[NFBV-Announce] What's happening and zoom! June 5th

[jackibruce6 at gmail.com]

Hey NFB Family and Friends,

 

Enjoy your week and attempt to make a difference in some ones life this
week. This could be as simple as giving someone a hug or a smile. Be
creative, you will be lifted also!

 

Kudos Corner..

 

You've got it going on girlfriend! Check out Rene Valdez's new podcast.

Hello there!

 

I wanted you to know that I just launched my new podcast, VISIONS OF A BLIND
WOMAN, VOL. 1, BLINDSIDED BY BLINDNESS!  I am hoping you will check it out
and share it with those you love!  If this can help someone, then I will be
happy!

 

VISIONS OF A BLIND WOMAN
<https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/renee-valdez> . A podcast on
Spotify for Podcasters

 


A huge step for blind people everywhere!


Aira Names Everette Bacon Vice President of Blindness Initiatives


Aira, the leading global provider of Visual Interpreter Services, is proud
to announce and welcome Everrette Bacon to the leadership team. We asked
Everette about his background, advocating on behalf of blind people and the
new position and he shared the following:

Aira believes access to visual information is a right, not a privilege, and
this is Aira's mission. And I believe that too - I am passionate about
advocating for the rights of blind and low vision persons. Loss of vision is
not a characteristic that defines me. I want to live the life I want without
blindness holding me back. This mission of Aira I have long believed in, so
I am happy to announce that I have joined the Aira team as Vice President of
Blindness Initiatives.

"The advance of technology is based on making it fit in so that you don't
really even notice it, so it's part of everyday life." Bill Gates

The quote from Bill Gates characterizes my belief that visual interpreting
can become a necessary tool of everyday life for the blind and low vision
community. I believe this position is so important because it brings the
lived, human experience of a qualified blind person to the executive
leadership level of Aira.

My career and education have been directly influenced by a curiosity in the
advancement of technology and an admiration of the lived experiences of
blind people like myself. My family history of genetic blindness dates back
to the 1800s, some 13 generations. I grew up in Southern California and
moved to Texas where I completed my undergraduate degree from Dallas Baptist
University, where I learned how to be a "Servant Leader." A servant-leader
focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of people and the communities
to which they belong. Servant leadership transformed how I approached the
customer service experience during my time as a District Training Store
Manager for Blockbuster Video in both Dallas and Houston. I directly and
successfully managed 10 stores with an average operating budget of $20
million. Working in a fast-paced customer driven environment provided me the
confidence to multitask in many different areas of operations, even as I was
losing more of my vision. After my time at Blockbuster, I transitioned from
a person who used low vision tools such as video magnifiers into a blind
person relying on screen reading software. I learned how to be a blind
person using braille and a white cane. I went on to earn a Master's degree
in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy from Western Michigan University.

Upon moving to my current home in Salt Lake City, I became the Assistive
Technology Specialist for the Utah Division of Services for the Blind and
was promoted to Field Services Coordinator. In this position, I directed all
of the outreach services in low vision, assistive technology, employment
services, and field training.

Serving in the state government sector for over 18 years, working with blind
people of all backgrounds, has prepared me for this opportunity. Winston
Churchill said "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what
we give." I have the privilege of giving back by serving as the elected
Secretary for the National Federation of the Blind, and I am the elected
President of the NFB of Utah. I chair the Commission for Disability and
Accessibility for Salt Lake City as well as serving on the Human Rights
Commission. I am in my 5th term on the FCC Disability Advisory Committee
where I work on issues regarding audio description and other services
affecting the disabled community. Volunteering and advocating on behalf of
blind people is a passion that I am very proud of and something that I will
continue to do in my role at Aira.

This is what the CEO of Aira, Troy Otillio, had to say about why they needed
this position at Aira: "We are looking for an executive to advocate to be a
champion of our effort to make visual interpreting a ubiquitous
accommodation service. Our mission is to remove visual barriers and make the
world more accessible, creating pathways to even greater independence.
Making visual interpreting available for all those who seek the benefit,
irrespective of the individual's
ability to pay is core to Aira's belief system."

I so much agree with Troy. The blind community must reach the understanding
that visual interpretation is a human right, much like video relay is for
the deaf and hard of hearing community. We need to be a part of the world,
not apart from it.

I have been an enthusiastic user of Aira since its inception and have spread
my enthusiasm for it by advocating for visual interpreting all over the
state of Utah. Aira is a wonderful service and I look forward to bringing
this transforming tool to as many blind people as I possibly can, because we
can do wonderful things.

https://aira.io/aira-names-everette-bacon-vice-president-of-blindness-initia
tives/

 

Spotlight On.

 

Hello Chapter members,

 

I wanted to share the heavy news that our member Carolyn Zdziera has passed
away. I was unable to locate an official obituary. This news was shared via
facebook on April 24, 2023. 

 

Carolyn joined the Winchester chapter in May of 2022 and was a member of the
communication committee. Prior to serving in the NFB, Caroln served in the
nonprofit world for many years. Most recently, she served as the Executive
Director at the Community Alternatives to Violence in Martinsburg, West
Virginia where their mission was to prevent abusive behavior by conducting
educational programs for men and women to raise awareness. 

 

Please keep Carolyn in your thoughts and prayers. 


-- 

Respectfully, 

 

James Shobert

Vice President

National Federation of the Blind, Winchester Chapter

 

The June meeting of our Potomac Chapter will take place Wednesday, June 14
from 7 to 9 pm on the affiliate zoom, link and phone numbers above Jacki's
signature block. We have lots to discuss and plan so please join us; all are
welcome.

 

Sandy Halverson, President

 

Here's how to join our Affiliate's Zoom:

 

https://zoom.us/j/8297256345?pwd=SFAyamlQNU44ZTJ6dUZNMTV4RmhCQT09

 

One tap mobile

tell: +13017158592,,8297256345# 

 

Telephone Dial: 1 (301) 715-8592

Meeting ID: 829 725 6345#

 

If needed the password is 20201940

 

 

Chapter Information:

 

Eastern Shore Chapter

Althea Pittman

Phone: 757-787-3853

E-mail: vaescil at gmail.com <mailto:vaescil at gmail.com> 

Contact the chapter for current meeting times.

 

Chesapeake Bay Chapter

Chapter meeting:  Fourth Saturday from 11 AM to 1:30 PM, at the Gus and
George's Spaghetti and Steakhouse, 4312 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach,
23452.  

Virtual Meeting Information: None, in person only.

 

Fairfax Chapter

Chapter meeting:  Third Thursday from 7 to 8:30 PM, virtual meetings only. 

Virtual Meeting Information: Uses the Affiliate's Zoom

 

Greater Alexandria Chapter

Chapter meeting:  Fourth Thursday of most months from 7 to 9pm.  

Virtual Meeting Information:  Uses affiliate zoom.

 

Greater Williamsburg Chapter

Chapter meeting: First Saturday of each month

>From 1 to 3 PM at the James City Rec. Center,5301 Long Hill Road,
Williamsburg, 23188.

Virtual Meeting Information:  

 

Peninsula Chapter

Chapter meeting:   Third Saturday of the month from 11:30 to 1 PM, My
Neighbor's Pub, 12743 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News, 23602.

Virtual Meeting Information:  Phone 605-475-4825 passcode, 549778#.  

 

Potomac Chapter

Chapter meeting:     Second Wednesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 PM.

Virtual Meeting Information:  

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6025022255

 

Meeting ID: 602 502 2255

One tap mobile +13017158592,,6025022255 <tel:%20+13017158592,,6025022255> 

 

Prince William Chapter

Chapter meeting:    Third Saturday of the month, from 2 to 3PM. 

Virtual Meeting Information:   Phone 605-313-5562 passcode, 293383.

We occasionally meet at Bar Louie, 15001 Potomac Town Place, Woodbridge,
22191, follow this weekly announcement to learn when we will be in person.  

 

Richmond Chapter

Chapter meeting:    Fourth Monday of the month from 6:30-8:30 PM in the
assembly room of the Administrative Activities Building at VDBI, 401 Azalea
Ave. Richmond 23227. 

Virtual Meeting Information:  Uses affiliate zoom.

 

Tidewater Chapter

Chapter meeting:    Third Saturday of the month from 2PM to 3:30PM 

Virtual Meeting Information:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3661685508?pwd=a2RwY0o5TWVIa2xBbDBPSEJzL0l2QT09

Meeting ID: 366 168 5508
Passcode: 21211955
One tap mobile
 <tel:%20+13017158592,,3661685508#,,,,*21211955>
+13017158592,,3661685508#,,,,*21211955# US (Washington DC)

Dial by your location
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

 

Winchester Chapter

Chapter meeting:    Third Saturday of the month from 10 AM to 11:30 AM at
Sollenberger True Value Hardware, 832 Berryville Ave., Winchester, 22601.

Virtual Meeting Information: Uses Affiliate Zoom. 

 

At-Large Chapter

Chapter meeting:   Third Tuesday of the month from 8 PM to 9 PM, August
through May, with a face to face reception held during state convention.

 

Designed to meet the needs of Virginians who do not live near a local
chapter.   

Virtual Meeting Information:  Uses affiliate zoom.

 

Seniors Division

Chapter Meeting: Fourth Wednesday the month from 7 PM to 9 PM 

Virtual information: Uses Affiliate's zoom

 

Honest people don't hide their deeds -Emily Bronte, Withering Heights

 

Peace,   

 

Jacki Bruce

 

Corresponding Secretary, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia

RISE/Silver Bells Outreach Coordinator

 <mailto:jackibruce6 at gmail.com> mailto:jackibruce6 at gmail.com
 <tel:(757)291-1789> tel:(757)291-1789
 <http://www.nfb.org/> www.nfb.org
 <http://www.nfbv.org/> www.nfbv.org

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Live the life you want.

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work
together to help blind people live the lives they want

 

 

 

 

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