[vendtalk] MAY MINUTE MESSAGE

[David Andrews]

>
>Fellow Federationists:
>
>New Addition to the Family.
>One of the highest priorities of our organization is searching for 
>new members and making sure that all members remain engaged in our 
>activities.  It is crucial that every blind child and adult comes to 
>understand that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you 
>or your future.  You can live the life you want, blindness is not 
>what holds you back.  In this spirit, join me in welcoming the 
>Maryland Association of Blind Merchants, the newest division of the 
>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland.  Congratulations to 
>Melba Taylor, President; Patty Holman Eitington, First Vice 
>President; Steve Brand, Second Vice President; Tassie Thompson, 
>Secretary; Andre Sconion, Treasurer and board members Don Morris, 
>Mike Bullis, and Dr. Michael Gosse.
>
>The Right to Travel.
>Throughout its history, the National Federation of the Blind has 
>been insuring that blind people have the right to travel.  We do 
>this in many ways.  Since National White Cane Week is May 15-21, I 
>want to remind everyone to spread the word on our free white cane 
>program.  Our national organization will give any blind person a 
>free white cane twice a year.  Go to 
><https://nfb.org/free-cane-program>https://nfb.org/free-cane-program 
>for more information and to request a white cane.
>
>The newest example of protecting our right to travel is our Uber and 
>Lyft Testing Program.  The National Federation of the Blind has 
>created a rideshare testing program to measure Lyft and Uber's 
>efforts to eliminate driver discrimination against riders with guide 
>dogs or service animals. If you use a service animal or are 
>accompanying someone who does please fill out a short form about 
>your experience, each time you use Uber or Lyft.  Please go to 
><https://nfb.org/rideshare-test%20>https://nfb.org/rideshare-test to 
>complete the survey.  Please give us information about both good and 
>bad experiences.  Spread the word, we need information from every 
>blind person whether they are a member of NFB or not. Sarah Baebler 
>is the Maryland coordinator for this program. If you have questions 
>email her at <mailto:sbaebler at bism.org>sbaebler at bism.org.
>
>Let's Get Co-sponsors for our Federal Legislation!
>I hope that you made your calls to or emailed Senator Van Hollen to 
>ask him to co-sponsor SB 732, the Access Technology Affordability 
>Act of 2017.  Did you ask your congressman to co-sponsor the house 
>version of the Access Technology Affordability Act, HR 1734?  During 
>the remaining weeks of May, we will be trying to get co-sponsors for 
>the Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education Act and 
>for the Transitioning to Integrated and Meaningful Employment 
>Act.  Look for further information in the listservs.
>
>Important Reminders.
>National Convention is coming!  Please remember to pre-register by 
>May 31 by going to 
><https://convention.nfb.org/>https://convention.nfb.org/.  The 77th 
>convention in Orlando, FL from July 10-15 will be filled with fun, 
>fellowship and information.  Don't miss it!
>If you are a student, start your summer off on the right foot by 
>attending the Successful Summer Seminar.    Place: Jernigan 
>Institute; When: Weekend of June 2-4.  You must register by May 28 
>by emailing <veegaspa at gmail.htm>veegaspa at gmail.com.
>
>Did you sign up for the Dot-Dash for Braille literacy yet? This is a 
>6K walk or run to be held on Sunday June 4, at 8 am.  The starting 
>point is 200 East Wells Street and it is a nice opportunity to enjoy 
>views of the Harbor that you wouldn't ordinarily see.  Team Sharon 
>still needs participants.  Rumor has it that the Greater Baltimore 
>Chapter has a team for this event, so the competition is on! To 
>register, go to 
><https://www.eventbrite.com/e/6-dot-dash-registration-31969843663>https://www.eventbrite.com/e/6-dot-dash-registration-31969843663. 
>Don't forget to select your team!
>
>Help NFBMD When you Shop.
>Since this is the season for graduations, weddings and 
>anniversaries, mother's and father's day, etc. remember if you are 
>shopping online to use AmazonSmile and select NFBMD as your charity 
>so that we can receive a small portion of your purchase. Go to: 
><http://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-1301033>http://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-1301033.
>
>NFBMD recently joined the list of charities you can donate to on 
>eBay.  You may donate a portion of what you sell or make a direct 
>donation during checkout when you purchase an item. Make NFBMD your 
>favorite charity in your eBay account.
>
>Save These Important Dates.
>June 1, 2017. Diabetes Conference Call, 7 pm. Call 641-715-3272. The 
>access code is 720125#.
>June 2-4, 2017. Regional Student Seminar. The Jernigan Institute, 
>200 East Wells St., Baltimore, MD 21230.
>June 3, 2017. Board of Directors Meeting, Salisbury.
>June 4, 2017. 6 Dot Dash, 8 am. 200 East Wells St., Baltimore, MD 21230.
>July 10-15, 2017. National Convention, Orlando, FL.
>July 17-28, 2017. NFB BELL Academy in Salisbury, MD.
>July 23-29, 2017. NFB Youth SLAM, Towson University, MD.
>July 31-August 11, 2017. NFB BELL Academies in Baltimore and Glendale, MD.
>August 19, 2017.  Annual Crab Feast, Columbus Gardens, Baltimore, MD.
>September 9, 2017. Board of Directors Meeting, time and place to be 
>announced.
>October 19-20, 2017. Braille Literacy in the 21st Century 
>Conference, jointly sponsored by the National Federation of the 
>Blind and the Maryland School for the Blind.  200 East Wells Street, 
>Baltimore, Maryland.
>November 10-12, 2017.  Annual State Convention, Sheraton Baltimore 
>North Hotel in Towson, Maryland.
>
>
>Sharon Maneki, President
>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
>410-715-9596
>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.