[Ohio-talk] FW: Save The Dates - May 10 and 11: Announcing 4th Annual BEET Conference - Goshen, Indiana

[Smith, JW]

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jw

Dr. jw Smith
School of Communication Studies
Scripps College of Communication
Ohio University
Schoonover Center 
20 E. Union St,
Athens, OH 45701
smithj at ohio.edu
T: 740-593-4838

One way to deal with the past is to change what you can…and can what you can’t.

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-----Original Message-----
From: Kane Brolin <kbrolin65 at gmail.com> 
Sent: Friday, April 26, 2019 9:42 PM
To: NFB of Michiana Mailing List <nfbofmichiana at googlegroups.com>; NFB of Indiana Mailing List <nfb-indiana at yahoogroups.com>; NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List <NFBMI-Talk at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Save The Dates - May 10 and 11: Announcing 4th Annual BEET Conference - Goshen, Indiana

The secret is out!  Feel free to copy this to your friends

More and more all the time, people who live with blindness, low vision, and other disabilities have been finding out that living the life you want doesn't have to mean being trapped in a cocoon of isolation, poverty, and boredom, reinforced by the kindly but low expectations of others.  There is a way forward and upward.

We cordially invite you to an expanded edition of "the Blind in Education, Employment, & Technology" for 2019: two days of unique content that includes hard-to-find details useful to those receiving government benefits and also some Structured Discovery training to help with building everyday skills.

4th Annual BEET Conference
Sponsored by Goshen College and the Michiana Chapter, National Federation of the Blind Friday, May 10, 2019 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (conference) Saturday, May 11, 2019 from 9:00 AM Until Desired (training and optional cookout) College Mennonite Church
1900 South Main Street
Goshen, Indiana

Friday is earmarked for presentations, practical advice, and free form discussion that centers on how someone who is blind or of low vision can transition into college, trade school, or work, and make it through with flying colors.  Appropriate for blind people seeking a path to more opportunity.  Appropriate also for teachers or rehab professionals and loved ones helping those who are blind or of low vision to carve out such a path for themselves.  A continental breakfast and lunch are provided free of charge to participants on Friday.  A $5 donation is suggested.  We request an RSVP, so proper seating and sufficient food are arranged for.

On Saturday, we are prepared to lead individual participants through exercises in Structured Discovery: learning the basics of getting around, reading Braille, and preparing food--no use of eyesight permitted!  Oh, did we mention food?  It all culminates in an informal cookout--weather permitting--at the conclusion of Saturday's training.


Expected speakers on Friday, May 10 include:

•	Jill Skehan of Indiana Works.  A survey conducted by the National
Organization on Disability in 2010 indicated that 23% of disabled Americans said they feared getting a job will cause them to lose health benefits. The same survey shows that 34% of people with disabilities were living on a yearly income of $15,000 or less.  Jill will explain to us how careful planning can help  you get and keep employment while not jeopardizing Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security benefits that may be critical to your health and survival.
•	Christopher Meyer, who until recently served as president of the
Indiana Association of Blind Students.  Along with a degree from Indiana University, Chris has substantial knowledge of public policy in his own right, along with technical skill in specialty areas, including 3D printing.
•	Jeanette Shown, secretary of the NFB Michiana Chapter and head of
the Computing Science discipline at Goshen College, will give us the sneak preview of a coding camp for blind teens and adults, intended for the summer of 2020.  Using basic, low tech examples, we'll get a hands-on introduction to the mindset that is most useful for computer programmers.  Think you can do it? This will be a direct opportunity to test your natural aptitude for writing code.
•	Christine Boone, blind attorney and former director of the Michigan
Commission for the Blind Training Center.  In addition, Christine has provided legal support  for a  multi-faceted non-profit Maryland agency which included a large manufacturing operation, a comprehensive training center serving blind persons from transition age to senior citizens, and a series of base service stores operating at military installations.
•	Douglas Boone, who happens to be Christine's spouse, most recently
served as head of the Division of Visual Services, a unit of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services.  Along with administrative expertise, Doug is accustomed to directly teaching blind and visually impaired individuals to be brilliant at life skills, having earned the National Orientation & Mobility Certification (NOMC).

Got questions? please reply to this message, or write to nfbofmichiana at gmail.com, or phone (574)383-9584.

See you at the BEET Conference in Goshen on May 10 and 11, 2019.

Kind regards,

Kane Brolin
President, Michiana Chapter
National Federation of the Blind
(574)386-8868 (mobile)
(574)254-7180 (office)
(574)383-9584 (Google Voice)