[Nfbv-announce] Update: Join Us at the 2014 Richmond Seminar - Jan 20 - 21

[Tracy Soforenko]

Hi Fellow Federationists,

 

Richmond Seminar is going to be very exciting this year. We have two topics
with bills in the General Assembly with support from both parties. However,
to move this legislation forward, we need your help.

 

Update on our bills:

National Reading Media Assessment (NRMA) - Require use of the NRMA for
assessing the reading needs of blind and low vision students. We have a bill
in both the Senate and the House of Delegates.

Eliminate Virginia's Blind registry -  DBVI is required to maintain a
registry of blind Virginians. This requirement is wasteful, useless to DBVI
and others, discriminatory and incomplete. DBVI agrees with its elimination.
We have a bill in the House of Delegates.

 

The hotel deadline is coming up within 1 week.  Reservations are due no
later than Friday, January 10. Make your reservation today.

Michael and I really need to know who is coming. Please let us know if you
are planning to attend so we can work out the teams and start scheduling
appointments. We especially need representation from across the
Commonwealth.

Finally, if you cannot attend, we still need to know where you live. Look
for a note in the coming days 

 

All details are provided in the note below. Please know that the affiliate
will pay for transportation and your hotel room as long as you share a room.
If you need help with room shares, please contact me.

 

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The National Federation of the Blind of Virginia is a powerful force
advocating for blind Virginians. Please join us for the Richmond Seminar on
January 20- 21, 2014 to ensure our voice is heard in the offices of the
General Assembly. 

If you have never attended a Richmond Seminar, we strongly encourage you to
attend and participate in representative democracy in action. Everyone is
assigned to a team with an experienced leader. The General Assembly members
and their staff are very receptive and welcoming. They know we are
organized, articulate, and well versed in the subject matter. We will put
everyone on the team to work, sharing our issues and answering the questions
of legislators and their staff. 

 

The issues we will bring to Richmond will most likely include:

.         Requiring a research based reading media assessment as part of
every blind and low vision student's Individual Education Plan (IEP) so
Virginia's students who need Braille will get Braille;

.         Elimination of the registry of Virginia's Blind maintained by
DBVI;

.         Defending Virginia's Randolph Sheppard priority ; and 

.         Support for Virginia Department of the Blind and Vision Impaired
(DVBI) as a separate agency. 

 

The final list of issues will be presented at the board meeting.

 

We have bills being drafted that will need co-sponsors. Chapter Presidents
should make contact with their General Assembly members in their local
offices before the end of the year. If you need assistance in identifying
them, contact Michael or Tracy. A meeting with them will go a long way in
establishing the recognition that is needed for our visit to Richmond. All
Chapter members are encouraged to participate.  

 

Our board meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 20 which is Martin Luther
King Day. The Board Meeting will be held from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at The DBVI
Library and Resource Center, 395 Azalea Avenue, Richmond, VA 23227. 

Our General Assembly visits will be Tuesday, January 21.

 

The affiliate will reimburse transportation expenses and hotel expenses.

Chapter presidents should arrange cost effective transportation for their
chapter members. Individuals are expected to share hotel rooms and must
obtain hotel reservations themselves at the NFB of Virginia rate. If you
need assistance identifying a room share, please contact Michael or Tracy.

 

Hotel rooms are available at the Crowned Plaza Hotel Downtown, 555 East
Canal Street, Richmond, VA 22319. Hotel rooms can be reserved by telephone
at 804-788-0900 or 800-227-6963. The NFB rate is $85 plus tax per night. The
deadline for booking hotel rooms is January 10, 2014. Hotel reservations at
this rate must be cancelled 72 hours in advance of arrival to avoid a
penalty. Parking at the NFB rate is $6.

 

Chapter presidents must provide the names of the individuals planning to
attend from their chapter to Michael and Tracy by Wednesday, January 15,
2014 so we can establish teams in advance. If you have any questions, please
contact Michael Kasey at (540)760-3885 or michaelgkasey at verizon.net or Tracy
Soforenko at (703)635-2085 or tracy.soforenko at gmail.com