[Nfbofnc] Fwd: [Nfbnet-members-list] NFB Imagineering Our Future: The sounds of change
Tim Jones
tmjnc2 at gmail.com
Fri Oct 8 19:10:41 UTC 2010
F Y I
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mark Riccobono <JerniganInstitute at nfb.org>
Date: Fri, Oct 8, 2010 at 12:48 AM
Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] NFB Imagineering Our Future: The sounds of
change
To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org
[image: Graphic Logo: NFB Jernigan Institute] View this newsletter as HTML
in your browser.<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=lGPryKAkE72sEaBUQIwxkA..>
View last month’s
newsletter.<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=iAkFHFRGMDnYExO6f_luqg..>
*Imagineering Our Future** Issue 27
October 2010
In this issue:
- Message from the Executive
Director<https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=main,tlist&ver=arFz7WS36Ts.en.&am=!k27pULwUe-SxhZwC2vD2RuRyHkYdS438DDu6nABJkhZFbuRIcZc&fri#12b8cb9864a2d1db_Executive>
- What’s New<https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=main,tlist&ver=arFz7WS36Ts.en.&am=!k27pULwUe-SxhZwC2vD2RuRyHkYdS438DDu6nABJkhZFbuRIcZc&fri#12b8cb9864a2d1db_New>
- Education<https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=main,tlist&ver=arFz7WS36Ts.en.&am=!k27pULwUe-SxhZwC2vD2RuRyHkYdS438DDu6nABJkhZFbuRIcZc&fri#12b8cb9864a2d1db_Education>
- Braille
Initiative<https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=main,tlist&ver=arFz7WS36Ts.en.&am=!k27pULwUe-SxhZwC2vD2RuRyHkYdS438DDu6nABJkhZFbuRIcZc&fri#12b8cb9864a2d1db_Braille>
- Advocacy<https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=main,tlist&ver=arFz7WS36Ts.en.&am=!k27pULwUe-SxhZwC2vD2RuRyHkYdS438DDu6nABJkhZFbuRIcZc&fri#12b8cb9864a2d1db_Advocacy>
- Straight Talk About Vision
Loss<https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=main,tlist&ver=arFz7WS36Ts.en.&am=!k27pULwUe-SxhZwC2vD2RuRyHkYdS438DDu6nABJkhZFbuRIcZc&fri#12b8cb9864a2d1db_StraightTalk>
- Product and Access Technology
Talk<https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=main,tlist&ver=arFz7WS36Ts.en.&am=!k27pULwUe-SxhZwC2vD2RuRyHkYdS438DDu6nABJkhZFbuRIcZc&fri#12b8cb9864a2d1db_Technology>
- From the tenBroek
Library<https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=main,tlist&ver=arFz7WS36Ts.en.&am=!k27pULwUe-SxhZwC2vD2RuRyHkYdS438DDu6nABJkhZFbuRIcZc&fri#12b8cb9864a2d1db_Library>
- Independence
Market<https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=main,tlist&ver=arFz7WS36Ts.en.&am=!k27pULwUe-SxhZwC2vD2RuRyHkYdS438DDu6nABJkhZFbuRIcZc&fri#12b8cb9864a2d1db_Independence>
- Parent Outreach<https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=main,tlist&ver=arFz7WS36Ts.en.&am=!k27pULwUe-SxhZwC2vD2RuRyHkYdS438DDu6nABJkhZFbuRIcZc&fri#12b8cb9864a2d1db_Parents>
- Spotlight on the
<https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=main,tlist&ver=arFz7WS36Ts.en.&am=!k27pULwUe-SxhZwC2vD2RuRyHkYdS438DDu6nABJkhZFbuRIcZc&fri#12b8cb9864a2d1db_Spotlight>Imagination
Fund<https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=main,tlist&ver=arFz7WS36Ts.en.&am=!k27pULwUe-SxhZwC2vD2RuRyHkYdS438DDu6nABJkhZFbuRIcZc&fri#12b8cb9864a2d1db_Spotlight>
- NFB Calendar<https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=main,tlist&ver=arFz7WS36Ts.en.&am=!k27pULwUe-SxhZwC2vD2RuRyHkYdS438DDu6nABJkhZFbuRIcZc&fri#12b8cb9864a2d1db_Events>
- Citation<https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=main,tlist&ver=arFz7WS36Ts.en.&am=!k27pULwUe-SxhZwC2vD2RuRyHkYdS438DDu6nABJkhZFbuRIcZc&fri#12b8cb9864a2d1db_Quote>
[image: []]
Message from the Executive DirectorDear Friends,
Recently I was thinking about the sounds of change. As I walked my
son to preschool the other day, we discussed the changing of the seasons
from summer to fall. My son, Austin, was looking forward to the leaves
falling so we could pile them up and jump into them. I talked with him
about the colors of the leaves changing but also about the
sounds that are
different, such as leaves blowing down the street and birds flying south.
Last month we hosted a group of energetic Federationists who are
working on youth outreach programs in our affiliates. During
that gathering,
I also found myself thinking about the sounds of change. The lively
discussions, passionate dreams, and exciting new ideas were
heard (and felt)
throughout the NFB Jernigan Institute. Thousands of people come
to the NFB
Jernigan Institute for seminars and meetings each year. The
sounds of change
are present in all of these gatherings. Those sounds are also
present in the
state and local gatherings of Federationistsespecially during this busy
fall season, which features many affiliate conventions and local outreach
events for Meet the Blind Month. If you want to hear hope, listen to the
melody of collaboration, or accompany a song of discovery, then
you need to
be part of the National Federation of the Blind.
As you will find in this month’s issue, as the seasons change, the
work of the Federation carries forward in new and dynamic ways.
The sounds
of change are a part of what we offer as well as a consistent
rhythm of high
expectations and positive attitudes. What makes the sound so beautiful is
that it incorporates thousands of voices in a symphony that Dr. Jernigan
described as “individual efforts collectively focused.” We hope
to see you
at one of our many Meet the Blind Month events, where we will be
demonstrating the sounds of change through the hopes and dreams
of the blind
of America.
*[image: Graphic: Signature of Mark Riccobono]
Mark A. Riccobono, Executive Director, NFB Jernigan Institute
[image: []]
*Featured NFB News*Who’s Whozit?
[image: Image: Whozit, the NFB's symbol]
*Meet the Blind Month Is Here!*October is Meet the Blind Month, our
nationwide campaign to increase awareness of and support for the National
Federation of the Blind (NFB). This person-to-person awareness campaign is
designed to increase the understanding that the National Federation of the
Blind is the country’s preeminent membership organization of blind people
and that we, the NFB, are the recognized resource when it comes to vision
loss, blindness, and rehabilitation.
This year we are launching a pilot program, Who’s Whozit, to bring our
message to school-aged children. This initiative will serve to generate
excitement around one of our organization’s most important effortspublic
education. The primary focus in 2010 is to shatter common misconceptions
about blindness, show how far the blind have come due to the efforts of the
NFB, and focus attention on the work that needs to be done in order for the
blind to obtain full integration into society on the basis of equality.
Check out the Meet the Blind Month activities in your area or post your
upcoming events on the Meet the Blind Month Web
page<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=2f2u7iWKf7KfijuU36gzBQ..>.
[image: []]
*Education
* *NFB Youth Slam*It’s back: The third NFB Youth
Slam<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=ltZ2lX_m5ZIBDI-56VncZg..>,
a STEM academy for blind high school students ages 14-18, will be held in
the summer of 2011. This exciting program provides blind youth with a unique
opportunity to interact with blind peers and successful blind adult role
models, while learning exciting new things and participating in challenging
confidence-building experiences.
[image: Photo: Mentor Heather Oklak and 2007 Youth Slam participant]
Volunteers needed: We are looking for enthusiastic, dynamic, positive
adults (18 years of age and older) who are interested in serving as
volunteers to help facilitate the NFB Youth Slam. We need individuals who
are able to be mentors, marshals, assist with instructionyou name it. We
couldn't do a program like this without the help of great volunteers.
All those who are interested in attending or volunteering for this
one-of-a-kind event should visit
www.blindscience.org<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=_LdjCTNX63TFF3Wdq4eh7Q..>to
submit an online application when registration opens this fall.
Thank you: The National Federation of the Blind offers our deepest
appreciation to all those who supported our efforts over the last two months
to secure a grant in the Pepsi Refresh project. Out of over 450
organizations competing for the $250,000 prize, the NFB reached as high as
15th place. However, we were unable to break into the top twoa necessary
position to receive funding for the 2011 NFB Youth Slam program. While our
Pepsi project has done well enough to roll over into the October
competition, we will be focusing our energies on other efforts, including
our grassroots Meet the Blind Month programs and our new Text2Give campaign,
which will support our Imagination Fund and the programs it benefits, such
as the NFB Youth Slam. More information about this effort can be found in
the Spotlight on the
<https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=main,tlist&ver=arFz7WS36Ts.en.&am=!k27pULwUe-SxhZwC2vD2RuRyHkYdS438DDu6nABJkhZFbuRIcZc&fri#12b8cb9864a2d1db_Spotlight>Imagination
Fund<https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=main,tlist&ver=arFz7WS36Ts.en.&am=!k27pULwUe-SxhZwC2vD2RuRyHkYdS438DDu6nABJkhZFbuRIcZc&fri#12b8cb9864a2d1db_Spotlight>section
of this newsletter. Again, we wholeheartedly thank you for your
enthusiastic support and commitment as we continue to build a future full of
opportunities.
*NLCSD Doctoral Fellowship*[image: Graphic: NLCSD logo]
Applications for the second and final cohort of the National Leadership
Consortium in Sensory Disabilities (NLCSD) are now being accepted. This is
a four-year doctoral fellowship for students in participating consortium
universities. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of
Special Education Programs, the consortium consists of twenty-five
universities with doctoral programs that have an emphasis in one or more of
the three sensory impairment areas: blind/visually impaired, deaf/hard of
hearing, and deafblindness. Applications will be accepted until December
31, 2010. The cohort will begin their studies in the Fall of 2011. More
information about the application process can be obtained on the NLCSD Web
site <http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=ECxheCt8NdLdjS54732E0w..>.
The NFB is deeply concerned that we have strong leaders in order to continue
our work to improve the education of blind children and the programs to
train teachers to work with those children. We encourage those interested
in providing leadership in this area to consider applying.
[image: []]
*Braille Initiative
* *Braille Certification Training Program*The National Federation of the
Blind Jernigan Institute is nearing the end of our fourth year of working
under contract with the Library of Congress, National Library Service for
the Blind and Physically Handicapped, to administer the courses leading to
certification for Braille transcribers and proofreaders. During the past
four years, approximately nine hundred students have successfully completed
the Braille Certification
Courses<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=fTCChhLwmoZVYe9trz1j_A..>and
earned their certification from the Library of Congress. In addition,
we
have revised the manual for the literary transcribing course, added a new
Associate Music Transcriber certification, and updated other requirements
and processes to keep the courses running efficiently and to maintain the
high standards of the Library of Congress certification. Further updates are
ongoing as we continue to strive to increase the quality and quantity of
Braille produced in this country.
*Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest*The National Federation of the Blind
Jernigan Institute, the National Association to Promote the Use of Braille
(NAPUB), and the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children are
pleased to announce that registration for the twenty-eighth annual Braille
Readers Are Leaders
Contest<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=Zcpzjvpj5rYVMQSqSGdYUg..>began
October 1. The contest encourages children in grades K-12 to be proud
of their ability to read Braille and to continually work to improve their
skills.
In addition, the NFB Jernigan Institute and NAPUB are offering a Braille
Readers Are Leaders Contest for adults again this year. This contest
promotes the use of Braille in recreational reading among blind adults as a
means to maintain and improve their skills. Adults with various levels of
experience reading Braille are welcome to join in the fun.
*Braille Reading Pals Club*COMING SOON! We’re getting ready for a new year
in the Braille Reading Pals
Club<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=L6XQUeibVjnmDRJnt6q8oA..>,
an early literacy program that encourages parents to read daily with their
blind child (ages infant to seven).
Registration<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=mFYXgnNN1HXpvqCHCcACEA..>opens
November 1, with the new club year beginning in January.
[image: []]
*Advocacy*[image: Photo: Anne Taylor, from Baltimore Sun eBay article]
(Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. Lam / September 24, 2010)
A Baltimore
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=LU3fP02Re5d5G5QH1qzZiw..>Sun
article<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=LU3fP02Re5d5G5QH1qzZiw..>was
among the media reports that eBay, the world’s largest online
marketplace, has partnered with the National Federation of the Blind to
create more opportunities for blind Americans to gain employment in
e-commerce. With 70 percent of blind Americans either unemployed or
underemployed, job creation is critical to tackle the employment challenges
facing the blind.
eBay.com now includes enhanced features for users to buy, bid, and sell
using the keyboard alone, as well as improved ways to navigate content using
assistive technologies, such as screen access software. The blind are now
empowered to start businesses and connect with eBay’s 92 million users and
shop from 200 million live listings.
The NFB and eBay will also provide additional tools and support to the blind
community to enable their success on eBay, such as providing seed funding
for promising blind entrepreneurs, recruiting members of the blind community
to become eBay Trainers to educate other blind individuals in selling on
eBay, and creating an NFB e-commerce store on the eBay platform. Those
interested in receiving information about the NFB eBay entrepreneurs program
should e-mail their contact
information<jerniganinstitute at nfb.org?subject=NFB/eBay%20Entrepreneurs%20Program%20Information>to
the Jernigan Institute.
For more details, see the NFB and eBay Jobs Development Partnership
Agreement<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=MkcoZ-gRWLcCiZqwesQGpg..>and
joint press
release<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=0uyizN9bZdjZjVralTF6qQ..>.
[image: []]
*Straight Talk About Vision Loss*[image: Photo: Gary Wunder]
This month, Straight Talk About Vision
Loss<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=30fEVLUEboOuIDdANsEbLQ..>brings
you Episode
33 <http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=57DaYMW963hDur-MSclhog..>,
an interview with Gary Wunder, the new editor of the lead publication of the
NFB, the Braille Monitor. Eleven issues of the Monitor are published each
year (August and September are combined into one issue and cover our annual
national convention), and it has been the voice of the nation’s blind since
1957. The Monitor offers a positive philosophy about blindness to both blind
readers and the public at large, and it covers the events and activities of
the NFB and addresses issues such as social concerns of the blind,
employment, education, legislation, rehabilitation, and products and
technology used by the blind.
We take this opportunity to bring you a message from the Monitor’s editor:
Last January we did some pruning of the Monitor list by asking that people
receiving the publication contact us to affirm they still wanted the
magazine. Though we tried to make the process easy and avoid dropping active
readers from the list, it is apparent that a considerable number of
Federationists have been removed and are not sure how to resubscribe. In my
own state this has included board members, chapter presidents, and rank and
file members.
I am asking that you take personal responsibility to see that our flagship
publication is being received by those who want and can benefit from it.
Please talk with your chapters and affiliate members about how to subscribe
and, if necessary, help them get on the list. Seeing that members get the
information we carry is too important to be left to chance. If you have
problems getting people subscribed, you may e-mail me at gwunder at nfb.org or
call at (573) 874-1774.
Information is the lifeblood of our organization. Please help me see that it
gets to all who want and can benefit from it.
Subscriptions are available in large print (14-point), in Braille, on 2- or
4-track cassette, or via e-mail. To subscribe to large print (14-point),
Braille, 2- or 4-track cassette, or to change your mailing address, please
contact the NFB by mail (at the address given below); phone (410) 659-9314,
ext. 2344; or e-mail <nfb at nfb.org?subject=Braille%20Monitor%20subscription>,
and indicate which format you would like to receive. To receive the Monitor
electronically, sign up
online<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=gneZKRc0BP14sRoHCES3Jg..>.
Braille Monitor subscribers in the U.S. are invited to help cover the
subscription cost ($25) when possible. However, subscriptions mailed to
foreign countries are invoiced at $75 USD per year, and Canadian
subscriptions are invoiced at $35 per year. Checks should be made payable to
the “National Federation of the Blind” and sent to the NFB, attention
Braille Monitor, 200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place, Baltimore,
Maryland 21230.
[image: []]
*Product and Access Technology Talk*As the cooler weather sets in, the
Access Technology team has been opening boxesour favorite task. We have
been testing out the new
Kindle<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=3_gTCVDdHxxmOEjemLsVgg..>,
and trying out JAWS
12<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=R8h_j9g0tONZnDnD5uyM2w..>.
Another open box for the International Braille and Technology Center is
Freedom Scientific’s
Pearl<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=u3Cm_02CDtICJbbIsPKiAw..>camera,
to go with their update of the OpenBook software for scanning and
recognizing print. All of these have been written up for the
blog<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=EaTcc26IG7uHwYT1Ln3wRQ..>and
the preliminary testing has yielded some pretty interesting results.
>From the manufacturer side, the Access Technology
tips<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=B0RHWH0xk3HfmSKr7Jnvgg..>now
include instructions on how to use the BrailleNote
Apex <http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=EkY9WNASgJauDAow3uzV3g..>as
a Braille display, and on how to use the Function Key for the new
Olympus
DM-4 <http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=E_XKLypBXwxjJAP-qCxsHw..>digital
recorder.
On Monday, September 13, the Access Technology team played host to election
technology developers at a seminar devoted to nonvisual access to voting
technology. Representatives from Dominion Voting, Election Systems &
Software, Hart Intercivic, and Everyone Counts were welcomed to the seminar
by NFB President Marc Maurer. NFB members Steve Booth of Baltimore,
Maryland, Dan Burke of Missoula, Montana, Michael Kasey of Fredericksburg,
Virginia, and Jan Wright of Indianapolis, Indiana, shared their voting
experience with seminar attendees. The AT team shared their experience in an
exchange of ideas about accessibility design and demonstrated the state of
the art in touch-screen accessibility. The seminar also included a
discussion about the lack of poll worker training on accessible voting
machines, lead by Lou Ann Blake, manager of the Institute’s Help America
Vote Act (HAVA)<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=AZuja9c7n6ZU5f9Q1g_80A..>grant
from the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
Information on federal guidelines and certification testing was provided by
Ron Gardner, member of the United States Access Board and president of the
NFB of Utah, and Dr. Sharon Laskowski of the National Institute of Standards
and Technology.
Finally, the team participated in Pearson Publishing’s Accessibility &
Innovation Conference<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=UwKXqD7ZfnNRS5D5eO2rvA..>on
September 28. The presentation covered editorial, instructional
design,
and usability aspects of Web accessibility and eBook accessibility. The
event targets decision makers and process owners at Pearson, one of the
largest publishers of textbooks in the world.
[image: []]
*From the tenBroek Library*The tenBroek family
[image: Photo: tenBroek family in living room]
Last winter we heard from Judge Michael
Marcus<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=5aoRxHVQ2h0Gm84E5AfHmw..>of
the Multnomah County (Oregon) Circuit Court. At the time he was
receiving
chemotherapy for brain cancer and he had good reason to believe that he
wouldn't live too long. To make things right in this world he felt that he
had to fulfill a promise he had made to Hazel tenBroek in 1968.
In 1968, Judge Marcus was a law student and earlier, while an undergraduate,
he had been a student of Dr. tenBroek’s. Marcus had remained close with the
tenBroeks and was a favored protégé of the blind constitutional scholar at
the time of the professor’s death. It was natural, then, for Mrs. tenBroek
to offer Marcus the set of United States Supreme Court Reports that had
occupied a place of honor in a bookcase in the tenBroek home. Marcus
promised Hazel that he would make good use of the books, but unfortunately
he let them languish, and they eventually ended up in the basement of his
home in Portland.
Dr. tenBroek’s Supreme Court Reports
[image: Photo: Dr. tenBroek's Supreme Court Reports]
Judge Marcus contacted the tenBroek Library, telling us he’d gladly pay to
ship the books to Baltimore. He wanted the books permanently connected to
his mentor’s memory. We could hardly refuse. These were the very books that
Hazel and other sighted readers had read aloud as Jacobus tenBroek digested
the meaning of the Supreme Court decisions for citation in his scholarly
writings. Although everything in these books is now available to lawyers and
scholars through online services such as Westlaw, the books themselves
should remain dear to Federationists and to all who are better off as a
result of Jacobus tenBroek’s life and work. Here they sit, in an honored
place on the tenBroek
Library<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=S9Jf5RKdlM6laoujeasoZg..>shelves.
We’re pleased to say that Judge Marcus is still with us and that he
is satisfied knowing that the books are here, in the home of America’s
organized blind.
[image: []]
*Independence Market*[image: Photo: A Braille calendar]
It is not too early to order your 2011 Braille or large print calendar from
the NFB Independence Market. We have the following calendars available.
2011 American Action Fund Braille
Calendar<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=_Pgg7pJNO_zejQ1ijYVfpg..>
This comb-bound, pocket-sized Braille calendar measures 6 x 6 1/2 inches.
Each calendar page includes the days of the month and lists major holidays.
A page for personal notes is in the back. This calendar is available free of
charge.
2011 Large Print
Calendar<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=n9mX0ibzHLY8vqOuWUtxmg..>
This spiral-bound, large print appointment calendar measures 8 1/2 x 11
inches with inside pockets. Each month is displayed on two facing pages and
features 2-inch blocks for each day of the month. The months are tabbed and
include a section for monthly notes as well as a three-month calendar
overview. The calendar costs $10.00 plus shipping and handling.
These items can be ordered
online<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=JyBct2xLdBRItLnwy7P-vA..>from
the Independence Market. Please contact staff with any questions via
e-mail <IndependenceMarket at nfb.org> or by phone at 410-659-9314, extension
2216, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
[image: []]
*Parent Outreach
* *Let Go and Empower Blind Youth*Some who have read previous issues of this
newsletter or made visits to the NFB Jernigan Institute have seen our
dynamic accessible bulletin board. The goal of this board is to help promote
the mission and work of the NFB and to highlight specific programs and
philosophies related to blindness. Our bulletin board also helps model for
teachers how regular classroom and school bulletin boards can be made
engaging for blind students easily and creatively. This quarter’s display
illustrates a parent encouraging her blind child to go after the career of
his choice.
[image: Photo: LEt GO, Empower bulletin board]
This bulletin board features a scene from the lives of Linda LEGO and her
blind son Luke. In the bottom right-hand corner a short story gives viewers
background information about the LEGO family and sets the scene.
Linda LEGO loves her son Luke LEGO. Like all parents, she wants to protect
him from all things bad. She used to worry constantly about how her blind
son could navigate the world. Then one day Captain Whozit paid her a visit.
Captain Whozit told Linda LEGO, “With the proper training and opportunities
blindness can be reduced to the level of a mere nuisance.” He also told her
about the skills Luke needs to have to be successful. Now, having taken
Captain Whozit’s words to heart, Linda knows it’s okay to LEt GO!
The title of this displayLEt GO, Empowercan be found in the top left-hand
corner in print and in Braille. In print, the words “LEt GO” are oriented
vertically along the left border and the word “Empower” branches off of the
“e” in “let” and continues horizontally beneath the top border producing a
crossword puzzle effect. Large three-dimensional figures of Linda
(approximately three feet tall) and Luke (approximately two feet tall) pop
off the deep green background. Luke is dressed in a white collared shirt,
blue jeans, and red sneakers. An authentic NFB children’s cane rests on his
shoulder. Luke’s clothes are adorned with the characteristics of a
successful blind child: problem solver, socially appropriate, cane traveler,
determined, confident, independent, active, technology-literate, and Braille
reader. Linda is wearing a red dress that features the characteristics a
parent needs to raise a successful blind child: good listener, creative,
loving, strong, good sense of humor, persevering, dedicated, assertive, and
investigative. Word bubbles show the conversation between mom and son.
Luke says, “I want to be a fireman, but Jimmy says I can't do it because I’m
blind.”
Linda replies, “You need to LEt GO of those negative attitudes! You can do
whatever you want. We'll find out if any other blind people are firefighters
and how they do their job.”
Continuing the theme all the way to the edge of the bulletin board, the
border is made of real LEGO building bricks. Visitors are invited to
interact with the display and reposition the LEGO pieces!
*Youth Coordinator Leadership Seminar*On September 24-26, 2010, the NFB
Jernigan Institute hosted a youth coordinator conference to help foster
development of more programs for blind youth across the country.
Thirty-three youth coordinators, selected by their NFB state affiliate
president from twenty-seven states, participated in the event. The youth
coordinators worked in groups to plan hypothetical programs for blind youth
emphasizing areas of Braille, transition, blindness philosophy and skills,
and STEM subjects. The groups shared their ideas with each other at the end
of the evening, and their programs were evaluated by blind youth. The goal
of this seminar is for coordinators to take the ideas shared at this
conference back to their state affiliates and apply what they learned in
their own youth outreach efforts.
*Leading the Way Program*In the NFB 2001 Everest Expedition, the NFB
sponsored blind athlete Erik Weihenmayer in his record-breaking summit of
Mt. Everest, the tallest peak in the world. The Jernigan Institute has been
asked to pass along a notice of this travel program for students of all
abilities, developed by the nonprofit Global
Explorers<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=ZFUNi1ef4ysxupwP8nACKw..>in
partnership with Erik:
Do you know an exceptional student who would benefit from a unique travel
and leadership program?
[image: Graphic: Global Explorers logo]
The Global Explorers Leading the Way program brings together blind and
sighted youth ages 14-21 for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure combining
leadership, science, culture, and service. The program aims to achieve the
following:
- Provide unparalleled leadership skills by learning about and practicing
No Barriers Leadership.
- Develop confidence, independence, self-awareness, and curiosity about
the world in participants.
- Promote peer relationships among youth of different backgrounds and
abilities.
- Equip participants with the tools they need to step up and make a
difference in the world.
- Prepare participants to act on the passions they discover.
- Spread messages of hope by breaking down barriers between those with
and without disabilities.
Our summer 2011 Leading the Way destination is one of the 7 Natural Wonders
of the World–the majestic Grand Canyon! Nominate a student
online<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=DtiNnPkLrNc2R42YseJ4oA..>by
the Monday, November 15, deadline. For more information, please
e-mail
Laura <laura at globalexplorers.org> or call (877) 627-1425.
[image: []]
*Spotlight on the Imagination Fund *[image: Graphic: Cell phone]
*Easy Way to Support the Race for Independence Campaign *As of October 1,
2010, the Imagination Fund has a new tool to help raise funds for the
innovative and vital programs it supports. It is called Text2Give, and it is
a program where members and others are invited to text a gift of $10 to the
Imagination Fund. The task is simple. Just text the keyword “Blind” to 85944
and help us raise $1 million for the programs of the National Federation of
the Blind Jernigan Institute. (Messaging and data rates may apply. A
one-time gift of $10 will be charged to your phone.)
For more information on the Race for Independence Campaign, please visit
www.raceforindependence.org<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=2L9D_dr86JC0Wwi5XdHkyw..>.
Proceeds from the Imagination
Fund<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=XwkCSb1u2c1JuileWwTsmg..>build
programs of the National Federation of the Blind at the national,
state, and local levels.
[image: []]
*NFB Calendar
*October 2010 Meet the Blind
Month<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=EwDqsGV1I0wr462OQlvH2Q..>,
a nationwide campaign conducted by chapters throughout the country every
October. Activities that spread the NFB’s message in local communities are
listed by state in the Meet the Blind Month events
page<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=4Bjx9f4rUCaQMuf4sdYxpg..>.
October 1, 2010 Braille Readers Are Leaders
Contest<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=Ya7anGbXjztjm4YYLmjYDA..>registration
begins
The Fall Convention Season The yearly meetings of the NFB’s state
affiliates cluster in the fall and the spring. The list of states that will
meet in convention assembled in October is impressive: Alaska, District of
Columbia, Georgia, Arkansas, Hawaii, California, Delaware, Indiana,
Maryland, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, Colorado, Michigan, and
Nebraska. To look up when the NFB of (insert your favorite state) meets or
for more information, see the State
Conventions<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=OIKg3bTOqbEEe5lH-n3HgQ..>page
on the NFB’s Web site.
November 1, 2010 Braille Reading
Pals<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=ya_Iu58H58YPPZ-kzvS_xw..>club
registration<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=xs7flhq_T8sSH7nsMT44ew..>begins
November 1, 2010 Braille Readers Are Leaders
Contest<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=aljuOl-raP6hnZ8SOBJ6qA..>reading
period begins
November 1, 2010 Application becomes available for 2011 NFB Scholarship
Program<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=fc9lKNglZ1gZ8jU3An2hqw..>
January 4, 2011 Louis Braille’s birthday
January 31-February 3, 2011 NFB 2011 Washington Seminar
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=VsVfad5m5ajItcusThzUKw..>
March 31, 2011 Deadline to apply to win one of thirty 2011 NFB Scholarships
July 2011 The 71st Annual NFB National
Convention<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=rypk3D2J4W2N4d04gVvH5A..>,
Orlando, Florida
[image: []]
*Citation*Whereas the National Federation of the Blind, the Nation’s oldest
and largest organization of blind people and a leading advocate for Braille
literacy in the United States, has launched a national “Braille Readers are
Leaders” campaign to promote awareness of the importance of Braille and to
increase the availability of competent Braille instruction and of Braille
reading materials in this country: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives
(1) supports the importance of Braille and the role that Braille plays in
the lives of blind people;
(2) recognizes the 70th anniversary of the National Federation of the Blind;
and
(3) supports the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind and other
organizations to promote Braille literacy.
H. Res.
1034<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=vEl34l4AcnVY7bAzDcvQhA..>:
Expressing support for the importance of Braille in the lives of blind
people, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, 111th Congress, June
23, 2010.
Back to Top<https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=main,tlist&ver=arFz7WS36Ts.en.&am=!k27pULwUe-SxhZwC2vD2RuRyHkYdS438DDu6nABJkhZFbuRIcZc&fri#12b8cb9864a2d1db_Top>
Thank you for reading the NFB Jernigan Institute’s Imagineering Our Future.
* *[image: Mentor Trevor Attenberg leads campers along the nature trail]
[image: Photo: Group on white water raft]
Support the Jernigan Institute through the Imagination
Fund<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=Mj5yJBPMIxp6cUw90Sz_7Q..>
[image: Photo: Young woman playing flute]
*Interesting links: *Archive of Straight Talk about Vision Loss
videos<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=WhvMF-Q4wRzziUTdUYFWMg..>
National Center for Blind Youth in
Science<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=lTCQUqQNPYWbPgIQfk9_gA..>
Access Technology
Tips<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=74qO_IuvNJJ5hNJ3OV9zDw..>
[image: Photo: Youth practicing martial art] *
Blogs:*Access Technology<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=dKR37vHbFArG82vfRH1Gvw..>
Voice of the Nation’s
Blind<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=5D6rMMGG4gGD8ieA-J5D1g..>
[image: Photo: Senior couple]
*Publication archives: *Future Reflections
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=75j3pmMPkWMqZ1AatHRQbA..>Braille
Monitor<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=HLzML57zFW5eBZMPhnSnSQ..>
[image: Photo: Mom and son take a moment and a hug]
[image: Graphic Logo: National Federation of the Blind]
[image: Photo: Blind little girl with cane]
[image: Photo: Blind youth reading Braille book]
[image: Photo: Blind girl examining model of constellations]
[image: Photo: Blind boy with tactile globe]
[image: Blind Teens Carry the 2007 Youth March for Independence Banner]
Visit us at nfb.org<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=cU5zWfAnkDTTefucPBFpUg..>
[image: Imagine a Future Full of Opportunity]
[image: []]
Jernigan Institute, National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place, Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314 Fax (410) 659-5129 E-mail
JerniganInstitute at nfb.org<JerniganInstitute at nfb.org?subject=Reply%20to%20Imagineering%20Our%20Future>
Visit us at www.nfb.org
[image: Better Business Bureau logo] [image: American Institute of
Philanthropy logo]<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=crQikVjD3A34tRU_8Os_Gw..>
The National Federation of the Blind meets the rigorous Standards for
Charity Accountability set forth by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and is
Top-Rated by the American Institute of Philanthropy.
Forward this newsletter.<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=qNCDzIEveoh-iA0uORP-SA..>
If this issue was forwarded to you and you’d like to subscribe, please
e-mail JerniganInstitute at nfb.org<JerniganInstitute at nfb.org?subject=Reply%20to%20Imagineering%20Our%20Future>
.
_______________________________________________
Nfbnet-members-list mailing list
Nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org
--
Tim Jones
North Carolina Food Service
Fort Bragg, NC
Office: 910-396-2297
Cell: 704-491-1486
More information about the NFBofNC
mailing list