[Ohio-talk] Updates and information

Tue Feb 12 00:06:52 UTC 2019

Thanks a lot for the updates and information Richard!

I greatly appreciate giving me the chance to participate in the 2019 Washington Seminar. I have learned a lot and I strongly recommend this great activity and Advocacy experience to those of us who would like to “fight” for a better and respectable life for the blind Ohioans/Americans.

Have a nice evening.

Ali
***
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
 ***

From: Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Richard Payne via Ohio-Talk
Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2019 10:09 PM
To: 'NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List' <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Richard Payne <rchpay7 at gmail.com>
Subject: [Ohio-talk] Updates and information

Greetings Ohio,
Today is a great reminder for me that I am not from Ohio, even though people will say that I have been here forever. So, I should be use to the cold weather. The older that I get I can remember my grandfather and grandmother standing by the wood fire and wondering how they could be so close to it without burning up. We can hope that after this ever-changing weather that spring time will come very soon.

Several of us attended the Washington seminar and in the body of this message you will find information about the legislative issues, Disability Employment Act (DEA), Greater Accessibility and Independence through Nonvisual Access Act (GAIN)  and Access Technology Affordability Act (ATAA). I would like to take this opportunity and thank Mike and Sheri for their work for keeping the five teams on tract. Those members who were able to attend, especially those who were new, Andrea and Ali;  I am equally pleased with your commitment and work.

We had a very good informational call on February 4th, and I hope members who attended found it to be productive. We talked about the braille literacy classes and if you wish to become a student, you should apply by February 22nd. This is a great opportunity for people to start learning Braille in a wonderful setting.  The National Federation of the Blind of Ohio promotes the belief that Braille is not obsolete. You can find more information about the Ohio Braille Literacy Classes, at the bottom of this email.

Eric Duffy will be coordinating the Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) training and he is still taking names for volunteers.  This training will be held on April 5th and 6th.  Please reach out to him if you have questions and wish to volunteer. The BELL Academy is very important, and I know you will do your part to ensure that our blind youth learn and use Braille.

The Board of Directors have agreed to a weekend of training, which will include, extra training for the Columbus Seminar. In addition, the Board of Directors meeting will be on Sunday, April 7th starting at 10:00 AM. After that we will have training for current leaders and those who we can identify as members who will grow from attending this lucrative training. Calling all Chapter Presidents, we are counting on you to be present! However, if you cannot then let me know why you will not be able to do so. . That Monday morning, February 8th and the 9th and throughout the day; Mike and Sheri who are the co-chairs of the Legislative Committee will create an agenda.  This will acclimate you to the seminar along with introducing you to Ohio State Reps   who will come and fellowship with us. The Co-Chairs will start sending out more information about that very soon and Tuesday morning we will visit the 99 Ohio State Reps in Columbus. We need to know if you will be able to attend and how can we assist you to assure that happens. Please reach out to us very soon.

The Ohio State Convention is one of the most important events that we do during the year. The 2019 State of Ohio Convention will be held November 1st to  November 3rd, at the DoubleTree Columbus/Worthington Hotel. Incidentally,  this is the same location for all activities and trainings in April. The address is 175 Hutchinson Avenue, Columbus, OH 43235
ColumbusWorthington.DoubleTree.com .

Ohio, this week the NFBOH has several meetings to attend. We will be attending a meeting with Disability Rights of Ohio (DRO) working on issues of similar concerns. Also, The chairs of the legislative committee have meetings arranged Tuesday morning and others on Wednesday to visit the Ohio State House in preparation for our Columbus seminar. Finally, we will also meet with director Miller on this Tuesday to talk about issues and projects that we can work on together, for example, the Braille Literacy Program.

2019 Legislative Agenda of Blind Americans: Priorities for the 116th Congress, First Session
The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives we want.
The Access Technology Affordability Act (ATAA)
The cost of critically needed access technology is out of reach for most blind Americans. By providing a refundable tax credit for qualifying purchases, Congress will stimulate individual procurement of this technology and promote affordability of these tools.
Read the 2019 ATAA fact sheet<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-agenda/access-technology-affordability-act>.

Greater Accessibility and Independence through Nonvisual Access Technology (GAIN) Act
Advanced digital interfaces create barriers that prevent blind individuals from independently operating essential devices that enhance quality of life. Congress must end the digital divide that threatens the independence of blind Americans by developing minimum accessibility requirements for such devices.
Read the 2019 GAIN fact sheet<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-agenda/greater-accessibility-and-independence-through>.

The Disability Employment Act (DEA)
An outdated approach to employment fails to adequately equip workers with disabilities for the challenges of the twenty-first century. The Disability Employment Act will spur innovation that will increase and enhance modern employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Read the 2019 DEA fact sheet<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-agenda/disability-employment-act>.
These priorities will remove obstacles to education, employment, and independent living. We

You should consider Applying for the 2019 Ohio Beginning Braille Program
Interested in learning Braille? The application for the 2019 Ohio Beginning Braille program is now available via the link below. After filling out the application, please submit it to Marianne Denning at Marianne at denningweb.com<mailto:Marianne at denningweb.com> or Debra Baker at dgventure915 at gmail.com<mailto:dgventure915 at gmail.com>. You may also contact them with any questions. You must be a resident of Ohio and at least 14 years of age in order to participate.
2019 Ohio Beginning Braille Application<http://nfbohio.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Ohio-Student-Application-for-Beginning-Braille-for-2019.docx>

For the first time in our history, the largest annual gathering of the organized blind will be in Las Vegas, Nevada. We are excited to be hosting our convention at the beautiful Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino (3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119).
* The room rate is 99 per night applies to singles and doubles as well as triples and quads.
* Hotel and sales taxes are 13.38 percent and 8.25 percent, respectively. The resort fee (normally $37 a night) will be waived for NFB convention attendees. However, fees for internet access, local and toll-free calls, and fitness center access may apply.
* To make reservations for the 2019 convention, you can call the hotel at 877-632-7800. The hotel will take a deposit of the first night's room rate for each room and will require a credit card or a personal check. If you use a credit card, the deposit will be charged against your card immediately. If a reservation is cancelled before Friday, June 1, 2019, half of the deposit will be returned. Otherwise refunds will not be made.
* The 2019 convention of the National Federation of the Blind will be a truly exciting and memorable event, with an unparalleled program and rededication to the goals and work of our movement. Make plans now to be a part of it. Preconvention seminars for parents of blind children and other groups and set-up of the exhibit hall will take place on Sunday, July 7, and adjournment will be Friday, July 12, following the banquet. Convention registration and registration packet pick-up will begin on Monday, July 8, and both Monday and Tuesday will be filled with meetings of divisions and committees, including the Tuesday morning's annual meeting, open to all, of the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind.
General convention sessions will begin on Wednesday, July 10, and continue through the banquet on Friday, July 12.

A DELICIOUS WAY TO SUPPORT the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
Purchase gift cards from Honey Baked Ham. Your purchase will help support the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio as we help blind Ohioans. We are a diverse group of people dedicated to changing what it means to be blind. Our members work tirelessly to break down the legal, social, and personal barriers to living the lives we want. We also have a scholarship program for exceptional blind students. The order page can be found at the following link: Honey Baked Ham Fundraiser<https://honeybakedfundraising.com/fundraisers/nfb_of_ohio_fundraiser>.

You should feel free to contact me at any time. While my phone and email are always busy, we can talk. We are all volunteers and many of us volunteer our talents and give tirelessly; so the plan has always been and will continue to be that   by working together we will help blind Ohioans to live the life they want.

Richard Payne,  President
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
937-396-5573or 937/829/3368
Rchpay7 at gmail.com
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