[Arizona-students] NFB Imagineering Our Future: The Federation Family
Mark Riccobono
JerniganInstitute at nfb.org
Fri Jun 27 22:39:36 CDT 2008
Graphic Logo: NFB Jernigan Institute
View this newsletter as HTML in your browser.
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=fCx_BwHYs7TaosizP8d42Q..
Imagineering Our Future
Issue 4
June 27, 2008
Message from the Executive Director
Summer is here and many families are gathering for vacations and
reunions. Despite the rising gas prices and tight economic
times, the blind of America are zipping up their luggage and heading
for Dallas, Texas. The 68th Annual Convention of the National
Federation of the Blind is the largest gathering of the blind that
will happen anywhere in the world. Yet, this big, complex
convention always has the feel of a backyard family reunion.
Blind people coming together, sharing ideas, renewing friendships,
supporting each other, sharing their hopes and dreams, resolving to
build new opportunities, and linking arms in renewed commitment to a
movement, a family, that is making positive changes all over the
country. If you have never been there, start planning for a way
to get there next year--you will wonder why you waited so
long. If your life circumstances have caused you to stay home
this year, we want you to have some of the feeling of being
there--although nothing replaces the energy and spirit of being
together with those who share a commitment and hope for the future
with you.
This year, you can tune in via the Internet to the general sessions of
the convention as well as the NFB Board of Directors meeting and the
March for Independence Rally. Visit the NFB homepage
(www.nfb.org
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=y3BHqvPSFutIQQgHsK7Bhw..)
and view the schedule of convention activities to be streamed and
pull up the live Webcast to get connected. Starting July 1,
with the NFB Board of Directors Meeting, you can connect with the
family and enjoy one of the highlights of the summer of 2008.
I hope to meet you personally in Dallas or to hear about what part of
the live Web stream you enjoyed the most after I return from Dallas.
Graphic: Signature of Mark Riccobono
Mark A. Riccobono, Executive Director, NFB Jernigan Institute
In this issue:
What's New
Education
Braille Initiative
Straight Talk About Vision Loss
Technology Talk
Independence Market
Parents of Blind Children
Upcoming Events
Citation
Featured NFB News
Graphic: White question mark on black field
In just a few short days the NFB national convention will begin
again. This year we convene in Dallas, Texas. One of many
events to look forward to is the second March for Independence 5K on
Wednesday, July 2. The March for Independence--A Walk for
Opportunity will increase public awareness of
the capabilities of blind people and help fund the National
Federation of the Blind's Jernigan Institute and state affiliates
throughout the country.
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=Ond2tiGp8GN39X3ZoiAz5g..
But did you know that the one thousand Federationists
who march from the convention headquarters hotel to the
AT&T Plaza at American Airlines Center will witness an
historic first appearance?
As you may know, 2009 is the two hundredth anniversary of the
birth of Louis Braille. President George W. Bush recognized
the significance of this anniversary when he signed the Louis
Braille Bicentennial Braille Literacy Commemorative Coin Act into
law in 2006. The act calls for silver dollar coins to be issued
and made available for sale in 2009. The sale of the
coins will generate funding that will make it possible
for the NFB to implement a comprehensive Braille literacy campaign
nationwide.
The time has come! As part of a rally at the March, the United States
Mint director will unveil the Louis Braille Commemorative Coin
design. Since it is an actual coin, it could
circulate, but you'd want to collect it instead.
This coin will honor the creator of the code
that permits literacy for the blind, and it is the first
coin ever minted in the history of the United States to contain . .
. what will the design be? Will you be at the 2008 March for
Independence to find out first?
Then send a representative from your affiliate to attend the NFB
Braille Coin and Literacy Campaign session from 2:00-4:00
p.m. on Thursday, July 3, in the Sapphire Room, Tower Lobby, to
learn how affiliates can support the NFB Braille Coin initiative
and what the literacy campaign will mean to blind people in their
states.
Education
Preparations are underway for the NFB Junior Science Academy at
the NFB Jernigan Institute, July 23-27, 2008.
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=fjpikn1Tsix-KXDfOjE-WA..
Our Web site,
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=GjlHKyQ91KQPLvrILEnkLg..
, has added a page explaining
revisions of the IDEA that provide for equal access to
instructional materials for elementary or high school
students--Textbooks on Time--and collecting feedback
from families with blind children to see if the intended
result is achieved. We invite you to get the
facts and to tell us if you have (or if you
haven't) gotten your textbooks at the same time
as sighted students in the class.
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=7lDMGOcY_fZwlCyD5nctNw..
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=QpwMFB25wwq55-9XSkfEEA..
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=Yi6vJ3jy8WvBNHtDg89cAw..
Also new to our Web site wellspring of knowledge--Where the Blind
Work. This is your opportunity to share your career
experience as a blind person and what alternative techniques you
use. And if you're looking for work, be inspired by the growing
list of employment descriptions from blind individuals who have
been engaged in various fields and get pointers about how
they have done the job.
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=xWTUvMsgu295ekCxhq7qgg..
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=YMTEq9MIWmR2IkEacWEbLA..
Braille Initiative
The 2008 Braille Readers are Leaders contest, part of the NFB's
Braille Initiative to promote Braille literacy, has
concluded. Thanks to all who participated, and congratulations
to the winners! A dozen of
the victors, chosen from a pool of hundreds of
contestants, are awarded a trip to this year's convention.
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=fI7zqvLHTQvM3J4svoeY4A..
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=_ck5x3nr8UO7vhJuMt9LsQ..
Announcing--the launch of a new Web site dedicated to
Braille! Go to the easy-to-remember
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=Lf20mnE-TNPAB8MgOV7HIA..
address for general information about Braille as well as descriptions
of the many NFB programs promoting Braille literacy.
Have you been practicing your Braille since last issue's introductory
lesson? Here's a review of the "Introduction" and
a new mini-lesson on Braille (adapted from the Instructional
Manual for Braille Transcribing):
Mini-lesson 1: Introduction to Braille
Braille is a system for tactile reading and writing. It uses
Image of a full Braille cell
characters formed by combinations of six embossed dots that are
arranged within the Braille cell in two vertical columns of three dots
each. A simple Braille character is formed by one or more of these
dots, and it occupies a full cell or space. For convenience, the dots
of the Braille cell are referred to by number.
Mini-lesson 2: Introduction to the Braille Alphabet
The first ten letters of the alphabet are formed by using the upper
and middle dots of the cell, and they are the foundation of the
Braille system:
Graphic: first 10 letters of the Braille alphabet
Try writing the following words in Braille:
acid acacia badge beige babe cage
deface dice ebb egg fad fief gag gage
hag hajji hide hie id if idea jag jade
Upcoming--Mini-lesson 3: The Second Ten Letters
Straight Talk About Vision Loss
The current Straight Talk About Vision Loss video
series submission is appropriate for this time of year when
mothers and fathers are recognized. In episode 17, an
experienced the leader of the Federation discusses parenting as a
blind person. The Executive Director of the NFB Jernigan
Institute speaks with none other than Melissa Riccobono, a
mother, human services professional, division and chapter president,
spouse, volunteer, and first lady of the Jernigan Institute.
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=g1H_sc2R36LzCbezCI_35A..
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=jSAemZYqCUpOm-QYuJpbUA..
Product and Access Technology Talk
The Access Technology team will be distributing a shopping guide for
consumer electronics at convention. Drop in to the Access
Technology seminar series hosted by the team all day on
Sunday, June 29th. For more information, please consult the
convention agenda.
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=yNcfMiQft7lYsQBseMsuwA..
On the Web, the latest installment in the NFB Access
Technology Blog helps you choose the best cell phone
provider for your needs.
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=ligbM7iVb8SUc8gJ1FaV1g..
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=8qrUZhnef0fB_ZO0Fe4qtQ..
Independence Market
shopping for canes at convention store
Visit the NFB Independence Market and literature in Grand
Ballrooms C, D, and E, Atrium lobby, at the National
Convention (other convention exhibitors are in a separate area
this year--the Khmer Pavilion, Atrium third level).
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=OsQ3e5HIBzWbRfAc-ljTPg..
And shop year 'round on the secure Web site of the NFB
Independence Market.
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=7qIE_kamINT6q8wF174T0Q..
The Market is a service of the NFB Jernigan Institute Jacobus tenBroek
Library. On April 29, Edward T. Morman, MLS, PhD, joined the Jernigan
Institute staff as director of the tenBroek Library. Ed is
enthusiastically planning the development of the Library as the
premier research and resource center on the non-medical aspects
of blindness and looks forward to your input.
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=PRONegkJ6aoI0q-qx7PS8g..
Dr. Morman--or "Ed," as he prefers to be
called--has been a librarian for more than three decades and has
held administrative positions at the Johns Hopkins Institute of the
History of Medicine and the New York Academy of Medicine. A
native of New York City, he earned his degree in library science at
the University of Southern California; his other advanced degrees, in
the history of science, are from the University of Pennsylvania.
Ed is new to the blind movement and looks forward to applying his
expertise toward advancing the goals of the Federation and the
Jernigan Institute. Now that the Jacobus tenBroek Library is a
physical reality, it is time to build its research collection and take
the steps needed to make those collections accessible to
all--blind or sighted, in
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=lz84KpnG_d_TOn7U9_H2bg..
Baltimore or anywhere in the world--who are interested in
blindness and blind people. The library will soon start work on a
grant-funded project that will take several important steps in that
direction, including implementation of the first automated library
system fully accessible to the blind as both library readers and
library staff.
Watch this space in future editions of Imagineering Our Future for
progress reports on the library.
Parents of Blind Children
The National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
division invites you to visit the newly updated parents
site
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=PAXUjQLQVuK8aIzu1ahZgA..
and "Remember the Past, IMAGINE the Future
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=zTBWkkc6HxFZwsJLmE_1bA..
" at the NFB National Convention in Dallas,
Texas. View the National Organization of Parents of Blind
Children's full schedule of events
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=S6NQ7aajPDW2A8eIt1OyXA..
in this 25th anniversary year.
Attending is undoubtedly valuable in providing mentors for blind
children. But the parents also gain a wealth of knowledge not
only in the NOPBC meetings but also the general
sessions--such as this compelling address by Carrie Gilmer
on the role of parents in the education of blind children given at the
2005 national convention.
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=a6GW4YPMyjPQjlj62cJG3Q..
NFB Upcoming Events
June 15-August 9, 2008 Teen Empowerment Academy,
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=qZs4qHY1R2XVyIt1kSDGFQ..
an eight-week residential training and employment program offering
blind students an opportunity to build skills, increase confidence,
and gain work experience.
June 29-July 5, 2008 NFB 68th annual National
Convention
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=kYcjYiL9GuxkgJS-yZXh_Q..
, Dallas, Texas.
*
Plan your week with the electronic agenda or the large
print or Braille one you receive when you pick up your
pre-registration packet or register in person starting at 9:00
a.m. on Monday, June 30th.
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=WR3nnN6DsSwrTM7FQPbA_w..
*
Please visit our many exhibitors in the Khmer Pavilion,
Atrium third level. Get oriented with Lorraine Rovig's
verbal map of the Exhibit Hall.
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=L5cNMafMEmJYlD2bt7wYDQ..
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=q5oC4fZm4vWJyibY3S8wTA..
*
Many thanks to this year's sponsors!
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=KJpv0QzlUBLsCFxUdRXZdw..
The NFB Jernigan Institute will hold an open house from 1:00 to
3:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 3.
Join us on tour afternoon in the Emerald Room, Tower Lobby, for
an informal session where we will bring your Jernigan
Institute to Dallas--learn about the current initiatives and help
shape its future activities.
Staff members will be on hand for dialogue. Exhibits will
include Santa letters, a sampling of valuable Library
acquisitions, and an accessible voting machine. Take away with
you Meet the Blind Month resources on disk, consumer shopping
guides, and more.
. . . imagine.
July 2, 2008 NFB March for Independence
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=wnUBklBemAKhV4NeRPydNg..
, Dallas, Texas. Learn how you can help!
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=qcggLmZeqsCl6tgEfHNXpA..
July 23-27, 2008 NFB Junior Science Academy
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=ypQqauXWsLNod1nnHH4L3g..
for ages eight to twelve.
October 2008 Meet the Blind Month. Affiliates and Chapters
should start planning now. Get some ideas from the report on the
2007 campaign.
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=B9YIc559GL6TzWc_s7FIaQ..
January 4, 2009 Louis Braille's 200th Birthday.
Citation
So what is the Institute really? What is this Jernigan Institute that
we have developed? I say to you all that it is an extension of the
work of the National Federation of the Blind. The mission of the
Institute is the same as the mission of the National Federation of the
Blind. We have said our mission and our purpose in lots of ways, but
all of us understand that the real mission of this organization is to
change lives. And that is what we do. We do that in the Institute, but
we do it in every activity back in your home states. They are all
connected. For example, at the Science Academy we change lives of
young teenagers who didn't think they could take calculus, so
they couldn't dare to dream to be a NASA engineer. But they go
through our experience, and they say, "Ah, I can take calculus.
I can be a NASA engineer." The same thing happens when you set
up a seminar for blind kids in your home community connected with your
state convention, and they see blind mentors, and they talk with blind
people, and the parents and the kids understand that, "Yes, I
can do it. Yes, I can reach out. Yes, I can use my full
potential."
The seniors who come to our senior fairs--we call them up after
the senior fair, and we ask them. "What's the most
important thing you got out of it?" They learn about their
resources and they learn about all kinds of things. But they say,
"The most important thing is that we saw blind people moving
around and doing things, and we were inspired that we too can do
things." It can happen at any age, and you can do it in your own
communities. The Federation goes to talk to seniors, and we inspire,
and we make sure that they know what can happen.
The Independence Market offers all kinds of aids and appliances and
resources and literature, and we answer the phone hundreds and
hundreds of times every day. But you too in your local community do
what the Institute does when you give a person a piece of literature,
when you tell them what the Independence Market has to offer and you
give them the phone number so that they can order their first cane.
It's the same; we're all working on changing lives.
The library inspires people when people come to visit because
it's an exciting place. But when you sit next to a person on an
airplane and you tell them about the National Federation of the Blind
and what our philosophy is and what our mission is, you too also
inspire and change lives. It's all connected. It's all the
same. We are the Federation family forever.
--Dr. Betsy Zaborowski, "Education, Influence, and Inspiration:
The Effect of the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan
Institute,"
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=h99YmrDRlpy_f0uLPllfJg..
an address delivered at the NFB annual convention, Atlanta, Georgia,
July 2007
To our new subscribers as well as faithful readers, thank you for
reading the Jernigan Institute's Imagineering Our Future.
If this issue was forwarded to you and you'd like to subscribe,
please e-mail JerniganInstitute at nfb.org.
JerniganInstitute at nfb.org?subject=Reply%20to%20Imagineering%20Our%20Future
Photo: Blind youth reading Braille book
Support the Jernigan Institute through the Imagination Fund
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=T3JXmdWWccJLhl4DoQQXqQ..
Photo: Blind girl examining model of constellations
Interesting links:
Archive of Straight Talk about Vision Loss videos
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=FRP11QcweX3ubKyF-_Kc3Q..
National Center for Blind Youth in Science
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=h1dBb3Gd1fB0ESAx4fZ9Wg..
Access Technology Tips
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=_si_Y-ODY6RywKLvMpqWrA..
Photo: Blind boy with tactile globe
Blogs:
Access Technology
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=fvK51OnlbwvSCgqvvDRVfw..
Voice of the Nation's Blind
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=Jo9KBCs285vgRpVaVpqUDw..
Photo: Senior couple
Publication archives:
Voice of the Diabetic
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=oZ7s0vL2utlxX4A5s1wehQ..
Future Reflections
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=WhhDHfEYp-j96Q8mBMm_9Q..
Braille Monitor
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=9xSjXiCl7bT46MjNcAb2Nw..
Photo: Mom and son take a moment and a hug
Graphic Logo: National Federation of the Blind
Visit us at nfb.org
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=-yXmf557hgtQ-GtUNfTmfA..
Photo: Blind little girl with cane
Imagine a Future Full of Opportunity
Jernigan Institute, National Federation of the Blind, 1800 Johnson
Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314 Fax (410) 659-5129 E-mail
JerniganInstitute at nfb.org
JerniganInstitute at nfb.org?subject=Reply%20to%20Imagineering%20Our%20Future
Visit us at www.nfb.org
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=U1fkEl0Xrn6medlZn9BTqQ..
Forward this newsletter.
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=JZOwOGt7Cr1WTdWis5wOzw..
Powered by Convio.
http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=blmQTRG17NY3KTwzZNVgcQ..
More information about the Arizona-students
mailing list