<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div>Dear members and friends,</div><div>I wanted to share this with everyone as we end the year! A note from Tracy Soforenko, president of our state affiliate.</div><div>We would like to thank him for his leader ship. Thank you.</div><div><br><div dir="ltr"><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Chris Walker </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;">President </span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Winchester Chapter </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;">National Federation of the Blind of Virginia </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;">chrisvinson1@gmail.com</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;">540.303.0080 </span></div><div>www.nfb.org </div><div>www.nfbv.org</div><div>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</div></div><div dir="ltr"><br>Begin forwarded message:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><b>From:</b> Joe Orozco via NFBV-Announce <nfbv-announce@nfbnet.org><br><b>Date:</b> December 24, 2020 at 1:13:15 PM EST<br><b>To:</b> Nfbv-announce@nfbnet.org<br><b>Subject:</b> <b>[NFBV-Announce] The Vigilant, Holiday Edition</b><br><b>Reply-To:</b> Joe Orozco <jsorozco@gmail.com><br><br></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:8.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
line-height:106%;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
h1
{mso-style-priority:9;
mso-style-link:"Heading 1 Char";
margin-top:12.0pt;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
text-align:center;
page-break-after:avoid;
font-size:16.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
h2
{mso-style-priority:9;
mso-style-link:"Heading 2 Char";
margin-top:2.0pt;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
text-align:center;
page-break-after:avoid;
font-size:14.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#954F72;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
span.Heading1Char
{mso-style-name:"Heading 1 Char";
mso-style-priority:9;
mso-style-link:"Heading 1";
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;
font-weight:bold;}
span.Heading2Char
{mso-style-name:"Heading 2 Char";
mso-style-priority:9;
mso-style-link:"Heading 2";
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;
font-weight:bold;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--><div class="WordSection1"><h1>The Vigilant: Holiday Edition<o:p></o:p></h1><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h1>Joe Orozco, Editor<o:p></o:p></h1><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h2>From the President’s Desk<o:p></o:p></h2><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">NFBV Family,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">As we approach the end of this difficult year, there is such a mix of emotions. The holidays are upon us, and yet we find ourselves facing the need to challenge our spirit of ingenuity and resiliency yet again.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">First, we wish to extend our hearts to those who are feeling the loss of a loved one from COVID19. Please know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of your Federation Family members and are not alone. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Next, we want to acknowledge that whether you have suffered directly or indirectly, this has not been an easy year for any of us. Many of us have had to face a great deal of challenges, and some of us are still struggling to figure out our new normal. You are not alone. Your Federation Family is here to support and aid you. With all that said, let us explore a few observations.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">No matter what Holiday you are enjoying, there are three attributes that cross religious and cultural lines that I have witnessed each of you demonstrate throughout this year and that I hope resonate with your annual festivities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">I have seen an incredible amount of faith serge in the affiliate. Whether it is based in religious foundations, universal karmic energy, or the basic decency and resiliency of human nature; we have been able to face the hardships of this year with faith driving us to reach out to one another, find solutions to our individual and collective problems, and maintain a positive and encouraging attitude. I hope that this spirit of faith continues to propel us towards a brighter new year. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Likewise, from the fountain of faith I’ve seen an outpouring of love. Members reaching out even beyond the Virginia Affiliate to try and help ease the burdens of their friends, family members, and Federation associates. As an affiliate we have been able to strive even further to include those who may have previously been feeling excluded, and I hope we have been able to convey a message of love and acceptance, something I hope is not only heard but felt by every member in our Virginia Family. It is my hope that each of you will feel the expansive arms of the NFBV surround you this Holiday Season and know that you belong with people who truly desire to know you and see you live the life you deserve to live to your best ability. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">While on this point, I want to acknowledge a few bright examples of service to one another. I’m thinking of Joe Hobson, who saw that a talking traffic signal was not working near the home of a friend and devoted weeks of advocacy until the county fixed the issue. I’m thinking of Stewart Prost and his wife Debbie, who did not let COVID stop them from providing food and transportation assistance to a Federation member from out of state who required surgery. I’m thinking of the handful of members who stepped up when one of our leaders found herself with unexpected emergency vet bills for her guide dog. These are just a few manifestations of love I know course through our affiliate veins and largely what makes us family.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">And, finally, I have seen joy from you. Despite the virus, the election, civil unrest, and a myriad of personal challenges, you have risen above it all and shown yourselves to be true examples of what it means to thrive in spite of them. We have come together in virtual meetings and activities and have lifted one another, laughed with one another, and supported one another. And as we look around this Holiday Season, though heavy hearted with all that has happened, we can lift our heads with joy and pride knowing that we are people who cannot be held down. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">My dear friends, I hope your Holidays are filled with each of these characteristics. I am truly grateful to serve you, and to be apart of such a steadfast and inspiring group of individuals. Happy Holidays, and a very Happy New Year. The road ahead will not be an easy one. Difficult conversations will continue to be had until we find better versions of ourselves, but with you, I am confident 2021 will be a better year for all.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">With love,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Tracy Soforenko, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h2>Quotation of the Moment<o:p></o:p></h2><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.” —Edith Lovejoy Pierce<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h2>Announcing the CLI Library<o:p></o:p></h2><h2>By Joe Orozco<o:p></o:p></h2><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">After months ... Okay, maybe it was more like a year, of talking about how I was going to make it happen, I finally found the time to make it work. I took materials previously produced by some of our excellent leaders and compiled them into what I feel will be an excellent start to any new, or existing, chapter leader’s essential library.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The <a href="http://nfbv.org/cli_library">CLI Library</a> features articles, guides, samples, templates, and audio content. It provides model documents for things like proclamations, constitutions, secretary minutes, treasurer reports, parliamentary rules, and many other resources that will assist in the running of a local chapter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">If you take a look and find there are missing materials, please let me know.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The CLI Library comes as part of a refresh to the CLI pages. CLI participants can navigate there and find important calendar dates, current homework assignments, and of course the reading list. The hope is that the resource will serve as a great reference for chapter presidents who want to be kept updated on current developments in the CLI program.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Give it a look, and please feel free to provide feedback. You can access the CLI Library at:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">http://nfbv.org/cli_library<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h2>The Best of the Rest<o:p></o:p></h2><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Here are a few items of note:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Presidential Report:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">If you missed our state convention, take a moment to <a href="http://nfbv.org/blog_2020_presidential_report">read Tracy’s Presidential Report here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Scribe for Meetings:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">As the world continues to move to a virtual environment, you need an affordable solution that guarantees full access to everyone in your audience. Pneuma Solutions, the global leader in accessible cloud solutions, introduces Scribe for Meetings! The goal is to make the on-screen content in your online meetings and webinars accessible to print-impaired participants in as easy a manner as possible. <a href="https://scribeformeetings.com/">Try it out today</a>!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">New NVDA Beta Available:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Beta2 of NVDA 2020.4 is now available for download and testing. For anyone who is interested in trying out what the next version of NVDA has to offer before it is officially released, we welcome you to <a href="https://www.nvaccess.org/post/nvda-2020-4beta2/">download the beta</a> and provide feedback.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Webinar on JAWS and Zoom:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">If your holiday decorations are still up, they are not going anywhere. Leave the cleanup for another day and join Elizabeth Whitaker and the Vispero team to identify how you and your students can make use of the new features in JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion in 2021. Jan 12, 2021 11:30 AM Eastern. <a href="https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_a5mVxelLRraLJA6wEUlBYg">Register here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">2020 Annual Aira Explorer Survey:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> This annual survey is available from Tuesday, December 22nd until Thursday, December 31st. It is expected to take no longer than ten to fifteen minutes to complete. If you would like to use an Aira agent to complete the survey, an Aira Access Offer is available under "Promotions". The survey itself is anonymous unless you choose to share your identity. You may <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScVy83qW5sl2KuYzW7CmgPnzWOpnr03zNt-azRPAf-LgVjuNg/viewform">complete the survey here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><span>_______________________________________________</span><br><span>NFBV-Announce mailing list</span><br><span>NFBV-Announce@nfbnet.org</span><br><span>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbv-announce_nfbnet.org</span><br></div></blockquote></div></body></html>