[Nfbf-l] {Spam?} July/August Newsletter in email body

[Sylvia]

Here is the Newsletter in the body of the emai for easier access for those who may have had difficulty pulling up the attachment:

The National Federation of the Blind of Florida Newsletter 
Issue 2  	July/August 2016

President’s note:
Greetings Federation Family,
The national convention 2016 was enjoyed by many. We had around eighty-two at our Florida caucus with many first timers attending national convention. Thanks to all who mentored first timers, helped welcome federation family in the hospitality suite and agenda table in lobby, to all who helped at the Florida table, and to all our Florida federation family that participated actively in the activities of convention. The next national convention is tentatively July 10-15, 2017. Let's plan to have more in attendance next year!
Together with love, hope, and determination we transform dreams into reality! 
Let's go build the federation!
Sincerely,
Denise Valkema, President
National Federation of the Blind, Florida

Announcements and Comments:
What an awesome time we had at The National Convention in Orlando.  I heard great comments from many of you and hope that you are excited and really inspired to go back to your chapters and Build the Federation. 

Congratulations to Dan Hicks and Doug Ingram for being winners of the Apple Trio Raffle sponsored by the Florida State Affiliate.  Thanks to all the chapters and members for supporting our effort by selling tickets.  We really appreciate everyone’s participation.  “Many hands make light work of big tasks.”
Join us in congratulating Joe Naulty and Lauren as they received the charters for their chapters which were established in the past year.  They know how to build the federation.  See their photos in the gallery below.

Our 2017 state convention will be held at the Doubletree by Hilton Downtown Orlando over Memorial Day weekend, May 26-29, 2017. Opportunities to plan and help will be shared soon.

Now is the time to begin planning Meet the Blind month activities to be held in October. As we get closer to the month of October, we will be offering tips and tools to support you as you begin to plan for your Meet the Blind Month events. This week, national has uploaded a video that gives ten tips for holding a successful Meet the Blind Month event. You can find it on our YouTube channel by following this link. The Meet the Blind Month tips video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9CYY-eun28.

Accessibility and Self-Advocacy in Higher Education
Just in time for fall semester, the National Federation of the Blind has released the following resources for college and graduate students and college administration. Equal access on campus remains a priority area for the NFB. Too often, blind students are dissuaded from the classes and degrees of their choice because campuses do not have procedures in place to provide accessible textbooks, internships, learning management systems, and other electronic information technology. Self-advocacy is often a critical skill for success in higher education. Take time now to review the information below and forward the resources to other blind students and campus administrators.
•    Self-Advocacy in Higher Education Toolkit Version 2.0: https://nfb.org/self-advocacy-higher-education
•    High-Stakes Testing Self-Advocacy Toolkit: https://nfb.org/high-stakes-testing-self-advocacy-toolkit
•    Higher Education Accessibility Online Resource Center: https://nfb.org/higher-education-accessibility-online-resource-center
For more information, contact Valerie Yingling, paralegal, at (410) 659-9314, extension 2440, or vyingling at nfb.org.

Adult Rehabilitation and Employment Survey
If you are blind or visually impaired, reside in the United States, and are at least eighteen years of age, we invite you to participate in this survey so that we can gain a better understanding of your experiences as an adult who is blind or visually impaired, including your experiences with education, employment, training, and vocational rehabilitation.
If you complete this survey, you will be entered into a drawing in which five individuals will win a $100 VISA gift card. We offer you three ways to complete the survey: website (www.pdrib.com/ares), email (pdrib2016 at gmail.com), or phone [(318) 257-2029].

SHOP SMILE.AMAZON.COM
Start with a smile and shop smile.amazon.com and select NFBF as charity of choice.  NFBF will benefit at no additional cost to you. Nothing changes, just use your regular sign on and password and shop as usual. NFBF will reap the rewards by you doing the what you usually do.  Happy shopping!  AmazonSmile: You shop. Amazon gives.


Birthdays & Celebrations:
The NFBF would like to celebrate: 
Birthdays: 
July:
Steven Blum, Suncoast
Dawn Duke, Suncoast
Denise linauer, Suncoast
Sherrill O’Brien, Tampa
James Young, Tallahassee
August:
Michelle Curtis, Tampa
Nancy Gallagher, Space Coast
Douglas Ingram, Tallahassee
Cynthia Kiper, Suncoast
Scott Larson, Daytona Beach
Nancy Long, Space Coast
Donald Matchett, Space Coast
Arlene Naulty, Space Coast
Julia Savage, Space Coast
Rajeana Thomas, Space Coast
Marilyn Womble, Space Coast
Anniversaries:
Monique and Rufus Bowden, Tallahassee
Heather and Andy Tuck, Suncoast

 Legislative Updates:
Submit Title II SANPRM Comments - Deadline Extended
The deadline has been extended to September 2, 2016, to submit comments on web accessibility to the DOJ. More information can be found on at https://nfb.org/titleiisanprm and http://www.ada.gov/regs2016/sanprm.html. To submit your comments, visit the NFB's webform or contact Kyle Walls at (410) 659-9314, extension 2223, or kwalls at nfb.org.

HathiTrust and the NFB to Make 14M+ Books Accessible
More than fourteen million digital books will soon be made available to blind and print-disabled users, thanks to a new collaboration involving the NFB and the HathiTrust Digital Library, a digital repository hosted at the University of Michigan.

Technology: Tips & Tricks
The KNFB reader is the latest in reading printed material.  If you would like a demonstration or instruction contact Jorge Hernandez at Phone: 305-877-2311 or Email: jeh1065 at comcast.net.

Inspiration Conner:
Citation from Mark Riccobono
It is not blindness that is to be feared but rather the low expectations and misconceptions about blindness. We have walked alone and marched together; we have tested the possibilities and we have not found the limits; we have faced the fear and we have transformed it to hope—we are the National Federation of the Blind.
– Mark A. Riccobono. “The Understanding of Fear and the Power of Progress.” 2016 NFB National Convention, Orlando, Florida, July 5, 2016.

Chapter, Division, and Committee updates:
Greater Broward Chapter:  Tom Ryan, President; Phone: 954-442-1855, Email Ryantom at bellsouth.net

Central Florida Chapter:  Sherri Brun, President; Please like us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/410985858949160.  We meet the third Saturday of each month from 11:00am to 1:00pm at Lighthouse Central Florida, 215 East New Hampshire Street, Orlando, Florida 32804.  

Greater Daytona Beach Chapter:  Scott Larson, President; Phone: 386-235-0565; Email: Blindscotty at samobile.net.  We meet the fourth Saturday of the month 11:30am to 1:30pm at TGI Friday's, 24 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond Beach FL 32176.  Follow Us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nfbdaytona.

Gainesville Chapter: Judith Hamilton, President; Phone: 352-373-7806, Email: gainesville_nfb at earthlink.net.  Our chapter meeting will be Saturday, August 13th at the Northwest Grille, 5115 Northwest 39th Avenue from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, with meet and greet starting a 1:00pm.  GAINESVILLE CHAPTER HAPPENINGS:  Macy’s “Shop for A Cause” takes place the weekend of August 26, 27, and 28, 2016. Our chapter is selling shopping passes for $5. Shoppers use the passes during the weekend, at the store, for 25 percent savings on regular, sale, and clearance items and ten percent savings on electronics, watches, furniture, mattresses, rugs, or floor coverings. The pass explains any exclusions that do apply. This is Macy’s big event to benefit non-profit organizations. Each pass we sell helps us get to convention and Macy’s provides the passes at no cost. Contact Kathy Roskos at kroskos at cox.net for more information.

Greater Jacksonville Chapter:  Marita Winston, President; Phone: 904-323–8597, Email: marita.winston60 at gmail.com.  Our chapter is hosting our summer picnic August 13, 2016 at Hannah Park; coming together for a day of fun, food, and fellowship. We are also planning a vision expo for January 2017.  Look for more information soon.

Greater Miami Dade Chapter: Fred Haynes, President; Phone: 305-775-8466, Email: haynes at bellsouth.net. Our meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month.  Location: Denny's Restaurant, 5825 N. W. 36 Street, Miami, FL.

Palm Beach Chapter: Tekesha Saffold, President; 561-707-4799; Email: tnsaffold82 at gmail.com.   We have monthly meetings on the Second Saturday of every month at 4746 North Congress Avenue, Boynton Beach, FL 33425.

Pinellas Chapter: Larry Ball; President; Phone: 727-614-9134; Email: lball42 at tampabay.rr.com.  Our meetings are held on the third Saturday of the month at Applebee’s, 5110 E Bay Drive in Largo.  We meet for lunch at noon and the business meeting starts at 1:00pm.  We are working hard to change what it means to be blind in Pinellas county.

Polk Chapter: Joe King, President: Phone: 863-293-5648; Email:  joenkitty at earthlink.net.  Our meetings are held the second Saturday of the month at: Winter Haven Manor, 140 Avenue A S.W., Winter Haven, Florida, at 10:00am-12:00pm.

Space Coast Chapter:  Joe Naulty, President; Facebook: www.brevard-nfb.org  www.facebook.com/nfbmelbourne.  We had a presentation from the Vice President, Alan Kessler, on Newsline; the NFB’s audio program of newspapers, magazines and other print material.  Also, Michelle Jones from Brevard County Emergency Management spoke to us about the procedures in place to assist those who have special needs and must be evacuated. She handed out Hurricane Preparedness Kits and answered questions.  Thanks to the Elections Office for coming out to speak to us about accessible voting machines that will be available during this election year. Tim and Jessica brought the Auto Mark Voting Assistance Terminal for a demonstration.

FL State Wide Chapter: Paul Martinez, President; Phone: 813-390-5720; Email: nfbf.statewide at gmail.com.  The State Wide Chapter invites you to join us on our conference call on the third Sunday of every month at 8:00pm. This chapter was designed for those who do not have a local chapter or for some reason cannot get to their local chapter for any given reason. We would like to thank all those who participated in our “What’s in your wallet raffle.” A huge congratulation goes out to our winner Juany Gomez.

Suncoast Chapter:  Lauren Blum, President; Phone: 352-584-0795; Email:  nfbf.suncoast at gmail.com.  We meet on the third Saturday of each month at IHOP, 363660 Commercial Way (US 19), Spring Hill, FL 34606. 

Tallahassee Chapter:   Jada Christie, President; Phone: 850-766-9378 Email: emeraldpink15 at gmail.com. We meet the 1st Monday of each month and the Lighthouse of the Big Bend, Tallahassee, FL  32303.  Election day is quickly approaching. The Tallahassee chapter will welcome two of our local candidates to speak during our August meeting. Chapter members will have the opportunity to ask questions following each candidate's presentations. Being informed and exercising our right to vote allows us to live the lives we want.

Tampa Chapter: Miranda Kilby, President; Phone: 352-942-0417; Email:  NFBF.Tampa at gmail.com.  We just celebrated the 26th anniversary of the ADA with a pancake breakfast event, and hosted the supervisor of Elections.  In this event we were able to have a hands on experience with the audible voting machines.  We are preparing all of our members to vote independently in the upcoming elections.  Also, we are starting to plan our Meet the Blind month activities.  We encourage anyone in the Tampa area to join us to the fourth Saturday of every month.

Treasure Coast Chapter: Tim Edwards, President; Phone: 630-432-5090; Email:  tred34990 at gmail.com.  We meet the 2nd Saturday of the month from 10:00am-12:00pm at WQCS Radio Station @ IRSC, 3209 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce. (The chapter does not meet in July or August). We serve the following counties: Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River & Okeechobee.

Florida Association of Guide Dog Users (FLAGDU): Sherrill O'Brien, Division President; flagdu at nfbflorida.org 

Deaf-Blind Division: Tracie Inman, President; Phone: 904-372-0644; Email: tracieinman at yahoo.com.  The FL Deaf-Blind division meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 8:00pm. If you are interested in attending this meeting and learning what the division has to offer, please contact the president. 

Florida Organization of Parents of Blind Children (FOPBC): The Parents Division is being reorganized by Kimberly Banks, Email: kimberlybanks1984 at gmail.com

Florida Association of Blind Students: The FABS invites any high school or college student to attend our conference calls on the third Sunday of every month at 6:00pm.  For further information, contact the president, Paul Martinez at nfbfabs at gmail.com  FABS- We would like to thank all who supported the student division in our I-Phone SE raffle. Congratulations to Helen Sims, we hope you are enjoying your new phone!!!  To call into our meetings use conference number 641-715-324 and access code 401665.

The National Association of Blind Veterans:  Dwight Sayer, President; 321-948-1466; Email: president at nabv.org;  PO Box 784957, Winter Garden, Florida 34778. 

Photo Gallery:
Convention photos
Selfie of Sylvia and James Young of Tallahassee Chapter at the National convention.

Denies Valkema presenting the charter to Lauren Blum for the Suncoast Chapter at the Florida Caucus.

Denise Valkema presenting the charter to Joe Naulty for the Melbourne Space Coast Chapter at the Florida Caucus.

Please contact any of the board with questions, comments, concerns or for general information.  
NFBF Board of Director’s Information:
Denise Valkema -President 
Phone: 305-972-8529
Email: valkemadenise at aol.com 
Paul Martinez - 1st Vice President 
Phone: 813- 390-5720
Email: paul09ms at gmail.com
Miranda Kilby – 2nd Vice President
Phone: 352- 942-0417
Email: mbkilby at gmail.com  
Sylvia Young-Secretary
Phone: 850- 322-5937
Email: slyfox at embarqmail.com
Gloria Mills –Treasurer
Phone: 813-340-9754
Email: glorianfb at irescue-tax.com
Board Members: 
Lauren Blum
Phone: 352-584-0795
Email: laurenblum79 at gmail.com 
Jorge Hernandez
Phone: 305-877-2311 
Email: jeh1065 at comcast.net
Tekesha Saffold
Phone: 561-707-4799
Email: tnsaffold82 at gmail.com
Rafael Fernandez
Phone: 305-903-6299
Email: rafael.fernandez0617 at gmail.com  

Editor: Sylvia Young 
To have something posted in the NFBF Newsletter please submit it to the editor, Sylvia young at slyfox at embarqmail.com by the 15th of each odd month.