[NYABS] {Disarmed} Fwd: National Federation of the Blind Newsletter - A High Five for the Federation, Family, and Furthering our Movement

Wed Jun 1 13:50:45 UTC 2016

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind " <IOF at nfb.org>
> Date: June 1, 2016 at 9:08:28 AM EDT
> To: Nihal Erkan <nihal_erkan at hotmail.com>
> Subject: National Federation of the Blind Newsletter - A High Five for the  Federation, Family, and Furthering our Movement
> Reply-To: "Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind " <IOF at nfb.org>
> 
> 
> 
> Imagineering Our Future
> 
>   Issue 87
> 
> June 2016  
> 
> In this issue:
> 
> Message from the President
> What's News at the NFB
> Braille Certification Training Program
> From the tenBroek Library
> Independence Market
> Advocacy
> Access Technology
> NFB Calendar
> Citation
> 
> 
> Message from the President
> 
> Dear Friends:
> 
> I have held many titles but without a doubt the most important one is "Dad." As Father's Day approaches, I need your help to protect the rights of other blind fathers (and mothers) and to ensure that future blind parents have access to quality resources that will help them and those around them know that blindness is not the characteristic that defines their ability to be a great parent.
> 
> I am calling on you today to give a high five to blind parents for Father's Day. By making a contribution of $5 (or some multiple of $5), you can help the National Federation of the Blind strengthen and broaden our initiative for blind parents. Last month we launched the first phase of blindparents.org--our online resource center for connecting, empowering, and protecting blind parents in fulfilling their dream of living up to the title of mom, dad, grandmother, or grandfather. The more high fives we get on this Father's Day, the more blind parents or prospective parents we can connect, empower, and protect.
> 
> Every day we come across blind people who are preparing to be parents but who have never met a blind parent. Unfortunately, these same individuals are often surrounded by sighted friends and family who question how they will effectively serve as caregiver. These questions are frequently rooted in misconceptions about blindness and low expectations. Unless we get these blind parents connected with other blind parents like my wife Melissa and me, the questions begin to add doubt and fear to the general concern that every new parent faces. Through the National Federation of the Blind, we offer a meaningful personal mentoring connection that helps answer the questions.
> 
> All new parents have questions, but there have not been adequate resources for blind people to discover and share the techniques, tools, strategies, and tips that blind people use to effectively parent without vision. Through the National Federation of the Blind, we are building out the resources to empower blind parents to know and share the techniques and information that they need to be outstanding caregivers. What product is best for gaining access to a child's temperature? What techniques do blind people use to monitor their children? How do blind parents deal with transportation and managing the daily schedule of after-school activities, homework, school meetings, etc.? These questions and others are ones that successful blind parents already have answers to, and through our work we will create new means of sharing this knowledge base, continuing to build it with new ideas, and empowering blind parents to utilize it in their day-to-day parenting.
> 
> Some may be surprised  that every week we learn of more blind people who have had the custody of their child threatened by social workers, counselors, neighbors, and even other family members who have low expectations and no experience with the nonvisual techniques that blind people use to be effective parents. Often times children are separated from their parent who is blind and the misunderstanding about the capacity of blind people is the primary reason. The characteristic of blindness should not be used to rip these families apart and we can do something about this discriminatory behavior. Through the National Federation of the Blind, we provide legal advocacy, assistance, and training to protect blind parents in cases where blindness is being used to unfairly divide parents from their children. We also undertake advocacy to eliminate state laws that permit blindness to be used to demonstrate inability to parent. Likewise, we are proactively developing resources and training to reach more social workers, family court personnel, hospital staff, families, and others to break down the misconceptions and strengthen understanding about the capacity of the blind to be great parents.
> 
> If you believe in our comprehensive strategy to connect, empower, and protect blind parents, then I need a high five from you. In fact, the more high fives the better. You cannot put a price on love; and our blind parents initiative is protecting the bonds of love between blind parents and their children.
> 
> Please join with me by giving us a high five on our donation page. Also help us spread the word about our blindparents.org webpage. To get involved in our blind parents initiative, please send an email to parenting at nfb.org.
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> 
> 
> Mark A. Riccobono, President
> National Federation of the Blind
> 
> 
> 
> What's News at the NFB
> 
> Thank You to our 2016 National Convention Elite and Platinum Sponsors
> 
> Elite:
> 
> Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
> 
> Platinum:
> 
> Cardtronics, Inc.
> 
> Delta Air Lines
> 
> Google, Inc.
> 
> Oracle
> 
> Target
> 
> UPS
> 
> VFO (Freedom Scientific/Optelec)
> 
> Delay on Internet Regulations by DOJ
> 
> The National Federation of the Blind, the nation's leading advocate for equal access by the blind to information and technology, condemned the announcement by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) that it will further delay issuing regulations under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and instead seek further comments from the public on what those regulations should contain. Details can be found at https://nfb.org/national-federation-blind-condemns-delay-web-accessibility-regulations.
> 
> Uber Settlement
> 
> In an unprecedented settlement, Uber has agreed to take affirmative steps to prevent discrimination against blind riders who use guide dogs in its transportation network across the United States. Read our full press release at https://nfb.org/groundbreaking-settlement-end-discrimination-against-blind-uber-riders-who-use-guide-dogs.
> 
> 
> 
> Braille Certification Training Program
> 
> Contest for Braille Readers
> 
> The Onkyo Braille essay contest is administered by the National Federation of the Blind for the North America/Caribbean Region of the World Blind Union. Essays must be written in Braille and in English or their author's native language and must be completely original. Entries should be no fewer than eight hundred words and no more than one thousand words.
> 
> The contest is divided into two groups of competitors--one junior group, aged twenty-five and under; and one senior group, aged twenty-six and above. Prizes range from $500 to $2,000. All essays must be received by June 30, 2016. Visit http://www.nfb.org/onkyo-braille-essay-contest for more information and an application.
> 
> 
> 
> From the tenBroek Library
> 
> The month of June is always busy at the NFB Jernigan Institute as our staff work hard to get everything ready for our annual national convention, typically held the first week of July. Since 1940, the size and shape of the national convention has changed greatly; yet looking at the early convention records housed in the papers of our founder, Dr. Jacobus tenBroek, it is easy to see that largest annual gathering of blind people in American still remains true to its roots. It is, and has always been, a time for members to come together both to conduct the serious business of the organization and to strengthen the bonds of the Federation family through networking, the sharing of common goals, and exciting adventures. A prime example of this can be found in the convention agenda for 1952:
> 
>      TENNESSEE ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND
> 
> OUTLINE OF PROGRAM of the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND to be held in NASHVILLE at the ANDREW JACKSON HOTEL SATURDAY, July 12 through TUESDAY JULY 15.
> 
> (Note: This is the first time for the National Federation of the Blind to hold its annual convention, not only in Tennessee but in the South. This year the National Federation will hold a Bowling Meet for the Blind. This will be the first time that the Federation has sponsored such an event…)
> 
> PROGRAM
> 
> SATURDAY MORNING, July 12: Registration in the lobby of the Andrew Jackson Hotel; 1. Atomic Research - A Job for the Blind, Dr. Bradley Burson; 2. How Safe are the Blind? Mr. Smith Shumway; 3. Public Welfare Principles, Mr. George Card.
> 
> SATURDAY AFTERNOON: A Living Pension for the Blind… [panel presentation]
> 
> (On Saturday Night many of the delegates will visit the Grand Ole Opry, where a block of tickets has already been reserved.)
> 
> SUNDAY MORNING, July 13: Rehabilitation, Employment and Vending Stand Programs… [presentations]
> 
> SUNDAY AFTERNOON: Discriminatory Exclusion of the Blind from Trades and Professions… [panel presentation]
> 
> SUNDAY EVENING, July 13: The climax of the entire convention will come on Sunday, July 13, with a reception for guests and delegates, followed by a banquet.
> 
> Kenneth Jernigan, President of the Tennessee Association of the Blind will serve as toastmaster at the banquet. Governor Gordon Browning will introduce the principal speaker of the evening, Dr. Jacobus tenBroek, President of the National Federation of the Blind. Some three hundred people are expected to attend the reception and banquet. Besides Governor Browning, Mayor West of Nashville, several of Tennessee's Congressmen, and Representatives of several Civic Groups will be present. At the banquet, Western and Northern delegates who are visiting the South for the first time will be treated to two Southern specialities, fried chicken and chess pie.
> 
> MONDAY MORNING, July 14: Executive director's report.
> 
> MONDAY AFTERNOON: On Monday afternoon the Tennessee Association of the Blind will conduct the convention delegates and their guests on a tour through Nashville and some of the surrounding area. Among those places visited will be the Parthenon, the Hermitage, and the new school for the blind at Donelson. Lunch and dinner will be served on the tour.
> 
> MONDAY EVENING: A bowling meet will be held on Monday evening. Blind people from several states are expected to compete for honors.
> 
> TUESDAY MORNING: Legislative program.
> 
> TUESDAY AFTERNOON: White Cane report, treasurer's report, election of officers and selection of a Convention city for 1953.
> 
> For more information on the timing and activities of the 2016 NFB National Convention, please visit the convention webpage today!
> 
> 
> 
> Independence Market
> 
> Last fall we shared with our readers that the National Federation of the Blind is starting to update our brochures to reflect our new branding. At that time we had just completed our main brochure, "What is the National Federation of the Blind." If you wish to know what text the brochure contains before handing out hard copies in print or in Braille, you may review the brochure text online. The Braille version may also be downloaded as a BRF file and embossed on demand.
> 
> We are excited to announce that we just completed the revision of the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children brochure. You may review this one online as well. Print and Braille copies of the National Federation of the Blind brochure and print copies of the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children brochure may be ordered from the Independence Market.
> 
> At this time the staff of the NFB Independence Market are busily gearing up for our national convention, which will be held this year in Orlando, Florida, at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort from June 30 through July 5. In preparation for the convention we are adding new items to our stock and are updating our catalog. At the convention itself almost all of our sales products and much of our free literature will be available in the exhibit hall. Convention attendees will have a chance to examine demo items of all our products, including the new ones.
> 
> Many volunteers will help staff our store at convention to assist with demonstrating products to our customers and processing the resulting purchases. If you would like to volunteer for a shift in the Independence Market, please contact Patricia Maurer at our national office by phone at 410-659-9314, extension 2272, or email her at pmaurer at nfb.org. Thank you in advance to all of you who are helping out in some capacity. We would not be able to run the Independence Market at convention without you.
> 
> We hope to see many of you in Orlando. If you are not able to join us at our convention, check out the Independence Market online or contact us via email or by phone at 410-659-9314, extension 2216, for a catalog. Please note that we will not be able to process any online or telephone orders while we are away at convention.
> 
> 
> 
> Advocacy
> 
> Help Advocate for Accessible State and Local Government Websites - Your Stories are Needed by July 15
> 
> The need for access to public websites continues to be an area of critical importance to the NFB. Though the courts have increasingly identified that websites fall within the intent and scope of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and cannot be vehicles of discrimination and exclusion against blind citizens, the federal government has yet to confirm regulations that would require websites to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. The NFB’s advocacy for such regulations cannot stop until websites are accessible.
> 
> In May, the U.S. Department of Justice published its Supplemental Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking titled Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities (SANPRM) in the Federal Register. In response to the new SANPRM, the NFB is gathering comments and stories from members to highlight the importance of access to state and local government websites. We need your stories, both positive and negative, regarding the importance of accessible state and local government websites—websites for voter registration, applying for a state or local government job, appealing a property tax assessment, renewing a library book, requesting food stamps, registering for a class at your local state or community college, or any other state or local government service. Visit www.nfb.org/TitleIISANPRM for steps on how you can help the NFB advocate for accessible websites, and/or contact Kyle Walls at 410-659-9314, extension 2223, or kwalls at nfb.org. We will be gathering member stories through July 15.
> 
> 
> 
> Access Technology
> 
> In the aftermath of the deluge of new technology that was CSUN, the access technology team has been catching up on a few things. We’ve also been writing things up—the team wrote three blog posts for Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), covering the latest accessibility improvements on Android, the new B2G notetaker, and accessible browser choices. In other GAAD news, we also presented to accessibility champions and other interested staff at Expedia on web accessibility.
> 
> For those of you who live near Baltimore, you may be interested to learn that we’ve announced the next two accessibility boutiques. The topic for the June boutique is converting printed text to digital text: optical character recognition in the office and on the go. That will take place on June 23, 8:00-10:00 a.m. The July boutique on July 25, 3:00-5:00 p.m. will be on accessible websites, made accessibly—an introduction to Wordpress. If you are interested in attending either or both of these boutiques, RSVP to cvangerven at nfb.org; space is limited. The event will be held at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute at:
> 
> 200 East Wells Street
> at Jernigan Place
> Baltimore, MD 21230
> 
> 
> 
> NFB Calendar
> 
> Upcoming Events
> 
> May 23-August 26, 2016: NFB BELL Academy held at forty-six sites throughout the nation. More information at https://nfb.org/bell-academy.
> 
> June 19-25: NFB EQ (first iteration)
> 
> June 30-July 5: National Federation of the Blind Convention, Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando, Florida, https://nfb.org/convention
> 
> July 31-August 6: NFB EQ (second iteration)
> 
> August 18-25: WBU-ICEVI General Assembly, Rosen Centre Hotel, Orlando, Florida, www.wbu-icevi2016.org
> 
>   
> 
> Citation
> 
> Our own National Federation has blazed the trail and shown the way. We have demonstrated what blind men and women can do in freedom and in concert, through independence and interdependence. We have proved, in the fires of battle, our right to organize, to speak for ourselves, and to be heard.
> 
> – Dr. Jacobus tenBroek. “The Parliament of Man... The Federation of the World” 1964 NFB National Convention, Phoenix, Arizona, July 2, 1964.
> 
>   
> 
> Thank you for reading the NFB’s Imagineering Our Future.
> 
> Help make a significant difference in the lives of blind people across the country.
> 
> 
>               
> Make a Gift Today
> 
> Back to Top
> 
>  	
>  
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> Make a
> Gift Today
> 
>  
> 
> To donate a vehicle to the NFB, call toll-free
> (855) 659-9314
> or visit our 
> vehicle donation
> page.
> 
>  
> 
>  To donate clothing or household items to the NFB, 
> visit 
> www.nfbpickup.org/ 
> or call toll-free 
> (888) 610-4632
> to schedule a pickup or to find drop locations.
> 
>  
> 
> 
>  
> 
> If this issue was forwarded to you and you would like to subscribe, please email JerniganInstitute at nfb.org.
> 
>  
> 
> 
>  
> 
> Please check with your company to see if it offers a matching program that will match your gift.
> 
>  
> 
> 
>  
> 
> Interesting links:
> 
> Archive of Straight Talk About Vision Loss videos
> 
> National Center for Blind Youth in Science
> 
> Access Technology Tips
> 
> TeachBlindStudents.org
> 
>  
> 
> 
>  
> 
> Blogs:
> 
> Access Technology
> 
> Voice of the Nation's Blind
> 
>  
> 
> 
>  
> 
> Support the National Federation of the Blind through the Imagination Fund.
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> National Federation of the Blind
> 200 East Wells Street
> at Jernigan Place
> Baltimore, MD 21230
> United States
> (410) 659-9314 
> 
> 
> Unsubscribe from this mailing or unsubscribe from all future mailings.  
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nyabs_nfbnet.org/attachments/20160601/90100719/attachment.html>