizations who are a positive force in the lives of blind people and
advance the goal of helping us transform dreams into reality. Each
application must include a letter of recommendation. Learn more and submit a
nomination for the 2021 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolo
tin-awards/application-information> .

Free White Cane Program-Share with New Contacts:

The National Federation of the Blind believes that no blind person should be
without a white cane, regardless of their ability to pay for it. The Free
White Cane Program is available for any blind individual in the fifty
states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Share information about
the Free White Cane Program
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/free-white-cane-program> , choosing a
cane size, and cane travel training.

Affiliate Pledges:

Just a friendly reminder to please be sure that your pledges to our various
funds are paid before end of year if at all possible. We received many
generous pledges to the White Cane, Jernigan, SUN, and tenBroek funds during
our 2020 Convention. If you have any questions about pledges or fulfilling
your pledges, please contact Patti at pchang at nfb.org <mailto:pchang at nfb.org>
or at extension 2422. 

It's that Time of Year-Santa Letters:

Every year Santa Claus turns the staff at the National Federation of the
Blind into his honorary elves to help him send letters and activities in
Braille to young children (those under the age of ten) across the United
States. Between November 9 and December 16, parents can submit a request for
a letter at http://www.nfb.org/santa-letters. The form can also be printed
and faxed to 410-685-2340 or emailed to communityrelations at nfb.org
<mailto:communityrelations at nfb.org> . Beginning Monday, November 30, the
Braille letters from Santa will start going out to children. The Braille
letter will be accompanied by a print copy as well and some other fun
holiday activities. The deadline for letter requests is December 16. Learn
more about Santa Letters
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/early-childhood-initiatives/santa-let
ters> .  

Dates to Keep in Mind:

*	December 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
*	December 1: Braille Readers Are Leaders
<https://actionfund.org/programs/braille-readers-are-leaders>  reading
starts 
*	December 12: NFB of Alaska All State Virtual Christmas Party, (Movie
with Audio Description), 1:00, P.M. AK Time
*	December 13: Open-House Gathering call, 8:00 p.m. eastern

*	December 15-17: Dare to Be Remarkable, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. eastern
*	January 9: NFB of Alaska All State Virtual Meeting 1:00, P.M., AK
Time 
*	January 18, 2021: Braille Readers Are Leaders
<https://actionfund.org/programs/braille-readers-are-leaders> 
*	registration (and page count) deadline
*	February 8, 2021: Washington Seminar
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar>  Great
Gathering-In
*	February 13: NFB of Alaska Virtual All State Meeting, 1:00 P.M. AK
Time
*	March 13: Virtual NFB of Alaska All State Meeting, 1:00 P.M. AK Time
*	March 31, 2021: Scholarship application
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-p
rogram/scholarship-program-application-checklist>  deadline

Bonnie Lucas

President

National Federation of the Blind of Alaska

907-301-6808

 <mailto:nfbofalaska at gmail.com> nfbofalaska at gmail.com

 <mailto:nfbofalaska at gmail.com> nfbalaska.org

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

If you are preparing for a career in teaching blind students, or if you are
an early career educator looking to enhance your teaching, then the National
Federation of the Blind invites you to apply for a spot in the first cohort
of our Teachers of Tomorrow program. This immersive, professional
development program connects teachers of blind and low-vision students to
the lived experiences of blind people, equipping participants with knowledge
about the skills and attitudes that can help blind students thrive in school
and beyond. The program is free to participants thanks to a partnership
between the National Federation of the Blind and the Gustavus and Louise
Pfeiffer Research Foundation. For more information or to apply visit
https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/education/teachers-tomorrow.

New Podcast Episode-Continued Fight for Fair Wages:

Our Nation's Blind Podcast's hosts, Anil Lewis and Melissa Riccobono, talk
with Stephanie Flynt, government program specialist for the National
Federation of the Blind. They discuss the continued momentum to eliminate
the practice of paying workers with disabilities subminimum wages, including
recent reports from the United States Commission on Civil Rights and the
National Council on Disability. Listen to the latest episode now
<https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast>
!

Applications Now Open for 2021 Bolotin Awards:

National Federation of the Blind is accepting nominations of individuals or
organizations who are a positive force in the lives of blind people and
advance the goal of helping us transform dreams into reality. Each
application must include a letter of recommendation. Learn more and submit a
nomination for the 2021 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolo
tin-awards/application-information> .

Free White Cane Program-Share with New Contacts:

The National Federation of the Blind believes that no blind person should be
without a white cane, regardless of their ability to pay for it. The Free
White Cane Program is available for any blind individual in the fifty
states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Share information about
the Free White Cane Program
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/free-white-cane-program> , choosing a
cane size, and cane travel training.

Affiliate Pledges:

Just a friendly reminder to please be sure that your pledges to our various
funds are paid before end of year if at all possible. We received many
generous pledges to the White Cane, Jernigan, SUN, and tenBroek funds during
our 2020 Convention. If you have any questions about pledges or fulfilling
your pledges, please contact Patti at pchang at nfb.org <mailto:pchang at nfb.org>
or at extension 2422. 

Bonnie Lucas

President

National Federation of the Blind of Alaska

907-301-6808

 <mailto:nfbofalaska at gmail.com> nfbofalaska at gmail.com

 <mailto:nfbofalaska at gmail.com> nfbalaska.org

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

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