From jose.martinez07 at gmail.com  Thu Jul  1 17:47:27 2010
From: jose.martinez07 at gmail.com (Jose Martinez)
Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2010 12:47:27 -0500
Subject: [Nfbsatx] Fwd: [nfb-texas members] Texas Caucus at Convention
In-Reply-To: <007001cb18cb$39adcbb0$6401a8c0@DHJK30D1>
References: <007001cb18cb$39adcbb0$6401a8c0@DHJK30D1>
Message-ID: <AANLkTinNkeSQPzGwGEXAx3llMNl5_TagngtGhqDiQIAE@mail.gmail.com>

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Angela S. Wolf" <angelawolf at austin.rr.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:12:23 -0500
Subject: [nfb-texas members] Texas Caucus at Convention
To: members at nfb-texas.org

Hello:
 Please join us for the Texas Caucus on Monday evening at convention
at 6 PM in the Hospitality Suite.

This is going to be another great Texas convention and all of our
members make it possible!  Thanks in advance for all of your hard work
in Dallas!

Sincerely,
Angela Wolf



From jose.martinez07 at gmail.com  Sun Jul 11 02:42:04 2010
From: jose.martinez07 at gmail.com (Jose Martinez)
Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2010 21:42:04 -0500
Subject: [Nfbsatx] Fwd: [TABS] Fwd: FW: Coalition of Texans with
	Disabilities recently announced Pen 2 Paper!
In-Reply-To: <AANLkTilHhCdcc63bsCPlXET2DAv5FgOwx71PIPgn6yST@mail.gmail.com>
References: <5FB3BBA0D707584B883AD1F73A53F9D040C79C6A7F@XMB05.hemc.txnet.state.tx.us>
	<AANLkTilHhCdcc63bsCPlXET2DAv5FgOwx71PIPgn6yST@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <AANLkTimykpgCI7WxyoOBoqIAGENaG7ImRM6xo1rgJOPP@mail.gmail.com>

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Gabriel Cazares <gcazares10 at gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2010 17:31:15 -0500
Subject: [TABS] Fwd: FW: Coalition of Texans with Disabilities
recently announced Pen 2 Paper!
To: tabs_students <tabs_students at googlegroups.com>

Check this out TABSters!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Angela.Price at dars.state.tx.us
Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2010 15:29:42 -0500
Subject: FW: Coalition of Texans with Disabilities recently announced
Pen 2 Paper!

In case you are interested in submitting something, or know someone
who is interested.

From: Gonzalez, Dolores [mailto:Dolores.Gonzalez at ci.austin.tx.us]
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 3:03 PM
Subject: Coalition of Texans with Disabilities recently announced Pen 2 Paper!


The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities recently announced Pen 2
Paper, a disability-focused creative writing contest. The contest is
accepting submissions from now until July 30 and will conclude with
public readings at several Austin bookstores this fall. The contest
includes divisions for fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and graphic
narrative, and it is open to Texans of all ages, with or without a
disability. $500 will be awarded to one Grand Prize winner. Two
additional winners in each division will receive gift cards and
prizes, donated by local and state bookstores, magazines, and
individuals.  There is no charge to enter. For more information, visit
the CTD website<http://www.cotwd.org/pen2paper.html>.




-- 
Gabriel M. Cazares
Direct line: 713-269-5156
gmc007 at shsu.edu
"We must overcome the notion that we must be regular... it robs you of
the chance to be extraordinary and leads you to the mediocre."
Uta Hagen

-- 
The Texas Association of Blind Students
Web Site:
www.nfb-texas.org/tabs.html
Toll Free: 877-887-5902

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "The Texas Association of Blind Students" group.
To post to this group, send email to tabs_students at googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
tabs_students-unsubscribe at googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/tabs_students



From jose.martinez07 at gmail.com  Sun Jul 11 13:09:35 2010
From: jose.martinez07 at gmail.com (Jose Martinez)
Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2010 08:09:35 -0500
Subject: [Nfbsatx] Fwd: [TABS] After Southern Strums
In-Reply-To: <AANLkTimizeqe_RbQ5tiICzP1SCd00rwLfs_85lihZda3@mail.gmail.com>
References: <AANLkTimizeqe_RbQ5tiICzP1SCd00rwLfs_85lihZda3@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <AANLkTimAWM3SQsZJG1GgJM-x8TPTbEL70skr8VHnXEad@mail.gmail.com>

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Juan Del Rosario-Martinez <delrosariomartinez.juan at gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2010 01:41:11 -0500
Subject: [TABS] After Southern Strums
To: tabs_students at googlegroups.com

>From the Desk of the President:
I would like to thank each and everyone of you all who attended Southern
Strums this past Monday as part of the National Federation of the Blind
National Convention.
To those of you who came, and those that supported us in spirit, I extend a
bow of gratitude and appreciation for supporting our student division.
We had a record number of attendants and brought in so many people into the
Uptown Bar and Grill that they actually had to call in 3 more staffers in
order to serve all you Federationists.
We had an incredible show of support, excitement and apreciation for our
efforts and therefore feel wonderful to have achieved such new Heights.
In a time where being Blind still has its barriers left to break, it is nice
to bring together 80+ guests and show a well known establishment that we are
all a family, we are all strong, and we all are one.
TABS was greeted with open doors and open arms into the Uptown Bar and
Grill, and for that we have you all to thank.
I also would like to thank my board. The TABS Board hit the ground running
and was extremely active throughout the process.
I have been truly blesses and humbled to work with these fine individuals:
Kayleigh Joiner
James Watson
Ashley Alexander
Antoinette Cervantes
Daniel Martinez
Juan Carlos Munoz

and special thanks to
Louis Maher
Gabriel Cazares
Arielle Silverman
Joe Orozco
A.Z Martinez

We will continue to work hard for you all, because it is you, our members
that inspire us to greatness.

Juan Del Rosario.
President
Texas Association of Blind Students
www.nfb-texsas.org/tabs.html

-- 
The Texas Association of Blind Students
Web Site:
www.nfb-texas.org/tabs.html
Toll Free: 877-887-5902

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "The Texas Association of Blind Students" group.
To post to this group, send email to tabs_students at googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
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For more options, visit this group at
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From jose.martinez07 at gmail.com  Thu Jul 15 20:36:28 2010
From: jose.martinez07 at gmail.com (Jose Martinez)
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:36:28 -0500
Subject: [Nfbsatx] Fwd: [nfb-texas members] webmaster
In-Reply-To: <0EC8309619544A78920E8075953E88E0@jjsPC>
References: <0EC8309619544A78920E8075953E88E0@jjsPC>
Message-ID: <AANLkTin4h8UEQRN0sAmzO8DKl0NdFi8uPa5c7m_jVgv7@mail.gmail.com>

Congradulations to my good friend Juan! We are sure you will do great
in this knew position and you will continue to make us proud. All the
best.

A. Z.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jim Shaffer <jjs78660 at gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:48:51 -0500
Subject: [nfb-texas members] webmaster
To: members nfb-texas <members at nfb-texas.org>

Well I had to look at my email, and I found a note from Louis Maher dated
March 16, 2005, letting me know that I was now webmaster.  That's 5 years
ago!  I am delighted to tell you that you now have a new webmaster, Juan Del
Rosario-martinez.  Congratulations Juan!  Please send all your updates to
Juan at delrosariomartinez.juan at gmail.com.

It's been a pleasure serving you, and I'm sure Juan will do at least as good
a job.  Just give him a little time to get his feet wet.
--
Jim Shaffer
Pflugerville, TX
email:  jjs at jjshaffer.net
cell:  512-699-9251
web page:  www.jjshaffer.net
band page:  www.pgramblers.com/



From jose.martinez07 at gmail.com  Mon Jul 19 02:31:25 2010
From: jose.martinez07 at gmail.com (Jose Martinez)
Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2010 21:31:25 -0500
Subject: [Nfbsatx] Fwd: [nfb-texas members] Thanks to All for a Great
	Convention!
In-Reply-To: <004d01cb26e6$5cab60e0$6401a8c0@DHJK30D1>
References: <004d01cb26e6$5cab60e0$6401a8c0@DHJK30D1>
Message-ID: <AANLkTilg46NqJrcZyOc4zo5h6JlVfvQFTSDMsU-IZRLg@mail.gmail.com>

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Angela S. Wolf" <angelawolf at austin.rr.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2010 21:01:54 -0500
Subject: [nfb-texas members] Thanks to All for a Great Convention!
To: members at nfb-texas.org

Dear Fellow Texans:
Thank you for all of your hard work to make this year's convention a
great one!  We had a lot of positive feedback; everyone was
appreciative of our warm southern hospitality.  A  big thank you to
Marilyn Monroe for organizing the buses and the Hospitality Suite and
Info Table schedules.

It is inspiring to be a part of an affiliate that pitches in and works
together!  Looking forward to another great Texas convention in 2012.

Warmest Regards,
Angela Wolf



From jose.martinez07 at gmail.com  Thu Jul 22 02:00:46 2010
From: jose.martinez07 at gmail.com (Jose Martinez)
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:00:46 -0500
Subject: [Nfbsatx] A good read
Message-ID: <AANLkTikM01pWsh65m5KVNwyC99V2Cq7n_6ba5PMSd5fL@mail.gmail.com>

I ran across this article while doing some research, and I thought I
send it to the list. It is a really good read, especially coming from
one of our Federation Leaders. Enjoy

-----



I'm Partially Sighted, and I Use a White Cane
by Peggy Chong



Peggy Chong

Editor?s Note: Peggy Chong and her husband, Curtis Chong (who is also
blind), are well-known and respected leaders within the National
Federation of the Blind. Her story about how she came to use a cane
was originally published in the volume 16, number 4 issue of Future
Reflections. Here?s what she has to say:

As a very young child, I was aware that I did not see as well as the
other kids in the neighborhood. It was well-known that the family down
the block was made up of a mother and several of her children who
could not see too good. Congenital cataracts run in my family.

While I was growing up it was stressed that I should try to fit in, to
be like everyone else. What I was being told was to ?look sighted.? A
graphic example of this was in church. We were always told to sing
along using the songbook, even though my sisters and I could not read
it. If I would try to read it by putting the book up to my face, a
hand would come over and move the book down to the sighted reading
distance. So, I pretended to read the songbook, to be sighted.

In my teens I knew that this was not going to work if I wanted to get
ahead in life and be happy. I had met blind adults who were working,
buying their own homes, and raising families. I wanted to have the
same happiness I saw in their lives.

A counselor from the state agency for the blind recommended shyly--and
outside of my Mother?s earshot--that I get a folding cane just for
identification purposes. She did not get me one or tell me how to use
a cane, so the topic was just dropped.

In my late teens I bought a cane and started carrying it to places
when I did not know my way around. One of my sisters was about three
at this time, and she asked my Mother, ?Why does Peggy have a cane??
My Mother?s reply was loud and meant for me to overhear. ?She is
pretending to be blind.?

That hurt a lot. My Mother was blind. In fact, she had less vision
than I did at the time. But she did not want to be blind or have
anyone think that she might have difficulty seeing. She always
traveled on my Dad?s arm. Mom would not go shopping without a sighted
person. This was not what I wanted for myself. But her comment hurt so
much that it was very difficult for me to take my cane from the corner
where I parked it when I got home.

For the next ten years or more I would only take my cane when I was
traveling alone, or to a place I did not know well, or where I was
sure no one would see me who might tell my folks.

When I used my cane, people treated me better. They did not get mad
when I asked them to show me where something was in a store. Bus
drivers were friendlier when I asked what number route that bus was. I
felt less frustrated after trips I made with my cane. But because I am
a ?high partial,? there was this little voice inside of me that echoed
my Mother?s words: ?You?re just pretending to be blind.?

I started to do some soul searching. Why did I resist taking my cane
shopping when I knew it would be helpful? Sales clerks did not follow
me around like I was going to steal the place when they saw me looking
closely at things. I could get clerks or other customers to read the
packages for me if I was carrying my cane. There was no need for
lengthy explanations when trying to get a person behind the counter to
read me what was on the menu that hung right behind them in a fast
food restaurant.

I also took a look at what others might be thinking when they saw my
cane. It became obvious to me that there were many conflicting
emotions about blindness tied into the symbol of the cane. I found it
fascinating to discover that the most negative feelings were held by
blind people who did not use a cane, like my Mother and sisters. The
blind people that did use a cane felt good about their cane. They felt
good about themselves. But most importantly, they were the blind
people out there doing something with their lives! They were the
happy, successful blind people.

Then in 1992 I decided it was time to get some real training as a
blind person. I spent nine months at an NFB training center where I
had classes in computers, Braille, and of course, cane travel.

After graduating from BLIND, Inc. in Minneapolis, I wondered how
people would treat me now that I had decided that I was going to use a
white cane all the time when I went out. My daughter, who had just
gotten into her teens, said that it was ?weird? to see me with a cane
all the time. But it didn?t seem to make that much difference to her
for very long. Now she finds my white cane helpful. Now, when she
meets me at a restaurant or large room somewhere, to save time she
just walks in and asks if there is a blind lady in there.

My blind friends thought the cane was great and gave me lots of
encouragement. Most of my sighted friends took it with a grain of
salt. The only sticky point left was my family.

My one sighted sister and her family got used to the idea in no time.
I talked to her children about why I used a cane, and it was accepted
with only a few questions.

The rest of the family were different. Some of my aunts did not
understand. They felt that my Mother had gone this long without using
a cane, surely I could go without one, too. They were embarrassed.

I have three other sisters who are also legally blind. They are
uncomfortable around my cane as though it will give them some
incurable disease. But when my cane can benefit them, well, that is
another story.

We all attended a cousin?s wedding a few years back. The wedding was
held in an old church with long, narrow, and dark halls and many
stairs. As I got there before many of my family, I was toward the
front of the church, and they were near the back. As we all do at
weddings, I stopped a minute or two to talk to relatives I hadn?t seen
in a while. When I got to the back of the church, at the top of the
stairs, there were my sisters. I stopped and looked at them for a
minute; there was a lengthy pause. I asked what we were waiting for.
One of my sisters replied, ?Well you got the cane. You go first.?

My Mother was diagnosed with cancer not long after that. If she saw
the cane she always found a way to make some comment about me trying
to focus people?s sympathy on myself. I didn?t need any more emotional
upheaval in my life at that time and thought she didn?t either, so I
did not use my long, straight cane when I visited her. I took a
folding cane and put it in my purse.

That is when I noticed just how much I had gotten to depend on the
cane. Over the years my eyes have become more sensitive to light. Many
times I will close my eyes when I walk outside in the bright light. It
was difficult to walk with my eyes closed when my cane was parked in
the car. I walked slower without my cane. Stairs made me nervous.
During this time I carried a folding cane to avoid hurting my Mother.
I also became convinced that a straight cane was a much better way to
travel. Folding canes, fold! Usually right in the middle of a six-lane
intersection, or when I am carrying many things and truly need it to
find everything in my path. Now that I?m back to using a straight
cane, a folding cane is still in my purse or suitcase just in case my
straight cane breaks or if I am traveling on an airplane. But that is
about all the use I have for a folding cane.

Mom?s doctors all knew I was blind. I found that they gave me more
thorough information than they gave my sisters. I have often wanted to
ask the doctors why that was. My Mother was in denial of her cancer.
Did the doctors assume that Mom?s denial of her cancer was related to
the denial of her blindness? Did they assume that my sisters, who are
also blind but try to hide their blindness, also would not want to
deal with Mom?s cancer? When I went to the doctor appointments or to
the hospital, I found the doctors and nurses eager to talk to someone
in the family about her condition, test results, their suggestions,
and recommendations. The rest of the family reported that no one
talked to them. Looking back, I believe that my cane told the medical
professionals that I could deal with life?s frustrations successfully
and move on.

Since it has been over five years now that I have used my cane almost
everywhere, my family knows it is not a phase. I know my cane still
makes some people uncomfortable, but this is my life. I need to feel
good about myself in order to lead a happy life. If, once in a while,
someone is uncomfortable around my cane I figure they will either get
used to it, or they are probably not going to be very important in my
life for long, anyway. My cane is here to stay.



From jose.martinez07 at gmail.com  Thu Jul 22 11:52:20 2010
From: jose.martinez07 at gmail.com (Jose Martinez)
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2010 06:52:20 -0500
Subject: [Nfbsatx] Fwd: [Nfbnet-members-list] Resolutions from NFB
	Convention Now Available
In-Reply-To: <auto-000161159065@mailfront2.g2host.com>
References: <auto-000161159065@mailfront2.g2host.com>
Message-ID: <AANLkTim8TK8C3aT6ktGIXdFqmoAa5ESlILBlcAz_zZ1k@mail.gmail.com>

For those who did not attend this years national convention, here is a
great opportunity to find out what the Federation will be actively
working in the coming year.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:10:08 -0500
Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] Resolutions from NFB Convention Now Available
To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org

The following message comes from Sharon Maneki (nfbmd at earthlink.net),


Fellow Federationists,

The resolutions passed during the 2010 NFB National Convention are
posted on our Web site at
http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Resolutions.asp?SnID=4
  and will be published in an upcoming issue of the Braille
Monitor.  Individual resolutions for distribution or personal use can
also be obtained from Kristian
Kuhnke at
kkuhnke at nfb.org.

Sincerely,

Sharon Maneki, Chair

Resolutions Committee



                         David Andrews:  dandrews at visi.com
Follow me on Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/dandrews920


_______________________________________________
Nfbnet-members-list mailing list
Nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org



From jose.martinez07 at gmail.com  Fri Jul 23 20:39:45 2010
From: jose.martinez07 at gmail.com (Jose Martinez)
Date: Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:39:45 -0500
Subject: [Nfbsatx] July Presidential Release now online
Message-ID: <AANLkTikHSTLjnbjYROWKEQSwHb=EQvB9MvoUq2mgGupc@mail.gmail.com>

Hope you are all able to listen to it. Enjoy

http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Presidential_Releases.asp



From jamessofka at att.net  Sun Jul 25 23:13:30 2010
From: jamessofka at att.net (James Sofka)
Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:13:30 -0500
Subject: [Nfbsatx] Fw: [Blindtlk] NBP-Announce: Windows 7 and Vista
	Explained!
Message-ID: <EF7EF2A92DFC4FB796BF52D75002824E@valuedd37chkj3>

Hi, all.
For your information.
Jim Sofka.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tony Grima (by way of David Andrews<dandrews at visi.com>)" 
<agrima at nbp.org>
To: <david.andrews at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 10:05 PM
Subject: [Blindtlk] NBP-Announce: Windows 7 and Vista Explained!


> Windows 7 and Vista Explained: A Guide for Blind and Partially Sighted
> Users
> By Dr. Sarah Morley Wilkins and Steve Griffiths
> In Braille (5 vols.), eBraille (electronic BRF edition), Audio CD, Large
> Print, or Multimedia CD (see description of Multimedia CD contents
> below): $45.00
> Accompanying computer screen diagrams (tactile/braille or large print):
> Sold separately for $28.00
>
> Award-winning author Dr. Sarah Morley Wilkins has teamed up with Steve
> Griffiths in this new step-by-step guide on Microsoft Windows 7 and
> Vista, written specifically for blind users. The fifth book in the
> "Windows Explained" series from the Royal National Institute for the
> Blind, this tutorial starts with the basics and guides users through
> topics such as file management, troubleshooting, and using the Internet.
> Written from a non-visual perspective, this guide will also benefit
> adaptive technology trainers and people supporting users with sight
> loss. By special arrangement with RNIB, NBP is offering the full range
> of formats (with American braille) to customers in the United States and
> Canada only.
>
> Read the complete table of contents, or order the book, at:
> http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/WINDOWS7.html
>
> And don't miss the superb tactile or large-print computer screen
> layouts:
> http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/WINDOWS7-DIAGRAMS.html
>
>
> Note: This book comes in five different formats:
>
>    1. Braille (hardcopy paper edition)
>    2. eBraille (electronic BRF edition)
>    3. Audio CD
>    4. Large Print
>    5. Multimedia CD (select "DAISY CD" from the drop-down menu; see
> description of Multimedia CD contents below.)
>
> The MULTIMEDIA CD edition of this book contains three formats. The
> eBraille version is an embossable braille file, for use on a refreshable
> braille display, or to emboss one hard copy for personal use only using
> your home embosser. The HTML version is a structured text file, which
> can be used by people using screen magnification, speech or braille
> screen readers. The DAISY version contains full audio and linked text
> and a DAISY player.
>
> Also note: NBP is selling this product to customers in the United States
> and Canada only. If you are ordering from outside North America, please
> order directly from RNIB at: +44(0) 1733 37 54 00 or email
> exports at rnib.org.uk.
>
>
> ******
> To order any books, send payment to:
> NBP, 88 St. Stephen Street, Boston, MA 02115-4302
> Or call and charge it: toll-free (800) 548-7323 or (617) 266-6160 ext
> 20. Or order any of our books online at
> http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/publications/index.html .
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nbp mailing list
> Nbp at nbp.org
>
> PLEASE DO NOT respond to this message! It is an automated message and your 
> query will not reach us. Send questions to orders at nbp.org .
>
> Visit us at http://www.nbp.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> blindtlk mailing list
> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> blindtlk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/jamessofka%40att.net 




From jose.martinez07 at gmail.com  Mon Jul 26 23:05:03 2010
From: jose.martinez07 at gmail.com (Jose Martinez)
Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:05:03 -0500
Subject: [Nfbsatx] Fwd: [TABS] Stargardt's Disease
In-Reply-To: <AANLkTimUBsr=29BsuzC6Pc60AhnV_=6HrDDNNJ51xFsT@mail.gmail.com>
References: <AANLkTimUBsr=29BsuzC6Pc60AhnV_=6HrDDNNJ51xFsT@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <AANLkTimQmg6m6d4-qTXxDmisyMvPoxPSmSyX7=WC_ZJU@mail.gmail.com>

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Juan Del Rosario-Martinez <delrosariomartinez.juan at gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:26:12 -0500
Subject: [TABS] Stargardt's Disease
To: tabs_students at googlegroups.com

From:
Priscilla Arvani, President
NFB Arlington Chapter
"Braille Readers ARE Leaders"

I am turning to you all in TABS to ask if anyone in TABS has Stargardt's
disease. The executive director Kathi Fowler of Prevent Blindness of Fort
Worth is searching for a Stargardt's disease support group to refer a young
22 year old to such a group. If anyone knows of anyone or has this condition
could you kindly send an email to Kathi Fowler Kathi at preventblindnessfw.org
.

-- 
-Juan Del Rosario
President
Texas Association of Blind Students
www.nfb-texas.org/tabs.html
Cellphone: (713) 487-JUAN

National Federation of the Blind of Texas
Webmaster
www.nfb-texas.org

-- 
The Texas Association of Blind Students
Web Site:
http://www.nfb-texas.org/tabs.html
Be sure to follow us by searching tabs.students at gmail.com on Facebook,
MySpace, and Twitter.

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "The Texas Association of Blind Students" group.
To post to this group, send email to tabs_students at googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
tabs_students-unsubscribe at googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
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From jose.martinez07 at gmail.com  Wed Jul 28 00:45:06 2010
From: jose.martinez07 at gmail.com (Jose Martinez)
Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:45:06 -0500
Subject: [Nfbsatx] Fwd: [Nfbnet-members-list] Librarian of Congress Says
	Blind Have Right to Access E-books
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com>
Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:54:34 -0500
Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] Librarian of Congress Says Blind Have
Right to Access E-books
To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

cdanielsen at nfb.org

Librarian of Congress Says Blind Have Right to Access E-books
National Federation of the Blind Commends Copyright Ruling
Baltimore, Maryland (July 27, 2010): The National Federation of the
Blind, the oldest nationwide organization of blind Americans and the
leading advocate
for access to digital information by the blind, commented today on
the renewal of a ruling from the Librarian of Congress that allows
the circumvention
of digital rights management (DRM) technology by blind people seeking
equal access to e-books.  The ruling states that one of the
circumstances in which
circumvention of technology that limits access to copyrighted works
is not a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is:
"literary works
distributed in ebook format when all existing ebook editions of the
work (including digital text editions made available by authorized
entities) contain
access controls that prevent the enabling either of the book's
read-aloud function or of screen readers that render the text into a
specialized format."

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind,
said: "The National Federation of the Blind commends the Librarian of
Congress for recognizing
the right of blind Americans to obtain equal access to the
information contained in digital books.  It is the position of the
National Federation of the
Blind that blind people have the right to access content for which
they have paid or which they have otherwise legally obtained, just
like all other readers.
We are pleased that the Librarian of Congress sees matters in the
same way.  The e-book industry, however, has largely failed to
recognize our rights.
The Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook, Sony Reader, and other
e-book reading devices and applications still remain inaccessible to
us, and we have yet
to see accessible e-book readers and content from those who have
promised them.  At this time, Apple products that can access the
company's iBooks are
the only mainstream e-book devices accessible to blind readers.  The
National Federation of the Blind will continue to use every means at
our disposal
to secure the right of blind Americans to access the same books at
the same time and at the same price as all other consumers.  We will
stand for nothing
less."

###

About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind
(NFB) is the largest and most influential membership organization of
blind people in
the United States.  The NFB improves blind people's lives through
advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging
independence and
self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the blindness field
today and the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB
opened the National
Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and
training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.



                         David Andrews:  dandrews at visi.com
Follow me on Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/dandrews920


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