[Oabs] Update

[Robert Spangler]

Hello everyone,

Well, I'm fresh from Washington Seminar and prepared to get things 
rolling with the division.  First, I would like to say that it was nice 
to meet those of you who I met.  It was a great time and I look forward 
to seeing you all in Detroit this summer if my wallet allows it.  It was 
quite an experience visiting the offices of our congressmen and speaking 
to them regarding our concerns and ideas.

Onto division business...

I am attempting to get information circulated.  I have written up a 
letter that I am trying to give to as many people as I can.  I have 
already sent it to the office of accessibility here at the University of 
Toledo and asked them to circulate it among the blind students 
registered with them.  Now, I would like to ask you all to do the same 
at your universities.  I have attached a Word document (not sure if the 
list will allow its passage) to this message.  Please ask the people at 
your DSS offices to circulate it to their blind students.  If you 
require assistance with this initiative, please contact me--information 
at the end of this email.  I have already asked someone to take care of 
Bowling Green but if any other BG students are present there is nothing 
wrong with a couple of people carrying out the same task--spread the word!

In case the attachment didn't make it, I have copied the text of the 
letter to this email.  It is between the two lines of dashes:
------------
Dear Students,

My name is Robert Spangler and I am a blind, undergraduate student at 
the University of Toledo.  I am attempting to recruit new members to the 
Ohio Association of Blind Students division of the National Association 
of Blind Students, which is an organization under the National 
Federation of the Blind.  We are working to facilitate communication 
between blind students around the state.  Through such collaborations, 
it is our hope that members can support, advise, and provide guidance to 
each other.  Being a blind student in a predominately-sighted university 
setting can be challenging; however, by networking with other students, 
who are also blind, many of these challenges can be handled with ease. 
It can be quite refreshing to speak with someone who is going through 
many of the same challenges as you are.

At this point in time, we maintain an email discussion list which 
members or interested parties are asked to join.  It is a very 
low-volume list.  We are attempting to get the blind students of Ohio 
connected!  To subscribe, please visit the following link and fill out 
the short subscription form:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/oabs_nfbnet.org

The Ohio Association of Blind Students is part of the National 
Federation of the Blind.  With more than 50,000 members, the National 
Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership 
organization of blind people in the United States.  The NFB improves 
blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, 
and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence.  It is the 
leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's 
blind.

If you would like to speak to me regarding the student division, you may 
email me at spangler.robert at gmail.com or call me at 937-474-7533.  Text 
messages at that number are also accepted!  It is my hope that we can 
unite the blind students of Ohio and further our endeavor of obtaining 
an equal education along with our sighted counterparts.

Thank you very much,
Robert
Ohio Association of Blind Students - President

------------

I would ask you to distribute the document unaltered.

Thanks a bunch guys!  Get ahold of me if you need anything.
email: spangler.robert at gmail.com
Phone: 937-474-7533

Thanks,
Robby
-- 
Robert Spangler
The University of Toledo
Student Senate - Recording Secretary
Ohio Association of Blind Students - President
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