From carrie.gilmer at gmail.com Sat Nov 1 02:26:49 2008 From: carrie.gilmer at gmail.com (Carrie Gilmer) Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:26:49 -0500 Subject: [Uabs] Teen Blog! Message-ID: Greetings All, It is my pleasure to announce a new place for teens to hang out, network, and get great information in a safe, facilitated environment-not hindered in the least by geography or time warps or unduly by parents or teachers! Thanks goes to Rosy Carranza for all her hard work and enthusiasm in getting this project dreamed and realized. Tell any teen you know! Attention blind and visually impaired high school students! Blindness 4 1 1 was created by the National Federation of the Blind to give you a place to meet other teens with vision loss and to give you a chance to learn about resources that can help you in school, at home and in your community. The NFB is the largest blindness organization in the United States. We have over 50,000 members who work hard to make a difference in the lives of blind people. We are excited to provide this resource to you and hope that you will tell your friends about us! If you are currently a Facebook member, go to groups, search for the group using our group name and request access to our group. If you are not signed up for Facebook then join in on the fun! Visit www.facebook.com to get connected with our NFB teen group. If you have any questions, call Rosy Carranza at 410 659-9314, ext. 2283 or email her at rcarranza at nfb.org. Happy Connecting! Carrie Gilmer, President National Organization of Parents of Blind Children Carrie.gilmer at gmail.com From dandrews at visi.com Mon Nov 3 18:04:24 2008 From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews) Date: Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:04:24 -0600 Subject: [Uabs] NFB versus Target settlement Message-ID: ATTENTION: LEGALLY BLIND INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE ATTEMPTED TO VISIT TARGET.COM WHILE IN CALIFORNIA SINCE FEBRUARY 7, 2003 You may be entitled to payment of money as part of a settlement of a lawsuit filed against Target concerning access to its website. The settlement has been granted preliminary approval by the court in charge of the case. If you are a legally blind individual who tried to access Target.com while in California at any time since February 7, 2003, you may be eligible to be paid damages of up to $7,000. To find out more about the settlement and to submit a claim, please go to www.NFBtargetlawsuit.com and follow the instructions on this settlement website. You may also request a claim form from the Claims Administrator whose contact information is set forth below. Please provide your name, address, and phone number when you contact the Claims Administrator. All claims must be submitted on line by January 8, 2009 or by mail postmarked no later than January 8, 2009. LATE CLAIMS MAY BE DENIED. All questions should be directed to the Claims Administrator. Please do not contact Target Corporation concerning this settlement. Contact information for Claims Administrator: NFB v. Target Claims Administrator, RG2 Claims Administration LLC, P.O. Box 59479, Philadelphia, PA 19102-9479. Phone number: (866)742-4955. David Andrews and white cane Harry. From JFreeh at nfb.org Mon Nov 3 18:12:48 2008 From: JFreeh at nfb.org (Freeh, Jessica) Date: Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:12:48 -0600 Subject: [Uabs] Terry Bradshaw to Serve as National Ambassador for Braille Literacy Message-ID: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Chris Danielsen Public Relations Specialist National Federation of the Blind (410) 659-9314, extension 2330 (410) 262-1281 (Cell) cdanielsen at nfb.org Terry Bradshaw to Serve as National Ambassador for Braille Literacy Baltimore, Maryland (November 3, 2008): The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the nation's leading advocate for Braille literacy, announced today that Terry Bradshaw, Hall of Fame NFL quarterback and current football analyst and co-host of FOX NFL Sunday, will serve as a National Ambassador for Braille literacy. As an ambassador, Terry will help advance the NFB's Braille Readers are Leaders campaign, a national initiative to promote the importance of reading and writing Braille for blind children and adults. The Braille Readers are Leaders campaign kicked off in July of 2008 with the unveiling of the design of a commemorative coin to be minted in 2009 in recognition of the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille (1809-1852), the inventor of the reading and writing code for the blind that bears his name. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "The National Federation of the Blind is pleased to have Terry Bradshaw as part of this historic initiative to bring Braille literacy to all of the blind children and adults in America who need it. As one of the most popular personalities in America, Terry Bradshaw's impact as a national spokesperson for Braille literacy will surely be huge. There can be no doubt that the ability to read and write Braille competently and efficiently is the key to education, employment, and success for the blind. Despite the undisputed value of Braille, however, only about 10 percent of blind children in the United States are currently learning it. Society would never accept a 10 percent literacy rate among sighted children; it should not accept such an outrageously low literacy rate among the blind. The Braille Readers are Leaders campaign, with the support of influential Americans like Terry Bradshaw, will reverse the downward trend in Braille literacy and ensure that equal opportunities in education and employment are available to all of the nation's blind." Terry Bradshaw said: "I am honored and pleased to serve as a National Ambassador for the Braille Readers are Leaders campaign. I strongly believe in the importance of literacy for everyone, and I am excited to help make a difference in the lives of blind children and adults throughout the country." For more information about the Braille Readers Are Leaders campaign and the Louis Braille commemorative coin, please visit www.braille.org. ### From David.B.Andrews at state.mn.us Mon Nov 3 18:22:39 2008 From: David.B.Andrews at state.mn.us (David B Andrews) Date: Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:22:39 -0600 Subject: [Uabs] Fwd: Make it Matter Message-ID: >>> "Kim Moccia (ADM)" 10/29/2008 10:40 AM >>> Here is an opportunity to recognize someone who makes a difference AND earn $100,000 for a deserving non-profit! Type: Foundations Agency: Reader's Digest Foundation Program: Reader's Digest Foundation "Make it matter" Eligibility: Non-profit organizations Purpose: Make it Matter" is a new initiative of the Reader's Digest Foundation. The Foundation will give away $1 million to nonprofit organizations based on inspiring stories submitted by the public. Every month for ten months, Reader's Digest will choose one individual whose story of giving back serves as an inspiration to others. For each story, the Reader's Digest Foundation will donate $100,000 to a nonprofit organization that is associated either with the story or the cause. These individuals and their stories of giving back will appear every month in the new "Make it Matter" column in Reader's Digest and on rd.com, beginning with the April issue. Name: N/A Deadline: January 01, 2009 Maximum Award: $100,000 per month Number Of Awards: 10 Period: over 10 months 4/08-1/09 More Information: Know anyone making an extraordinary contribution to your community? As announced on The Today Show, tell the Reader's Digest Foundation about them, and the story selected by RDF may be featured in Reader's Digest. Plus, RDF will give $100,000 to a deserving charity in their name. Your stories may also appear on todayshow.com or rd.com. So tell us about the good works below -- or email your story to makeitmatter at rd.com! URL: http://www.efundraising.com/Readers-Digest-Foundation.aspx?partner=grantsalert Kim Moccia Minnesota STAR Program 358 Centennial Office Bldg 658 Cedar Street Saint Paul, MN 55155 651-201-2297 (direct dial) 651-282-6671 (fax) Email: kim.moccia at state.mn.us Web site: www.starprogram.state.mn.us STAR Technology Exchange STARTE reusing assistive technology! www.mnstarte.org From cfoster at nfbco.org Wed Nov 5 02:13:10 2008 From: cfoster at nfbco.org (Chris Foster) Date: Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:13:10 -0600 Subject: [Uabs] NFB of Colorado to stream its 54th Annual State convention from Colorado Springs Message-ID: Subject: NFB of Colorado to stream its 54th Annual State convention from Colorado Springs Greetings, For the third year in a row, The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado will stream the general sessions and banquet of its annual state convention across the country and around the world over the Internet. In years past, we have had listeners log in from as far away as India and last year, Doctor Maurer called in on the phone to say a quick hello from the busy streets of central London. We want everyone to be a part of our fun, enthusiastic, and inspiring convention; even if you aren't with us in Colorado Springs. The convention will take place this weekend, Friday, November 7, through Sunday November 9. On Friday, our general sessions will run from 10:00 am till about 01:15 pm Mountain time. On Saturday, the sessions will run from 08:45 am till about 01:45 pm mountain time. Our banquet will run from about 07:00 pm to 09:00 pm mountain time. Our final session will start at 09:00 am on Sunday morning and will rap up no later than 11:47 am (mountain time) that same morning. Please see the attached agenda for exact times and for more information about our convention. You can join our stream by going to the NFB of Colorado web cite at www.nfbco.org and clinking on the link for our live stream. During our streaming sessions, you can call the sound crew at 720-897-nfbc or 720-897-6322 . You can also reach them via Skype at "nfbcolorado". Lastly, you can send the crew email at nfbco2008 at gmail.com Who knows? Your comments and questions may very well be forwarded on to Scott LaBarre or whoever the moderator happens to be at the time. You may even get to talk to the convention live! Wherever you are and from whatever time zone you're listening from, log in and have a great time joining with the members of the NFB of Colorado as we take the next step towards independents. Best Regards, Chris Foster National Federation of the Blind of Colorado Director of Community Relations Phone: 303-635-6583 Email: cfoster at nfbco.org Web Site: www.nfbco.org -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Final Agenda Tuesday Noon 11-04-083.doc Type: application/msword Size: 1440768 bytes Desc: not available URL: From dwhill at epix.net Sun Nov 9 05:19:05 2008 From: dwhill at epix.net (D.W. Hill) Date: Sat, 08 Nov 2008 23:19:05 -0600 Subject: [Uabs] Seeking Photos & Performing Artists Message-ID: *** Now that the election is behind us and autumn is in full swing, NFB's Performing Arts Division would like to ask for your help with two projects. First, we're seeking high quality, candid photos (JPEG) of young blind entertainers (amateurs or professionals) doing their thing to use in brochures and the like. Send them to PAD's Head of Media Relations Donna Hill: dwhill at epix.net Second, we strongly encourage all blind entertainers to participate in our survey. The blurb is below. The link, if you just want to go check it out is: http://www.padnfb.org/perform..html Thanks for your help, Donna *** Do you know that there hasn't been a new blind, American superstar since Stevie Wonder & Jose Feliciano? And, if asked to name famous blind women, most of us can only think of Helen Keller, who died over fifty years ago. . Since a strong media presence is helping other minorities, the nonprofit Performing Arts Division (PAD) of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), seeks to assist blind people pursuing performing arts related goals. We want to learn more about the experiences of blind and visually impaired entertainers. Who should participate in the survey? Anyone who is blind or has a severe visual impairment who has ever sought to develop their performing arts skills as an amateur or professional. This includes musicians, actors, comedians, dancers, broadcasters, sound engineers and the like. Whether or not you are a member of PAD of the NFB, whether or not you have been successful, whether or not you are still pursuing your art, we want to hear your experiences and thoughts. PAD offers scholarships to blind students majoring in the performing arts, funded through the sale of "Sound in Sight" a cross-genre compilation of eighteen tracks donated by blind recording artists. Help us better serve America's blind entertainers. New blind stars will rise and shed light on issues affecting all blind Americans, such as seventy percent unemployment and only ten percent Braille literacy among blind kids. Take the survey at http://www.padnfb.org/perform..html or download a Word Doc at: www.padnfb.org and send to me at: dwhill at epix.net Let me know, if you would prefer that a Word Doc be sent to you via e mail. Thanks, Donna Hill, Head of Media Relations Performing Arts Division, National Federation of the Blind 570-833-2708 dwhill at epix.net -- For my bio & to hear clips from The Last Straw: http://cdbaby.com/cd/donnahill Apple I-Tunes phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=259244374 Performing Arts Division of the National Federation of the Blind www.padnfb.org From JFreeh at nfb.org Fri Nov 14 21:36:35 2008 From: JFreeh at nfb.org (Freeh, Jessica) Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:36:35 -0600 Subject: [Uabs] National Federation of the Blind Partners with Santa to Promote Braille Literacy Message-ID: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Chris Danielsen Public Relations Specialist National Federation of the Blind (410) 659-9314, extension 2330 (410) 262-1281 (Cell) cdanielsen at nfb.org National Federation of the Blind Partners with Santa to Promote Braille Literacy North Pole (November 14, 2008): Once again, Santa has enlisted the help of the elves at the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Jernigan Institute to get Braille letters out to hundreds of blind boys and girls this Christmas season. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "Santa approached the National Federation of the Blind a couple of years ago and asked us to be his helpers. I'm quite fond of the fellow and was delighted that we could assist him in his work. Braille literacy is the key to success and opportunity for the blind; besides, reading Braille is lots of fun. It's really exciting for kids to get their very own Braille letter at Christmas time from jolly old St. Nicholas himself." Between November 16 and December 16, parents can go online at www.nfb.org and fill out a Santa Braille Letter request form. The form can also be printed and faxed to (410) 659-6893. Beginning December 1, the Braille letters from Santa will start going out to boys and girls around the country. The Braille letter will also be accompanied by a print copy (for mom and dad to read), and parents can choose the contracted or uncontracted form of Braille for the letter. Requests for letters must include the writer's name, the child's name, birthday, gender, mailing address, and a telephone number or e-mail address in case Santa's helpers at the National Federation of the Blind have questions. The deadline for letter requests is December 16, to ensure that a return letter in Braille is received before Christmas. For more information about this and other programs of the National Federation of the Blind, please visit our Web site at www.nfb.org. ### About the National Federation of the Blind With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind 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. Please visit our Web site: www.nfb.org. From jsorozco at gmail.com Sat Nov 15 14:05:41 2008 From: jsorozco at gmail.com (Joe Orozco) Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2008 09:05:41 -0500 Subject: [Uabs] Education Legislation Message-ID: Dear all, The web site team is looking for state-level legislation to incorporate into its advocacy section on the upcoming release of the NABS web site. Please help us by providing links or text to your respective Braille bills or bills pertaining to higher education textbook accessibility. If you yourself are not sure how to find said bills, or if you are not sure whether or not they exist in your state, please help us by forwarding this request to your affiliate officers. Ultimately, we want students to be able to quickly access relevant legislation in the event there are disputes regarding accommodations. Your help in this endeavor is crucial. Thank you in advance. Regards, Joe Orozco "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity."--James M. Barrie From mpeskoe at insightbb.com Sat Nov 15 16:56:54 2008 From: mpeskoe at insightbb.com (Melanie Peskoe) Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2008 10:56:54 -0600 Subject: [Uabs] Looking for MB\a's or MBA Students Message-ID: I have been asked to circulate the following: Dave Hello, my name is Melanie Peskoe. I am from Louisville, Kentucky and I will be starting an MBA program soon. I would like to connect with other NFB members who either have their MBA, or are pursuing an MBA. I specifically would like to find out about general MBA program structure and what alternative techniques you've used in and out of the classroom. I'd like to know also, in day to day work, what computer programs, charts, graphs, etc. do you encounter and how do you access them. I would be interested in finding a group of people to either start a list or meet during the convention next year. Please feel free to email me at mpeskoe at insightbb.com. Thanks in advance for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Melanie Peskoe -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: winmail24.dat Type: application/octet-stream Size: 3494 bytes Desc: not available URL: From KBowman at nfb.org Mon Nov 24 23:09:45 2008 From: KBowman at nfb.org (Bowman, Kristi) Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:09:45 -0600 Subject: [Uabs] Motor City March- Urgent - Register Now Message-ID: Subject: Motor City March- Urgent - Register Now National Federation of the Blind logo Graphic Photo boy with cane on the beach March for Independence logo Register Now for the Motor City March for Independence! http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=FqTi0Ig1HZ-5u4ijBcMVQg.. If you were registered last year, you may NOT be registered this year! Visit the Registration page to sign up now! http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=cQL_olw1gmrCpsvXqsH0QA.. You can also register by sending an e-mail to Kristi Bowman at kbowman at nfb.org or by calling (410) 659-9314, extension 2406 Thank you, thank you, thank you! From melissa at riccobono.us Thu Nov 27 01:39:41 2008 From: melissa at riccobono.us (Melissa Ann Riccobono) Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:39:41 -0600 Subject: [Uabs] Win a Wii Video Game System Message-ID: Hello everyone, The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland is running a holiday raffle for a chance to win a Wii video game system, plus $300! Chances to win are only $10 a piece and there will only be 1,000 chances sold. The winning number will be drawn on Christmas Eve, or sooner if the 1,000 chances are sold out before that time. To purchase tickets, please visit http://www.nfbmd.org/Wii/WiiRules.html Be sure to get your name in the contest and advertise this with your friends and family. This is a great way to help the NFB of Maryland and provide a nice gift for someone in your family--or yourself Melissa Riccobono, President, National Federation of the Blind of Maryland From cfoster at nfbco.org Thu Nov 27 01:40:24 2008 From: cfoster at nfbco.org (Chris Foster) Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:40:24 -0600 Subject: [Uabs] Last chance to join the NFB of Colorado on the high seas to Mexico Message-ID: Subject: Last chance to join the NFB of Colorado on the high seas to Mexico Hello Fellow Federationests, We want you to know that this is your last chance to reserve your cabin on Carnival's Pride to Sail away to sunny Mexico with NFB members from Colorado and across the country. Our cruise sets sail on March 1 from Long Beach, California and returns on March 8, 2009. We will cruise through the Mexican Riviera with stops in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas. If you are interested, we would love to have you with us. Please contact Anahit LaBarre immediately at alabarre at labarretravel.com or 720-334-3652 for more information. Cabins are limited and prices range from $704 for an inside cabin to $1524 for a junior suite. Those prices include all the fees, taxes and gratuities. This is the last week that Anahit can hold these cabins for us so call her right away if you have any interest. By the way, you may remember that the NFB of Colorado raffled off a free cruise to one lucky winner. Well, as it happens, our lucky winner was James Gashel. Go for it Mr... Gashel! have a great time and enjoy working on your tan. James Gashel will certainly enjoy escaping winter for a week, far away from the cold and snow. Why shouldn't you? Chris Foster National Federation of the Blind of Colorado Director of Community Relations Phone: 303-635-6583 Email: cfoster at nfbco.org Web Site: www.nfbco.org From christellablue at gmail.com Thu Nov 27 01:41:11 2008 From: christellablue at gmail.com (Christella Garcia) Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:41:11 -0600 Subject: [Uabs] sports extravaganza for 2009 NFB Convention Message-ID: It's that time of year again when I need your help to plan the Sports extravaganza for the NFB convention which will be held in Detroit Michigan. Last years event was wildly successful. The Sports and Recreation division would like to make this years event just as terrific. This is where you come in. If you would like to help plan next years event, or if you know of someone who would like to be involved pleas email me at christellablue at gmail.com Some of the activities from last year were: roller skating, goalball, judo, tandem biking, swimming, spinning, and rowing. I would like to try to continue these events and add even more. I also want to get everyone from youth to seniors involved. So, if you want to help in any way please get in touch with me. Thanks in advance. Christella From jsorozco at gmail.com Thu Nov 27 03:48:25 2008 From: jsorozco at gmail.com (Joe Orozco) Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:48:25 -0500 Subject: [Uabs] Best Sites for Students Message-ID: <7C8CF7C340BA40D9A52B65A6AF76951D@MonkeyPaw> Hello all, As we move into Thanksgiving, we're looking for the top web sites you, as students, are grateful to for the resources they have afforded to you in your education. We're looking for web sites on financial aid, applying to college, scholarship databases, social networking, textbook discounts, anything and everything you feel is a prime resource for you as a student. Yes, we're already aware of PickAProf.com. We're looking for something a little more substantive than a convenient way to rate the dismal robot you had for biology. Your suggestions will be incorporated into the NABS web site for all to take advantage. Be well, send us your suggestions and enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday. Joe Orozco "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity."--James M. Barrie