[NFBofSC] FW: [Brl-monitor] The Braille Monitor, March 2022

[Jennifer Bazer]

Below, you will find the flagship  publication of the NFB. You will also
find a familiar article that was recently in the Positive Note.

 

I hope all of you will subscribe to this publication. Always so interesting
to me with so many diverse background and opinions and life experiences.

 


The Braille Monitor, March 2022


BRAILLE MONITOR


Vol. 65, No. 3 March 2022

Gary Wunder, Editor

Distributed by email, in inkprint, in Braille, and on USB flash drive, by
the

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

Mark Riccobono, President

telephone: 410-659-9314

email address: nfb at nfb.org <mailto:nfb at nfb.org> 

website address: http://www.nfb.org

NFBnet.org: http://www.nfbnet.org

NFB-NEWSLINE® information: 866-504-7300

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Letters to the President, address changes, subscription requests, and orders
for NFB literature should be sent to the national office. Articles for the
Monitor and letters to the editor may also be sent to the national office or
may be emailed to gwunder at nfb.org <mailto:gwunder at nfb.org> .

Monitor subscriptions cost the Federation about forty dollars per year.
Members are invited, and nonmembers are requested, to cover the subscription
cost. Donations should be made payable to National Federation of the Blind
and sent to:

National Federation of the Blind

200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, Maryland 21230-4998

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. THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
IS NOT AN ORGANIZATION SPEAKING FOR THE BLIND—IT IS THE BLIND SPEAKING FOR
OURSELVES.

ISSN 0006-8829

© 2022 by the National Federation of the Blind

Each issue is recorded on a thumb drive (also called a memory stick or USB
flash drive). You can read this audio edition using a computer or a National
Library Service digital player. The NLS machine has two slots—the familiar
book-cartridge slot just above the retractable carrying handle and a second
slot located on the right side near the headphone jack. This smaller slot is
used to play thumb drives. Remove the protective rubber pad covering this
slot and insert the thumb drive. It will insert only in one position. If you
encounter resistance, flip the drive over and try again. (Note: If the
cartridge slot is not empty when you insert the thumb drive, the digital
player will ignore the thumb drive.) Once the thumb drive is inserted, the
player buttons will function as usual for reading digital materials. If you
remove the thumb drive to use the player for cartridges, when you insert it
again, reading should resume at the point you stopped.

You can transfer the recording of each issue from the thumb drive to your
computer or preserve it on the thumb drive. However, because thumb drives
can be used hundreds of times, we would appreciate their return in order to
stretch our funding. Please use the return envelope enclosed with the drive
when you return the device.

Vol. 65, No. 3 March 2022


Contents


New Orleans: Site of 2022 Convention

by John Berggren

Returning to the Trail

by John Paré

The Purpose of Discussion in our Braille Monitor

by Gary Wunder

Technology Can't Solve the Problems Ableism Creates

by Cricket Xiao Jiu Bidleman

A Response to Colleen Roth, “Are Conservatives Welcome in the National
Federation of the Blind?” Braille Monitor, January 2022

by Albert Elia

Another Response to Roth, “Are Conservatives Welcome in the National
Federation of the Blind?”

by Sanho Steele-Louchart

What’s Love Got to Do with It?

by Jennifer Bazer

COVID Testing for the Blind Remains a Problem

by Gary Wunder

Requesting Alternative Format Communication from the IRS through Form 9000

by Valerie Yingling

But Is Voting a Blindness Issue Really?

by Nathanael Wales

The First Time I Never Voted

by Tom Page

The Benefits of Immersion Training

by Joanne Gabias

Update on the National Blindness Professional Certification Board

by Edward Bell

Who Speaks For the 1Touch Project and Why Should We Care?

by Stephen Hanschu

The BrailleSense 6: Better, Faster, Familiar

by Karl Belanger

Recipes

Monitor Miniatures

[PHOTO CAPTION: An aerial view of the New Orleans Marriott]


New Orleans: Site of 2022 Convention


by John Berggren

The 2022 Convention of the National Federation of the Blind will take place
in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 5 to July 10, at the New Orleans Marriott at
555 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130. You can reserve a room now
at the Marriott by calling 800-654-3990, ensuring you’ll be in our
headquarters hotel. If you wish to stay in our overflow hotel directly
across Canal Street, call 855-516-1090 to book a room at the Sheraton New
Orleans.

The nightly rate for both the Marriott and the Sheraton is $109 for singles
and doubles. Triples and quads can be booked for $119 per night. You should
also anticipate the combined sales tax and tourism support rate of 16.2
percent, and note there is a hotel occupancy fee of $3.00 per night.

Both hotels will take a deposit of the first night’s room rate, taxes, and
fees and will require a credit card or a personal check. If you use a credit
card, the deposit will be charged against your card immediately. If a
reservation is cancelled before Monday, June 1, 2022, half of the deposit
will be returned. Refunds will not be issued for cancellations made beyond
that date.

The hotels sit astride the storied Canal Street at 555 and 500 Canal Street
respectively, only blocks from the mighty Mississippi River and even closer
to the historic French Quarter. Both hotels offer a range of dining options
as well as twenty-four-hour fitness centers. You’ll find a rooftop pool at
the Marriott while the Sheraton features a Starbucks in its atrium lobby.

The schedule for the 2022 convention is:

Tuesday, July 5 Seminar Day
Wednesday, July 6 Registration and Resolutions Day
Thursday, July 7 Board Meeting and Division Day
Friday, July 8 Opening Session
Saturday, July 9 Business Session
Sunday, July 10 Banquet Day and Adjournment

The health of our members is of paramount importance as we plan for our
first in-person convention in three years. Both of our convention hotels are
committed to ensuring the safety of guests and have implemented cleaning
protocols and elevated practices to deliver on this commitment. The National
Federation of the Blind will continually monitor masking policies,
vaccination requirements, and other health guidelines that may apply to our
convention. Updates will be shared with members throughout the months
leading up to convention, so members can plan accordingly.

[PHOTO CAPTION: John Paré]


Returning to the Trail


by John Paré

>From the Editor: We have people in our organization who make me feel blessed
whenever I meet or talk with them. John is one of these fine people. Mostly
he is an optimist, believing despite some of his real-world experience that
right will be done, that he has a hand in making it happen, and that when it
does he should be modest about his own role.

This article is appearing first in this issue because most of our March
edition is heavier than usual. So for this issue we’re going to do the
unthinkable and eat our desert first. Thank you, John, not only for your
hard work but for your vacations and, through your article, taking us along:

I do not know why I have always wanted to visit Death Valley. Maybe it’s
because it is the trifecta of atmospheric and geographic extremes. It holds
the record for the hottest temperature recorded on earth, 134 degrees
Fahrenheit. It is also the driest and lowest elevation in North America. The
Greenland Ranch Weather Station in Death Valley averages 1.58 inches of rain
per year, and the elevation of Bad Water Basin is 282 feet below sea level.
Maybe it is because the terrain is so different from any place I have ever
lived; but, for whatever reason, on my birthday, January 5, 2022, I found
myself crossing the boundary into Death Valley National Park.

A few months earlier my partner, Ann-Marie, asked me what I wanted to do for
my birthday. I said I wanted to go hiking. She asked where, and I responded
half-way jokingly, “Death Valley.” I could tell she was a bit apprehensive,
and I quickly reminded her that it was winter and the temperature should not
be that bad. To my surprise she agreed (it was my birthday after all).
Before either one of us could change our minds, we booked the trip. The plan
was to fly to Las Vegas from our homes in Baltimore, rent a car, and drive
two and a half hours to Death Valley National Park. We wanted to stay inside
the park to help minimize traveling time to the hiking trails and booked the
centrally located Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel.

The timing made our Christmas shopping easy—we bought each other backpacks
and other hiking gear items we thought would be helpful on the trip. Our
first stop was at a local REI (an outdoors store known for its experienced
and knowledgeable sales staff). Ann-Marie told the salesperson that we were
going on our first hike together. He asked where, and Ann-Marie replied,
“Death Valley.” He seemed incredulous that we had picked Death Valley as our
first hike, and with renewed apprehension Ann-Marie turned to me, and I
quickly reminded them both that it was winter, and it would not be that hot.
He still seemed skeptical, and with hesitation he wished us well.

It was not literally my first hike, but it was going to be my first hike as
a blind person. After my sophomore year in college, my brother and I had
hiked for ten weeks on the Appalachian Trail. We completed the southern
half, 1,000 miles. We carried all our gear including sleeping bags and a
tent. We hiked off the trail every four or five days to purchase food. I was
sighted back then. I would begin going blind about fifteen years later from
cone-rod retina degeneration, a progressive and incurable eye condition.

Maybe this is why I really wanted to go hiking in Death Valley. Could I
still hike as I did when I was sighted? If I was going to prove to myself
that I could, I needed to make it challenging, and Death Valley fit the bill
for me.

Death Valley National Park is located on the Nevada-California border in the
northern Mojave Desert. It is 5,270 square miles of sand and rock, and most
of Death Valley is devoid of vegetation. In the winter of 1849, a group of
pioneers became lost while traveling through the forbidding conditions of
the valley, and one of the party died. Against the odds, the rest of the
group finally found their way out, and upon exiting, one of the pioneers
said, “Goodbye, Death Valley,” giving birth to the name we use today.

While I walk five or six miles a day, and sometimes more on the weekend, all
of this walking is on unobstructed and relatively flat sidewalks. Both
Ann-Marie and I were in for a big surprise.

Our first hike was through Mosaic Canyon. It is a two-mile drive up a very
bumpy and dusty unpaved road to reach the trailhead. We confidently headed
up the canyon trail, carrying between the two of us two quarts of water,
snacks, a first aid kit, compass, maps, an external iPhone charger, and
identification.

The path was dirt and rocks. Sometimes the rocks were like gravel, sometimes
like small stones, and at other times quite large. Sometimes the rocks were
loose, and other times they were anchored in the ground. I expected the path
to be steep but not so rocky. I used my white cane, which helped find the
larger rocks and ensure that I was stepping into a clear spot. The canyon
was typically about twenty feet wide—sometimes it would narrow to only three
or four feet wide and other times it would widen to thirty or forty feet.

Our tour book warned there would be a need for some light scrambling—which
when hiking means to use your hands to balance and traverse a steep incline.
When Ann-Marie and I were in our twenties, that probably would have been a
good description of what we did, but since our twenties are a few decades
behind us, a better description would be rock climbing.

Most of the “scrambling” was up four-to-six-foot ledges. In one case there
were some intermediate steps, but the steps were sloped, and the rock had
been polished into a smooth and dangerously slippery surface. I would feel
around for handholds and then try to secure myself well enough to move up a
step. At other times the rocks were quite jagged, which I mostly avoided to
prevent injury but sometimes used as handholds. We were seldom at risk of
falling very far, but if we did fall, the rock landing was not going to be
good.

Ann-Marie did a great job describing the landscape and geological features
including the “noonday dolomite,” a light, tan-colored bedrock which covers
most of the canyon and was formed 750 million years ago, as well as the rock
formation known as the “mosaic breccia,” which is rock consisting of angular
fragments cemented together and which inspired the name of the canyon.

We reached the end of the canyon trail after two miles and then hiked back.
While the weather had been no problem—it was probably in the high fifties
that day—the trail surface and the “scrambling” were not what we expected.
Although we were a little surprised about how challenging it had been, we
were still ready for more.

Next, we drove thirty miles to Bad Water Basin, the lowest point in North
America. It was an easy walk from our car onto the salt flat. The surface is
relatively smooth, and yes, it is literally salt. After spending about
thirty minutes wandering around on the salt flat, I was ready to get back on
a hiking trail.

We still had about an hour of daylight, which was enough time for a quick
hike to the Natural Bridge—just a short distance from Bad Water Basin.
Compared to Mosaic Canyon, the road to the trailhead was much bumpier and
difficult to navigate; the tires would occasionally spin out, but the hike
was shorter—two miles round trip. This trail was a little steeper than
Mosaic Canyon and was again very rocky; however, there was no “scrambling.”
Reaching the fifty-foot natural bridge was worth the effort. A natural
bridge occurs when the water flows through a hole in a rock formation, and
then over time the hole gets larger due to erosion, but the rock over the
hole remains intact.

After the hike we drove back to Stovepipe Wells Village and had dinner at
the hotel’s restaurant. Our next two days were similar with a variety of
hikes, scenic lookouts, and dinners at the hotel.

Overall, the trip was fun, challenging, rewarding, exhausting, and
empowering. My goal, in addition to celebrating my birthday, was to prove to
myself I could complete a challenging hike as a blind person. I could have
gone back to the Appalachian Trail, but I wanted something new, exciting,
and potentially more difficult. I would not have had the confidence to
attempt such a trip if it had not been for the National Federation of the
Blind. When I first went blind, my expectations for my life were comparable
to the elevation at Bad Water Basin, but the philosophy, mentors, and
lifelong friends of the National Federation of the Blind changed all that.
So, when Ann-Marie and I crossed the boundary out of Death Valley National
Park on January 9, I said “goodbye low expectations.”

----------

[PHOTO CAPTION: Gary Wunder]


The Purpose of Discussion in our Braille Monitor


by Gary Wunder

For a number of years I have had a goal of getting people to discuss things
that might or should become policy in the Federation. I have thought we
should have an avenue for this even before I edited this magazine, and since
I have been the editor, I’ve tried to push for constructive discussions.

When people hear about an important resolution and complain that they don't
know much about the subject or wish they had more time to think about it,
I've often felt that the Braille Monitor could have filled a need by
providing information and perspective. What I have not wanted to do is set
up the environment I too often see on network television in which people
argue rather than discuss, in which they spin more ideology than real
thought. Discussion should not mean that someone wins and someone loses.
What I have wanted to foster is the sharing of ideas in which everyone is
open to learning and coming closer together. In my desire to create
discussion, please help me avoid our magazine being the place where people
come to argue. Instead, let us place communication as one of our major
goals. Let it be respectful, and let us be clear about what communication is
and is not. Communication lets you articulate a position. If you have done
it well enough, and if I've listened with an open mind and heart, I can
articulate your view and the reasons you've given for it. But communication
hasn't failed if, after reading your position, it still isn't my position.
Maybe what you write moves me a bit. Perhaps it sowed a seed that makes me
think and leads me to do more research. That research may harden my position
or may bring me closer to yours, but our measure of success can't be to
convert but to offer perspectives and leave final decisions to the good will
and good sense of our readers.

So when you see an article and a response to it, please understand that
we're not trying to get ratings and reader participation through
sensationalism. Our goal is to provide another way for people to talk with
one another, to understand one another, and to help show that our little
part of the world still believes in the exchange of ideas without having the
heads of those who espouse them.

After expressing this view to one of my dearest friends, he offered this as
a possible disclaimer to put in each issue. What do readers think?

The Braille Monitor strives to be a place in which respectful debate about
emerging issues affecting blind people and the organized blind movement can
take place, while also supporting and amplifying the decisions arrived at
through our democratic process and our supreme governing authority, the
National Convention. Consequently, except for verbatim copies of our adopted
resolutions, policies, and constitution, content in the Monitor may or may
not reflect the organization’s policies or the collective opinion of the
National Federation of the Blind.

----------


You Can Make a Difference 


Blind children, students, and adults are making powerful strides in
education and leadership every day across the United States. For more than
eighty years, the National Federation of the Blind has worked to transform
the dreams of hundreds of thousands of blind people into reality. With
support from individuals like you, we continue to provide powerful programs
and critical resources for decades to come. We sincerely hope you will plan
to be a part of our enduring movement by including the National Federation
of the Blind in your charitable giving and in your estate planning. It is
easier than you think.

 

With your help, the NFB will continue to:

*	Give blind children the gift of literacy through Braille.
*	Promote independent travel by providing free, long white canes to
blind people in need.
*	Develop dynamic educational projects and programs to show blind
youth that science and math careers are within their reach.
*	Deliver hundreds of accessible newspapers and magazines to provide
blind people the essential information necessary to be actively involved in
their communities.
*	Offer aids and appliances that help seniors losing vision maintain
their independence.


Plan to Leave a Legacy


The National Federation of the Blind legacy society, our Dream Makers
Circle, honors and recognizes the generosity and vision of members and
special friends of the National Federation of the Blind who have chosen to
leave a legacy through a will or other planned giving option. You can join
the Dream Makers Circle in a myriad of ways.


Fixed Sum of Assets


You can specify that a fixed sum of your assets or property goes to the
National Federation of the Blind in your will, trust, pension, IRA, life
insurance policy, brokerage account, or other accounts.


Percentage of Assets


You can specify that a percentage of your assets or property goes to the
National Federation of the Blind in your will, trust, pension, IRA, life
insurance policy, brokerage account, or other accounts.


Payable on Death (POD) Account


You can name the National Federation of the Blind as the beneficiary on a
Payable on Death (POD) account through your bank. You can turn any checking
or savings account into a POD account. This is one of the simplest ways to
leave a legacy. The account is totally in your control during your lifetime
and you can change the beneficiary or percentage at any time with ease.


Will or Trust


If you do decide to create or revise your will, consider the National
Federation of the Blind as a partial beneficiary.

Visit our Planned Giving webpage
(https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/planned-giving) or call
410-659-9314, extension 2422, for more information.

Together with love, hope, determination, and your support, we will continue
to transform dreams into reality.


Ways to Contribute Now 


Throughout 2021, the NFB:

*	Sent nearly one thousand Braille Santa and Winter Celebration
letters to blind children, encouraging excitement for Braille literacy.
*	Distributed over five thousand canes to blind people across the
United States, empowering them to travel safely and independently throughout
their communities.
*	Delivered audio newspaper and magazine services to 126,823
subscribers, providing free access to over five hundred local, national, and
international publications.
*	Gave over six hundred Braille-writing slates and styluses free of
charge to blind users.
*	Mentored 232 blind youth during our Braille Enrichment for Literacy
and Learning® Academy in-home editions.

Just imagine what we’ll do next year and, with your help, what can be
accomplished for years to come. Below are just a few of the many diverse,
tax-deductible ways you can lend your support to the National Federation of
the Blind.


Vehicle Donation Program


The NFB accepts donated vehicles, including cars, trucks, boats,
motorcycles, or recreational vehicles. Just call 855-659-9314 toll-free, and
a representative can make arrangements to pick up your donation. We can also
answer any questions you have.


General Donation


General donations help support the ongoing programs of the NFB and the work
to help blind people live the lives they want. You can call 410-659-9314 and
elect option 4 to donate by phone. Donate online with a credit card or
through the mail with check or money order. Visit our Ways to Give webpage
(https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give) for more information. 


Pre-Authorized Contribution


Through the Pre-Authorized Contribution (PAC) program, supporters sustain
the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind by making recurring
monthly donations by direct withdrawal of funds from a checking account or a
charge to a credit card. To enroll, call 410-659-9314, extension 2213, or
fill out our PAC Donation Form (https://www.nfb.org/pac) online.

If you have questions about giving, please send an email to outreach at nfb.org
<mailto:outreach at nfb.org>  or call 410-659-9314, extension 2422.

----------

[PHOTO CAPTION: Cricket Xiao Jiu Bidleman]


Technology Can't Solve the Problems Ableism Creates


by Cricket Xiao Jiu Bidleman

>From the Editor: Cricket is new to these pages except for the convention
speech she gave in 2016 and the scholarship she won in 2017. What a pleasure
it is to see her as a contributor. So often people are ready to replace our
canes, noting that they are only light and well-made sticks, but few who
seek to replace them really understand their use and in fact the abuse they
take. Here is Cricket’s contribution to the discussion:

“Did you read that story in the Stanford Report about the affordable “smart
cane” that uses robotics? Wasn’t it cool?” Whenever articles about
disability technology come out, I’m asked for my thoughts and feelings on
the innovation at hand. People expect me, a blind person, to share their
excitement. Most find my frustration and lack of enthusiasm perplexing. They
don’t understand that, in the midst of the excitement that comes with
applying technology to the disability community, the true harm, ableism, is
often overlooked.

This “smart cane” is a good example of technology ignoring ableism. The
developers intend to help the blind community. However, this product is not
necessary for blind people to live and work successfully. In fact, this
product can in some ways be harmful. Canes tell blind people what obstacles
are in our walking paths, what terrains we’re walking on, etc. They are used
daily. The heavier weight of the “smart cane” puts undue stress on users’
wrists and arms. Canes like mine weigh significantly less than a single
pound, whereas, according to the article, this “smart cane” weighs a
whopping three pounds. Repetitive stress injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome
often result from muscle fatigue and repetitive motion. Using a cane that
heavy every day could be catastrophic for anyone.

This article emphasizes the affordability of the “smart cane.” It says that
similar products cost $6,000, and this one costs only $400. Perhaps they
don’t realize that blind people can get canes free here through the National
Federation of the Blind and the American Action Fund for Blind Children and
Adults—it doesn’t get much more affordable than that. Almost ten million
Americans received Social Security disability benefits in 2019; that’s the
only income that a lot of us get. Many disabled Americans live at home or
with caretakers, or they work for subminimum wages or in sheltered
workshops. They don’t have $400 to spare. I don’t find $400 easy to part
with, either. I would rather save that to help with post-graduation moving
expenses, donate it to a philanthropic organization, or save it for my
hypothetical children’s college education.

People get caught up in the “smart” aspect of technology like the “smart
cane.” My cane isn’t smart, but I don’t need it to be. The article and
accompanying video talk about a wheel that pulls the user around obstacles,
and while I certainly don’t like running into things, it’s nice to know that
those things are there. I don’t want to be skating along sidewalks without
knowing where those tables outside Old Union are, for example. Maybe I’m
trying to meet a friend or using a traffic light as a landmark. The wheel on
the tip of this cane might interfere with the textural elements of the
terrain. People often ask me whether the sound of my cane’s metal tip
dragging on the ground is grating to my ears, and while I do find it mildly
annoying, there’s more to it than that. It’s nice knowing whether I’m
walking on tile or bricks or carpet, etc. Other blind people agree.
Awareness is good; people shouldn’t take that away from us.

Even Stanford’s videos about the “smart cane” display the ableism and
inaccessibility that pervade our society. The videos are not
audio-described, so while the developers believe that they are engaging
diversity and increasing accessibility, they are not doing so properly. It
is extremely hypocritical to brag about accessibility efforts for blind
people in videos that don’t contain audio description.

Moreover, the “smart cane” assumes misguided notions of quality of life. The
developers cite improvements in walking speed for both sighted and blind
users while using this cane, associating faster walking speed with quality
of life. The video claims, “This [greater walking speed] can provide a
significant improvement in terms of their quality of life, due to
improvement in mobility.”

This kind of assumption is deeply troubling because it’s a person or a group
of people projecting their image of “quality of life” onto the disabled.
It’s incredibly offensive, and falling into this pattern can be dangerous.

This “smart cane” is perhaps less lethal than other examples of the same
behavior. For example, even as recently as this year, people with
disabilities have been denied life-saving healthcare when doctors projected
their bigoted opinions about “quality of life” onto disabled patients. Both
are examples of ableism. No one should assume that others have a lesser
“quality of life” just because they live differently. The developers of the
“smart cane” are likely trying to be helpful, but there are better ways to
do that using products that already exist.

Ableism and inaccessibility have always been huge societal issues.
Developers think that they can solve those issues by creating something new
or that they can get around future issues by doing something innovative.
Technology isn’t always the solution, though. Here are some better ones.

In terms of “quality of life,” the disabled do not have equal access to
aspects of society due to inaccessibility, and that’s much more damaging
than inability to walk quickly or the existence of disabilities. Despite the
requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), some buildings
don’t have wheelchair-accessible rooms or entrances or correct Braille
signage, even here at Stanford.

This inaccessibility extends to the internet: there is no legislation
specifically mandating web accessibility, only a collection of unenforced
guidelines. Making websites accessible could vastly improve “quality of
life” for the disabled; we should concentrate less on innovating and more on
establishing effective legislation and enforcing it.

Then, the bigger problem: ableism. It exists in every aspect of society,
though others choose not to recognize it. Able-bodied people physically
manipulate the disabled without asking us for consent. People drag the
disabled across streets or grab us to show us how to find things—the
examples are endless. The disabled are sometimes forced to work in sheltered
workshops, where far too many do so for subminimum wages. Workplaces that do
pay above minimum wages still sometimes pay the disabled even less than our
non-disabled counterparts. Assistive technology isn’t affordable, and
developers concentrate on high-tech solutions rather than making what
already exists more affordable. There’s a high rate of sexual assault toward
the disabled because we’re viewed as inferior, and we’re not taught what
consent is. A lot of public transportation in America is not accessible, and
ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber are still refusing passengers with
disabilities.

These are just some of the endless examples of problems that urgently need
solving. Let’s get off those high horses of high tech, and instead let us
spend our energy on fixing these issues.

----------

[PHOTO CAPTION: Albert Elia]


A Response to Colleen Roth, “Are Conservatives Welcome in the National
Federation of the Blind?” Braille Monitor, January 2022


by Albert Elia

>From the Editor: Albert Elia is a former scholarship winner who has taken to
our cause and now works as part of a legal team that routinely and superbly
defends the rights of blind people. He read Colleen Roth’s article, and
though he wants to assure her that conservatives are indeed needed and
welcome in the NFB, he stresses that our Federation is concerned more with
our behavior than our beliefs. In all of this writing, when we go below the
30,000-foot level, we find that the difficulty is indeed in the detail. My
hope is that, in working through the detail, we come to a place of tolerance
and understanding, a tolerance that doesn’t depend solely on the movement of
others but on our own kindness and respect for the frailty of being humans.
Our Code of Conduct indeed mandates how we will behave toward others. Its
spirit is to bring about an environment of tolerance and acceptance; only as
a last resort is it punitive. Here is what Al has to say:

I agree wholeheartedly with Ms. Roth’s opening in her article in the January
2022 Braille Monitor, wherein she states that she believes “we should all
treat each other with respect and welcome those who join with us.” However,
in my opinion she goes on to state that she will not treat some members with
the same respect that she treats others, and that is where the NFB draws the
line regarding its expectations of the conduct of its members and leaders.

According to Ms. Roth’s article, she is “a very traditional Roman Catholic.”
She indicates that because same-sex marriage “is not in keeping with the
scriptures” she follows, she would refuse to introduce a same-sex couple as
married at a Federation event. That is certainly her choice, but assuming
Ms. Roth is in the habit of introducing married couples who are not part of
a protected class, as a member and leader of the NFB who has pledged to
uphold the NFB’s Code of Conduct, she must recognize that making that choice
could disqualify her from leadership and may result in her sanction by the
NFB. She would face similar sanction should she refuse to introduce a
civilly-married mixed Catholic/Jewish opposite-sex couple as married on the
grounds that such a marriage is invalid under Canon law. See Canons 1086
(invalidity of marriage between Catholic and non-baptized person), 1108 and
1125 (requirement of ecclesiastic celebrant and explicit permission by
bishop for validity). In either case, she would be in violation of Section
IV of the NFB Code of Conduct because her conduct “denigrates or shows
aversion” toward the putative couple because of their “religion, sex, [or]
sexual orientation.”

To be clear, the NFB Code of Conduct only regulates conduct, not thoughts or
beliefs. Ms. Roth and others are welcome to participate and hold leadership
positions in the NFB regardless of their beliefs. They may believe in the
invalidity of same-sex marriage. They may believe in the invalidity of the
lived experience of transgender persons or persons with other gender
identities or expressions. They may believe in the invalidity of the lived
experience of persons whose race is different from theirs or the invalidity
of any beliefs not in keeping with their own. They may believe in Yahweh,
Allah, or the Flying Spaghetti Monster as the one true God, or they may
believe in no God at all. What they and no member or leader of the NFB may
do is conduct themselves in accordance with any beliefs where such conduct
“denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual, or their
relatives, friends, or associates, because of their race, color, religion,
sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin,
age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, citizenship, genetic
information, or any other characteristic protected by law.” It is that
conduct, not the coincident belief that is prohibited.

In answer to Ms. Roth’s question: Yes, conservatives are welcome in the
National Federation of the Blind, just as liberals and everyone in-between
are welcome, as long as they abide by the Federation’s Code of Conduct. All
members, leaders, and participants in the Federation must understand and
recognize that their beliefs—no matter how deeply held—do not excuse them
from complying with that Code of Conduct. Let us all conduct ourselves in a
manner that is respectful to our shared humanity and our shared goals of
security, equality, and opportunity.

----------


Another Response to Roth, “Are Conservatives Welcome in the National
Federation of the Blind?”


by Sanho Steele-Louchart

>From the Editor: Sanho Steele-Louchart is the chairman of our LGBTQIA group
and is familiar to readers as a result of his article about NFB philosophy
that appeared in February of 2021. Here is his take on the question of “Are
Conservatives Welcome in the NFB.”

A recent article in the Braille Monitor posed the question “Are
conservatives welcome in the NFB?” The answer, with neither hesitation nor
equivocation, is a resounding yes.

At its core, the Federation is an organization dedicated to embracing the
natural diversity of human experiences. Assuming that such diversity falls
within the guidelines of our Code of Conduct, all people are welcome within
the NFB. We are a cross-section of society at large. The Federation includes
blind people, sighted people, gay people, straight people, cis people, trans
people, Christians, atheists, and, yes—Conservatives.

It’s my understanding that some Federation members have felt alienated in
recent years due to leadership’s open acceptance of groups such as the LGBT+
community, the emphasis on inclusivity, and a fear that conservative
viewpoints will be denigrated. With genuine warmth, I refer those members
back to our Code of Conduct. Conservativism is most certainly welcome within
the Federation. What’s prohibited by our Code of Conduct is bigotry.

To borrow an example from the article that appeared in the January 2022
issue, it makes sense that a Catholic leader within the Federation might be
uncomfortable introducing a same-sex couple as spouses at a chapter meeting.
It would even make sense for that person to ask another Federationist to
introduce them, instead. Where our Code of Conduct would apply is if that
leader made a practice of introducing straight couples, then purposefully
denied that respect to the people who identified as LGBT. That would be
discrimination, and discrimination is not synonymous with conservativism.

Unfortunately, what we as a Federation have not yet fully grappled with is
what to do once that hurt is out there in the world. NFB LGBT Group members
and members of color tell me horror stories of what happened years ago. Even
today, what do our trans and nonbinary family members do once their core
identities have been invalidated on a national stage? Being polite to their
faces is a great start, but when they meet us in person, they remember what
we wrote. That pain doesn’t just go away. We caused that pain, and our Code
of Conduct demands we take responsibility for it.

I issue our membership this friendly challenge: Don’t normalize
discrimination within our ranks. We’ve fought for eighty-two years to get to
where we are. Celebrate the progress, but remember always to keep marching
on. The work has just begun.

----------

[PHOTO CAPTION: Jennifer Bazer]


What’s Love Got to Do with It?


by Jennifer Bazer

>From the Editor: The Positive Note is a weekly update by NFB of South
Carolina President Jennifer Bazer that has been published at least 1,853
times, this piece coming from number 1,853. In each issue is a note from the
president, and Jennifer Bazer writes some good ones. Given this was
published on Valentine’s Day and we are focused on love every day of the
year, I thought it a splendid addition. Here is what she says:

The values of our NFB brand represent the essence of us, the National
Federation of the Blind, the code that carries the brand—the guiding
principles upon which we make our decisions. They are the heart and soul of
the organization. Our core values are courage, respect, full participation,
democracy, collective action, and love. We define love in our core values
this way: The NFB provides a loving, supportive, and encouraging family that
shares in the challenges and triumphs of our blind brothers and sisters.
This deeply held faith in one another sustains members during times of
challenge and cheers on individual and collective successes. Love is the
feeling that permeates our organization and pushes us to expect the best
from each other.

Today is Valentine’s Day, the day we think of love, the day that more
flowers are bought than on any other holiday, the day we most associate red
with love. As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, let’s focus on love in our
Federation family. Let’s exemplify love in everything we do in the
Federation and beyond.

Some may feel it is hard to love someone who disagrees with our viewpoint.
Some may find it hard to love those who turn their backs on us. Some may
find it challenging to love those who lash out with their words in anger or
hurt. Some find it impossible to love those who spread rumors or say unkind
things about us. Some people may find it uninviting to love those who talk
behind our backs without saying what they mean directly to us. Some people
may wish to carry a burden of unforgiveness on their shoulders rather than
carrying love in their hearts. Well, it is not impossible to forgive those
who may have hurt us. Love can help us forgive, bring peace, foster
understanding, and strengthen our connections with each other.

On this Valentine’s Day, let’s adopt the pinks and reds as our NFB colors to
show our love for our Federation Family. Let’s remember the reason we are
family. We have come together because we all want a brighter future, legal
and social equality, public awareness, and respect as blind people. We have
more things in common than we will ever have differences. When in doubt,
pull out your NFB coin and read the Braille; it spells “together.” That is
who we are: a group of like-minded, capable, passionate, enthusiastic, and
driven blind people. When we clash with each other, it is because we care so
much about the outcome. We just differ sometimes about the best path to get
us there. We should do our best to remember that we are all doing what we
think is right.

Let’s strive each day to live and to exemplify and encourage our brothers
and sisters to keep uppermost our NFB promise. Together with love, hope, and
determination, we transform dreams into reality. Let’s go build the National
Federation of the Blind with love this Valentine’s Day and every day
thereafter!

----------


COVID Testing for the Blind Remains a Problem


by Gary Wunder

Since the start of the pandemic, blind people have found ourselves at a
significant disadvantage relative to those who can see. Determining that one
has COVID is the first step, and it is here that we find our first stumbling
block. In many places tests were administered in outside venues: drive up,
stay in your car, wait in line for hours regardless the weather, roll down
your window, and have the test administered without any contact between you
and the person doing the swab. For blind people getting access to a vehicle
has been difficult; one does not call an Uber or Lyft and suggest, “I may be
sick. Please come to pick me up, and then let’s sit for hours in a line. If
I am right and I’m sick, you too will get a chance to be exposed. Oh, and
about the cost of the ride: do you have any options for monthly payments?”

Now we have the promised at-home tests, but wouldn’t you know it, their
interpretation is based on color, and it is up to the blind person to figure
out how to get it read. You will find that you and we, through our National
Federation of the Blind, are addressing it in several ways, including this
article and one other that discusses our work with Aira to see that we can
read our tests. If you want to jump right to that information, you may go to
https://nfb.org/resources/covid-19-resources/covid-19-home-test-information.

Here is what we have received as a result of our concerns addressed to the
White House. Let us be proud of our role in working on testing, realizing
this is but the first of many steps that need to be taken to make testing
equitable.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 24, 2022


FACT SHEET:


Administration Announces New Actions to Address the Needs of People with
Disabilities and Older Adults in Response to and Recovery from COVID-19


The Administration recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has had tremendous
impacts on disabled individuals and has resulted in new members of the
disability community.

Over the past year, the Administration has collaborated and consulted with
the disability community and taken several key actions to address the unique
needs of individuals with disabilities. Among other actions, the U.S.
government released key civil rights guidance to protect disabled
individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic or any public health emergency;
prioritized Long COVID services, supports, and research in the context of
disability; established a call line dedicated to ensuring individuals with
disabilities can equitably utilize the Administration’s at-home test
distribution program; ensured disabled individuals and other high-risk
individuals have access to at-home testing; and invested American Rescue
Plan (ARP) resources to build COVID-19 vaccine confidence and access among
people with disabilities.

Moving forward, the Administration will take several key steps to further
our work to ensure that disabled individuals, regardless of where they live
or the level of community transmission of the virus, have equitable access
to COVID-19 testing, masks, and other critical mitigation strategies. The
Administration remains committed to implementing these policies and
developing additional policies in close collaboration with the disability
community—keeping equity and accessibility at the center of our COVID-19
response and beyond. The Administration will:

*	Equip schools with guidance and support to keep vulnerable students
safe and learning in-person. The Department of Education (ED) will work with
school administrators and educators on strategies they can use to continue
providing safe, in-person instruction for all students in their classes. ED
will engage the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure
that its guidance is fully aligned with the latest public health guidance
and that schools have clear recommendations and strategies to help protect
the safety of and access to rigorous learning that all children deserve. ED
will also provide resources for parents who would like additional support in
understanding how to navigate their child’s in-person learning experience
through local regional parent training and information centers. Parents may
find their local center here
(https://www.parentcenterhub.org/find-your-center/) and reach out for direct
assistance and referrals to other organizations, as well as to gain skills
to effectively participate in the education and development of their
children. States and school districts should use the unprecedented resources
provided through the ARP to implement these recommendations and ensure
access to a high-quality education for all students, including students with
disabilities. Children learn best in-person, and are better able to engage
with rigorous instruction and access services and supports tailored to their
needs when they are learning alongside their peers. The President has been
clear since Day One that we need students back to school for full-time,
in-person learning, and thanks to the unprecedented resources provided
through the ARP, schools have what they need to safely remain open, keep
students and staff safe, and address the impact of the pandemic on student
learning and mental health. Some students may need additional protections to
ensure they can remain safe in the classroom—including students who are
immunocompromised, with complex medical conditions, or with other
disabilities that may put them at higher risk of severe outcomes from
COVID-19. For nearly two years, educators across the country have provided
services and supports to children with disabilities in ways never
anticipated prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Administration is
committed to ensuring that children with disabilities continue to receive
the services and supports they need so they can reach their highest
potential.

*	Expand the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Administration for Community Living’s Disability Information and Access Line
to support people with disabilities who face difficulty using or cannot use
a self-test. The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL)
(https://acl.gov/DIAL), available at 1-888-677-1199, is launching a new
initiative to support disabled individuals who need assistance using at-home
tests distributed by the Administration or support in finding alternatives
to at-home testing. For individuals who can use an at-home test, DIAL
operators are available to assist with ordering free tests; understanding
instructions for test administration and test results; or providing
alternative instructions for those unable to access, read, or understand the
manufacturer’s version. For those who cannot use an at-home test, DIAL
operators can assist individuals with ordering tests to collect a specimen
that can be mailed back for results. For individuals who cannot use either
an at-home test or an alternative “swab and send” test, DIAL operators can
assist callers with locating their state or local health department and/or
aging and disability resources for additional assistance with other testing
options that may be available in their community, including identifying
potential in-home testing options or assistance with transportation or
companion support to visit a community-based testing site.

*	Launch new COVID-19 testing guidance in American Sign Language and
review all existing COVID-19 guidance to confirm accessibility for all
disabled individuals. CDC recently released “How to Interpret Positive
Self-Test Results” guidance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN9abSiscac) in
American Sign Language (ASL), a first step towards ensuring that deaf or
hard of hearing individuals can access key information about how to protect
themselves and their communities. CDC is also collaborating with the CDC
Foundation, Georgia Tech’s Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation, and
their partners across HHS to pursue key improvements for all COVID-19
guidance available on CDC’s website that cannot be accessed elsewhere:
information in Braille, ASL translation, simplified text, and other
alternative formats.

*	Execute a new effort to develop at-home COVID-19 tests that are
accessible to all. The National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s RADx program
has launched a new effort to seek both short- and long-term solutions to
improve at-home test accessibility. RADx will consult and work with national
organizations who represent communities in need of accessible tests, and
test manufacturers to inform the modification or development of more
accessible at-home tests, including device design, packaging, and modes of
instruction, and challenges. Though at-home COVID-19 tests were only
invented last year, the Administration’s investment in this technology has
rapidly scaled up manufacturing to the millions per day. This effort strives
to ensure that all individuals have an option for at-home testing that can
be used and interpreted without assistance, and will set the course towards
accessible testing in the weeks and months to come.

*	Incentivize all at-home test manufacturers to prioritize
accessibility of at-home tests. The Administration has published a formal
Request for Information (RFI) to ensure the preservation and expansion of
current domestic manufacturing capacities for at-home rapid tests and
point-of-care tests. The RFI specifically asks manufacturers to prioritize
the accessibility of at-home tests for people who are blind or
visually-impaired; individuals with physical, cognitive, or other
disabilities; and individuals who need non-English language or literacy
support. The Administration will use the information gathered in March 2022
to inform near-term investments—towards ensuring that accessible at-home
tests are available for federal purchase.

*	Request accessible instructions from manufacturers who have received
a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). The
FDA has reached out to all test developers that have received an EUA to
request that they provide instructions that are accessible and compliant
with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including alternative text for all
images as well as html versions. FDA will use all authority available to
receive these accessible instructions as quickly as possible, while working
with RADx to identify other wraparound services that can be provided
immediately to make existing at-home tests more accessible.

*	Distribute masks to disabled individuals through community-based
organizations and jurisdictions. HHS will support health centers and aging
and disability networks as they collaborate on efforts to distribute N95
masks to individuals with disabilities who cannot leave their homes. As the
President announced in January 2022, the Administration is making 400
million N95 masks from the Strategic National Stockpile available to all
individuals in the United States for free. HHS is sending tens of millions
of free, high-quality masks to community health centers and rural health
clinics—organizations that play a critical role in serving communities
across the country, including individuals with disabilities.

*	Call on states to directly distribute high-quality masks through
community-based organizations serving individuals with disabilities. Over
the past year, the Administration has also sent millions of high-quality
masks to states and territories across the country. We encourage all
jurisdictions to work in partnership with community-based organizations to
expand access for the hardest-hit and highest-risk individuals—including
people with disabilities who may be unable to leave their homes.

----------

[PHOTO CAPTION: Valerie Yingling]


Requesting Alternative Format Communication from the IRS through Form 9000


by Valerie Yingling

>From the Editor: Besides the extension for the President and perhaps the
Independence Market, I suspect that none rings more than the one for
Valerie. National representatives say it repeatedly as the digits to dial to
report an act of discrimination, inquire about with whom to talk about a
potential case, or to give your thoughts about a current survey. Extension
2440 is magic, not because of the digits but because of the kind, courteous,
and competent person taking the calls. Here is the latest contribution from
Valerie, just in time for tax season:

Good news from the IRS is always welcome, including that a key term in the
NFB’s 2020 settlement agreement with the IRS is now available to blind
taxpayers. IRS Form 9000: Alternative Media Preference is newly available
for requesting notices from the IRS in large print, Braille, MP3 audio file,
plain text file, or Braille ready file.

Taxpayers can submit Form 9000 with their tax return, or can mail the form
in as a stand-alone document. Important instructions at
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-access/f9000_accessible.pdf, following the form,
include the mailing address and how to complete the form depending on your
method of submission.

As identified in the NFB’s agreement, taxpayers are not limited to the
formats listed on Form 9000. Requests for other formats will be evaluated
under requirements in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Furthermore, taxpayers are not required to use Form 9000, but can instead
request alternative format communication from the IRS by telephone:
800-829-1040. Also, taxpayers may change their request at any time. It may
take two weeks or longer for the IRS to process the alternative format
request, depending on the requesting method. In the interim, taxpayers can
call the same number (800-829-1040) for assistance with print communication
they receive from the IRS.

These developments are important, and we expect that they will prevent
situations in which inaccessible notices lead to unknown fees and penalties.
As President Riccobono stated in 2020, “We are pleased that the IRS has
recognized that both the law and fundamental fairness demand that blind
taxpayers receive notices that we can read and act upon while protecting our
privacy and preserving our independence.”

NFB members should also note that per the settlement:

*	The IRS has reviewed its policies and guidance regarding Form 843
<https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f843.pdf> , Claim for Refund and Request
for Abatement. Blind taxpayers can use Form 843 to request a refund or
reduction in taxes, interest, or penalties, including for fees resulting
from when a notice was not sent in the requested alternative format.
*	The IRS has established an Accessibility Helpline as a part of its
Alternative Media Center. Blind taxpayers can call 833-690-0598 for
accessibility assistance.
*	Twice annually for the duration of the agreement the IRS reports to
NFB discrimination complaints made by blind taxpayers. Taxpayers who
experience disability discrimination through IRS programs, including a
failure to receive requested alternative formats, can submit a complaint to
the IRS’s Civil Rights Division via email: edi.civil.rights.division at irs.gov
<mailto:edi.civil.rights.division at irs.gov> , webform:
www.irs.gov/about-irs/your-civil-rights-are-protected
<http://www.irs.gov/about-irs/your-civil-rights-are-protected> , or mail:
Operations Director, Civil Rights Division, Internal Revenue Service, Room
2413, 1111 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20224.
*	The IRS provides an overview on its website of its Alternative Media
Center and links to accessible versions of IRS publications, forms, and
instructions. Blind taxpayers can visit
https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/accessible-irs-tax-products or call
800-829-3676 to request forms, instructions, and publications in Braille or
large print.

For more information, please visit:

*	Form 9000, Alternative Media Preference:
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-access/f9000_accessible.pdf
*	Form 843, Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement:
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f843.pdf
*	IRS Alternative Media Center:
https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/information-about-the-alternative-media-cente
r
*	Accessible Forms and Publications:
https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/accessible-irs-tax-products
*	Protecting Taxpayer Civil Rights:
https://www.irs.gov/about-irs/protecting-taxpayer-civil-rights
*	July 15, 2020, IRS to Implement Process to Provide Accessible Tax
Notices to the Blind:
https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/irs-implement-process-provide-accessible
-tax-notices-blind
*	July 15, 2020, Rose v. Mnuchin Settlement Agreement:
https://nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/files-pdf/rose-v-irs-settlement-agre
ement-section-504-fully-executed-with-exhibits-ace.PDF

----------

[PHOTO CAPTION: Nathanael Wales]


But Is Voting a Blindness Issue Really?


by Nathanael Wales

>From the Editor: Nathanael Wales is a longtime member of the National
Federation of the Blind who is held in high regard by all of us who know
him. In this article he discusses the issue of voting and makes an effort to
discern what is and is not a blindness issue. This is sometimes thorny.
There are those who would contend that the requirement of a driver’s license
is not discriminatory because it is applied to the blind and the sighted
alike. Since blind people can’t get a driver’s license, this is an easily
refuted argument. Other issues are more difficult to discern. Our author has
been very kind in letting me edit his work. He was prompted to write in part
because he had problems with a resolution we passed in 2021. But, by policy,
we do not debate previously passed resolutions. We can talk about an issue
before it is policy, but once it is, the Monitor is not the place to argue
against it. Once the convention has spoken, it has articulated the view of
the Federation until our supreme body changes its mind. Here is what
Nathanael has to say:

But is voting a blindness issue really? My question is not about whether
there are blindness issues in voting, such as casting a ballot or accessing
voter registration forms. The answer to this latter question is that there
are and that there have been for decades. We have addressed them. Examples
include allowing a blind voter to bring a person of her or his or their
choice into the polling booth to pull the chosen levers of democracy decades
ago, and having accessibility to electronic voting machines and
ballot-marking machines since at least as far back as the late 1990s. I
specifically recall authoring and serving as the proponent for a resolution
on this topic in 1999, which became our Resolution 1999-19, calling upon
Congress to ensure that electronic voting machines (then very new) be
accessible to blind residents. And, of course, there are our most recent
efforts: encouraging the distribution of absentee ballots (most notably
during the COVID-19 pandemic) that can be marked and cast accessibly and
privately by blind and disabled voters. The National Federation of the Blind
has overwhelmingly agreed and led the way on these blindness issues in
voting, and I am proud to have played and to continue playing my own part in
the effort and appreciate the support and trust of fellow Federation leaders
at all levels, including Lou Ann Blake herself.

What is surprising about Ms. Blake’s article in the January 2022 Braille
Monitor is that she expresses surprise at the controversy over her and Jeff
Kaloc’s resolution, 2021-02, considered and passed by the convention. This
resolution deals with the issues of voter ID requirements and reducing the
number of locations of polling places and ballot drop boxes and days for
early voting. These issues are new to us as blindness issues, but they are
not at all new to anyone following the news over the past few years. These
issues are controversial and divide people in our nation; so, as a
cross-section of people in our country, it is no surprise to me that we were
not all of one mind. The prevention of voter fraud is a big concern to many,
whether blind or not, and I should note that no study of which I am aware
showed evidence of voter fraud that would have altered the outcome of any of
our elections.

On the issue of reducing the number of locations of polling places and
ballot drop boxes and days for early voting, the practices of states vary
widely: for example, Connecticut has never had early voting and no-excuse
absentee voting (Concerns about COVID were legislatively added as an
acceptable excuse at least in 2020 and for the short term). My fellow
Federation members and I in Connecticut didn’t believe that not having early
voting—ever—nor having to provide an excuse to vote absentee (even if that
excuse was concerns about COVID exposure) suppressed our votes; we know for
ourselves what issues for blind voters in our state are. One of my greatest
joys in having been a part of the National Federation of the Blind for some
twenty-seven years has been getting to know fellow members from every part
of our nation and from a wide diversity of backgrounds. Politically, I have
met Republicans and Democrats, Libertarians and Greens, Marxists and
Christian Democrats (Christian Democrats, for example, being the leaders in
the organization of Solidarity who drove the authoritarian, Soviet-backed
government out of Poland in the 1980s). Among this diversity of blind people
would be those who believe in states’ rights and those who believe in
distributism. Before my colleagues and I in the Federation consider taking a
side on a broadly hotly debated current issue, I remind myself of an
important point that Dr. Jernigan made in his article “Reflections on Race,
Religion, Disability, Sex, and Broader Issues” in the October 1994 Braille
Monitor. This was one of the first of many then-fresh pieces of Dr.
Jernigan’s wisdom that I read. I am struck by the beginning of his second
paragraph: “We deal with only one set of issues—those related to blindness.
As an organization we deal with nothing else.” In decisions about when to
become involved in an issue of the day, we begin by asking ourselves whether
the issue is of special concern because we are blind. If so, we engage; if
not, we leave it to members to get involved in other ways to express their
views. Remember the issue Dr. Jernigan had to wrestle with, that being the
Vietnam War? The Federation decided this was not a blindness issue or at
least decided not to resolve anything about it.

I have been heartened to read how Maurice Peret (a colleague with whom I may
have differences on matters not related to blindness—and perhaps some
surprising agreements) also takes wisdom from Dr. Jernigan’s article, and I
was glad to see it reprinted in the December issue to edify all of us.

I was concerned to read the following assertion in Ms. Blake’s article:

The exercise of our fundamental right to vote is how we, as members of the
blind civil rights movement, elect government leaders who will adopt
policies and pass legislation that may improve the ability of blind children
to receive a free and appropriate public education, improve the ability of
blind adults to receive training in the alternative techniques of blindness,
improve the ability of a blind employee to receive accommodations in the
workplace, and improve the ability of a newly blind senior to receive books
and newspapers in audio format. Any legislation that could adversely affect
our ability to exercise our fundamental right to vote is absolutely a
blindness issue because it may impede our ability to elect government
leaders who support legislation that will improve the lives of blind
Americans.

First, it seems that the word “may” does some heavy lifting in this
argument. More importantly, this assertion implies that members—and perhaps
our Federation as an organization—should support particular candidates, even
in partisan elections, presumably because those candidates have agreed to
support our positions on blindness issues such as those that Ms. Blake
lists. Are we to score candidates on their support, much like both gun
rights and gun control advocacy organizations do? I strongly suspect that
the blind vote would not sway an election anyway because we are, admittedly,
an incidental minority. I do not see that providing the sort of leadership
we’ve already earned on voting accessibility and many, many other issues
(such as, again, the ones Ms. Blake lists). I continue to believe that the
best way to achieve our legislative objectives, including all of the ones
that Ms. Blake lists, is by having positions based in facts and with the
goals of equality, security, and opportunity. Political leaders on almost
every part of the political spectrum can be convinced by the rightness of
our data and the righteous desire for equality.

Taking as an example an issue that Ms. Blake did not list, I believe that we
can—and should—convince the most conservative legislators that subminimum
wages are unequal, unfair, and not supported by ever-increasing data—even if
those same legislators are eagerly awaiting the elimination of all minimum
wages for everyone.

The concern that a person may impersonate another for her or his or their
own benefit exists in the broader society. For example, to dine indoors at a
restaurant that I frequent near my office in New York City, I was asked to
show my photo ID along with my COVID vaccine card in accordance with NYC
regulations. For months photo ID along with a vaccine card was similarly
required in Washington, DC (Ah, how I’ve missed the Holiday Inn Capitol’s
peanut butter pie the past two years). And for two decades or more photo ID
has been expected of passengers to travel by air or even by Amtrak (which
aspires to provide essential transportation to many remote communities many
hours by car from commercial airports). I think that we should do our best
to address the concerns on both sides about the issue of identification.
Maybe the way to address the blindness issues is to advocate for exceptions
for all blind people. Blind people could produce a proof of legal blindness
with their name, a determination from Social Security with their name and
address matching their voter registration, or an NLS (National Library
Service for the Blind and Print-Disabled) registration with a matching
address. For some blind veterans, perhaps a statement from the Veterans
Administration would fill the bill. Maybe, as in the case for other
programs, a statement from our doctor might meet the need. Such exceptions
could be extended to our allies and comrades with other disabilities if they
wish, much like we have done on the issue of subminimum wages. This would
simply be a request for a reasonable accommodation like those we have made
before and would fall clearly in our concern that we deal with blindness
issues.

I stand ready to carry on our decades-long work to solve blindness-related
accessibility issues in exercising our right to vote. I write with the hope
that I have stated both what we are against and what alternatives we could
consider to ensure our right to vote.

----------

[PHOTO CAPTION: Tom Page playing his guitar.]


The First Time I Never Voted


by Tom Page

>From the Editor: Tom Page is the president of the National Federation of the
Blind of Kansas, a member of our National Scholarship Committee, a musician,
and, of course, an American citizen with certain inalienable rights. Here is
what he has to say about voting:

Growing up as the child of a political scientist father and an MD mother, I
was taught the importance of voting at an early age. Until I was old enough
to wait while my parents voted (six or seven years old), my little sister
and I were in the voting booth with one or the other parent. Before their
marriage they both were active in the civil rights movement of the 1960s,
and later as a family we were actively engaged in the peace and social
justice movements of the 1970s and 1980s. I developed much of my
understanding of the nature of politics from my parents’ “hands-on” approach
for which I am grateful. I also must credit two great books that I read as a
young person which shaped my perceptions regarding voting. The first is Who
Gets What by Harold Laswell, the second is A People’s History of the United
States by Howard Zinn.

Therefore, I grew up thinking of voting as not only a mechanism to influence
policy-making; I considered it a social responsibility and a civic duty. I
remember well the first time that I voted. I was in my second semester of
college and had returned to my familiar hometown. I walked to a nearby grade
school and along the way wondered how in fact I would be able to get it
done. Will the lighting be bright enough? Will the font be large enough?
Will I be able to work the machine? These were some of the questions running
through my brain.

In 1991 I did not understand that I was blind, nor did I picture myself as
blind. I had no exposure to blindness skills. What’s more, the Help America
Vote Act had not been passed. Therefore, filled with worry and armed with
nothing but hope, I made my way to the check-in table. When I got there, a
loving voice called out “Hello, Tommy!” Come over here.” The voice belonged
to Bobbie Gonzales, one of my favorite next door neighbors. Bobbie was
familiar with my blindness (probably she was more aware than was I). She
checked me in and suggested that if I wanted, she could orient me to the
machine since this was my first voting experience. It turned out that the
buttons on the machine were soft switches with lights that lit to inform the
voter of the button’s state. Unfortunately, the buttons and lights were not
lined up to the tiny text in a way I could understand. Mrs. Gonzales saw I
was having difficulty and told me that she could run the machine for me if I
wished. I agreed to this idea, and for the next five years I continued
voting in this way. Mrs. Gonzales was there every time.

The passage of HAVA in 2002 prompted states to adopt accessible voting
machines. I was not connected with the NFB at that time, so I was unaware of
the work put in by blind Americans to pass this important legislation. Among
other things, it for the first time mandated that blind voters be able to
vote independently and privately (rights that others had enjoyed since the
1700s in the case of men, 1920 in the case of women, and 1965 in the case of
voters of color.

Although I was not part of bringing HAVA about, I certainly have benefited
from its passage. The first year that the new machines were available in
Kansas was coincidentally the year my dear old friend Mrs. Gonzales retired
as a poll worker. Thanks to her and the NFB, I never was put into the
situation so many have faced where they must trust and rely on strangers to
help them access the ballot.

I never had to face that fear in fact until the year 2020. In response to
the COVID-19 virus emergence, the state of Kansas decided to turn the
scheduled 2020 democratic primary into a mail-in-only election. Sadly, there
was little or no consideration given to accessibility for blind and print
disabled voters. This was despite many attempts by the Kansas affiliate to
draw attention to the gaps that already existed in absentee voting, early
voting, and online registration in the state. I found out about this
decision or chain of decisions when I called the party headquarters to
request an accessible ballot. Not only was I told there were no accessible
options at all; they never even sent me the inaccessible one.

This is how I came to the first time I never voted. I was, of course, not
alone. Many active NFB members in the Kansas affiliate found themselves in
the same situation. Working under Mark Riccobono’s leadership, we are taking
action to protect our rights in future elections. I sincerely hope that the
infamous spring of 2020 will be the only election in which I never voted and
that I can enjoy private and independent balloting in the future!

----------

[PHOTO CAPTION: Joanne Gabias]


The Benefits of Immersion Training


by Joanne Gabias

>From the Editor: Joanne has written several articles for the Braille
Monitor, and her speech about growing up as a child of blind parents was a
convention highlight in 2018. Here is what she has to say about the benefits
of immersion training, the pluses and minuses that spring from living with
people who already had perfected their blindness skills, and the fears of a
father who worried about his daughter going out into the world. Enjoy what
Joanne has to say:

“What if you go to Louisiana and figure out that you don’t actually want to
be an O&M?” These were the words of a worried father who was not ready to
let his little girl move to another country and 2,365 miles away from her
family.

I knew there was a chance that this career path was not going to be for me,
but I knew either way I needed to go and figure it out on my own. With the
help of my best friend and her boyfriend, like a life-sized game of Tetris,
we packed all of my belongings into my Mini Cooper along with my mattress
topper! I set off on the road with my little brother who graciously offered
to keep me company along the drive to start this new life path. Although I
have travelled all over the US and Canada as well as France, Mexico, and
Guatemala, my home address had always been in Kelowna, British Columbia,
Canada. For the first time ever, I was going to be completely on my own. For
those of you who are reading this, you may or may not know, but when you are
part of the Federation Family, you are never truly alone.

Ruston, Louisiana, is the home of the Louisiana Center for the Blind (LCB)
and the Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness (PDRIB)
at Louisiana Tech University. These two world-class institutions’ missions
are to change what it means to be blind. At LCB, this means training blind
people in the skills of blindness so that they can be successful in their
personal lives and in their professional careers. At PDRIB, they train
individuals seeking careers in the field of blindness to have the proper
skills and philosophy to be able to empower blind people and give them the
tools for success.

Ruston is a town very different from anything I had ever experienced. It is
a small town in the Bible Belt with deep Southern roots and a lot of
history. One of my favorite movies growing up was Gone with the Wind. I
always thought that it was so different from anything I would ever
experience, but when I went to Ruston, I felt like I was in a modern-day
Gone with the Wind when it came to culture, tradition, and accent. I almost
felt like I went through a time machine! The town I grew up in is very
modern, nicknamed “Kelownafornia” because it is like the California of
Canada with the beaches, tourists, golfing, and wineries. This might not be
important to many people, but when you hear of a college town, you might
think of Penn State or NYU. When you think of Louisiana, you might think of
New Orleans or Mardi Gras. If those are your expectations of Ruston, you
will feel extremely deceived. Many modern things have come to Ruston since I
left, but I remember the biggest new thing when I was there was getting a
Dairy Queen!

Since I got my undergraduate degree in anthropology, I was excited to get
the opportunity to experience a new culture, but this is not why I moved to
Ruston. I had decided that if I was going to have to move away from my
hometown and my family, I wanted to go to the best program for training
orientation and mobility instructors out there. This world-class program
just happens to be in Ruston at the Professional Development and Research
Institute on Blindness at Louisiana Tech University. I really don’t think
the faculty, students, staff, or even the community really realizes what an
amazing gem they have at their university. Because of this program, I was
given the opportunity to go through three months of immersion training at
the Louisiana Center for the Blind, another world-class gem in Ruston. This
opportunity is something that some blind people fight for years to receive.

I knew that the skills that they teach at LCB were not difficult. I watched
my parents read Braille, use the Jaws screen-reading software, travel around
the country with four children, take care of a home, and work fulltime.
There was never a doubt in my mind that these skills were attainable. I
guess I was at somewhat of an advantage because most students who come to
training do not always believe in the capabilities of blind people or at
least their own capabilities as a blind person. I was ahead of the curve in
that sense.

My difficulty was that I put unrealistic pressure on myself. It took me a
long time to get open palm. [Open palm is a cane technique in which the
handle of the cane lies in the palm and the cane is moved left and right by
the fingers and not the wrist.] I don’t think I ever used my hands like that
ever! My hands were weak. I spent my first six hours of O&M class just doing
open palm. I remember thinking that “I don’t know if I can ever be a cane
travel instructor since I can’t even hold the cane properly.” Reflecting a
bit, I don’t think I was that bad, but I believe that my instructor, Marco
Carranza, wanted to grill me. If I was going to be an instructor, I had to
master everything. He wasn’t only teaching me, but he was teaching all my
future students. I will forever be thankful for these trials that he put me
through because I would not be the instructor I am today if he didn’t push
me personally to be the best traveler I could be.

My instructor also helped me realize that mastery takes time, and it is okay
to struggle. When I finally made it outside, I was tasked to walk from the
corner of Trenton and Railroad east to the corner of Vienna and Railroad and
back. I am a perfectionist, so after letting myself practice the first
couple of times, I was no longer happy with my progress. Why am I struggling
to walk up and down a sidewalk? I have watched my parents gracefully walk my
whole life, and here I am, stumbling around like a drunk person. My
instructor noticed my frustration and finally stopped me. He said, “I know
you have known blind people your whole life. How long do you think they have
been working on their skills?” Well, my parents didn’t get their canes until
they were in their late teens because, even though they were totally blind
since birth, back then you didn’t give canes to kids or even teenagers until
they were “responsible” enough to use them. That being said, they had been
using a cane for at least a good twenty years before I came along. Then he
asked me how long I had been using a cane? At that point I had only been at
the center for two weeks. He said, “How can you expect yourself to be as
good as me or your parents in just two weeks? Give yourself time to learn.”
After that conversation, not only did I let myself learn, experience, and
struggle. I gave myself the permission to thrive!

The next class in which I probably learned the most was in home management.
I had already learned how to cook and clean from my mother, so I didn’t
really learn many new skills or techniques. But I did learn a lot about the
individuality of students and how much your life experiences can affect you.
My first day in the kitchen was also the first day that Arlene Hill started
teaching kitchen after retiring from decades of teaching travel. We worked
together to learn the layout of the kitchen. Arlene did not like how the
kitchen was organized and decided that, together with the students, we would
organize it in a way that seemed to function better. This taught me that you
do not always have to keep the status quo and that you can always make
adjustments for the betterment of everyone. As an instructor, you learn the
skills and techniques that are to be taught to the students, but you have to
make those your own, and give yourself the opportunity to be the best
teacher you can be. If students could learn just from a textbook, we
wouldn’t need instructors. The instructor’s individuality, dedication, and
problem-solving skills are just as important as the skills themselves.

There is always this misconception that visual skills are superior to
non-visual skills. This is always expressed by students in home management
class, especially if they used to cook before losing their vision. I
remember one day Ms. Arlene told me “Okay, I am going to teach you the
non-visual way of doing X.” I can’t even remember what it was. All I can
remember was my response.

“That is the way I have always done it. What is the visual way of doing it?”
Everything I learned to do in the kitchen was from my mother. My mother only
knows how to check things non-visually, so this is the way she taught me. I
never knew there was any other way. We never talked about the visual or
non-visual way of doing things. It was just the way to function in the
kitchen. These skills will be what I teach my future children. They have
always been efficient for me, and in the end, efficiency is all that
matters, no matter if it is visual or non-visual.

In Braille, to be frank, I was always exhausted. I usually had it at the end
of the day after all of my other classes, so it was really hard for me to
stay alert. My sole interest in Braille at the time of my immersion was to
be able to discern all the Braille that was in my parents’ house. I always
thought that, when my parents passed away, I would have to hire a Braille
reader to come and help me sort through all of it to settle their estate. I
couldn’t tell the difference between my dad’s lecture notes, a recipe book,
or a love letter. My parents never taught us kids Braille because they were
so concerned to teach us print. My grandmother was not happy that my father
married a blind woman because she thought that their kids would not learn to
do things visually. This is an obnoxious thought since no one teaches people
how to use vision unless you are already blind and people are trying to make
you use your unreliable vision. Nevertheless, my parents focused on teaching
us print. I thought Braille was cool, but I never thought to learn it myself
while growing up. You would think that I would’ve learned at least how to
read my own name so I could figure out which presents from Santa were for
me. Instead, until I went to LCB as a graduate student, I would always shove
the present into my parents’ hands saying “what does this one say?”

I wish I had focused more on Braille during immersion because, immediately
after I finished my immersion training, I was informed that Louisiana Tech
was going to start the rehab teaching program, and I could get dual
certified, which I decided to do. If I had focused more during training, I
wouldn’t have had to work as hard to learn the whole Braille code in nine
weeks during the Braille 1 course while taking two other graduate level
classes and teaching orientation and mobility during the day. This really
taught me never to take any opportunity for granted because you never know
when it will be useful to you.

I remember my first day of computers so vividly. My instructor, Jewels,
wanted me to set up my account to be able to access the computer. I turned
it on, and JAWS started talking. Jewels asked me a very simple question that
I know is the bane of every student’s existence in computer class: “What did
JAWS say?” I had been hearing JAWS for as long as we have had a computer in
our home. To me, JAWS is the most annoying sound, and I literally taught
myself to tune it out. My friends would assume that my mother was listening
to her JAWS in French because it was so fast that it was not discernable to
the untrained ear. I told my instructor, “I have no idea what it said; I
have literally spent my whole life trying to ignore JAWS.” It took me some
time to train myself to pay attention to what it was telling me, but I am so
happy I did. I wish I had learned to use screen readers in college. I have
never been a fast reader, and because I worked full-time while going to
school full-time, by the time I sat down to read all the chapters and
articles I needed, I was so exhausted that I would fall asleep with my book
as a pillow. I would’ve saved so much time and energy as an undergrad if I
had learned to use it. To this day, if I get a long email, I usually turn on
VoiceOver on my phone to read it because I can read it ten times faster than
if I do it visually. I would like to note that I have 20/15 vision, which is
above average, but even though it is so good, this non-visual technique is
far superior in my life experience.

The class that most people do not understand is industrial arts or shop
class. Its functionality especially eludes VR counselors who don’t see its
utility and just want students to get job skills. In this class you learn to
use power tools and do everything from building something to taking on a bit
of home maintenance. Creating something from nothing is such a powerful
experience. I had never used power tools or done any type of woodworking
before. But the perfectionist in me loved the precision required in using
these tools to make things. I loved the fact that it was not only my hands
but my mind that created the beautiful Braille blocks that I still have to
this day. I have kept every single one of them. This class let me just focus
on the task at hand and made me forget about everything else that was
happening outside of that moment. As in travel, you have to remain focused.

I did not get to do a final project like most students get to do in their
nine- month program, but I was determined to finish all my Braille blocks
before the end of my immersion because I wanted to learn the home
maintenance piece. My dad has always been of the mindset that you should
make enough money that you can pay someone to deal with your maintenance
needs. I have always been of the mindset that I want to know how things
work, and then I can choose whether or not I want to do it on my own. In my
opinion, the lack of knowledge is your worst enemy because it deprives you
of choice. Even if you don’t want to do it yourself, you need to make sure
that you know enough to know when someone is cheating you. Unfortunately, in
this world people pray on the naïve. I am a natural blonde, and the thing I
hate most in life are dumb blonde jokes. I even dyed my hair for almost ten
years dark brown so that I was not associated with the misconceptions about
blondes. In the last year or so, I returned to my natural color. After years
of telling my students that the misconceptions about blindness do not have
to define you, I realized I was being a hypocrite and needed to own my
blonde because blonde does not define me. Also, it was way less maintenance
to keep it natural than trying to fake it.

This leads into the last class at LCB, which they call Seminar. Some places
call it Business Class; where I work we call it the Positive Philosophy of
Blindness Class or Philosophy for short. No matter what you call it, this is
the class that really works to get at the root of everything, especially the
misconceptions about blindness.

Growing up with competent, independent blind people, I never held the
misconceptions about blind people that are all too common. I had to deal
with other people’s misconceptions, but I had already lived the truth about
blindness every day, so people couldn’t tell me blind people can’t cook when
my mom made me my school lunch every day until the day I graduated from high
school. People couldn’t tell me that blind people can’t be successful when
my dad was a university professor, on the board of trustees for the
provincial French school board, and recipient of an honorary doctorate for
his advocacy efforts for blind Canadians. This class was extremely
interesting for me because it gave me an opportunity to connect with people
who did not live through the same life experiences as I have and who were
struggling with their blindness or struggling with getting their family or
society to accept their blindness. I think this class isn’t only about
listening to the subject matter, but the power of this class is to listen to
the other students and staff members for their thoughts on the topic at
hand. I think we have power in numbers, and being able to talk about the
issues of the day, of society, or of the blindness community is so important
for the emotional adjustment to blindness. Students might start off as the
ones who need to be mentored, but throughout the program the students start
becoming mentors to each other.

I am not going to tell you that everything was easy for me. I had my fair
share of struggles. A few times my dad said, “why are you putting up with
this? Just come home!” First off, I am not a quitter. But, more importantly,
the skills I was learning during training were not simply to become a good
O&M instructor; they were helping me become a better human being. I was
learning how to think critically about situations in ways that I had never
done before. I was learning problem-solving skills that I use in my personal
life every single day. I was learning how to gather information, filter
information, and advocate for what I needed. These skills are not limited
only to the blind who want to succeed. These are the skills that all
successful people possess. These are skills that I think everyone should
gain. Before I went to training, while I was in training, and even to this
day, I think that every single person should go through the training that is
offered at LCB whether you are sighted or blind because the skills that you
learn are the skills to help you succeed at life; the blindness part is just
an added bonus.

It has been over seven years since I went to LCB for my immersion training.
Currently, I am the deputy operations officer at Southern Arizona
Association for the Visually Impaired Services for the Blind in Arizona. I
often think back on my experiences during my immersion. These experiences
have made me a better teacher, a better mentor, and a better staff trainer.
Professionally, the experience was crucial to my success and to the success
of my future students. I know so many people who think they want to go into
the field of blindness. But when they realize they must move to Ruston for
fifteen months to get their graduate degree, they have a tendency to change
their mind. Ruston is not the hip town of Los Angeles or fast-paced like New
York City. There are not a lot of shopping options, but you have a lot of
options when choosing a church. Public transportation is lacking, but the
variety of the food you can get is slowly improving. Now I must tell you
that if these are the requirements for you to go into the blindness field,
choose another profession. But, if working with the blind as a teacher of
blind students, a rehabilitation teacher, or an orientation and mobility
instructor is your goal, you could not find a better program to help you
become the best teacher you can be. None exists anywhere else in the world.

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[PHOTO CAPTION: Edward Bell]


Update on the National Blindness Professional Certification Board


by Edward Bell

>From the Editor: Dr. Edward Bell, or Eddie as many of us have known him, is
the director of our certification program for professionals working with and
for blind people. He has been the bridge between the philosophy of a
people’s movement and the hallowed halls of academia where skills and
attitudes are presented to minds who will share them with the people they
serve. Here is Dr. Bell’s update on a program that means so much to people
wanting to work in our field and to those of us who are the beneficiaries of
their caring, innovation, and talent:

The National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB) was
incorporated in June of 2001 for the purpose of certifying individuals who
work with adults and children who are blind or low vision in education and
rehabilitation. The certification board provides certification for
professionals trained in the use of Structured Discovery methods and
principles. This training is grounded in a consumer-based perspective that
emphasizes that people with significant sight loss are normal people who can
learn to use alternative skills and techniques to function competently and
be productive members of their communities.

At present, NBPCB oversees three certifications which are based on
Structured Discovery Training—the National Orientation and Mobility
Certification (NOMC), National Certification in Rehabilitation Teaching for
the Blind (NCRTB), and the National Certification in Access Technology for
the Blind (NCATB). Additionally, the board oversees one credential that
measures Braille proficiency—the National Certification in Unified English
Braille (NCUEB). NBPCB also credentials community-based
rehabilitation-training programs which conduct immersion and training of
Structured Discovery professionals and provide adjustment training for those
experiencing significant sight loss—Certified Structured Discovery Training
Centers (CSDTC).

The NOMC Certification is a five-year renewable certification and is the
only certification which can attest to an individual’s having met rigorous
standards in the area of orientation and mobility teaching for the blind
using Structured Discovery Cane Travel™ methods and principles. The NCRTB
Certification is a five-year renewable certification and is the only
certification which can attest to an individual’s having met rigorous
standards in the area of rehabilitation teaching for the blind using
Structured Discovery methods and principles.

The NCATB Certification is a three-year renewable certification and is the
only certification which can attest to an individual's having met rigorous
standards in the area of teaching access and mainstream technology using
Structured Discovery methods and principles. 

The NCUEB is a five-year renewable certification that is specifically
intended for professionals working with blind children or adults. This
certification is not Structured Discovery-based, but attests only to the
skill and knowledge in the use of Braille. Actual teaching ability is not
assessed.

The Certified Structured Discovery Training Center (CSDTC) certification is
a three-year renewal accreditation. Facilities holding this designation have
demonstrated their use of Structured Discovery methods and principles and
are approved to provide immersion, apprenticeship, and internship
opportunities for individuals training to become Structured Discovery
Professionals.

The National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB) also
maintains a Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is a public statement of
the common set of values and principles used to promote and maintain high
standards of behavior among those specialists in work with the blind who
elect and are accepted to become Structured Discovery (SD) Professionals or
those training facilities that are certified through this Board's
certification processes.

During 2021, we made important changes to our procedures and policies that
we feel better address the expectations we have for those whom we certify.
Specifically, we want to be sure that proper Structured Discovery principles
are practiced throughout the training experience. In addition, we made
significant changes to our Code of Conduct, and we believe that it now more
fully embodies our expectations for the professional and personal behavior
of those who have successfully earned our Structured Discovery
certifications. The Code of Conduct, our grievance process, and verification
of SD professionals can be found by visiting our website, nbpcb.org.

If you, or someone you know feels that you may have been harmed by a
professional who holds Structured Discovery certification through the NBPCB,
please visit our web page and look under the link for the Code of Conduct to
learn about our grievance process and how to file a complaint. If you are
not certain whether an individual is currently certified through our
organization, you can verify the certification status of any individual on
this web page as well by visiting the link called “verify professional
certification” and typing in the last name of any person to check their
current status with our organization.

If you represent an agency, school, or other employer who hires Structured
Discovery Professionals, we would like to encourage you to put a link to our
Code of Conduct on your web page or other prominent announcement lists. If
you have any general questions about our organization, you may visit
www.nbpcb.org <http://www.nbpcb.org>  or contact us at PO Box 2373, Ruston,
LA 71273. You may call us at 318-299-7340 or write to us through email at
admin at nbpcb.org <mailto:admin at nbpcb.org> .

While NBPCB has always maintained a good working relationship with the
National Federation of the Blind, stakeholders should understand that the
NFB is an entirely separate organization and operates independently from our
organization. We recognize that our shared values and commitment to
bettering the lives of blind individuals make us complementary allies, but
the NFB is not responsible for any aspect of our certification or any
decisions that we make as a certifying body, nor do we hold authority over
any NFB member, other than those specifically certified through our
organization.

We invite members of the community to become familiar with our organization
and the programs we offer. If you have suggestions on how we can improve our
services, increase transparency of our policies and procedures, or improve
our communication with our stakeholders, we would be glad to hear from you.
Please call, email, or write with any comments or suggestions that you have
for improving our services to ensure the highest quality of professionals
who work with individuals who are blind or low vision.

----------


Who Speaks For the 1Touch Project, and Why Should We Care?


by Stephen Hanschu

>From the Editor: Anyone who has been around the Federation long is familiar
with Stephen. He is known as an artist, a former chapter president, and has
served a number of times on his affiliate’s board of directors. He now is
the president of the 1Touch Board of Directors, and it is in this capacity
that he writes to warn people about associating with its former director,
Stephen Nicholls. Near the end of this article, I will add comments made by
Mr. Nicholls in response to the Braille Monitor seeking him out. First, here
is what Stephen Hanschu has to say:

Many Federationists know the 1Touch Project organization through the
self-defense seminars it has held at our national conventions. That is how I
met the 1Touch Project. For most of us, these seminars were energizing. No
one can teach or learn comprehensive self-defense in two hours. But these
seminars did show that we, blind people, could learn to defend ourselves. We
were shown basic principles of self-defense: how to recognize, avoid, leave,
escape from, and defend ourselves from violence and unwanted attention.

For me, meeting 1Touch was life-changing. For years I attended every
convention seminar that I could fit into my schedule. In 2017 I took the
1Touch Certification Course. Several months later I became a certified
1Touch coach and began teaching ongoing classes in metro Detroit. In the
fall of 2019 I was asked to join the 1Touch Board of Directors, by Mr.
Stephen Nicholls. Mr. Nicholls is the founder of the 1Touch Project, and he
was the director at that time. Several weeks later I became the 1Touch
Project president.

But from the moment I joined the Board of Directors, it became clear to me
that things were not what they should be inside the 1Touch Project
organization. Since much of this article will be critical of Stephen
Nicholls, I want to state clearly that Mr. Nicholls did found the 1Touch
organization. He worked very hard to link his name to the 1Touch Project so
that one could hardly think of one without the other. When he asked me to
become part of the board, I felt honored. I considered him to be both my
teacher and friend. I looked forward to years of productive collaboration
with him, having spent years furthering the organization’s mission, this
mission being the creation and maintenance of a national organization whose
purpose is to develop a practical system of self-defense for blind people,
to develop teaching methods that are blind-friendly, and to certify
instructors of this system. I continue to believe in this important mission;
therefore, it is with the greatest sadness that I tell you that I have come
to believe that, due to his own behavior, Mr. Stephen Nicholls has made it
impossible to further this mission through the 1Touch Project. I further
believe that continuing to associate myself with him would place my own
reputation in jeopardy.

By March 2020 the 1Touch Board of Directors terminated Mr. Nicholls’s
position as director, board member, and coach. They also severed any and all
connection between himself and the 1Touch organization. Unfortunately, he
continues to claim that he is still the director of the 1Touch Project. This
preposterous behavior has forced us to release the following statement
publicly. We believe it documents the true situation of the 1Touch Project.


PUBLIC STATEMENT


1.	It has become apparent to the members of the Board of Directors of
the 1Touch Project, Inc. that it is both desirable and necessary to publish
a position statement regarding the status of the Organization. This
necessity has been forced upon us by the former Executive Director and
founder of 1Touch Project, Stephen Henry Nicholls.
2.	The previous board of directors resigned their positions during
2019, more than one of them citing the conduct of Mr. Nicholls as pivotal to
their decision to resign. Late in 2019 Mr. Nicholls approached Messrs.
Handschu, Kociaba, and Levins with a request for each of them to support him
by becoming members of the board of directors. Shortly after adopting these
positions these new directors were again approached by Mr. Nicholls and
asked, in the spirit of compassion, to authorize “reasonable living
expenses.” The board voted to support Mr. Nicholls’ request for “reasonable
living expenses” primarily on the basis of his statement to the individual
members of the board that he was “owed” in the region of $40,000 in unpaid
salary.
3.	Shortly after acceding to the request from Mr. Nicholls, it became
apparent to Messrs. Handschu, Kociaba, and Levins that they were operating
without any formal documentation. Accordingly, soon thereafter, their
positions were formally ratified by the signing of contracts empowering them
as directors of the company.
4.	The board, now being properly constituted, ratified all decisions
made during the informal period of engagement and proceeded to strengthen
their number with the addition of two further directors in the persons of
Mark Melonson and Richard Warner. It is worthy of note that Mr. Melonson
previously terminated his involvement with 1Touch Project, Inc., due to the
conduct of Mr. Nicholls as has been stated to the other members of the board
of directors.
5.	With the advent of the pandemic, the board decided to suspend all
operations of the organization as it seemed at the time and indeed
ultimately proved to be the case that face-to-face tuition or training would
be impractical for some months to come.
6.	As part of the process of suspending operations, the board chose to
undertake a high level audit of finances, looking primarily for outstanding
matters that may have been inadvertently overlooked by the previous
administration. Two things came to light almost immediately:

a.	The previous board of directors had taken its fiduciary
responsibility seriously and had prudently chosen to suspend Mr. Nicholl’s
pay until such time as the organization could afford to resume paying him.
Mr. Stephen Nicholls was properly informed of this decision and as such
there can be no suggestion of any salary being owed to him, as all financial
compensation had been suspended.
b.	The money that had been present in the organization’s account only a
few weeks previously was being eroded at an alarming rate. The board
immediately instituted a comprehensive analysis of 1Touch Project, Inc.,
financial affairs.

7.	Furthermore, the properly constituted board of directors resolved to
remove Mr. Nicholls not only from its number but from any position of
authority or employment with 1Touch Project, Inc. This resolution was made
at the explicit request of Mr. Nicholls himself, to enable him to claim
unemployment benefits in the State of California; furthermore, it was done
with unanimous support from the board of directors.
8.	The aforementioned financial analysis quickly identified the
fiduciary malfeasance of Mr. Stephen Henry Nicholls in that he and he alone
had all but drained the finances of 1Touch Project over the period of just
three months from being granted “reasonable living expenses.” The extent of
his misappropriation of not-for-profit funds for purposes other than
“reasonable living expenses” including:

a.	Significant cash withdrawals in the order of 000’s (thousands) of
dollars from a cash point in a bar local to his residence. The times showed
that he was making multiple withdrawals on the same day separated by a few
hours from within the same drinking establishment.
b.	Mr. Nicholls paid personal tax liabilities directly from 1Touch
Project, Inc., funds.
c.	Mr. Nicholls paid administrative fines for the re-registration of an
overseas company direct to the government of the United Kingdom, there being
no relationship between 1Touch Project, Inc., and 1Touch Project CIC, a
company registered in England and Wales.
d.	This constitutes Mr. Nicholls using 1Touch Project, Inc., funds to
provide a vehicle for the maintenance in his sole name of a trademark for
the use of the word 1Touch relating to printed or video training materials.

9.	This document is being released to maintain the integrity of the
history of the 1Touch Project, Inc. The board of directors acknowledges that
Stephen Henry Nicholls founded 1Touch and demonstrated the vision to
anticipate the need for self-defense training within the visually impaired
community. We further acknowledge that he will always be the founder of this
organization, but we must also state that Stephen Henry Nicholls is no
longer associated with or in any way represents 1Touch Project, Inc., his
conduct toward the organization having precluded any possible hope of
reconciliation. We remain committed to provide a resource for signposting
members of the visually impaired community to the most appropriate avenues
for them to access self-defense training in the United States.
10.	If any party wishes to see documentary evidence of any of the
assertions contained within this document, that evidence will be provided
upon receipt of a written request for the same.

MK Levins Esq.

Secretary

For and on Behalf of the Board of Directors, 1Touch Project, Inc.

This should answer the question of who speaks for 1Touch Project. Now the
other question posed in the title, “Why does it matter.” Teaching
self-defense is a serious business. You owe it to yourself to make sure that
the person you choose to train with is of the highest competence and
integrity. You need to be able to learn in a safe, secure environment. The
public statement describes Stephen Nichols behavior toward the organization.
There have also been repeated charges against him, including inappropriate
behavior towards women, intoxication at 1Touch events, and other
inappropriate treatment of students. Many of these charges are difficult to
substantiate because the victims were unwilling to undergo formal or public
investigations. Sadly, there have been too many charges over too many years
to ignore safely. Stephen presents himself as an expert in “conflict
resolution.” But the history of 1Touch under his leadership has been filled
with conflict and controversy. We on the board were fooled, as were many
others. We feel that we are ethically bound to warn the blind community that
they should look very carefully before training with Mr. Nicholls or anyone
who claims to be teaching under the 1Touch banner.

So where do you go if you are blind and want self-defense training? There is
a lot to be said on this subject. It deserves an article of its own. Some of
the questions are: What is the difference between a self-defense system and
a martial art? How do you choose your instructor? Can blind people train in
a regular martial arts school? If we can find training with sighted people,
are there benefits training in a system designed for a blind person? I will
try to answer the first question and leave the other ones for another
article.

As our public statement said, 1Touch now has a two-part mission:

1. To maintain the 1Touch archives and tell the true history of this once
important movement.

2. To be a referral agency for people who seek competent self-defense
training.

In this spirit, I would refer all interested blind people to the SEED
program. SEED stands for Safety Education Empowering Defense. SEED is a
project within a larger organization named “Strive For You.” At this time
Strive’s other focus is adaptive sports. There are also plans for a third
project that will deal with advocacy, life skills, and reasonable
accommodation training. It is the SEED program that I am talking about. It
is very new. Our Director, Amy Wilson, is fond of reminding us that it is a
work in progress. SEED promises to be a far more robust program for blind
people’s self-defense than any of us have seen before. I can’t stress too
much the fact that SEED is nothing like 1Touch. Comparing the two programs
would be like comparing Waterford Crystal to Tupperware. It is an entirely
new program.

There are two components in the SEED program. One is the safety education
program. This deals with all the non-physical aspects of personal safety and
defense. These include recognizing, avoiding, and de-escalating problematic
situations; how to make your home secure; how to stay safe in school, in the
workplace or the street, and lots more. The other component is the physical
techniques that you need to protect yourself. To become a SEED certified
self-defense instructor, you must take and pass both of these components. It
is also possible to become a safety education instructor, in which case you
need not study the physical aspects of the program. SEED has far higher
standards for certification of instructors than any previous program. There
are far more training opportunities than programs of the past have offered.
Student instructors get far more support than has been available in the
past. At this time SEED is a system created by the blind for the blind.
Since the larger organization, Strive For You, is a cross disability
organization, the system will be expanded to serve people with other
disabilities in the future. That need not frighten anybody away. With the
exception of two sighted instructors and one student, SEED is entirely
blind. I have no doubt that it will be hugely beneficial to us as it
develops. Having said all this, you will not be surprised that I am a
student instructor in the SEED program.

In the beginning of this article I said that finding the 1Touch organization
changed my life. That is true, even though it never lived up to its promise.
We blind people are resilient. When 1Touch failed us, we buckled down and
created SEED. I encourage all of you to join us in making it work. We are
determined not to live in or repeat the mistakes of the past.

Editor’s Note: Given that this article focused so much on Stephen Nicholls
and his relationship with 1Touch, the Braille Monitor called on him for
comment. For this he expressed tremendous appreciation, saying that he has
not been accorded such courtesy by others. He did not wish to write anything
in response to the article, but he did ask that we acknowledge his response.
We have paraphrased what he said:

Stephen Nicholls: I have been at this business for twelve years and have
helped countless blind people. I am very hurt by the allegations that now
surround my name, and I have not yet decided whether to contest their
truthfulness or forget it and leave the project alone. I don’t mind
accusations, but there should be due process, and this I have been
completely denied. I still claim a relationship with 1Touch, an organization
which is incorporated in Britain as a community interest company (CIC). The
corporation I head is neither a for-profit nor not-for-profit corporation,
but under British law its dividends are strictly limited. I find that the
charges that have been leveled against me are extremely vague. I have never
threatened or slandered anyone, nor am I guilty of any kind of sexual
misconduct. Contrary to what is rumored, I have no problem with alcohol, and
anyone caught drinking during a program or even while in 1Touch clothing was
immediately removed from the program. If you plan to provide contact
information for those who purport to be the board of directors for 1Touch, I
ask that you do me the same courtesy and list my contact information.
[Editor: This concludes his remarks.]

Those who want to contact the 1Touch Project can reach them at
boardofdirectors at 1touchproject.org
<mailto:boardofdirectors at 1touchproject.org> .

Those who wish to learn more about the SEED program can contact us at Amy
Wilson seed.director at strive4you.org <mailto:seed.director at strive4you.org> .

You can reach Stephen Nicholls at director at 1touchproject.com
<mailto:director at 1touchproject.com> .

----------

[PHOTO CAPTION: Karl Belanger]


The BrailleSense 6: Better, Faster, Familiar


by Karl Belanger

>From the Editor: Karl is a skilled user of technology who works for us at
the Jernigan Institute. I use the equipment he critiques here, and this is a
fantastic evaluation and a good piece of information for anyone looking for
a notetaker. Here is what Karl said in a blog post that appeared on Monday,
January 10, 2022:

The BrailleSense 6 is the latest in the BrailleSense line of notetakers from
HIMS. The unit is an upgrade from the BrailleSense Polaris and shares a very
similar look and feel. The 6 now runs on Android 10, has an Octa-core
processor, six gigabytes of RAM, Bluetooth 5.1, and now has multiple USB-C
ports. If you have used any BrailleSense model over the years, the interface
will be very familiar, and if you used the Polaris, the Android
implementation will be just about the same, only supporting more apps due to
the updated version of Android. Some have expressed concerns about a new
device launching with a version of Android that is already two years old.
While this concern is not entirely unfounded, with how fragmented Android is
and the number of devices running older versions of Android still on the
market, the impact should be fairly minimal.

Physical Description

The BrailleSense 6 shares many physical characteristics with the
BrailleSense Polaris. The top of the unit contains the Perkins keyboard with
Control and Alt on either side of the spacebar, F1 and F2 to the far left,
and F3 and F4 to the far right. The function keys previously were much lower
to the case and were very distinguishable from the other keys. On this unit,
the function keys look similar to the Control and Alt keys, making it harder
to tell them apart. In front of the keyboard is the Braille display with the
usual two panning buttons on either end and the cursor routing buttons above
each cell. Behind the keyboard are the two speakers with an LCD screen in
the middle. The left side of the unit has the volume buttons closest to the
front, followed by the headphone and microphone jacks, which have the
Braille letters H and M above them to distinguish each jack, and an SD-Card
slot. The only thing on the back is a standard USB port a couple of inches
in from the left side. The right side has another standard USB port in the
middle, with two USB-C ports, one on either side. The one toward the back of
the unit is intended for charging the unit and connecting to computers and
has a Braille P embossed above it, while the one toward the front, labeled
with a Braille V, is used for video out and connecting to other accessories.
The front panel, from left to right, contains the slider switch for key
lock, then the mode switch for the media keys, followed by the media keys
themselves, and lastly the power button. The bottom of the unit has the
serial number in print and Braille near the front edge, then the battery
taking up a large portion of the back half of the bottom, and the camera to
the right of the battery. The case, just like the one for the Polaris, snaps
over the unit. Most of both sides are cut out, exposing the USB and other
ports. There is also a cutout on the bottom for the camera. The cover folds
over from the back and attaches magnetically, and there are two metal rings
on the front corners to attach the shoulder strap.

Basic Operation

Once you turn on the unit by pressing the power button for a couple of
seconds, the BrailleSense goes through a boot sequence, then comes up to the
main menu. As mentioned earlier, the main menu will instantly be familiar to
any user of a previous BrailleSense product. The BrailleSense series also
stays very close to the common Braille display commands, with Space+Dot1 and
Space+Dot4 to move up and down the menu or a document, Space+Dot4,5 for Tab
and Space+Dot1,2 for Shift+Tab. Space+E functions like Escape, and Space+Z
functions similarly to Alt+F4. This will make it easy for users of other
displays to pick up and use the BrailleSense with a minimal learning curve.

The File Manager is the first item in the main menu, then Word Processor and
Notepad, then the other options that are traditionally on the BrailleSense
menu. The Play Store is near the bottom of the menu, as well as an all apps
menu, which displays all installed Android apps.

Factory Resetting the BrailleSense 6

If you need to wipe the unit for any reason, you can use the Android Backup
and Reset option from the BrailleSense settings. Once the unit has been
reset, it brings up the Android setup screens. While these are accessible,
if a user is buying a unit second hand and is not familiar with how the
BrailleSense handles Android applications, they may have some difficulties.
It may be worth putting in a brief tutorial that discusses Android
navigation at the start of this process.

File Manager

The File manager lets you access the internal storage, called the Flashdisk,
as well as any USB drives or SD cards you have inserted. It is also possible
to connect your Google Drive account and manage files from there like any
other drive. All the expected file operations are there, including copying
and moving files and folders, opening files in specific programs, and more.

Word Processor and Notepad

The BrailleSense contains two similar programs for writing documents, Word
Processor and Notepad. The Word Processor is designed for handling more
complex documents, and can open Word, PDF and PowerPoint files. The Notepad,
in contrast, is designed for text files and handles TXT and Braille files.
It lacks many of the formatting options that the Word Processor has, and it
is intended for creating .brf files for embossing and documents without much
formatting. Unfortunately, this is not entirely clear unless you take the
time to look at the different settings and even these may confuse some
users. While you cannot save in all formats in both programs, both will open
most file types. This could potentially result in issues if, for example, a
user opens a heavily formatted document in the Notepad, makes an edit, and
saves the document. They will lose some of the formatting, requiring more
editing later.

BrailleSense Math

Introduced with the Polaris, the math application allows for writing
equations in Nemeth or UEB math. You can then graph the equation, and insert
it into the Word Processor for doing math assignments or technical
documents. You can also enter Math Mode directly from the Word Processor,
type your equation and have it inserted directly. Despite the limitations of
the single line display, the math app does an excellent job of conveying the
shape of the graph. Students at all levels of math should find this utility
very useful.

Other Internal Programs

Just as on previous BrailleSense models, the expected programs are all here.
Email, web browser, Google search, Daisy player, FM radio, address manager,
and more all make their appearance. Most of the programs are relatively
unchanged, with a few exceptions. Email now handles exchange accounts
without needing a separate app, the Dictionary app is now included, and the
Bible app is now freely downloadable. There is also now a dedicated
Bookshare downloader, a document reader, and a podcasts app. If you are
familiar with any of these on previous models, you will be instantly
comfortable with them on the BrailleSense 6.

Android Apps

One of the biggest changes on the BrailleSense 6 is that it is now running
Android 10 instead of Android 5 on the Polaris. This means that many more
apps are compatible this time, and things generally run much more smoothly.
Whether watching YouTube, reading books, or playing games, the Android
performance on the BrailleSense 6 handled it well. There are just a couple
areas where things could be improved. First, when focused on changing
content such as a download progress, video timer, or a resource counter in a
game, the content doesn’t automatically update on the Braille display. It
would be nice if the Braille display could keep current, just as in the
clock and other internal programs on the BrailleSense. Second, while it is
possible to disable the mobile screen reader for self-voicing applications,
there is no actual way to control the application unless you attach an
external keyboard or other device. Once you do, it’s possible to use those
applications, including fairly demanding games, with no issue. It would be
nice to have the keyboard work for at least computer Braille and basic
navigation when the screen reader is off. The app keys could also function
as up, down, right, left, and Enter, to help enable self-voicing apps.

Using External Accessories with the BrailleSense 6

The BrailleSense 6 works with a variety of accessories. As long as it works
with a modern Android device, it will likely work with the BrailleSense.
While we did not have many devices to test with, HIMS has produced videos
demonstrating USB-C accessories. We did test with a Logitech wireless
keyboard and the BrailleSense recognized the USB receiver immediately. The
unit also works well with Bluetooth headsets, which can be paired through
the Bluetooth manager in the settings menu.

Conclusion

The BrailleSense 6 is a very capable device for any blind student or
professional who wants an all-in-one device for productivity and gaming.
While a Braille display and a smartphone is still the cheaper option by a
good margin, there is definitely something to be said for the convenience of
everything in one device designed for accessibility. While it is slightly
concerning that the BrailleSense launched with a version of Android that is
already nominally out of date, the impact is very minor, and HIMS has stated
that they will update the version of Android in the future. If you’re a
current Polaris user, the BrailleSense 6 is worth the upgrade for the
significantly improved performance and app compatibility.

----------


Recipes


Recipes this month were contributed by members of the National Federation of
the Blind of Texas.

Instant Pot Mac & Cheese

by Norma Crosby

Ingredients:

16 ounces dried elbow pasta (2 cups)

2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth

2 cups water

2 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon dried mustard powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (mild, medium, or sharp—use personal
favorite)

1 cup shredded colby-jack cheese

1/2 - 1 cup heavy cream

Method: Add the dried pasta, chicken broth, water, butter, hot sauce, salt,
garlic powder, pepper, smoked paprika, dried mustard, and onion powder to
the liner of an Instant Pot. Use a wooden spoon to gently press down to make
sure all pasta is submerged in the liquid. Don't stir. Secure Instant Pot
lid, making sure the valve is set to "sealing." Press the Pressure Cook or
Manual button and use the +/- buttons to set the timer for four minutes.

Once the timer beeps, let out the pressure by carefully moving the valve to
“venting" to perform a quick release. Be aware, this recipe is starchy, and
can sputter quite a bit when venting. I usually place a folded paper towel
loosely over the vent to prevent any kitchen messes. When the pin drops,
remove lid and set aside. Turn the Instant Pot OFF to avoid overcooking your
pasta. There will be some water left in your pot—don't drain it. This helps
create the smooth, cheesy sauce. Add heavy cream and stir. Add in cheeses, a
handful or so at a time, stirring after each addition. Keep stirring until
they have completely melted into a creamy sauce. As a side note, this mac
and cheese does thicken as it sits, so if it seems on the thin side—just let
it sit for a minute or so, and it will thicken up. Taste and adjust
seasoning if necessary.

Notes:

1. Other cheeses may be used—gruyere, gouda, fontina, mozzarella, monterey
jack, colby, or all cheddar. These are all good melting cheeses and will
give you a smooth sauce.

2. You may need slightly more or slightly less heavy cream.

3. Prep time does not account for the time your pot takes to come up to
pressure or the time it takes to stir your cheese/cream into a sauce. These
will vary a bit from individual to individual. For reference—my pot took
about ten minutes to come up to pressure and it took about two minutes to
turn into a creamy cheese sauce.

Jalapeño Cornbread

by Norma Crosby

Ingredients:

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons stone-ground cornmeal

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon table salt

1 cup buttermilk (substitute milk if you don’t have buttermilk)

2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

2 large eggs

1/4 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen

1-2 fresh jalapeños, minced (seeded if you don’t like the heat)

1 green onions, diced (just the white part)

1 cup mild or medium cheddar, grated

1 tablespoon olive oil

Method: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place an eleven or twelve-inch
cast-iron skillet on the stovetop and melt the butter over medium heat.
Cook, swirling the pan to coat the sides and bottom until the butter turns a
deep nut brown and the foam subsides. Watch it carefully; you do not want it
to burn. Pour the butter into a small bowl and let it cool slightly. Do not
wipe out the skillet.

In a medium bowl, mix one cup of the cornmeal along with flour, baking
powder and salt. In the small bowl with the cooled butter, whisk together
the buttermilk, brown sugar, and eggs.

Add the liquid mixture to the flour mixture and stir until just blended,
then stir in the corn, green onions, jalapeño, and cheddar cheese. If the
skillet is no longer warm (cast iron should retain its heat), heat it up on
the stovetop. Then pour the batter into the skillet. Place the skillet into
the oven and bake until the top is golden brown and the edges pull away from
the sides, about thirty to forty minutes. Allow to cool in the skillet for
ten minutes before slicing and serving warm with butter. You can add honey
if you like.

[PHOTO/CAPTION: Liz Wisecarver]

Allergy-Free Jumbo Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Smoothie Recipe

by Liz Wisecarver

You know the stereotypical Instagram girl who must have a pumpkin spice
latte to go along with her slice of pumpkin loaf, with her freshly lit
pumpkin apple candle she has been saving for her Autumn-themed hearth
decorations, adorned with little orange and white porcelain pumpkins and a
seasonal wreath? Yeah, that’s me. My friends know I absolutely love all
things pumpkin, and have some pretty tasty recipes for treats like walnut
pumpkin bread and snickerdoodle loaf affectionately named “Mentoring Bread”
by Rosy Carranza when I brought a couple of loaves to one of our NFB of
Texas career mentoring events.

Unfortunately for me, I started having some real problems with food and was
diagnosed with several allergies just after the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.
So no experimenting with sourdough bread recipes for me. I’ve had to do a
lot of learning about what kinds of foods do and don't work well for my
body. Spoiler alert, it’s not processed foods.

Smoothies have become one of my breakfast and dessert staples, and I wanted
to recreate a pumpkin pie flavor that I could enjoy without worrying. This
jumbo-sized recipe is free from soy, gluten, dairy, egg, peanuts, and the
rest of the top eight most common allergens. You can switch out the
ingredients to suit your preferences or dietary needs. Plus, this is tasty
and healthy even if you don’t have any allergy concerns.

You could definitely cut this smoothie recipe in half or share it with a
friend. But no judgment if you keep it all for yourself!

Ingredients:

1 cup So Delicious brand coconut milk (or milk of your choice)

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 can pumpkin puree

2 frozen bananas

1/8 cup allergy-free Enjoy Life Foods chocolate chips (or brand of your
choice)

1 tablespoon flaxseeds

Method: Combine the frozen bananas (I like to break them apart into smaller
pieces), coconut milk, cinnamon, and pumpkin into the blender. Blend until
smooth. Add in the chocolate chips and flaxseeds if desired, then stir to
combine. If the smoothie mixture is too thick, slowly add in more coconut
milk and stir until it reaches desired consistency. Make sure you have a
smoothie cup top or straw that is large enough to let the chocolate chips
through as you are drinking it. Enjoy!

[PHOTO/CAPTION: Mary Witherspoon]

Goggy's True Cornbread

by Mary Witherspoon

No flour, so gluten free. Each generation of my family has an eight-inch
cast-iron skillet that is devoted to baking cornbread. Nothing else ever
touches the surface and it is kept well-seasoned! A deep eight- or nine-inch
metal cake pan can work in a pinch.

Ingredients:

2 eggs, room temperature

2/3 cup buttermilk (I use powdered buttermilk with water. The canister of
the mix is easy to store in the refrigerator)

4 tablespoons Crisco

1 cup cornmeal (preferably 1/4 to 1/3 is coarse ground and the rest is
regular ground)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 tablespoon sugar

Method: Place Crisco in the skillet or pan and place in 450 degree oven to
melt and get really hot. In a small bowl, whisk together dry ingredients. In
a medium metal or Pyrex bowl, lightly whisk the eggs then mix in buttermilk.
Stir in the cornmeal mixture. Pour most of the hot Crisco into the mix and
stir quickly. Leave some Crisco in the skillet. Pour mixture back into
skillet and cook twelve to fifteen minutes. Top will be well browned. Turn
out skillet onto a plate.

Wipe down and re-season skillet. Place back in oven once oven is turned off.
Heat will aid the re-seasoning.

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Monitor Miniatures 


News from the Federation Family


A Note About NFB in the Kitchen from Our Loyal Listserv Moderator:

This helpful correction comes from David Andrews, a man who rides herd over
our many discussion lists:

It was good to see an article in the Monitor about the new NFB-InTheKitchen
list. Unfortunately, the article gave the posting address and said see the
link below to subscribe. I did not see any such link, and I have already
gotten several messages from people trying to post to the list without
subscribing to it.

To subscribe to the list you can either send email to:
nfb-inthekitchen-subscribe at nfbnet.org
<mailto:nfb-inthekitchen-subscribe at nfbnet.org>  and leave everything blank,
or go to:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-inthekitchen_nfbnet.org.

Important Scholarship Program Reminder—Deadline Approaching:

As one of our longest-running and most important initiatives, the National
Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program helps blind students reach their
educational and employment goals and so much more. Building on its strong
foundation, we are now significantly enhancing the awards granted to $8,000
for the thirty finalists and making the experience even more inclusive,
engaging, and meaningful for the finalists. Deadline for complete
applications is March 31. Learn more and encourage students to apply at
nfb.org/scholarships <https://nfb.org/scholarships> .

COVID-19 At-home Test Update: Use Aira, Sponsored by the Federation:

The Biden administration is distributing free at-home COVID-19 tests to
households in the United States. It is critical that these tests be
non-visually accessible. The National Federation of the Blind is committed
to providing solutions and holding the government accountable. As part of
that commitment, we are sponsoring the use of Aira for any blind person in
the United States taking an at-home COVID-19 test.

Aira Promotion for All Blind People

Aira is committed to providing continued support to our community by making
otherwise inaccessible information and processes related to the latest
COVID-19 health concerns and vaccination requirements accessible. With the
generous support and collaboration of the National Federation of the Blind,
the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind Americans,
any blind person can use the Aira service free for the completion of
COVID-19 at-home tests. It’s necessary to be an Aira Explorer to take
advantage of this promotion, but becoming an Explorer is quick and easy, and
you can try it for free. As part of the promotion, you’ll be asked a few
questions that will help provide important data in the at-home test
accessibility efforts.

Download the Aira app and try it free in three easy steps.

Additional Resources

You can now access government at-home COVID-19 testing information on
NFB-NEWSLINE. For more information visit https://nfb.org/covidtests.

The Disability Information and Assistance Line (DIAL) is an additional
resource connecting people with disabilities to COVID-19 information
including testing instructions and other assistance with the at-home tests
that can be ordered from the government. The National Federation of the
Blind encourages contacting DIAL to inquire about accessible testing
options. DIAL support can be reached by calling 888-677-1199 or by emailing
dial at usaginganddisability.org <mailto:dial at usaginganddisability.org> .

How You Can Help

Twitter is a social media platform that provides a public opportunity to
demand that the Biden administration put accessible systems in place for
test distribution and work with us and test manufacturers to make the tests
accessible. Here are some ways to help:

*	Tweet to President Biden, @POTUS, and let him know that accessible
COVID-19 at-home tests are vital for blind people.
*	Share your concerns about the impact this will have and include the
hashtag #COVID19 in your posts. (There is no hyphen in the hashtag.)
*	Like, comment on, and retweet posts from the National Federation of
the Blind, @NFB_voice.

A Twitter account will be needed to engage with this digital public push for
answers. To learn more about Twitter, review our General Twitter Tips.

Additional Updates and Information

For more information on the advocacy work regarding at-home tests, visit
https://nfb.org/covidtests. If you know of more information or additional
resources regarding at-home tests, please email CommunicationsTeam at nfb.org
<mailto:CommunicationsTeam at nfb.org> .

Attend 2022 NFB BELL® Academy In-Home Edition: Applications Now Open!
Enhance Braille and Nonvisual Skills with Us:

The National Federation of the Blind is offering one three-week virtual
program of the NFB BELL Academy In-Home Edition this summer to prepare blind
and low-vision children to grow into confident and independent blind people
by enhancing their education. Options are available for beginner,
intermediate, and advanced students July 18 through August 5, 2022.

Additionally, in-person NFB BELL Academies will also be offered in a city
near you!

Receive Braille and other fun materials for lessons. Connect with
experienced teachers. Build relationships with other blind students and
mentors.

About NFB BELL

NFB BELL Academy, an annual summer program, is appropriate for blind and
low-vision children, ages 4-12, who:

*	Do not receive enough Braille and nonvisual skills instruction in
school
*	Could benefit from more Braille exposure over the summer
*	Would enjoy connecting with blind role models

In person locations coming soon!

Apply Today.

Take advantage of this opportunity for your child to connect with blind role
models.

Limited space is available. Learn more and apply now!
https://nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-bell-academy

Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Applications Accepted:

The National Federation of the Blind is accepting nominations of individuals
or organizations who are a positive force in the lives of blind people and
help us transform dreams into reality. Each application must include a
letter of recommendation.

Learn more and submit a nomination for the 2022 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards at
https://nfb.org/bolotin.

New Opportunities for Careers in Rehabilitation of the Blind:

Scholarships are now available!

*** the GRE requirement may now be permanently waived for applicants who
qualify ***

Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness

Louisiana Tech University

Structured Discovery Cane Travel (SDCT) and Structured Discovery
Rehabilitation have been demonstrated to be among the most innovative and
effective forms of rehabilitation training for individuals who are blind or
visually impaired. Louisiana Tech University has operated its Orientation
and Mobility program on this model successfully for 21 years, with upwards
of 95% successful employment and employer satisfaction rates.

Scholarships are now available for qualified individuals seeking one of the
following degree paths:

*	Master of Arts in Counseling/Guidance with Concentration in
Orientation and Mobility.
*	Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance with Concentration in
Rehabilitation Teaching for the Blind

Why me?

*	The field of educating and rehabilitating children and adults who
are blind is deeply rewarding and life-changing.
*	The job market is wide open; currently, we receive four times the
number of employer requests than we have graduates to provide.
*	Training occurs on campus in Ruston, Louisiana, and can be completed
in as little as one year.
*	No prior background or experience in blindness is necessary we’ll
teach you everything you need to know.
*	Scholarships are provided on a competitive basis to qualified
persons and can cover costs for attending the university.
*	Scholarships also support travel to conferences, trainings, and
field-based experiences at Structured Discovery training programs.

Who can apply?

Individuals must already possess a Bachelor’s (BA) degree from an accredited
university, have a grade point average of at least 2.5, and obtain a minimum
of 287 (Verbal and Quantitative) on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)*.
Individuals must also be willing to attend courses on campus in Ruston,
Louisiana, on a full-time basis.

*Note: the GRE may now be waived for applicants who qualify. Please contact
Edward Bell to determine if you are eligible at ebell at latech.edu
<mailto:ebell at latech.edu> .

What’s the catch?

*	Payback through service is required. Agreement to receive
scholarship funding requires commitment for you to work in the field of
rehabilitation for two years for each year of scholarship support you
obtain.
*	Scholarships cover at least tuition and fees but may cover living
and travel costs as well.
*	You have to move to Ruston, work hard, study harder, and have the
heart to be an O&M instructor or rehabilitation teacher of blind persons.

Where do I get started?

*	For program details, visit: www.pdrib.com <http://www.pdrib.com> 
*	Send an email for more information to: ebell at latech.edu
<mailto:ebell at latech.edu>  or call Edward Bell to discuss your application:
318-257-4554

Post-secondary Readiness Empowerment Program (PREP) 2022:

Apply today to PREP 2022, a summer program for all blind/low vision high
school students!

When: June 11, 2022 - July 31, 2022!

Where: BLIND, Inc. (Blindness: Learning In New Dimensions, Inc.)

100 East 22nd St., Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55404.

Application Deadline: March 31, 2022

What: This exciting summer program is designed to prepare students to reach
their personal, academic, and professional goals as they transition to
adulthood. The PREP curriculum empowers blind youth as they learn the
alternative techniques of blindness and develop the self-confidence needed
to become successful adults!

Instruction: The core classes include Braille reading and writing;
independent cane travel; adaptive technology; career exploration; and home
management, which includes cooking, cleaning, personal care, and daily
living skills. Students also participate in regularly-scheduled discussion
groups designed to build confidence and learn from blind peers and adults.
PREP students live with fellow students and adult counselors in apartments.
Counselors and instructors serve as successful and positive role models.
Students shop for groceries, prepare meals, and clean their apartments as
part of their home and personal management training, while using public
transportation on a regular basis. They begin to learn how to live
independently while still in a supportive environment. Students develop
problem-solving skills needed to take care of themselves and determine their
own futures!

World of Work: Students will create their professional profile, network, and
gain hands-on experience through community projects. These opportunities
will help you understand various fields, the process of obtaining a job,
professional development, and professionalism.

National Convention: In July, PREP students will enjoy the opportunity to
accompanying BLIND, Inc., staff and adult students as we travel to New
Orleans, Louisiana, to attend the week-long National Federation of the Blind
(NFB) Convention. During this convention, our PREP students will join
hundreds of other high school and college students from around the country
when attending the National Association of Blind Students (NABS) meeting.
Students will also attend other meetings and seminars, learn about new
ground-breaking technology, and get involved in social and recreational
activities. This annual convention is packed full of great learning
opportunities and fun experiences.

Confidence Building Activities: Throughout the summer, the PREP students
will participate in a variety of fun activities, including adaptive cycling,
kayaking, rock climbing, visiting amusement parks, shopping at various
malls, and much more.

Contact Michell Gip, Youth Services Coordinator, at 612-872-0100, Extension
231, or email mgip at blindinc.org <mailto:mgip at blindinc.org>  for more
information or an application. We can assist you to work with your local
vocational rehabilitation agency to attend the program.

Apply today to ensure your space in this program! Applications are due March
31, 2022. Applications received after this date will be on a first come,
first served basis.

Michell Gip, MAT, NCUEB, NOMCT

Youth Services Coordinator

Blindness: Learning In New Dimensions (BLIND), Inc.

100 East 22nd St.

Minneapolis, MN 55404

Phone: 612-872-0100, ext. 231

mgip at blindinc.org <mailto:mgip at blindinc.org> 

>From Collene Roth:

Hello Gary,

I think that personal physical description of oneself can be uncomfortable.
I also think that if many people have to describe themselves in the course
of a meeting or convention, it is a waste of valuable time. I do understand
that some people are interested in what people look like or what they are
wearing. I find it helpful to ask a sighted person who knows the kind of
things I want to know to share information with me at a later time.

I do not want this conversation about one’s description to detract from the
speaker's presentation. I do want to know if people who represent the NFB
are unkempt and have poor hygiene and poor taste in their apparel.

Elected:

Dave Hyde writes to say: Congratulations to the new officers in the Rock
County Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Wisconsin. They
are Chelsea Dallen, president; Nikki Wolf, vice president; Amy Snow,
secretary; Ben Dallen, treasurer. It is going to be exciting working with
this new board!


Monitor Mart


The notices in this section have been edited for clarity, but we can pass
along only the information we were given. We are not responsible for the
accuracy of the statements made or the quality of the products for sale.

Automatic Phone Dialer Wanted:

I am looking for a phone dialer that will work with a landline phone. I am
looking for something that has a memory so that a ten digit number can be
dialed with the press of one or two digits.

If you can help, please call Dr. Myaziz at 858-997-7753.

----------


NFB Pledge


I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation
of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind;
to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its
constitution.

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