[Ohio-talk] email update

Wed Feb 15 01:22:31 UTC 2017

Happy Valentine's Day! The National Federation of the Blind knows that
blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every
day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations
create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life
you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

This year started out very fast and we have so much to do. The delegation
from Ohio joined the rest of the NFB in Washington and worked hard to get
our 2017 priorities passed and we still have a lot of work left to do. Sheri
and the team had done a wonderful job and it makes me proud to be your
president. 

I attended the Presidents Retreat, in Baltimore, on January 28th and around
50 state presidents were in attendance, we went over   everything you could
imagine about managing a non-profit. You should know that Eric shared a room
with me in Washington Tuesday night and he continues to help where he can.  

Sheri and I talked with Director Miller last week and we were on a  call
with BSVI today. Information was shared between providers and NFBO along
with ACBO. We continue to be committed to Braille and hope that the state's
agency will also stay committed. You should also be aware of some one-time
grants that NFBO and others will be able to apply for to help with several
different programs.

Barbra has reached out for information for  the newsletter, so please email
her with your responses.

The state Board of Directors meeting will be held in Columbus on April 22 at
10:00 AM. I will get more information out about the location soon. I invite
all of you to attend this very important meeting. 

It is time for our second residential NFBO BELL Academy! The date is June
25th please contact Sheri Albers, if you wish to be a part of this year's
program. We need several volunteers and she will communicate with you more
about this.

2017 NFB of Ohio Scholarship Program. Application Deadline - July 1, 2017.
Build the life you want through a post-secondary education. The NFB of Ohio
is committed to helping blind students realize their potential by providing
financial support through our scholarship program.
<http://nfbohio.org/new/home/2017-nfbo-scholarship-program> Click to learn
more or go to www.nfbohio.org <http://www.nfbohio.org> .

Heather Leiterman and Maryanne Denning are working to reorganize the NFBO
Parent's Division, they have scheduled a meeting for March 12th in Columbus.
Please stay tuned for more announcements.

The Ohio Association of Blind Students (OABS) aims to support blind and
visually impaired students in Ohio in terms of education, technology,
advocacy, college life, independent living, internships, scholarship
opportunities and any other student related matters. We are a diverse group
of students working towards changing what it means to be blind. Our members
work tirelessly to break down the legal, social, and personal barriers
towards receiving the education we deserve and living the lives we want. You
can join our listserve by clicking
<https://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/oabs_nfbnet.org> here You can email
us by clicking  <mailto:oabs.nfb at gmail.com> oabs.nfb at gmail.com

<https://www.facebook.com/NFB-Ohio-Association-of-Blind-Students-14661434870
3543/> Like us on facebook

 <https://www.twitter.com/nfbostudents?p=s> Follow us on Twitter

Please stay connected to be informed about the next conference calls and
more 

If you did not sign the petition asking Congress and President Trump to
support the Accessibility Instructional Material Higher Education Act,
please do so right away. Go to:
https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/QQ7ABpIWaO7tk?domain=change.org
<https://www.change.org/p/united-states-congress-remove-barriers-to-classroo
m> 

As you are aware, we established the Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship
Fund at our 1998 convention in Dallas, Texas. The support from members and
friends has been both generous and enthusiastic. the ticket cost is ten
dollars. This drawing will yield at least $10,000 net for the Kenneth
Jernigan Fund. You might ask, "What's in it for me?" Here is what's in it
for you. If you are the winner of this drawing, you will receive round-trip
air transportation for two to and from Orlando, Florida, for the National
Federation of the Blind National Convention in July 2018. You will also
receive lodging at that year's convention hotel for seven days during the
convention. You will receive registration and banquet tickets for two. In
addition, you will receive a cash prize of $1,000. On the other hand, if you
don't win but you sell the winning ticket, your chapter will receive $500.
You do not have to be present to win. The Ohio affiliate will have tickets
to sell. I am asking all chapters to email me with the amount you wish to
have and then send Sherry Ruth a check for the tickets. The affiliate will
pay for the ones that the national mails to us. We are asking each chapter
to either sell or buy tickets.

 <http://www.nfb.org/scholarships> Apply for a 2017 NFB Scholarship Now

To recognize achievement by blind scholars, the National Federation of the
Blind annually offers blind college students in the United States and Puerto
Rico the opportunity to win one of thirty merit-based, national-level
scholarships worth from $3,000 to $12,000. All scholarships awarded are
based on academic excellence, community service, and leadership. The
deadline for applications is March 31, 2017. To learn more and to apply,
please visit  <http://www.nfb.org/scholarships> www.nfb.org/scholarships.

 <https://nfb.org/law-symposium> 2017 Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law
Symposium

Registration is now open for the 2017 Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law
Symposium, "Disability Justice and the Supreme Court: The Constitution and
the Right to Live in the World." The symposium will take place March 30 -
31, 2017, at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute. Join
leading disability rights advocates from throughout the United States to
examine the application of the United States Constitution by the Supreme
Court to persons with disabilities and explore strategies to raise the level
of judicial scrutiny so that all may achieve Dr. tenBroek's vision of
equality of opportunity.

 <http://blindscience.org/nfb-youth-slam> Apply for the 2017 Youth Slam Now

It's back! Get your student excited about science at the 2017 NFB Youth
Slam! It will be held July 23-29, 2017 at Towson University in Baltimore,
Maryland. Students will get to stay on a college campus, meet blind mentors,
and learn how to become confident blind adults able to live the lives they
want, all while engaged in hands-on STEM classes. Applications for the
program are available now for students and adult volunteers. To learn more
and to apply please visit <http://blindscience.org/youthslam>
http://blindscience.org/youthslam.