From dandrews at visi.com Mon Feb 1 16:11:49 2010 From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews) Date: Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:11:49 -0600 Subject: [Sd-talk] Let Freedom Ring: Braille Letters to President Barack Obama is now available Message-ID: Dear Federationists: In the fall of 2009, the National Federation of the Blind put out a call for Americans to write letters to President Barack Obama expressing the role that being able to read and write Braille plays in their lives. The NFB was flooded with responses from a large variety of blind and sighted people­from school children to working professionals to retired senior citizens. While there are great variances in the people who responded, one factor was the same: that Braille plays a vital role in their lives and is an important, and indeed necessary, tool for the blind. We have compiled one hundred of these letters into a book intended to be presented to President Barack Obama. This morning, February 1, 2010, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan received the publication on behalf of the President at a ceremony at the United States Department of Education. During the event, Secretary Duncan, other dignitaries from the Department of Education, and leaders of the NFB heard from various speakers, including Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, two school children, and a parent of a blind child. Fredric K. Schroeder, First Vice President of the NFB, presented the book and asked the Secretary to support the NFB’s goal of doubling the number of school-age children reading Braille. Secretary Duncan left the event with the knowledge that Braille is vital to the independence of the blind. And he left armed with the book that will give President Obama this knowledge as well. Let Freedom Ring: Braille Letters to President Barack Obama is now available for you to read on our Web site at http://is.gd/7jiz3. This event and the release of this book is a great way to begin our 2010 Washington Seminar! Let Federationism Ring! Mark A. Riccobono Executive Director, Jernigan Institute National Federation of the Blind mriccobono at nfb.org From dandrews at visi.com Sat Feb 6 02:53:55 2010 From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews) Date: Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:53:55 -0600 Subject: [Sd-talk] NAGDU Seven Night Caribbean Cruise Message-ID: National Association of Guide Dog Users 7-Night Caribbean Group Cruise The National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU) has partnered with Cheryl Echevarria, a member of NAGDU and Owner of Echevarriatravel.com, to sponsor a 7-day Caribbean Cruise for the benefit of NAGDU. For every person booking passage on this cruise, $25 will be donated to the National Association of Guide Dog Users with a matching contribution of $25 from Echevarriatravel.com The National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU) is a special interest Division of the National Federation of the Blind for people who currently use guide dogs as mobility tools, those considering getting a guide dog, or those who want to learn more about the use of such dogs. One of NAGDU's major projects is the establishment of a national toll-free education and advocacy hotline that will provide on-demand access to information about guide dog use, including information about state and federal laws that protect the civil rights of service animal users. This hotline will also afford callers the ability to speak with a specially trained volunteer advocate to help resolve access issues. All Proceeds from this cruise will be used to support this innovative service and other valuable programs of the National Association of Guide Dog Users. Sailing Date: November 6, 2010 (round trip from Miami, FL) Come enjoy a 7-night cruise aboard the new ship from Norwegian Cruise Lines, EPIC, which will make it's maiden voyage in July 2010. Enjoy the amenities this beautiful ship has to offer and visit the beautiful ports of St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Nassau and Miami, plus two additional days at sea. Whether it's the entertainment of Blue Man Group, Fat Cats, The Second City Comedy Troupe, the first aqua park at sea, or just relaxing at the spa or in a lounge chair at the pool, this cruise has something for every member of the family, including the kids. Inside Staterooms (Category KK): $768.10* Family Balcony Staterooms (Category B2): $1208.10* *Other staterooms are available! (These are closed to groups, but can be added as an individual space and put into the group. Because of this the price may vary!). The above pricing is per person and based upon double occupancy. Prices include $25 donation to the National Association of Guide Dog Users, cruise fare, port charges, and all government taxes and fees (subject to change). Prices do not include air fare, transfers, or gratuities (all can be added and appropriate charges will apply). Documentation Required A U.S. Passport, valid for 6 months after the date of travel, will be required to board the ship. Payment Information $300.00 per person deposit is due no later than June 1, 2010 ($25 of this deposit is non-refundable) Payment plans are available for the balance of the fare. Final Payment is due no later than August 1, 2010 Trip cancellation insurance is available and highly recommended. It is suggested that passengers with chronic illnesses purchase travel health insurance. This insurance must be purchased at the time of the deposit. For more information or to book your travel Cheryl Echevarria Independent Contractor http://Echevarriatravel.com 1-866-580-5574 blog.echevarriatravel.com Reservations at echevarriatravel.com Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Montrose Travel CST-1018299-10 Be sure to mention NAGDU to secure these rates! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dandrews at visi.com Thu Feb 11 10:59:37 2010 From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews) Date: Thu, 11 Feb 2010 04:59:37 -0600 Subject: [Sd-talk] Rehab Teaching Job in Iowa Message-ID: STATE OF IOWA Transfer/Promotional Opportunity February 9, 2010 Senior Services Specialist for the Blind 1 Rehabilitation Teacher Provide those services necessary to help individuals who are blind or visually impaired develop the confidence and skills needed to independently and competently participate in their families, communities, and occupations of choice. Provide services on an outreach basis, covering the northwest and north central portion of Iowa. Work primarily with older individuals and with individuals who have significant co-disabilities. Assess needs to determine services that will best serve the individual and work with the individual to develop and implement a plan to meet identified needs. Provide instruction in the alternative techniques of blindness (including Braille, travel with the long white cane, use of assistive technology, home management, and leisure activities). Provide guidance and counseling about vision loss to promote a positive adjustment to blindness. Assist individuals access various community resources by providing information and referral services, and advocacy. Follow prescribed case management practices and provide narrative reports inclusive of need assessments, plans to meet identified needs, rationale for service decisions, description of services provided, and results achieved. Coordinate and facilitate agency services such as library services and training in the Adult Orientation and Adjustment Center. Work in tandem with the vocational rehabilitation counselor to support clients in the pursuit of their vocational goals. Provide consultation and in-service training to other agencies so they can better serve their clients who are blind. Deliver presentations to civic, social, and professional organizations to increase awareness about department services and promote a positive philosophy of blindness. Assist with other department outreach activities. Must possess highly developed teaching and counseling skills, good public speaking and writing skills, excellent organizational skills, and excellent judgment. Must possess the abilities to handle sensitive situations, solve problems, and work as a member of a team. Intensive training in appropriate skills and attitudes of blindness will be provided. Must possess knowledge of or be able to learn effective alternative techniques of blindness, particularly in the areas of communications, travel with a long white cane, and home and personal management. Extensive travel with some evenings, overnights, and weekends. Domiciled in north west or north central Iowa. Minimum qualifications are: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in human service-oriented sciences, education, marketing, or business and experience equal to three years of full time professional work, or; the equivalent of three years of full-time experience as a rehabilitation counselor or teacher shall be considered as qualifying provided the employee has successfully completed training to meet the certification criteria established by the agency, or; an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting the equivalent of one year of full-time professional work experience for each year of the required education to a maximum substitution of four years. Salary range: $42,369.60­$64,521.60 annually, plus comprehensive benefit package, Pay Grade 28, Pay Plan 000 Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday Domicile: North west or north central Iowa Location: Iowa Department for the Blind, 524 Fourth Street, Des Moines, IA 50309-2364 For further information contact Becky Criswell, Supervisor, (515) 281-1299 or (800) 362-2587. Persons who wish to be considered for this position must submit a resume and letter of application to Karen A. Keninger, Director, Iowa Department for the Blind, 524 Fourth Street, Des Moines, IA 50309 or karen.keninger at blind.state.ia.us no later than Friday, March 5, 2010. EEO/AA -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From JFreeh at nfb.org Thu Feb 11 11:43:33 2010 From: JFreeh at nfb.org (Freeh, Jessica) Date: Thu, 11 Feb 2010 05:43:33 -0600 Subject: [Sd-talk] Federal Judge Orders the National Conference of Bar Examiners to Provide Individualized Testing Accommodations to Blind Law School Graduate Message-ID: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Chris Danielsen, National Federation of the Blind, (410) 659-9314, ext. 2330 Scott LaBarre, LaBarre Law Offices, P.C., (303) 504-5979 Daniel Goldstein, Brown, Goldstein & Levy, LLP, (410) 962-1030 Anna Levine, Disability Rights Advocates, (510) 665-8644 Federal Judge Orders the National Conference of Bar Examiners to Provide Individualized Testing Accommodations to Blind Law School Graduate San Francisco, California (February 5, 2010): A federal court has ruled that the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) will cause a blind law school graduate irreparable harm unless it provides her the technology-based testing accommodations she needs to take two exams required to become a member of the State Bar of California. The court issued its ruling in an order granting the law school graduate's motion for preliminary injunction on Thursday, February 4, 2010. The court's ruling allows the plaintiff, Stephanie Enyart, to take the February 2010 Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) and March 2010 Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) on a laptop computer equipped with the assistive technology software Ms. Enyart relies upon for screen reading (JAWS) and screen magnification (ZoomText). Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "The National Federation of the Blind is extremely pleased with the ruling in this case. Law and equity simply do not permit the NCBE to dictate a one-size-fits-all solution for all bar candidates with disabilities. We hope that this ruling will cause the NCBE to think long and hard before it denies the requested accommodations of applicants to take its examinations." The plaintiff, Stephanie Enyart, said: "A little over a year ago I sent my first request for accommodations on the March 2009 MPRE, and tonight I can go to sleep knowing when and how I can effectively take the exams to fulfill my dreams." Anna Levine of Disability Rights Advocates, an attorney representing the plaintiff, said: "I hope that our hard-fought victory here will send a message to testing organizations that they need to comply with the ADA and provide each individual test taker with a disability the accommodations that he or she needs to demonstrate his or her actual knowledge, skills, and abilities." The suit was filed on November 3, 2009, due to the NCBE's refusal, on multiple occasions during the past year, to allow Ms. Enyart to use the same technology on the MBE and MPRE that she has used on university and law school exams and in various jobs and internships. The suit charged that the NCBE violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California's Unruh Civil Rights Act by denying accommodations on the MBE and the MPRE. NCBE had argued that it fulfilled its legal obligations to Ms. Enyart by offering alternative accommodations, such as a human reader, notwithstanding evidence that these alternatives did not, in fact, accommodate Ms. Enyart's disability. In rejecting NCBE's argument, the court's ruling paves the way for other individuals prevented from pursuing their professional dreams by high stakes testing providers who take a rigid approach to disability accommodations. The plaintiff is represented with the support of the National Federation of the Blind by LaBarre Law Offices, P.C., in Denver, Colorado, and by Brown, Goldstein & Levy, LLP, in Baltimore, Maryland. The plaintiff is further represented by Disability Rights Advocates, a nonprofit law center that specializes in civil rights cases on behalf of persons with disabilities, based in Berkeley, California. ### About the National Federation of the Blind With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) 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. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind. __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4852 (20100209) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dandrews at visi.com Thu Feb 18 17:22:31 2010 From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews) Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:22:31 -0600 Subject: [Sd-talk] Test Message Message-ID: This is a test for Kenneth Rollman -- let me know if you get it. Dave From Julaine.Arient-Rollman at state.sd.us Thu Feb 18 17:54:57 2010 From: Julaine.Arient-Rollman at state.sd.us (Julaine.Arient-Rollman at state.sd.us) Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:54:57 -0600 Subject: [Sd-talk] Test Message In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <47316845B73A6243A8F1FE5BD7106F3808A50160@ESPR1EXC02.state.sd.local> I got it. -----Original Message----- From: sd-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:sd-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of David Andrews Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2010 10:23 AM To: nfbaffiliatepresidents at nfbnet.org Cc: sd-talk at nfbnet.org Subject: [Sd-talk] Test Message This is a test for Kenneth Rollman -- let me know if you get it. Dave _______________________________________________ Sd-talk mailing list Sd-talk at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/sd-talk_nfbnet.org To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Sd-talk: http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/sd-talk_nfbnet.org/julaine.arient-roll man%40state.sd.us From pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net Thu Feb 18 17:57:42 2010 From: pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net (Peter Donahue) Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:57:42 -0600 Subject: [Sd-talk] Test Message References: <47316845B73A6243A8F1FE5BD7106F3808A50160@ESPR1EXC02.state.sd.local> Message-ID: <002701cab0c3$df5cc270$4001a8c0@yourfsyly0jtwn> Hello everyone, I copy that here too. Peter Donahue ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2010 11:54 AM Subject: Re: [Sd-talk] Test Message I got it. -----Original Message----- From: sd-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:sd-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of David Andrews Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2010 10:23 AM To: nfbaffiliatepresidents at nfbnet.org Cc: sd-talk at nfbnet.org Subject: [Sd-talk] Test Message This is a test for Kenneth Rollman -- let me know if you get it. Dave _______________________________________________ Sd-talk mailing list Sd-talk at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/sd-talk_nfbnet.org To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Sd-talk: http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/sd-talk_nfbnet.org/julaine.arient-roll man%40state.sd.us _______________________________________________ Sd-talk mailing list Sd-talk at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/sd-talk_nfbnet.org To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Sd-talk: http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/sd-talk_nfbnet.org/pdonahue1%40sbcglobal.net From dandrews at visi.com Thu Feb 18 18:58:32 2010 From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews) Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:58:32 -0600 Subject: [Sd-talk] Test Message In-Reply-To: <002701cab0c3$df5cc270$4001a8c0@yourfsyly0jtwn> References: <47316845B73A6243A8F1FE5BD7106F3808A50160@ESPR1EXC02.state.sd.local> <002701cab0c3$df5cc270$4001a8c0@yourfsyly0jtwn> Message-ID: People need not respond it is really for Ken rollman! Dave At 11:57 AM 2/18/2010, you wrote: >Hello everyone, > > I copy that here too. > >Peter Donahue > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: >To: >Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2010 11:54 AM >Subject: Re: [Sd-talk] Test Message > > >I got it. > >-----Original Message----- >From: sd-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:sd-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On >Behalf Of David Andrews >Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2010 10:23 AM >To: nfbaffiliatepresidents at nfbnet.org >Cc: sd-talk at nfbnet.org >Subject: [Sd-talk] Test Message > > >This is a test for Kenneth Rollman -- let me know if you get it. > >Dave From dandrews at visi.com Tue Feb 23 03:12:29 2010 From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews) Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:12:29 -0600 Subject: [Sd-talk] Survey on Synthesized Speech and Audio Description Message-ID: We have been asked to circulate the following: Dave February 19, 2010 Recruiting Now for a Survey on Synthesized Speech and Audio Description IBM Research-Japan and WGBH's Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM) are conducting a joint study via an online survey on the applicability of speech synthesis for audio description of Web-based video. Adults (18+ years of age) who are blind or have low vision will be asked to share their opinions about a few short video clips which include synthesized description. NCAM is seeking participants with a range of familiarity with synthesized speech (from little or none to regular users) and as well as familiarity with audio description (from little or none to regular users). Interested in sharing your opinion? Please send an email to access at wgbh.org with "participate" in the subject line. Once the online survey is posted on or about March 1, you will be sent an email with the survey's Web site address and asked to complete the survey by Friday, March 12. The survey, which will be accessible via screen-reading software, should take no longer than one half hour. NCAM will summarize and share the results of the survey once user opinions are analyzed. NOTE: This is an early investigation into a subject many people who are blind or have low-vision have asked about for many years. Though we are conducting this study, WGBH does not intend to substitute synthesized speech for human voices on the programs and movies we currently describe. Following this narrow and limited initial study, further research will be required to expand the scope of investigation into larger populations, other types of media and other parameters. Thank you! Mary -- Mary Watkins Director of Communications and Outreach Media Access Group at WGBH One Guest Street Boston, MA 02135 617 300-3700 mary_watkins at wgbh.org access.wgbh.org Follow the Media Access Group on Facebook and Twitter (AccessWGBH) WGBH Boston informs, inspires, and entertains millions through public broadcasting, the Web, educational multimedia, and access services for people with disabilities. From info at michaelhingson.com Sat Feb 27 22:45:34 2010 From: info at michaelhingson.com (Michael Hingson) Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:45:34 -0600 Subject: [Sd-talk] KnfbReader Hints and Tricks discussion open to all Message-ID: KnfbReader Hints and Tricks discussion open to all Everyone is invited next Thursday, March 4, to participate in a combined on-line and telephone conference to discuss how we all use the KnfbReader Mobile. A number of persons have wanted a forum to learn from other users "How do you do that?". In response to these many requests we are arranging for everyone to be able to call in via phone or Skype in on line to participate. This innovative program will take place next Thursday, March 4, beginning at 9PM Eastern time, 8PM Central, 7PM Mountain, 6PM Pacific and 4PM Hawaiian time. In order to attempt to make this program as available to all as possible we are offering two ways to participate. First you can Skype into the program. Skype is a communications program available free of charge through the internet. If you have Skype simply call my Skype name, mhingson, and I will add you to the conference. More instructions will be published later about this if necessary. If you wish to participate via phone Here are the dial-in instructions for the call. The call -- in number is (218) 339-3600. The access code is 329906#. Simply call in no later than times given above to be a part of this call. The program is free. Only any relevant long distance charges will apply. Please bring your questions as well as your own reading techniques. Please be ready to share and learn from the many other KnfbReader Mobile users and experts who will be participating in the call. No question is too silly and no idea is unwelcome. If you do not own a KnfbReader Mobile here is a chance for you to hear first hand from users how they read, learn, and succeed using this marvelous invention. I look forward to meeting you all next Thursday evening. Thank you in advance for participating in this first KnfbReader Mobile users forum. Best, Mike Hingson The Michael Hingson Group, INC. "Speaking with Vision" Michael Hingson, President (415) 827-4084 info at michaelhingson.com www.michaelhingson.com for info on the new KNFB Reader Mobile, visit: http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com From dandrews at visi.com Sat Feb 27 22:59:51 2010 From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews) Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:59:51 -0600 Subject: [Sd-talk] KnfbReader Hints and Tricks discussion open to all Message-ID: KnfbReader Hints and Tricks discussion open to all Everyone is invited next Thursday, March 4, to participate in a combined on-line and telephone conference to discuss how we all use the KnfbReader Mobile. A number of persons have wanted a forum to learn from other users "How do you do that?". In response to these many requests we are arranging for everyone to be able to call in via phone or Skype in on line to participate. This innovative program will take place next Thursday, March 4, beginning at 9PM Eastern time, 8PM Central, 7PM Mountain, 6PM Pacific and 4PM Hawaiian time. In order to attempt to make this program as available to all as possible we are offering two ways to participate. First you can Skype into the program. Skype is a communications program available free of charge through the internet. If you have Skype simply call my Skype name, mhingson, and I will add you to the conference. More instructions will be published later about this if necessary. If you wish to participate via phone Here are the dial-in instructions for the call. The call -- in number is (218) 339-3600. The access code is 329906#. Simply call in no later than times given above to be a part of this call. The program is free. Only any relevant long distance charges will apply. Please bring your questions as well as your own reading techniques. Please be ready to share and learn from the many other KnfbReader Mobile users and experts who will be participating in the call. No question is too silly and no idea is unwelcome. If you do not own a KnfbReader Mobile here is a chance for you to hear first hand from users how they read, learn, and succeed using this marvelous invention. I look forward to meeting you all next Thursday evening. Thank you in advance for participating in this first KnfbReader Mobile users forum. Best, Mike Hingson The Michael Hingson Group, INC. "Speaking with Vision" Michael Hingson, President (415) 827-4084 info at michaelhingson.com www.michaelhingson.com for info on the new KNFB Reader Mobile, visit: http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com From TEOlivero at nfb.org Sun Feb 28 01:57:23 2010 From: TEOlivero at nfb.org (Olivero, Treva) Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:57:23 -0600 Subject: [Sd-talk] Braille Reading Pals Club Message-ID: National Federation of the Blind Braille Reading Pals Club Registration is now open for the New Year beginning April 1, 2010. The Braille Reading Pals Club is an early literacy program that encourages parents to read daily with their blind or low-vision child (ages infant to seven). Participating club members will receive: * A print-Braille book and a plush reading pal * Monthly parent e-newsletter promoting tips for early Braille literacy * Quarterly Braille activity sheets for young children * Braille birthday cards for child participants * Access to a network of resources devoted to serving parents of blind children Mission of the Program * Introduce young children and their families to Braille * Provide parents literacy strategies to use with their children * Direct parents to essential resources for promoting success for their young blind children * Help parents promote early literacy skills, a love of reading, and a positive attitude about Braille through daily reading with their blind children To learn more about this exciting program, or to register, please visit www.nfb.org/readingpals, or call (410) 659-9314, ext. 2295. Cosponsored by the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC)