[Ohio-Talk] Congratulations Cleveland Chapter! You are the recipients of "WE DO IT BIGGER & BETTER!" - In celebration of National Volunteer Week

Sun Apr 19 23:54:22 UTC 2020

this is great Suzanne! Congratulations to a great chapter and our best
chapter president!

On Sun, Apr 19, 2020 at 7:43 PM Suzanne Turner via Ohio-Talk <
ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Jeanetta Price, President NFB Community Service
>
> In celebration of National Volunteer Week, April 19-25, 2020, organizations
> across the country honor volunteers for the irreplaceable impact of their
> service to others.
>
>
>
> Cleveland Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio will kick
> off The "WE DO IT BIGGER & BETTER!" NFB Community Service Challenge with
> one
> submission that entailed three community service endeavors. Talk about over
> achievers! You will be inspired by their quality of service to others, and
> motivated to get involved where you are. Without further ado, I share with
> you, Cleveland Chapter's community service endeavors.
>
>
>
> "We have many more, but we are most proud of those below, Cleveland
> President, Suzanne Turner stated"!
>
>
>
> (I) The National Federation of the Blind of Cleveland, Greater Cuyahoga
> County and the Ohio Affiliate, co-hosted a forum with the Cleveland City
> Planning Commission in Cleveland Ohio on last Thursday. The topic was on
> Shared Riding safety regulations. We were inspired about the productive
> exchange of ideas, and look forward to continuing to work together to
> increase accessibility through improved policies and practices on E-Bikes
> and Dockless Electric Scooters. The insight that was shared by each
> panelist
> demonstrated commitment and dedication to the meaningful conversation from
> vendors, the blind community and City Hall from the evening. This exchange
> of ideas and contributions was inspiring and quite informative. The
> National
> Federation of the Blind of Cleveland and Greater Cuyahoga County are
> looking
> forward in continuing our strong partnership with the City of Cleveland. We
> also extend our gratitude for their willingness to include the National
> Federation of the Blind of Ohio in any new pedestrian guidelines that might
> need input on accessibility for persons with disabilities.
>
> (2) The Cleveland Chapter has partnered with St. Adalbert Elementary School
> for five years now, following their classroom assignments that include
> learning about the blind. In March, "Read Across America" is celebrated by
> reading Dr. Seuss books. So, Cleveland join in with the children by reading
> twin books "Print on one-side and Braille on the other side". We, the blind
> will read the Braille, while a sighted child stands beside us reading
> print.
> This is an awesome experience for them and us taking turns reading the same
> text together. Additionally, the children have learned to identify Braille
> on doorways, elevators and other identifiable objects for the blind. They
> also are excited when Cleveland visits providing them with once again
> Braille cards. They can not seem to get enough of those. Cleveland has also
> demonstrated white cane travel and provided awareness and education about
> guide dog handling. This is a highlight for the students. It never fails,
> their eyes gleam and voices were raised with seeing Mateo, who is a black
> lab in the Cleveland Chapter. He is definitely a hit! Our hope is that one
> or more of the children will with any luck become inspired to teach,
> mentor,
> and or advocate for the Blind. Working with St. Adalbert Elementary school
> is a passion, but a vital factor in what we are attempting to accomplish
> through diminishing low expectations of the blind, by teaching the youth of
> today that we are just people who can not see. /// (3) The National
> Federation of the Blind of Cleveland offered a seminar called, "adjusting
> to
> Blindness, An Introductory Seminar", that was held on October 5, 2019 at a
> local Cleveland Public Library. This was an introductory Seminar for newly
> blind individuals that highlighted best practices by Peer Mentors from the
> National Federation of the Blind of Cleveland. The philosophy of the NFB
> was
> presented, along with the "value of alternative techniques of blindness,
> and
> the solid belief that it is okay to be blind." During the seminar, four
> small sessions were offered by Peer Mentors for newly blind individuals and
> their supportive companions to learn about alternative ways to continue
> everyday living. These small settings offered the participants guidance,
> advice, assistance and demonstrations from a real-world point of view.
> Hence, sharing knowledge and experiences in order to help the participants
> succeed was our main objective. Having a wonderful trusted ally to go to
> whenever blind people are feeling unsure or in need is why the NFB is here.
> We wanted to meet the needs of each participant in moving forward at their
> own pace and under their own control. We started with a (General Session)
> for all attendees Part I: The goal of this Session was to introduce the
> National Federation of the Blind (NFB). Part II: The goal of this Session
> was to introduce Basic Techniques and products for everyday use. Part III:
> The goal of this session was to Identify, explore and recommend community
> resources to enhance activities, to become involved in one's residential
> area, and to increase peer interaction and support. Then, the (Breakout
> Sessions) had 4 attendees present with a total of 16 participants in the
> seminar. These participants rotated through four sessions; having an
> opportunity to interact with Peer Mentors and explore "hands on" products,
> technology, and practical methods. For instance, SESSION A: Title: Staying
> Connected, accessing print and electronic media. This overview of aids,
> appliances, and services that enable blind individuals to fully access
> mainstream means of communication media, ranging from use of standard
> telephones and note taking to reading books, periodicals, text messages,
> email, and web pages were introduced. Also, Session B: Title: Literacy for
> the Blind, Reading and Writing Braille. This Session provided a preliminary
> summary on what is meant by Braille, who invented Braille, when Braille was
> invented, and what are the benefits of learning Braille. Participants
> discovered where to learn Braille, what the different grades of Braille
> were, what the different codes of Braille were in the USA, what tools are
> used for writing Braille and what resources are available for Braille
> literacy. Finally, Session C: Title: Assistive Technology and Session D
> Title: Orientation and Mobility (O&M) provided an overview of basic
> concepts
> for the newly blind participants and their supportive companions. The
> Seminar also included a member who has a License in Mental Counseling, that
> facilitated a session on Coping with Vision Loss. This Peer Mentor provided
> a comfortable forum for the participants to discuss their experiences of
> vision loss. In addition, there was a Q/A opportunity as well that offered
> information on social community services for individual and group support,
> such as 211, personal insurance and other general services. The Adjustment
> to Blindness seminar was researched, written, developed, and facilitated by
> the Cleveland Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio. We
> are Peer Mentors offering information, demonstrations, and support for
> those
> who have been affected by loss of vision or total blindness. We have
> included supportive companions in the sessions to provide an open,
> unobscured view on living with blindness. Both parties were provided the
> same opportunity to discover every aspect of the seminar. In addition,
> literature and supported researched documentation on Braille literacy,
> orientation and mobility, assistive technology and low vision aids will
> continually be readily available to all attendees, which will assist with
> sourcing, advocacy and declaration. Although, all sessions will be
> conducted
> by members of the NFB of Ohio, Cleveland Chapter, their professional
> expertise speaks for itself. These skilled individuals are employed or have
> retired from, Social Work, Social Services, Licensed Mental Counseling,
> Licensed Orientation and Mobility, Assistive Technology, Education, and
> more. Consequently, this invaluable endeavor is a volunteer project and
> donations for products, refreshments, transportation and other incidentals
> are sponsored by the NFB or community means. No fundraising or solicitation
> will be presented or received by the organization. Moreover, the sessions
> are solely to provide literature, demonstrations, community resources, and
> peer support for those who are seeking an answer and resolution. Thus, it
> is
> a response to their plea that will enable them to become motivated,
> socially
> engaged, self-determined and financially fruitful. We are conducting this
> Seminar throughout the year and hope that it will make a positive impact
> for
> those who are newly blind and not necessarily seeking employment. Hence,
> Baby Boomers are crying out for help and the Cleveland Chapter is doing our
> best to answer their call.
>
> The Cleveland Chapter has felt rewarded and honored to provide the
> community
> with innovative and educational opportunity that has positively impacted
> the
> overall community. The passion, compassion and commitment that is shown by
> our members have moved into the suburbs and beyond. Blindness is very
> prevalent today among seniors and adults who are newly impacted and not
> seeking employment. There are no services for them. So, we are stepping up
> to the plate. Also, our children must learn about people differences so
> they
> can improve the world of disabilities by becoming technologist,
> instructors,
> physicians and just good and respectful people. Finally, our stakeholders
> and government officials must include the blind in their policy and
> regulations for the community; so that we are not injured or forgotten in
> their decision making process.
>
> Creating events and trainings that have provided awareness, inclusion and
> innovative ideas to help blind people in and beyond Ohio. On the other
> hand,
> just getting people to buy-in to believing that the blind has the expertise
> to make a difference. After working with the community, you gain their
> respect and admiration. But, it is hard work and sometimes disheartening to
> continually have to prove that you are capable, intelligent and
> resourceful.
>
> Thank you so much for leading by example NFB Cleveland Chapter, your
> service
> speaks volumes about your leadership. We would love to hear about your
> community service too. Tap on the link below, and join the movement of
> changing our communities one service at a time. Please like, share, and
> comment.
>
> At your service,
>
> Jeanetta Price, President NFB Community Service Division
>
> In the picture from left to right is, The back row are Michael Beck (Spin);
> Freddy Collier, Jr. (City Planning Commission); Royce Kranz (Lime); Calley
> Mersmann (City Planning Commission); Kingston Smartt-Nalli (VeoRide);
> Richard Payne (NFB); Abhijit Kulkarni (Wheels); and Eric Duffy (NFB). The
> front row, Barbara Pierce (NFB) and Suzanne Turner (NFB)
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Ohio-Talk mailing list
> Ohio-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ohio-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Ohio-Talk:
>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/ohio-talk_nfbnet.org/dwbertsch%40gmail.com
>

-- 
Dave Bertsch
330-472-4084