[NFBp-Berks] Watch Federation Focus Now, Join Us at 5 PM to Help Tim and Rebecca

Mon Feb 2 20:37:46 UTC 2026

Hey there PA Federationists,

In this week's Federation Focus for February 2, 2026 available at 
https://youtu.be/jRLtmg-iKtY, I share four important meetings and a 
critical call to action for our affiliate. We begin with an urgent 
update on the McCarthy family and a letter-writing effort led by NFB 
attorney Sanho Steele-Louchart, including details on how to support the 
upcoming public hearing in Carlisle. I also preview the first 2026 State 
Convention planning meeting, Coffee with the President, and the Jigsaw 
Chapter meeting. In addition, I highlight raffle ticket sales, the PABM 
Spring Fling fundraiser, Jernigan Scholarship applications, National 
Convention in Austin, and an upcoming Pennsylvania Rehab Council 
meeting.

Scroll down for all the links!

Help Tim and Rebecca McCarthy today at 5 PM:

https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/96234199448?pwd=cEtjbmRoV1hteVhVSXdwV2FDVGJUdz09 
[1]

There is a deeply troubling situation involving Tim and Rebecca 
McCarthy, parents of four young children and members of the National 
Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania. In September 2025, Children and 
Youth Services, accompanied by law enforcement, removed all four 
children--each under the age of six--from their home and placed them in 
separate foster homes. While nothing has been provided in writing, all 
indications suggest this action was taken solely because Tim and Rebecca 
are blind.

As we know--and as our movement has proven time and again--blindness 
does not prevent anyone from being a capable, loving, and responsible 
parent. Blind parents raise sighted children successfully every day, 
facing the same challenges and joys as any other family. After months of 
working with CYS, Tim and Rebecca were scheduled for a January 2026 
hearing that was expected to begin the reunification process. 
Unfortunately, that hearing did not go well, and there is currently no 
clear path or timeline for their family to be reunited.

We must act. On Monday, February 2, 2026, there will be a Zoom call with 
attorney Sanho Steele-Louchart to launch a coordinated letter-writing 
campaign affirming that blind people can and do parent successfully. If 
you are a blind parent--or the child or grandchild of a blind parent--we 
urge you to participate and lend your voice. In addition, a critical 
hearing is scheduled for Monday, February 9, 2026, in Carlisle, 
Pennsylvania, and it is imperative that we show up in numbers. Our 
presence matters, and our collective advocacy can make a difference.

If you can join us at the hearing on February 9 at 2:15 PM, please email 
our President, Lynn Heitz, at president at nfbofpa.org, to let her know.

National Convention in Austin

This year's National Convention is in Austin, Texas, from July 3-8. 
Learn more about the 2026 NFB National Convention at 
https://nfb.org/convention [2]. Call 800-627-7468 to book your room. The 
main hotel is the JW Marriott. The spillover hotel is the Austin 
Marriott Downtown. Use the room block code, BL1, to ensure you receive 
the convention room rate.

Jernigan Scholarships for National Convention

If you have never been to a National Convention, you can apply for a 
Jernigan Convention Scholarship by going to 
https://www.nfbofpa.org/jernigan [3]. Good luck!

Register for PA Rehab Council Meeting 2/11

The Rehab Council is having their meeting on Wed., Feb. 11. at 10:00 AM. 
Individuals who wish to  join via Zoom need to register to get the 
information. Here is the link to get the Zoom for the meeting: 
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9aQJRqfeTYKV2e5cWV9cxQ [4]

Meetings

Monday, February 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM
Sanho Steele-Louchart Meeting for Tim and Rebecca McCarthy
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/96234199448?pwd=cEtjbmRoV1hteVhVSXdwV2FDVGJUdz09 
[1]
One tap mobile
+16468769923,,96234199448#

Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 7:30 PM
State Convention Planning Meeting
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/93740003678?pwd=VlJIYm5MNWJHdXdHSTNtOGlnL0xKdz09
One tap mobile
+16468769923,,93740003678#

Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 7:30PM
Coffee with the President and NFB of PA Board
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/96349504843?pwd=Tk5zL3RRRnd4QjRiRzl2ODM0bEJmQT09
One tap mobile
+16469313860,,96349504843#

Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM
Jigsaw Chapter
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/91793332704?pwd=a3dnVXdKeGJ2UEtscGNBbnpCU1BtUT09
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,91793332704#

Fundraisers

April Raffle Tickets on Sale Now

It's time for one of our most exciting fundraisers of the year--and it 
could put cash in your pocket all April long. Grab raffle tickets to 
sell, buy a few for yourself, or do both, and give yourself a chance to 
win every single night. Drawings happen nightly in April just before 
7:00 PM, with $50 winners Sunday through Friday and a $100 winner every 
Saturday. Even better, every ticket sold directly supports our general 
fund, helping members attend State and National Conventions, Washington 
Seminar, and other essential programs. It's simple, it's fun, and it's a 
win for you and for our Federation.

Spring Fling 2026

The Pennsylvania Association of Blind Merchants (PABM) invites you to 
its highly anticipated Spring Fling Blind Vendors Showcase on April 11, 
2026, from 4:00-6:00 PM at the DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia 
Airport. Part fundraiser, part vendor showcase, this signature event 
celebrates the talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of blind 
business owners from across the Commonwealth. Tickets are $60 for adults 
and $30 for children 12 and under, and include a buffet meal, a two-hour 
open bar for adults, and two raffle tickets per attendee. For more 
information and to register, go to 
https://www.pablindmerchants.org/springfling2026 [5].

NFB-NEWSLINE(R)

Learn more about NFB-NEWSLINE(R) at https://nfbofpa.org/nfb-newsline 
[6]. Want to subscribe? Call (866)504-7300.

Braille Monitor

The Braille Monitor is the NFB's flagship publication. Learn more about 
it at https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor 
[7].

Independence Market Online

The Independence Market is available online! Explore their product 
offerings and make a purchase at https://catalog.nfb.org/ [8].

Regards,

David

-- 
David B. Goldstein
david at iCantCU.com
   (610) 715-5020 mobile
www.iCantCU.com [9]
iCantCU Podcast
Apple Podcasts [10] | Spotify [11] | Watch on YouTube [12]
Support The Podcast When You Shop
Amazon [13]
Connect with me:
Twitter [14] | Instagram [15] | LinkedIn [16] | Facebook [17]
My Other Show: White Canes Connect
Apple Podcasts [18] | Spotify [19] | YouTube [20]

Links:
------
[1] 
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/96234199448?pwd=cEtjbmRoV1hteVhVSXdwV2FDVGJUdz09
[2] https://nfb.org/convention
[3] https://www.nfbofpa.org/jernigan
[4] https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9aQJRqfeTYKV2e5cWV9cxQ
[5] https://www.pablindmerchants.org/springfling2026
[6] https://nfbofpa.org/nfb-newsline
[7] https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor
[8] https://catalog.nfb.org/
[9] http://www.iCantCU.com
[10] https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/icantcu-podcast/id1445801370
[11] https://open.spotify.com/show/3nck2D5HgD9ckSaUQaWwW2
[12] https://www.youtube.com/@icantcu/
[13] https://www.icantcu.com/amazon
[14] https://twitter.com/davidbenj
[15] https://www.instagram.com/davidbenj/
[16] https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbenj
[17] https://www.facebook.com/davidbenj
[18] 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/white-canes-connect/id1592248709
[19] https://open.spotify.com/show/1YDQSJqpoteGb1UMPwRSuI
[20] https://www.youtube.com/@pablindpodcast
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