[NFBOH-Cleveland] Cleveland Reminders!

Sun Apr 5 21:18:49 UTC 2020

Good Afternoon Cleveland,

Please read this update through to the end to be well informed!

Thank you for your diligence as we honor the "stay at home" order by the
Ohio Governor, Mike DeWine and his team. Please encourage your friends
family and others to do the same. 

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I want you to know that I have spoken to 90 percent of our Chapter members
and they are doing well. However, I will continue to reach out to the 10
percent to ensure that they are doing OK as well. Please continue to check
on each other during this unfortunate time.

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The Ohio Affiliate President has sent out an announcement that if there is a
member in need to please reach out to him. I urge you to do this if there is
anything that you may have a concern about. He is always willing to help or
direct you to the appropriate channels.

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Please highly consider joining us on Monday and all mornings on the "Coffee
Break Check-In Call" to let us know how your doing. Also spread the word
that we are there to brighten each others day and add a little sunshine
along the way. Call at 10:00 to 10:30 AM everyday or when you can at the
Ohio conference line (712) 775-7031,  and input code: 240281423.

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Also, the Ohio Community Service on Monday, April 6, 2020 at 10:30 AM, will
feature Gloria Conway and Suzanne Turner  to present you with tips on Amazon
and Instacart. Use the same Ohio conference line as the "Coffee Break
Check-In Call". They will provide information that will assist you with
ordering food and items for your convenience while remaining in the comfort
of your home. Cheryl Fields is the Chairperson and she and her Committee
want to ensure that you are healthy and safe so you will not have to venture
out.

Call: (712) 775-7031, Code: 240281423

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On Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM 

the Ohio Affiliate will hold a Leadership Training for all members. As your
President, I am highly, highly and highly encouraging you to attend this
call. Leadership Trainings are important to the efficiency of the Cleveland
Chapter and to our Ohio Affiliate. It takes all of us to make a positive
change for blind children, blind adults and blind seniors. They are counting
on you and you to be there when they need to know where to turn in the time
of emotional need, financial need and social need. Just take a moment to
reflect where you were prior to meeting a member from the federation. But,
now you are employed because of the National Federation of the Blind, you
are independent because of the National Federation  of the Blind, you are
Braille literate because of  the National Federation of the Blind and you
are an important member of the National Federation of the Blind. You could
not have made it this far with out the federation and the federation can not
make it without you! Therefore, if you are interested in improving your
responses and actions to challenges with intelligence, strategy and
expertise, then  you want to attend the leadership Training on Wednesday.
Please call in at 6:20 PM at the Ohio conference line above.

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Please join the Cleveland Chapter meeting that will be held on April 20,
2020 at 5:00 to 7:00 PM. We will use the Cleveland's conference line: which
is different from the Ohio conference line. The number is (605) 313-4834,
code: 246345.

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Why should I participate in the  Census?

I am glad you asked!

The census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers,
and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for you
and your community. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to
hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on
census data.

The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will
have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and they are used to draw
congressional and state legislative districts.

It's also in the Constitution: Article 1, Section 2, mandates that the
country conduct a count of its population once every 10 years. The 2020
Census will mark the 24th time that the country has counted its population
since 1790.

Counting Everyone

Participating in the census is required by law, even if you recently
completed another survey from the Census Bureau. A complete and accurate
count is critical for you and your community, because the results of the
2020 Census will affect community funding, congressional representation, and
more.

Ohio, please, please Complete this critical process by phone if you can not
online.

Call: 844-330-2020

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Eric Duffy, Ohio Legislative Chair would like to provide you with reminders
on voting.

If you want to vote in person using an accessible machine, you may do so at
your county board of elections office. That is the only location that will
be opened for voting.

If you want to vote by mail using an accessible absentee ballot, you must
request it by mail now. If you want your vote to count don't wait until the
last minute to request your ballot. Your county board must send you a voter
verification form. You must complete your ballot online. You must print it
out. You must then send it in with your signed verification  form. Your
envelope containing the verification form and your ballot must be post
marked by April 27, but I would get it done early.

If for some reason you have difficulty requesting your ballot you may also
call your county board of elections. This is a different number for each
county, so I don't have them all. Please find the one for your county.

Here is the link to request the accessible ballot. You must fill it out,
print it, sign it and mail it in. Do it now so you don't miss your chance to
vote.

APPLICATION FOR ABSENT VOTER'S BALLOT BY A VOTER WITH A DISABILITY & REQUEST
TO USE REMOTE BALLOT MARKING SYSTEM A remote ballot marking system is
available through each county board of elections for use by an absentee
voter with a qualifying disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act
to allow a qualifying voter to mark his or her ballot privately and
independently.

If you are a qualifying voter and you wish to request an absentee ballot and
use a remote ballot system to mark your ballot, complete the following

steps:

Fill out the following request form to use a remote ballot marking system;
Press the "Open Printer Friendly PDF" button and verify you've entered your
correct information (if you made a mistake, you can edit your information
directly on the PDF); Print the PDF, affix your signature, put the completed
form in an envelope with correct postage and mail it to your county board of
elections (follow this link for a county board of elections directory) It is
recommended you check your registration status. You can do so by contacting
your local board of elections. If your information has changed since the
last time you voted and you have not yet updated your voter registration,
follow this link to update your address online(opens in a new

window) or if your name has changed, follow this link to complete a new
voter registration.

https://www.sos.state.oh.us/elections/voters/11-g/
<https://www.sos.state.oh.us/elections/voters/11-g/>

To reach the ADA coordinator in the Secretary of State's office use the
following information.

Brett Harbage

614-387-6039

bharbage at OhioSoS.gov <mailto:bharbage at OhioSoS.gov>
<mailto:bharbage at OhioSoS.gov> www.VoteOhio.gov <http://www.VoteOhio.gov>
<http://www.voteohio.gov/>

It is still possible for you to vote in this primary. Yes, you will have to
vote by mail if you choose not to go to your County Board of Elections on
April 28, but the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio has provided you
with as much information as we have on the matter. We have done it in a
timely way so that you should be able to cast your vote on time.

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A request From our Ohio President, Richard Payne,

Hello Fellow Affiliate members :  See the note below from Nicky Gacos,
President of the Merchants Division. You can help by clicking on the link
and  going to the  website that will make it very easy to send a letter to
Congress. Here is her request.

Dear NABM Member:

As you know, the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on our blind
entrepreneurs.  Approximately 75% of our blind entrepreneurs have seen their
businesses either shut completely down or seriously curtailed.  Congress has
provided some relief for small businesses but the Randolph-Sheppard Program
is unique.  We need to let Congress know that more needs to be done to
assist our hard working men and women who feed our government employees
every day.  

Please click on the link below and send letters to the President, both of
your U.S. Senators, and your Member in the House of Representatives.  The
Randolph-Sheppard Act authorizes Congress to appropriate funds for the
Randolph-Sheppard Program.  It never has.  We are asking Congress for the
first time to appropriate dollars that can be used to provide relief for our
displaced blind entrepreneurs and emergency funding to the states so they
can meet their responsibilities as the state licensing agencies.  Go to:
<https://blindmerchantsspeakout.org/alert/-urge_congress_to_appropriate_fund
s_to_help_blind_vendors/message/congress/write?style=webform>
https://blindmerchantsspeakout.org/alert/-urge_congress_to_appropriate_funds
_to_help_blind_vendors/message/congress/write?style=webform

It is simple.  Just put in your name and address, click on "Preview Message"
and then hit "Submit" and your letters will be sent.  Act now and let the
collective voices of the blind be heard.  

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An update from the Ohio Senior Division Chair, Barbara Pierce,

I have received a request to postpone our meeting a month, to May 3. We will
see what is happening and what we can do to help others. So place the senior
division meeting on your calendar for May 3 at 7:00 p.m. I will send out a
reminder and the phone number a few days before this date. Stay well and
keep your chin up.

Barbara

Barbara Pierce, President Emerita

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio Barbara.pierce9366 at gmail.com
<mailto:Barbara.pierce9366 at gmail.com> 

440-774-8077

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A reminder from Gloria Conway, Facilitator of  Sharing Solutions for Vision
Loss,

Sharing Solutions for Vision loss will meet on April 19, 2020 at 7:00 PM.
Beth Glass from Accessible Housing will provide us with information on
making our home accessible. Call in on the Ohio conference line at (712)
775-7031 and input code: 240281423.

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Cheryl Fields, Cleveland Sight Center, Board Member is reminding you that
the Cleveland Sight Center is closed to the public, but is providing service
via telephone calls. Please, reach out to the agency by dialing (216)
791-8118 and leave a message. Someone will return your call and the Agency
thanks you for your cooperation.

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The Cleveland Chapter Outreach Committee reports, that the Greater Cleveland
Food Bank is excepting calls for those who are in need of support. Please
call , (216) 738-2067 to receive resources.

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Curious minds want to know, so ask me.

Alexa is extending a personal invitation for you to attend a training on one
of her great skills, NFB-NEWSLINE. Please join me this upcoming Thursday
evening, April 9, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. EST. During this special event, Scott
White will be sharing how to enable the skill and quickly and efficiently
read your favorite publication using the Amazon Echo. Tune in on Thursday
and get your questions answered by Scott and Alexa. 

To participate in the training, please use one of the options listed below.

Join Zoom meeting on your computer or mobile device by following this link:

https://zoom.us/j/519248521

One tap mobile

+16468769923,,519248521#

Dial: 646-876-9923;

Meeting ID: 519248521

During the Zoom call, you can raise your hand by clicking "raise hand." If
you are joining us by phone, you can raise or lower your hand by pressing
*9. All callers will be muted until they are called on to ask their
question(s) so as to cut down on background noise. 

We look forward to you visiting with us on Thursday!

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Honey Baked Ham:

Easter is just around the corner, are you looking for the perfect Holiday
meal? Look no further, Honey Baked Ham has it all! Stop by your local store,
or shop online for all your Holiday favorites from hams, turkey, delicious
side dishes, and scrumptious desserts! You can purchase gift cards to use
online or at any Honey Baked Ham retail store.

https://honeybakedfundraising.com/fundraisers/NFBOhio

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Malley's:

April 6th is the last day for online orders; which is tomorrow!

Malley's Chocolates Easter Fundraiser is back! Malley's chocolates and candy
will make an excellent gift for your loved ones (or yourself). Remember that
Easter is April 12th this year. Please place your online order to help the
NFB of Ohio raise money. Visit this link to check out all of the wonderful
goodies that Malley's offers:

https://malleys.com/fundraising/campaign/natl-fed-blind-ohio/

Please share!

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Promote the 2020 Piggest Raffle Ever!

This email is to let you know that our organization's name is posted on the
Piggest Raffle Ever website

 <http://www.piggestraffle.com/> www.piggestraffle.com.

Just type, National Federation of the Blind of Ohio or the letter N and it
will pop-up. Then choose the quantity of tickets you would like to purchase
and follow the steps.

Please do not forget to promote this website via email, newsletter, etc.
asking your donors to "buy pigs" on behalf of our organization.

As in the past, the cost of one pig is $5 and for every pig purchased for
our organization, we will receive 100% of the donation to continue the work
we do for blind children, blind adults,  blind seniors, as well as our
programs and services.

1st Place: $10,000 CASH ($5,000 to winning ticket holder and $5,000 to the
charity who sold the ticket). You guessed right! That is us!

2nd Place: $5000 CASH ($2,500 to winning ticket holder and $2,500 to the
charity who sold the ticket)

3rd Place: Cincinnati Get-Away Experience! (Valued at over $1,500)

Note! This fundraiser will run through to October 2020 by online orders
only!

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I look forward to working with you all in the next days!

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio (NFBO)

Suzanne Turner, Ohio Affiliate Vice President

Cleveland Chapter, President

(216) 990-6199

Please click on the links below to learn more about the organization

The Ohio Affiliate

 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGe_1qGbkX8>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGe_1qGbkX8

"Live the life you want" featuring, National President, Mark Riccobono

 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DesLNDBpYVE&feature=share>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DesLNDBpYVE&feature=share

Visit and take a moment to like our Facebook Page!

<https://m.facebook.com/NationalFederationOfTheBlindOfOhioClevelandChapter/>
https://m.facebook.com/NationalFederationOfTheBlindOfOhioClevelandChapter/ 

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

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