<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="auto"><font size="5">Miss Ruth here. Welcome, Ilire! I should say, welcome back. So glad to have you with us. I know you from Vision Loss Alliance's webinars.</font></div><div dir="auto"><font size="5"><br></font></div><div dir="auto"><font size="5">You sound like a true tech-y type, which is great. I'm not as well-versed with tech, but have learned so much from Janie, Tony and everyone. You'll love this group, and I have a feeling you'll be teaching us as much as learning.</font></div><div dir="auto"><font size="5"><br></font></div><div dir="auto"><font size="5">PS Every time I typed your name, Ilire, it would automatically change it to "I Like." Technology has a mind of its own sometimes!</font></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div id="composer_signature" dir="auto"><div style="font-size:85%;color:#575757" dir="auto">Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone</div></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div><br></div><div align="left" dir="auto" style="font-size:100%;color:#000000"><div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: Ilire Goca via NJTechDiv <njtechdiv@nfbnet.org> </div><div>Date: 7/12/21 12:45 PM (GMT-05:00) </div><div>To: njtechdiv@nfbnet.org </div><div>Cc: iliregoca@gmail.com </div><div>Subject: [NJTechDiv] Introducing Myself </div><div><br></div></div><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal">Hello everyone,</p><p class="MsoNormal">My name is Ilire Goca and since I am new to the technology division, I thought I would introduce myself. I will be a senior at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania this fall and I am studying to be a Teacher of the Visually Impaired. I was an NFBNJ Scholarship winner back in 2017, but after attending state convention and winning the scholarship, I took a three-year hiatus from being actively involved in the New Jersey affiliate because my focus was on college. Prior to winning the state scholarship, I was involved in the New Jersey Association of Blind Students where I got to network and hear about the various experiences of blind students who were either transitioning to college or who were in college already. When I got to college, I started becoming involved in many community service clubs on campus. Unfortunately, I had to take a leave of absence during the spring semester of this year because I found online learning very challenging and isolating. I will be returning to campus in Fall 2021.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Currently, I volunteer as a technology coach with the Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library in New York City. My job is to assist blind and visually impaired adults on how to use their assistive technology over Zoom, whether that be teaching them how to navigate Outlook with Jaws or how to use VoiceOver to navigate the iPhone. I have always loved learning and teaching others about what’s new in the field of assistive tech. I have also been involved in the NFB on the national level. After the 2020 virtual convention, I became involved in the National Association of Blind Students where I assisted with the fundraising efforts of the organization.</p><p class="MsoNormal">In closing, I apologize for the lengthy e-mail and I can’t wait to learn from and network with all of you at future tech division meetings!</p><p class="MsoNormal">Thank you,</p><p class="MsoNormal">Ilire Goca</p></div></body></html>