From christellablue at gmail.com  Wed Jul  1 02:48:09 2009
From: christellablue at gmail.com (Christella Garcia)
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:48:09 -0500
Subject: [nfb-db] Sports and Recreation Events
Message-ID: <auto-000105608877@mailfront1.g2host.com>

Hi,  convention is fast approaching and the 
Sports and Recreation division is excited to 
bring three exciting events to all of 
you.  However, we need to get some logistics out 
of the way so we can enjoy the fun.  Therefore, I 
am attaching the liability waver which will need 
to be signed by anyone who wants to participate 
in any of our exciting events.  Please note, you 
must sign a waver for each event.  For example, 
if a person wants to participate in the swimming 
and judo events then they will need to sign a 
separate waver for each event.  If you have 
difficulty accessing the form or if you have any 
other questions please email me off list at: 
<mailto:christellablue at gmail.com>christellablue at gmail.com 
or call me on my cell (916) 208-3213.  and I will 
do my best to assist you.  Below you will find 
the time and place for each event.  The wavers 
will also be available at each event.  Parents 
please sign a waver for any child under age 
eighteen. Thanks, and let the games begin.
Christella Garcia Sports and recreation division vice president.


Friday, July 3, 2009

1:00 - 4:00 pm?SWIM CLINIC: SPORTS & REC DIVISION

Pool, Courtyard Marriott

Annie Sawicki, part of the AdapTap team (that 
designed an award-winning device for blind 
swimmers), is conducting a swimming workshop. 
Take a break with a cool dip in the pool.



Sunday, July 5, 2009

12:30 - 5:00 pm?SPORTS AND RECREATION DIVISION

Skyline A Room, Courtyard Marriott

    12:30 pm ? Registration; 1:00 pm ? Meeting begins

Wear your sweats and come ready for hands-on 
presentations in yoga and much more!  Lisamaria Martinez, President



Sunday, July 5, 2009

5:00 - 8:00 pm?JUDO WORKSHOP; SPORTS & REC DIVISION

Skyline B Room, Courtyard Marriott

Join USA Judo Paralympic bronze medal winner Greg 
DeWall to learn about judo from people involved 
in the sport.  See you on the mat!



Monday, July 6, 2009

6:00 - 9:00 pm?INDOOR ROWING; SPORTS & REC DIVISION

Skyline A and B Rooms, Courtyard Marriott

Row your way into fitness and maintain a healthy 
lifestyle using an accessible rowing machine.  Prizes plus plenty of fun!

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From dandrews at visi.com  Wed Jul  1 02:44:45 2009
From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews)
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:44:45 -0500
Subject: [nfb-db] 2009 Motor City March Info Packet
Message-ID: <auto-000105608884@mailfront1.g2host.com>



The 2009 Motor City March for Independence:


NFB in the D







Before the March






?        An information session for Marchers will 
be held on Saturday, July 4, at 6:45 p.m. in the Greco Room on Level 4.


?        The ambassador briefing sessions will be 
held on Sunday, July 5, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. 
in Brul? B Room on Level 5. Those Federationists 
wanting to serve as ambassadors or wanting to 
familiarize themselves with the March and rally, 
can drop in any time during the three hour 
briefing session. The March route and tasks will be covered in detail.


?        Marchers can register for the March, 
turn in donations, and pick up their March items 
(such as t-shirts and medallions) at the 
Imagination Fund table in the Renaissance Foyer 
on Level 4 near the Convention registration table during registration times.






March Gathering Places and Times?Be  Ready to Chant and Cheer






?        Ambassadors and other March volunteers 
need to report at the Wintergarden entrance on 
Atwater Street by 6:00 a.m. on Monday, July 6.


?        Appointed sign and banner carriers need 
to gather 100 yards to the left of the 
Wintergarden entrance by 6:30 a.m. to pick up their banners/signs.


?        Torchbearers need to gather toward the 
front of the procession, at least 100 yards to 
the right of the Wintergarden entrance at 6:30 a.m.


?        Rally coordinators and stagers need to 
report to Rivard Plaza by 6:30 a.m.


?        Marchers need to gather at least 100 
yards to the right of the Wintergarden entrance by 6:45 a.m.






What will happen at the March


At 6:45 a.m. the March for Independence will 
begin with opening remarks by Dr. Maurer.  The 
Torch of Freedom will be lit and the March will 
begin by 7:00 a.m.!  Around 7:30 a.m., as we are 
heading back toward the Renaissance Center, the 
?mini-Marchers? will join the procession and 
we'll all march together toward the rally site at 
Rivard Plaza.  By 8:00 a.m. we will reach Rivard 
Plaza and the rally will begin.






Route description


1.      Gather at the Wintergarden entrance on 
Atwater Street.  Walk west on the south side of 
Atwater Street toward Renaissance Drive West.  Be 
aware of potential traffic on the north side of the street.
2.      Just after Bates Street (on your right), 
take a left back onto the RiverWalk.
3.      Follow the RiverWalk until passing Hart 
Plaza (on your right) and the Detroit Princess Riverboat (on your left).
4.      Return back to Atwater Street, which 
becomes Civic Center Drive.  Follow Civic Center Drive to Joe Louis Arena.
5.      At the intersection of 3rd Street and 
Civic Center Drive (with Joe Louis Arena on the 
right) make a left back onto the RiverWalk, and 
follow it back toward Hart Plaza.
6.      Take the cobblestone path that leads up to Hart Plaza.
7.      Go through Hart Plaza, past the fountain, 
and toward East Jefferson Avenue.
8.      Just before East Jefferson Avenue, follow 
the large concrete path to the right that crosses 
a dead-end street (to the Ford Auditorium on the 
right) and leads to Bates Street.
9.      Turn right onto Bates Street and continue southeast to Atwater Street.
Make a left back onto Atwater Street and follow 
it east, back toward the Renaissance Center.  We 
will then take the ramp to the RiverWalk.
10.  Continue east along the RiverWalk the short 
distance to Rivard Plaza for the rally.
11.  Join the rally at Rivard Plaza!





The Mini-March


For those who cannot walk the full 4 kilometer 
route (1 kilometer less than last year), there is 
a shorter route of approximately four 
blocks.  This mini-March will join the main 
procession as it passes back by the Renaissance 
Center on the way to the rally site.  To join the 
mini-March, please gather at 7:15 a.m. at the 
Wintergarden exit of the Renaissance Center.  We 
will take the ramp down to the RiverWalk.  If you 
choose to use the steps instead of the ramp to 
the RiverWalk, please note these steps are 
especially deep.  There will be ambassadors on 
hand to make sure mini-Marchers connect with the 
main procession at the right time.





The Rally Program


The rally will begin at approximately 8:00 a.m. 
at Rivard Plaza.  Water will be available at the 
rally site for all participants.  The rally 
program will include speeches by Dr. Maurer, 
Senator Carl Levin of Michigan, and Dave McCurdy 
of the Alliance of Automobile 
Manufacturers.  Three outstanding Imagination 
Fund grant programs will be featured, and be 
ready to dance in the streets when Martha Reeves 
performs some of her Motown hits. At about 8:45 
a.m., Dr. Maurer and other VIPs will lead the 
procession out of the plaza back to the 
Wintergarden.  Marchers should make their way to 
the opening of General Session in the Renaissance 
Ballroom on Level 4 by 9:30 a.m.  Be sure to stay 
for the entire rally?there are bound to be lots 
of surprises throughout the morning!





Transportation


Those with wheelchairs or special transportation 
needs should come to the Imagination Fund table 
during registration times to make sure their needs are met.
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From slabarre at labarrelaw.com  Thu Jul  2 10:32:39 2009
From: slabarre at labarrelaw.com (Scott C. LaBarre)
Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:32:39 -0500
Subject: [nfb-db] Presenting the 12TH Annual Mock Trial
Message-ID: <auto-000105823185@mailfront1.g2host.com>

PRESENTING THE 12TH ANNUAL MOCK TRIAL
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND LAWYERS
Saturday, July 4th
Ambassador 1 Ballroom, level 3,
Marriott Renaissance Center
  4:30--6:00 p.m.

The National Association of Blind Lawyers is pleased to present the 
12TH Annual Mock Trial featuring the case of Malus v. Malus in the 
District Court for the State of Federation, County of Whoseit, the 
Honorable Charles S. Brown, Presiding.  This case pits a sighted 
father against a blind mother who are getting divorced and fighting 
over their three children.  Randy Malus, the sighted father, alleges 
that the blind are incapable of safely taking care of young 
children.  Angela Malus, the sighted mother, counter alleges that 
Randy is a dead beat dad who is incredibly irresponsible and that the 
children are far better off with her.  Shockingly, Angela's own 
mother, Melissa Love Joy, intends to testify on behalf of Randy 
Malus.  John Goodfellow, Angela's sighted neighbor, intends to tell 
the Court what a wonderful mom Angela is.  Experts on both sides will 
tell the Court with whom the children should be placed.  You the 
audience are the jury and will need to decide who is more competent 
to have custody of these three lovely children, ages 2, 4, and 
7.  All you have to do is pay your juror registration fee of $5.00 
and you can help decide this important case.
Scott C. LaBarre, Esq.
President, NABL
LaBarre Law Offices P.C.
1660 South Albion Street, Ste. 918
Denver, Colorado 80222
303 504-5979 (voice)
303 757-3640 (fax)
<mailto:slabarre at labarrelaw.com>slabarre at labarrelaw.com (e-mail)
<http://www.labarrelaw.com>www.labarrelaw.com (website)
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From armckenzie at fsu.edu  Sat Jul  4 16:42:06 2009
From: armckenzie at fsu.edu (Amy McKenzie)
Date: Sat, 04 Jul 2009 11:42:06 -0500
Subject: [nfb-db] Online Survey Recruitment
Message-ID: <auto-000106084907@mailfront1.g2host.com>

I have been asked to circulate the following:

Dave


Recruitment Message:
Drs. Amy McKenzie and Susan Smedema of Florida State University are
conducting an online survey social support and life satisfaction in persons
with visual impairment.

You are invited to participate in this survey if you are 18 years of age or
older, and have a diagnosed visual impairment.

Participation in the survey will take approximately 30 minutes.  There are
no anticipated risks beyond those encountered in daily living to completing
the survey.

Please click on the following link if you wish to participate:
http://www.survey.coe.fsu.edu/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=n40Ln62

You may also email Dr. McKenzie at armckenzie at fsu.edu to have this link
emailed to you directly or to receive a hard copy of the survey in regular
print, large print, or braille.

Thank you very much!

Amy R. McKenzie, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor
Program in Visual Impairment

and

Susan M. Smedema, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Rehabilitation Counseling and Services



-----Original Message-----
From: David Andrews [mailto:dandrews at visi.com]
Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2009 2:03 PM
To: Amy McKenzie
Subject: Re: Online Survey Recruitment

It is ok with me.  You can either write me some sort of announcement,
that I will circulate, or I can draw from what you sent me.

Dave

At 12:13 PM 6/27/2009, you wrote:
 >Dear Mr. Andrews,
 >
 >My name is Amy McKenzie and I am an Assistant Professor in the
 >Program in Visual Impairments at Florida State University. Along
 >with my colleague, Susan Smedema, I am preparing to recruit for an
 >online survey regarding the relationship between social supports and
 >life satisfaction in adults with visual impairments. Dr. Smedema is
 >an Assistant Professors in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program at
 >FSU. We have received human subjects approval to conduct this study
 >through the Florida State University Office of Research.
 >
 >We would like to post recruitment messages in some format to the NFB
 >listservs and/or message boards due to its strong consumer
 >membership. We believe that we can reach the broadest group of
 >participants through your organization. Electronic recruitment
 >methods are being used since this is an online study.
 >
 >I have attached the proposed recruitment letter and consent letter
 >to this e-mail. Please let me know your thoughts!
 >
 >Sincerely,
 >Amy R. McKenzie
 >
 >Amy R. McKenzie, Ed.D.
 >Assistant Professor
 >Program in Visual Impairment
 >College of Education, Florida State University
 >850-645-6588




From johnlee at clarktouch.com  Sun Jul  5 04:23:52 2009
From: johnlee at clarktouch.com (John Lee Clark)
Date: Sat, 4 Jul 2009 23:23:52 -0500
Subject: [nfb-db] We Need Your Support
In-Reply-To: <93529F74-748E-46D6-AB16-9F5FF8E563BC@me.com>
Message-ID: <mailman.36.1593441735.11173.nfb-db_nfbnet.org@nfbnet.org>

Can I add your name in support of our efforts to convince the board of AADB
to give us back our most cherished tradition: the national conference.  Many
deaf-blind people do not have email and are not able to speak up in such a
short time, so this petition needs support from ANYONE who understands how
important our conferences are to us.

For more information, read the petition below.  I hope you will be willing
to add your name.  If so, you can reply to this message with "Yes!" and I
will add your name.  Also, forward to those you think might want to support.
Thanks!

We, the members and friends of the American Association of the Deaf-Blind,
were shocked and heartbroken when Arthur Roehrig, on his last day as
president (Tuesday, June 30, 2009), announced that the board had voted two
months earlier to postpone the next conference to 2013.  This means seven
years of no conference.  We find this unacceptable.

In his letter, the president explained that AADB did not have enough money
for a conference.  That is not true.  AADB DOES have the money, but the
board decided to use it to maintain AADB Office staff and expenses, which
total around $300,000.  Most of this money comes from a fund AADB had for
many years, that used to be solely for conferences.  We ask the board of
AADB to use this fund for conferences again.  Ever since the expansion of
AADB Office affected our conferences, members have made it clear on many
occasions that we want the deaf-blind community's most important cultural
touchstone back: the conferences.

In the same letter, the president mentioned that the host organization for
the next conference had found a hotel available for 2011.  The hotel
requires a $25,000 deposit.  The host organization even raised $10,000 on
its own.  That left $15,000.  But the board decided to postpone the
conference with the hope that the host organization would raise more money.

We are disappointed that the board did not make cuts to the already
overpriced and ineffective AADB Office (for an organization of our size,
four hundred deaf-blind members) and transfer $15,000 to the hotel to
complete the deposit.

We affirm that the conferences are of utmost importance to the deaf-blind
community.  We ask the board to get the next conference back on track for
2011.  We request that the board transfer $15,000 to complete the hotel
deposit by the end of July.  Failure to do so will result in the members
among the undersigned withdrawing our memberships and requesting refunds,
followed by other acts of protest by members and our allies.

Members and non-members, deaf-blind and others, all are welcome to support
our cause.  If you would like to sign this petition, email your name and
city to ipo56 at aol.com by July 10.  The leaders of this petition will submit
it to the board of AADB on that day.

Thank you for your support!

Petition Leaders

Melanie Bond
Bay City, Michigan

John Lee Clark
St. Paul, Minnesota





From gmussie9 at hotmail.com  Sun Jul  5 05:13:33 2009
From: gmussie9 at hotmail.com (Mussie)
Date: Sat, 4 Jul 2009 22:13:33 -0700
Subject: [nfb-db] We Need Your Support
References: <COL0-MC3-F9No8VJ8RG001a0b9b@col0-mc3-f9.Col0.hotmail.com>
Message-ID: <BAY119-DAV9BBC59B200647A0652B8B852A0@phx.gbl>

Hi John,
I will certainly sign up. I was also shocked that AADB's board decided to 
postpone the convention despite the efforts of people to raise and 
contribute money (I am one of them and now feel my contributions are 
worthless). It is astounding that AADB proclaims to advocate for the 
deaf-blind community, yet the NFB and other blindness organizations are the 
only ones holding annual conventions. That is really irritating --  
deaf-blind people need a powerful and influential voice, and conventions 
help promote the interests and needs of the deaf-blind community. At the 
2003 convention, two important participants included a state senator and the 
head of the Rehabilitation Services Administration.
I believe that without a convention, AADB lacks credibility to speak up for 
the needs of deaf-blind Americans that the NFB speaks for the blind to 
influence policies and programs affecting individuals who are deaf-blind at 
every level of government. So, I hope AADB hears our voices loud and clear 
and does not sit on its hands while other organizations (not to mention deaf 
organizations) actively promote their interests through conventions.
Good luck John! Keep the effort up.
Mussie
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Lee Clark" <johnlee at clarktouch.com>
To: "'NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List'" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, July 04, 2009 9:23 PM
Subject: [nfb-db] We Need Your Support


> Can I add your name in support of our efforts to convince the board of 
> AADB
> to give us back our most cherished tradition: the national conference. 
> Many
> deaf-blind people do not have email and are not able to speak up in such a
> short time, so this petition needs support from ANYONE who understands how
> important our conferences are to us.
>
> For more information, read the petition below.  I hope you will be willing
> to add your name.  If so, you can reply to this message with "Yes!" and I
> will add your name.  Also, forward to those you think might want to 
> support.
> Thanks!
>
> We, the members and friends of the American Association of the Deaf-Blind,
> were shocked and heartbroken when Arthur Roehrig, on his last day as
> president (Tuesday, June 30, 2009), announced that the board had voted two
> months earlier to postpone the next conference to 2013.  This means seven
> years of no conference.  We find this unacceptable.
>
> In his letter, the president explained that AADB did not have enough money
> for a conference.  That is not true.  AADB DOES have the money, but the
> board decided to use it to maintain AADB Office staff and expenses, which
> total around $300,000.  Most of this money comes from a fund AADB had for
> many years, that used to be solely for conferences.  We ask the board of
> AADB to use this fund for conferences again.  Ever since the expansion of
> AADB Office affected our conferences, members have made it clear on many
> occasions that we want the deaf-blind community's most important cultural
> touchstone back: the conferences.
>
> In the same letter, the president mentioned that the host organization for
> the next conference had found a hotel available for 2011.  The hotel
> requires a $25,000 deposit.  The host organization even raised $10,000 on
> its own.  That left $15,000.  But the board decided to postpone the
> conference with the hope that the host organization would raise more 
> money.
>
> We are disappointed that the board did not make cuts to the already
> overpriced and ineffective AADB Office (for an organization of our size,
> four hundred deaf-blind members) and transfer $15,000 to the hotel to
> complete the deposit.
>
> We affirm that the conferences are of utmost importance to the deaf-blind
> community.  We ask the board to get the next conference back on track for
> 2011.  We request that the board transfer $15,000 to complete the hotel
> deposit by the end of July.  Failure to do so will result in the members
> among the undersigned withdrawing our memberships and requesting refunds,
> followed by other acts of protest by members and our allies.
>
> Members and non-members, deaf-blind and others, all are welcome to support
> our cause.  If you would like to sign this petition, email your name and
> city to ipo56 at aol.com by July 10.  The leaders of this petition will 
> submit
> it to the board of AADB on that day.
>
> Thank you for your support!
>
> Petition Leaders
>
> Melanie Bond
> Bay City, Michigan
>
> John Lee Clark
> St. Paul, Minnesota
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfb-db mailing list
> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
> 




From dandrews at visi.com  Mon Jul  6 15:02:02 2009
From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews)
Date: Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:02:02 -0500
Subject: [nfb-db] NFB Convention Stream Available
Message-ID: <auto-000109162336@mailfront2.g2host.com>

Many of you have asked about watching and/or listening to a stream of 
the NFB national convention, now going on in Detroit.  There is a 
audio/video stream that is available when general sessions of the 
convention are in session.  I presume that it will also be available 
for the banquet.  The address is:

http://www.vbossengage.com/Engage/NFB/Index.aspx



David Andrews and white cane Harry.





From dandrews at visi.com  Mon Jul  6 16:39:02 2009
From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews)
Date: Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:39:02 -0500
Subject: [nfb-db] Updated Link for NFB Convention Stream
Message-ID: <auto-000106265668@mailfront1.g2host.com>

Earlier today I posted a link to listen/watch a live stream of the 
NFB convention, now going on in Detroit.  The link used an embedded 
Silverlight player that may not be accessible to all.

Below is a new link that uses your default media player.  We 
apologize for any problems that this has caused anybody.

http://vbricksys.edgeboss.net/wmedia-live/vbricksys/58969/300_vbricksys-nfb_30241_090615.asx


Dave



David Andrews and white cane Harry.





From gmussie9 at hotmail.com  Tue Jul  7 16:03:38 2009
From: gmussie9 at hotmail.com (Mussie)
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 2009 09:03:38 -0700
Subject: [nfb-db] Deafblind Group Communication
References: <SNT0-MC4-F37JuoAnG000f19a2d@snt0-mc4-f37.Snt0.hotmail.com>
Message-ID: <BAY119-DAV7F455093D1457B68D2B6385280@phx.gbl>

John,
I know it is taking me time to respond to some of your interesting remarks. 
Yes, I agree that a vast majority of people do find sign language 
interesting. Even babies as young as several months have observed me signing 
and curiously try to imitate. Like my 1-year old nephew, who would often 
imitate others who fingerspell with me. Some strangers even were so shocked 
that someone can communicate by tactile to the point that they were so eager 
to try the thing themselves. This is especially true among foreigners who 
never met a deaf person in their lives (in fact, the first time I actually 
met a deaf person was in junior school, so I have far less influence of the 
Deaf culture than you, and when I saw someone sign I thought it was very 
fascinating). But none in my family communicates with me via sign without 
alternating between some signing and typing.
I'd want to clarify, John, that in general, I do not try to even encourage 
anyone, even people in my family, to learn sign language. When I said I 
tried to do that, it was a deliberate and conscious act to learn about 
patterns and responses to sign language across cultures.
How do you communicate primarily? It depends on the situation for sure, but 
don't you like a multi-mode communication approach where you communicate not 
on how you were rasied but based on the context/situation? I often alternate 
between many modes at once (voice, typing, tactile sign, fingerspelling, 
etc). Does that sound crazy? For me it just broadens my horizon...

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Lee Clark" <johnlee at clarktouch.com>
To: "'NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List'" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, June 15, 2009 4:16 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Deafblind Group Communication


> Mussie:
>
> Thank you for elaborating a bit.
>
> Yes, there are natural pressures going on all the time, such as my 
> naturally
> preferring to talk with a signer over a nonsigner and if the nonsigner 
> wants
> to talk with me but finds that I am more ready to talk with the signer, 
> this
> would be natural pressure for the nonsigner.  The nonsigner would then 
> have
> a choice to make, whether or not to learn signing or understand that there
> are certain other times and contexts in which I'd be more available.
>
> But I have never "tried" to "encourage" anyone in any conscious way.  I
> think that might happen if I want to have a relationship with someone
> badly--such as my own mother--and if that person doesn'[t learn sign
> language yet both that person and I expect to have a relationship, then
> maybe that's a situation where I'd ask the other person to consider
> learning.  But I have never been in such a situation.  The reason is 
> because
> everyone I want a relationship with badly already knows sign language. 
> And
> all of the other relationships that have developed have the other person
> already making the choice to learn sign language.  I have no friends who
> don't kinow sign language, and Ii guess the reason is quite simple: How
> could we have become friends in the first place without communication?  In
> order for there to be a friendship in the first place, we would have to
> communicate.  So that naturally takes care of itself.
>
> I am surprised to read about your friend bristling at the idea she needs 
> to
> learn sign language because she thinks you're the one to adapt further
> because of your perceived limitations.  I have never encountered this
> sentiment.  I mean, many, many people are eager to learn signing even if
> there's no real need for it--everywhere I go, it's like sign language 
> blooms
> like flowers all over, with almost total strangers immediately wanting to
> learn.  Example: My apartment manager, concriege, security guards, and the
> maintenance staff, upon our arrival here, all have learned up to varying
> levels, but my point is all of them were eager to learn something.  We
> didn't ask any of them to.  Other avenues of communication were available:
> note writing, SBC, etc. etc.  They didn't have to, or need to or anything
> like that.
>
> And you're telling me you have a FRIEND--not merely your apartment manager
> or a waitress at a restaurant near you, but a FRIEND--who bristles at the
> idea of signing?  That's fascinating.  I am sure it has been food for
> thought for you, too.
>
> But I want to point out that we don't have special limitations.  Your
> description of your friend leaves me with the impression she believes you
> are disabled, some kind of lesser class, and that she is not in that 
> class,
> but in a superior class or something, and she expects you to adapt or work
> around her standards.  If so, that's really screwed up, in my opinion.  No
> offense to you or your friend, but we're all human beings here and we all
> have serious limitations.  Our society may favor your friend in that it
> offers her more resources for overcoming her limitations, and our society
> may disfavor you and me in refusing or limiting the resources available to
> us, but that doesn't mean we have"more" limitations than your friend.
> Especially when it comes to friendships, we should be considered 
> equal--not
> the same, but still equal.
>
> And remember my point that two people in the relationship should think of
> what would be the best for the relationship.  Spoken English may be the 
> best
> language, the easiest, fastest, etc. for your friend.  Sign language may 
> be
> the best for you.  But what you two should ideally consider is what is 
> best
> for the relationship--not her, not you, but the relationship.  If anyone
> chooses to learn sign language, her or she is not doing so FOR you, poor
> deaf-blind Mussie, but is doing so for the relationship.  Iif anyone has 
> an
> attitude of, "Fine, I'll learn ASL FOR you, so this will help YOU," then
> that's a very bad thing and you should in fact discourage the person from
> learning sign language at all.
>
> Why?  Because this "I'm helping YOU" attitude means you won't have a 
> healthy
> relationship.  That person will fee like she or he is doing you a FAVOR 
> and
> you should be GRATEFUL, that you are the getter and he or she is the 
> giver,
> that you're the lucky beneficiary of his or her selfless KINDNESS.  I am
> sure you don't want this!  Smile.
>
> So, in some cases, it is actually better to tell someone NOT to learn sign
> language or make any kind of effort he or she feels is special, that's for
> YOU.
>
> But anyway your friend who bristles, I would agree with you on not 
> pressing
> her at all.  Never encourage.  Let the natural elements take care of
> themselves.  I mean, if you prefer signing over using the DBC to talk, 
> then
> just follow that.  If someone wants a relationship with you, but notices
> that you tend to give more attention to signers, that person can either
> accept her place in the line for your attention, your priorities, your 
> time,
> etc.  If that person is not satisfied with that place and wants to have a
> closer relationship with you, then there are things that person can try to
> accomplish this, including learning more sign language.  If someone tells
> you "I want you to spend more time with me BUT without my having to learn
> sign language," that person would be asking for something unnatural.
> Sometimes we do unnatural things like making very special efforts.  Family
> often requires unnatural actions and choices because the daughter wants to
> have a real mother very badly and will compromise anything to reach her, 
> or
> vice versa.  This can get really complicated, huh?
>
> John
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
> Behalf
> Of Mussie
> Sent: Monday, June 15, 2009 3:22 PM
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Deafblind Group Communication
>
> Certainly "pressing" might not have been the right word, John. I should
> actually have said that I tried to encourage them. The reason for me
> attempting to "press" them was a part of my anthropological project to 
> study
> cultural patterns and language and how people react to different types of
> behaviors that relate to communicate. For instance, it appears to me that
> trying to encourage people to appreciate and learn sign language can
> backfire depending on cultural factors (for example, here we are highly
> individualistic, whereas some of my Asian buddies seemed to readily learn
> new approaches to communication). Strictly speaking, the above is
> speculation and in no way reflects actual patterns of behavior concerning
> language and culture.
> In my estimination, if you were distancing yourself from someone because
> they didn't learn sign language and you won't allow that person to 
> interact
> with you through others intimately related to you, people will actually 
> tend
> to perceive it as a pressure on them. I seem to notice this pattern 
> myself.
> For example, I have a good friend from the days of junior school, but I 
> tend
> to talk more frequently with another friend who knows sign language. The
> nonsigning friend eventually told me he feels as though I was pressing him
> to learn sign language since I had the option of the SBC to communicate 
> with
> him.
> Well, I will elaborate the subject more thoroughly at a different time.
> Right now I am running late for something.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "John Lee Clark" <johnlee at clarktouch.com>
> To: "'NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List'" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, June 15, 2009 1:01 PM
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Deafblind Group Communication
>
>
>> Mussie:
>>
>> Thank you for sharing about pressing your friends.  But I am puzzled. 
>> How
>> is it that you got into the position to press them in the first place?  I
>> mean, I have never, not once, pressed any one to learn sign language.
>> I've
>> never had to ask it or insist on it or anything like that.  So I've never
>> been in a position where I found it necessary or needed to press anyone.
>>
>> So I am really confused by what you mean . . .  Can you elaborate?
>>
>> John
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfb-db mailing list
>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfb-db mailing list
> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.70/2177 - Release Date: 06/15/09
> 05:54:00
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfb-db mailing list
> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
> 




From gmussie9 at hotmail.com  Tue Jul  7 16:13:35 2009
From: gmussie9 at hotmail.com (Mussie)
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 2009 09:13:35 -0700
Subject: [nfb-db] Deafblind Group Communication
References: <BAY0-MC6-F15Q1D0G5F008a4843@bay0-mc6-f15.bay0.hotmail.com>
Message-ID: <BAY119-DAV55FEA99607491D865B6EE85280@phx.gbl>

John, communication mode is absolutely the way to determine the best 
arrangement for providing a viable means ofcommunication (both receptive and 
expressive). But I don't think that is always the case in every situation, 
based on my own experience as an assistive tech trainer. I often look at 
communication mode, just like you, and in about 95% of the time it works. 
But some will say they prefer tactile sign language interpreters, but then 
once they get to the place and find the, say, lighting in the room 
sufficient for their vision to be able to discard the interpreter and use 
their vision. Perhaps it is simply a changing of one's mind, but this is a 
pattern I have noticed. Also, I agree that relying on degree of vision 
loss/hearing loss is an absurd idea. For example, someone might say they are 
deaf (but it is only as a means of social identity) but actually turn out to 
be hard of hearing. This particular example had literally happened between 
me and one of the people I once tutored at the age of 18.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Lee Clark" <johnlee at clarktouch.com>
To: "'NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List'" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, June 15, 2009 4:38 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Deafblind Group Communication


> Mussie:
>
> But the degree of sight or hearing shouldn't be a point at all.  If it was
> the point in anything, that thing would be very sick.
>
> When I organize DB events here, I always look at the communication mode of
> choice.  What degree of vision or hearing doesn't matter because it would
> still tell me absolutely nothing about what the person would need or want.
> In our local community, among the merely legally blind, there are close
> range listeners, far range listeners, trackers, and tactilers.  In the 
> lower
> vision group, again, there are close and far range listeners, trackers, 
> and
> tactilers.  In the very blind group, there are, again, close and far range
> listeners, trackers, and tactilers.  Likewise, there are FM users, C-print
> users, and signers in all groups of hearing levels.
>
> Maybe in your community there is a stronger tendency to use all the vison 
> or
> hearing that's left, and so your legally blind people would mostly be 
> either
> far or close range visual listeners, your lower vision people would mostly
> be trackers or close range, and your very blind people would mostly be
> trackers if they can squeeze by or reclutantly be tactilers.  I don't 
> know.
> But here and in all the states I have visited so far, degree or vision or
> hearing means nothing, really, about anything practical.
>
> As for "impairment," I better say nothing, lest I'll end up writing a 
> book!
>
> John
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfb-db mailing list
> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
> 




From gmussie9 at hotmail.com  Tue Jul  7 16:16:16 2009
From: gmussie9 at hotmail.com (Mussie)
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 2009 09:16:16 -0700
Subject: [nfb-db] Deafblind Group Communication
References: <COL0-MC1-F122qMKFMB00d9e63a@col0-mc1-f12.Col0.hotmail.com>
Message-ID: <BAY119-DAV2D8C97990D859189CDAD585280@phx.gbl>

John,
And my school requires deaf-blind/blind students to read film transcripts 
instead of trying to obtain all the info via captioning, then you answer 
coursework using transcripts. And I used to be an avid reader of speech 
transcripts of politicians...
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Lee Clark" <johnlee at clarktouch.com>
To: "'NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List'" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, June 15, 2009 4:56 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Deafblind Group Communication


> Maurice:
>
> Many TV and radio shows post transcripts online.  Though I am more into
> books, I know many DB who love to read movie scripts, TV show transcripts,
> etc. online.
>
> John
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
> Behalf
> Of Maurice Mines
> Sent: Monday, June 15, 2009 6:49 PM
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Deafblind Group Communication
>
> hi is blind setch a vary bad word in the nfb it is a sorse of pride it
> is not a bad thing to be blind. also I am ceres how due get emegrence
> worings whin there are brodcasted over tv, and raido?
> On Jun 15, 2009, at 5:38 PM, John Lee Clark wrote:
>
>> Mussie:
>>
>> But the degree of sight or hearing shouldn't be a point at all.  If
>> it was
>> the point in anything, that thing would be very sick.
>>
>> When I organize DB events here, I always look at the communication
>> mode of
>> choice.  What degree of vision or hearing doesn't matter because it
>> would
>> still tell me absolutely nothing about what the person would need or
>> want.
>> In our local community, among the merely legally blind, there are
>> close
>> range listeners, far range listeners, trackers, and tactilers.  In
>> the lower
>> vision group, again, there are close and far range listeners,
>> trackers, and
>> tactilers.  In the very blind group, there are, again, close and far
>> range
>> listeners, trackers, and tactilers.  Likewise, there are FM users, C-
>> print
>> users, and signers in all groups of hearing levels.
>>
>> Maybe in your community there is a stronger tendency to use all the
>> vison or
>> hearing that's left, and so your legally blind people would mostly
>> be either
>> far or close range visual listeners, your lower vision people would
>> mostly
>> be trackers or close range, and your very blind people would mostly be
>> trackers if they can squeeze by or reclutantly be tactilers.  I
>> don't know.
>> But here and in all the states I have visited so far, degree or
>> vision or
>> hearing means nothing, really, about anything practical.
>>
>> As for "impairment," I better say nothing, lest I'll end up writing
>> a book!
>>
>> John
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfb-db mailing list
>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfb-db mailing list
> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.70/2177 - Release Date: 06/15/09
> 17:54:00
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfb-db mailing list
> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
> 




From minesm at me.com  Sun Jul 12 02:53:41 2009
From: minesm at me.com (Maurice Mines)
Date: Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:53:41 -0600
Subject: [nfb-db] We Need Your Support
In-Reply-To: <0KMA00AU4K7SY190@smtpin128.mac.com>
References: <0KMA00AU4K7SY190@smtpin128.mac.com>
Message-ID: <CD3FC5F6-0627-48EA-9813-B383A72BDF4B@me.com>

hi this a list being payed for by the nfb and requretment for  
enayother group is not alow. please take this off the list. Maurice  
Mines list modrater. hellow this a nfbliest. 	
On Jul 4, 2009, at 10:23 PM, John Lee Clark wrote:

> Can I add your name in support of our efforts to convince the board  
> of AADB
> to give us back our most cherished tradition: the national  
> conference.  Many
> deaf-blind people do not have email and are not able to speak up in  
> such a
> short time, so this petition needs support from ANYONE who  
> understands how
> important our conferences are to us.
>
> For more information, read the petition below.  I hope you will be  
> willing
> to add your name.  If so, you can reply to this message with "Yes!"  
> and I
> will add your name.  Also, forward to those you think might want to  
> support.
> Thanks!
>
> We, the members and friends of the American Association of the Deaf- 
> Blind,
> were shocked and heartbroken when Arthur Roehrig, on his last day as
> president (Tuesday, June 30, 2009), announced that the board had  
> voted two
> months earlier to postpone the next conference to 2013.  This means  
> seven
> years of no conference.  We find this unacceptable.
>
> In his letter, the president explained that AADB did not have enough  
> money
> for a conference.  That is not true.  AADB DOES have the money, but  
> the
> board decided to use it to maintain AADB Office staff and expenses,  
> which
> total around $300,000.  Most of this money comes from a fund AADB  
> had for
> many years, that used to be solely for conferences.  We ask the  
> board of
> AADB to use this fund for conferences again.  Ever since the  
> expansion of
> AADB Office affected our conferences, members have made it clear on  
> many
> occasions that we want the deaf-blind community's most important  
> cultural
> touchstone back: the conferences.
>
> In the same letter, the president mentioned that the host  
> organization for
> the next conference had found a hotel available for 2011.  The hotel
> requires a $25,000 deposit.  The host organization even raised  
> $10,000 on
> its own.  That left $15,000.  But the board decided to postpone the
> conference with the hope that the host organization would raise more  
> money.
>
> We are disappointed that the board did not make cuts to the already
> overpriced and ineffective AADB Office (for an organization of our  
> size,
> four hundred deaf-blind members) and transfer $15,000 to the hotel to
> complete the deposit.
>
> We affirm that the conferences are of utmost importance to the deaf- 
> blind
> community.  We ask the board to get the next conference back on  
> track for
> 2011.  We request that the board transfer $15,000 to complete the  
> hotel
> deposit by the end of July.  Failure to do so will result in the  
> members
> among the undersigned withdrawing our memberships and requesting  
> refunds,
> followed by other acts of protest by members and our allies.
>
> Members and non-members, deaf-blind and others, all are welcome to  
> support
> our cause.  If you would like to sign this petition, email your name  
> and
> city to ipo56 at aol.com by July 10.  The leaders of this petition will  
> submit
> it to the board of AADB on that day.
>
> Thank you for your support!
>
> Petition Leaders
>
> Melanie Bond
> Bay City, Michigan
>
> John Lee Clark
> St. Paul, Minnesota
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfb-db mailing list
> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org




From minesm at me.com  Sun Jul 12 03:03:12 2009
From: minesm at me.com (Maurice Mines)
Date: Sat, 11 Jul 2009 21:03:12 -0600
Subject: [nfb-db] We Need Your Support
In-Reply-To: <BAY119-DAV9BBC59B200647A0652B8B852A0@phx.gbl>
References: <COL0-MC3-F9No8VJ8RG001a0b9b@col0-mc3-f9.Col0.hotmail.com>
	<BAY119-DAV9BBC59B200647A0652B8B852A0@phx.gbl>
Message-ID: <8E627F3D-58DD-4B0D-900D-B10C0D5A7489@me.com>

hi this not a aadb list agen please take this off list, now.	
On Jul 4, 2009, at 11:13 PM, Mussie wrote:

> Hi John,
> I will certainly sign up. I was also shocked that AADB's board  
> decided to postpone the convention despite the efforts of people to  
> raise and contribute money (I am one of them and now feel my  
> contributions are worthless). It is astounding that AADB proclaims  
> to advocate for the deaf-blind community, yet the NFB and other  
> blindness organizations are the only ones holding annual  
> conventions. That is really irritating --  deaf-blind people need a  
> powerful and influential voice, and conventions help promote the  
> interests and needs of the deaf-blind community. At the 2003  
> convention, two important participants included a state senator and  
> the head of the Rehabilitation Services Administration.
> I believe that without a convention, AADB lacks credibility to speak  
> up for the needs of deaf-blind Americans that the NFB speaks for the  
> blind to influence policies and programs affecting individuals who  
> are deaf-blind at every level of government. So, I hope AADB hears  
> our voices loud and clear and does not sit on its hands while other  
> organizations (not to mention deaf organizations) actively promote  
> their interests through conventions.
> Good luck John! Keep the effort up.
> Mussie
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Lee Clark" <johnlee at clarktouch.com 
> >
> To: "'NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List'" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, July 04, 2009 9:23 PM
> Subject: [nfb-db] We Need Your Support
>
>
>> Can I add your name in support of our efforts to convince the board  
>> of AADB
>> to give us back our most cherished tradition: the national  
>> conference. Many
>> deaf-blind people do not have email and are not able to speak up in  
>> such a
>> short time, so this petition needs support from ANYONE who  
>> understands how
>> important our conferences are to us.
>>
>> For more information, read the petition below.  I hope you will be  
>> willing
>> to add your name.  If so, you can reply to this message with "Yes!"  
>> and I
>> will add your name.  Also, forward to those you think might want to  
>> support.
>> Thanks!
>>
>> We, the members and friends of the American Association of the Deaf- 
>> Blind,
>> were shocked and heartbroken when Arthur Roehrig, on his last day as
>> president (Tuesday, June 30, 2009), announced that the board had  
>> voted two
>> months earlier to postpone the next conference to 2013.  This means  
>> seven
>> years of no conference.  We find this unacceptable.
>>
>> In his letter, the president explained that AADB did not have  
>> enough money
>> for a conference.  That is not true.  AADB DOES have the money, but  
>> the
>> board decided to use it to maintain AADB Office staff and expenses,  
>> which
>> total around $300,000.  Most of this money comes from a fund AADB  
>> had for
>> many years, that used to be solely for conferences.  We ask the  
>> board of
>> AADB to use this fund for conferences again.  Ever since the  
>> expansion of
>> AADB Office affected our conferences, members have made it clear on  
>> many
>> occasions that we want the deaf-blind community's most important  
>> cultural
>> touchstone back: the conferences.
>>
>> In the same letter, the president mentioned that the host  
>> organization for
>> the next conference had found a hotel available for 2011.  The hotel
>> requires a $25,000 deposit.  The host organization even raised  
>> $10,000 on
>> its own.  That left $15,000.  But the board decided to postpone the
>> conference with the hope that the host organization would raise  
>> more money.
>>
>> We are disappointed that the board did not make cuts to the already
>> overpriced and ineffective AADB Office (for an organization of our  
>> size,
>> four hundred deaf-blind members) and transfer $15,000 to the hotel to
>> complete the deposit.
>>
>> We affirm that the conferences are of utmost importance to the deaf- 
>> blind
>> community.  We ask the board to get the next conference back on  
>> track for
>> 2011.  We request that the board transfer $15,000 to complete the  
>> hotel
>> deposit by the end of July.  Failure to do so will result in the  
>> members
>> among the undersigned withdrawing our memberships and requesting  
>> refunds,
>> followed by other acts of protest by members and our allies.
>>
>> Members and non-members, deaf-blind and others, all are welcome to  
>> support
>> our cause.  If you would like to sign this petition, email your  
>> name and
>> city to ipo56 at aol.com by July 10.  The leaders of this petition  
>> will submit
>> it to the board of AADB on that day.
>>
>> Thank you for your support!
>>
>> Petition Leaders
>>
>> Melanie Bond
>> Bay City, Michigan
>>
>> John Lee Clark
>> St. Paul, Minnesota
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfb-db mailing list
>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfb-db mailing list
> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org




From johnlee at clarktouch.com  Sun Jul 12 03:09:18 2009
From: johnlee at clarktouch.com (John Lee Clark)
Date: Sat, 11 Jul 2009 22:09:18 -0500
Subject: [nfb-db] We Need Your Support
In-Reply-To: <CD3FC5F6-0627-48EA-9813-B383A72BDF4B@me.com>
Message-ID: <mailman.37.1593441735.11173.nfb-db_nfbnet.org@nfbnet.org>

Maurice:

I was not aware discussions of other organizations is not allowed.  I
apologize.

Do you mind sharing with us the exact parameters of this policy?  After all,
we discuss many things here, including businesses that compete with NFB's
products.  Knowing more about this will ehlp us a lot!

Thanks!

John

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Maurice Mines
Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2009 9:54 PM
To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfb-db] We Need Your Support

hi this a list being payed for by the nfb and requretment for  
enayother group is not alow. please take this off the list. Maurice  
Mines list modrater. hellow this a nfbliest. 	
On Jul 4, 2009, at 10:23 PM, John Lee Clark wrote:

> Can I add your name in support of our efforts to convince the board  
> of AADB
> to give us back our most cherished tradition: the national  
> conference.  Many
> deaf-blind people do not have email and are not able to speak up in  
> such a
> short time, so this petition needs support from ANYONE who  
> understands how
> important our conferences are to us.
>
> For more information, read the petition below.  I hope you will be  
> willing
> to add your name.  If so, you can reply to this message with "Yes!"  
> and I
> will add your name.  Also, forward to those you think might want to  
> support.
> Thanks!
>
> We, the members and friends of the American Association of the Deaf- 
> Blind,
> were shocked and heartbroken when Arthur Roehrig, on his last day as
> president (Tuesday, June 30, 2009), announced that the board had  
> voted two
> months earlier to postpone the next conference to 2013.  This means  
> seven
> years of no conference.  We find this unacceptable.
>
> In his letter, the president explained that AADB did not have enough  
> money
> for a conference.  That is not true.  AADB DOES have the money, but  
> the
> board decided to use it to maintain AADB Office staff and expenses,  
> which
> total around $300,000.  Most of this money comes from a fund AADB  
> had for
> many years, that used to be solely for conferences.  We ask the  
> board of
> AADB to use this fund for conferences again.  Ever since the  
> expansion of
> AADB Office affected our conferences, members have made it clear on  
> many
> occasions that we want the deaf-blind community's most important  
> cultural
> touchstone back: the conferences.
>
> In the same letter, the president mentioned that the host  
> organization for
> the next conference had found a hotel available for 2011.  The hotel
> requires a $25,000 deposit.  The host organization even raised  
> $10,000 on
> its own.  That left $15,000.  But the board decided to postpone the
> conference with the hope that the host organization would raise more  
> money.
>
> We are disappointed that the board did not make cuts to the already
> overpriced and ineffective AADB Office (for an organization of our  
> size,
> four hundred deaf-blind members) and transfer $15,000 to the hotel to
> complete the deposit.
>
> We affirm that the conferences are of utmost importance to the deaf- 
> blind
> community.  We ask the board to get the next conference back on  
> track for
> 2011.  We request that the board transfer $15,000 to complete the  
> hotel
> deposit by the end of July.  Failure to do so will result in the  
> members
> among the undersigned withdrawing our memberships and requesting  
> refunds,
> followed by other acts of protest by members and our allies.
>
> Members and non-members, deaf-blind and others, all are welcome to  
> support
> our cause.  If you would like to sign this petition, email your name  
> and
> city to ipo56 at aol.com by July 10.  The leaders of this petition will  
> submit
> it to the board of AADB on that day.
>
> Thank you for your support!
>
> Petition Leaders
>
> Melanie Bond
> Bay City, Michigan
>
> John Lee Clark
> St. Paul, Minnesota
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfb-db mailing list
> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org


_______________________________________________
nfb-db mailing list
nfb-db at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org

Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
Version: 8.5.375 / Virus Database: 270.13.10/2230 - Release Date: 07/11/09
17:56:00




From gmussie9 at hotmail.com  Sun Jul 12 14:40:16 2009
From: gmussie9 at hotmail.com (Mussie)
Date: Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:40:16 -0700
Subject: [nfb-db] We Need Your Support
References: <COL0-MC3-F9No8VJ8RG001a0b9b@col0-mc3-f9.Col0.hotmail.com><BAY119-DAV9BBC59B200647A0652B8B852A0@phx.gbl>
	<8E627F3D-58DD-4B0D-900D-B10C0D5A7489@me.com>
Message-ID: <BAY119-DAV3808DEB3A6154227CB47A85250@phx.gbl>

Maurice,
My apologies, I did not know such discussions were not allowed. I assumed 
that since this list says NFB Deaf-Blind, discussing anything affecting 
deaf-blind people in terms of services and programs offered to them is 
within the boundaries of what the forum should focus on. I am not sure if 
you are the list owner, but would you please post the specific guidelines 
governing use of this list? Because this lsit has been awfully quiet and may 
even lose its usefulness if topics to be discussed are severely restricted.
Thanks -- and again, sorry!
Mussie
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Maurice Mines" <minesm at me.com>
To: "NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2009 8:03 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-db] We Need Your Support


> hi this not a aadb list agen please take this off list, now. On Jul 4, 
> 2009, at 11:13 PM, Mussie wrote:
>
>> Hi John,
>> I will certainly sign up. I was also shocked that AADB's board  decided 
>> to postpone the convention despite the efforts of people to  raise and 
>> contribute money (I am one of them and now feel my  contributions are 
>> worthless). It is astounding that AADB proclaims  to advocate for the 
>> deaf-blind community, yet the NFB and other  blindness organizations are 
>> the only ones holding annual  conventions. That is really irritating --  
>> deaf-blind people need a  powerful and influential voice, and conventions 
>> help promote the  interests and needs of the deaf-blind community. At the 
>> 2003  convention, two important participants included a state senator and 
>> the head of the Rehabilitation Services Administration.
>> I believe that without a convention, AADB lacks credibility to speak  up 
>> for the needs of deaf-blind Americans that the NFB speaks for the  blind 
>> to influence policies and programs affecting individuals who  are 
>> deaf-blind at every level of government. So, I hope AADB hears  our 
>> voices loud and clear and does not sit on its hands while other 
>> organizations (not to mention deaf organizations) actively promote  their 
>> interests through conventions.
>> Good luck John! Keep the effort up.
>> Mussie
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Lee Clark" 
>> <johnlee at clarktouch.com
>> >
>> To: "'NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List'" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, July 04, 2009 9:23 PM
>> Subject: [nfb-db] We Need Your Support
>>
>>
>>> Can I add your name in support of our efforts to convince the board  of 
>>> AADB
>>> to give us back our most cherished tradition: the national  conference. 
>>> Many
>>> deaf-blind people do not have email and are not able to speak up in 
>>> such a
>>> short time, so this petition needs support from ANYONE who  understands 
>>> how
>>> important our conferences are to us.
>>>
>>> For more information, read the petition below.  I hope you will be 
>>> willing
>>> to add your name.  If so, you can reply to this message with "Yes!"  and 
>>> I
>>> will add your name.  Also, forward to those you think might want to 
>>> support.
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>> We, the members and friends of the American Association of the Deaf- 
>>> Blind,
>>> were shocked and heartbroken when Arthur Roehrig, on his last day as
>>> president (Tuesday, June 30, 2009), announced that the board had  voted 
>>> two
>>> months earlier to postpone the next conference to 2013.  This means 
>>> seven
>>> years of no conference.  We find this unacceptable.
>>>
>>> In his letter, the president explained that AADB did not have  enough 
>>> money
>>> for a conference.  That is not true.  AADB DOES have the money, but  the
>>> board decided to use it to maintain AADB Office staff and expenses, 
>>> which
>>> total around $300,000.  Most of this money comes from a fund AADB  had 
>>> for
>>> many years, that used to be solely for conferences.  We ask the  board 
>>> of
>>> AADB to use this fund for conferences again.  Ever since the  expansion 
>>> of
>>> AADB Office affected our conferences, members have made it clear on 
>>> many
>>> occasions that we want the deaf-blind community's most important 
>>> cultural
>>> touchstone back: the conferences.
>>>
>>> In the same letter, the president mentioned that the host  organization 
>>> for
>>> the next conference had found a hotel available for 2011.  The hotel
>>> requires a $25,000 deposit.  The host organization even raised  $10,000 
>>> on
>>> its own.  That left $15,000.  But the board decided to postpone the
>>> conference with the hope that the host organization would raise  more 
>>> money.
>>>
>>> We are disappointed that the board did not make cuts to the already
>>> overpriced and ineffective AADB Office (for an organization of our 
>>> size,
>>> four hundred deaf-blind members) and transfer $15,000 to the hotel to
>>> complete the deposit.
>>>
>>> We affirm that the conferences are of utmost importance to the deaf- 
>>> blind
>>> community.  We ask the board to get the next conference back on  track 
>>> for
>>> 2011.  We request that the board transfer $15,000 to complete the  hotel
>>> deposit by the end of July.  Failure to do so will result in the 
>>> members
>>> among the undersigned withdrawing our memberships and requesting 
>>> refunds,
>>> followed by other acts of protest by members and our allies.
>>>
>>> Members and non-members, deaf-blind and others, all are welcome to 
>>> support
>>> our cause.  If you would like to sign this petition, email your  name 
>>> and
>>> city to ipo56 at aol.com by July 10.  The leaders of this petition  will 
>>> submit
>>> it to the board of AADB on that day.
>>>
>>> Thank you for your support!
>>>
>>> Petition Leaders
>>>
>>> Melanie Bond
>>> Bay City, Michigan
>>>
>>> John Lee Clark
>>> St. Paul, Minnesota
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfb-db mailing list
>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfb-db mailing list
> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
> 




From JFreeh at nfb.org  Tue Jul 14 02:48:00 2009
From: JFreeh at nfb.org (Freeh,
	Jessica)
Date: Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:48:00 -0500
Subject: [nfb-db] National Federation of the Blind Awards $50,000
Message-ID: <auto-000107377738@mailfront1.g2host.com>


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<?xml:namespace prefix = o 
ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />



CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281(Cell)
<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org


National Federation of the Blind Awards $50,000




Second Annual Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards Presented at 2009 Convention

Baltimore, Maryland (July 13, 2009): The National 
Federation of the Blind presented $50,000 in cash 
awards to individuals and organizations that have 
made outstanding contributions toward achieving 
the full integration of the blind into society on 
a basis of equality.  The second annual Dr. Jacob 
Bolotin Awards honored eight innovators in the 
blindness field at the National Federation of the 
Blind annual convention in <?xml:namespace prefix 
= st1 ns = 
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Detroit on Wednesday, July 8.



Awards in the amount of $10,000 were given to 
Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind and Diane 
Croft.  A joint award of $10,000 was also given 
to the National Organization of Parents of Blind 
Children (NOPBC) and the National Association to 
Promote the Use of Braille (NAPUB) for their 
Braille Readers Are Leaders contest.  Abe Nemeth, 
John Andrew English, the Princeton Braillists, 
and the American Action Fund for Blind Children 
and Adults were each awarded $5,000.



Dr. Jacob Bolotin??the namesake of the award 
program??was a blind physician who lived and 
practiced in Chicago in the early twentieth 
century.  He was widely known and respected in 
Chicago and throughout the Midwest during his 
career, which spanned the period from 1912 until 
his untimely death at the age of thirty-six in 
1924.  He was particularly recognized for his 
expertise on diseases of the heart and 
lungs.  Bolotin used his many public speaking 
engagements to advocate for the employment of the 
blind and their full integration into society.



Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National 
Federation of the Blind, said: ?Dr. Jacob Bolotin 
was a pioneer who overcame low expectations and 
discrimination to become a renowned member of the 
medical profession without the benefit of the 
support services and civil rights protections 
available to blind people today.  The National 
Federation of the Blind is proud to honor the 
memory and spirit of Dr. Bolotin by recognizing 
and financially supporting those who are doing 
exceptional work to help achieve the shared dream 
of Dr. Bolotin and the National Federation of the 
Blind??a society where the blind are treated as 
productive, independent, and equal citizens.?



The Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Program is funded 
through the generosity of Dr. Bolotin?s nephew 
and niece, Alfred and Rosalind Perlman.  The late 
Mrs. Perlman established the Alfred and Rosalind 
Perlman Trust to endow the award.  Income from 
the trust is distributed to the National 
Federation of the Blind and the Santa Barbara 
Foundation for the purpose of administering the 
Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Program.  Mrs. Perlman 
also wrote The Blind Doctor: The Jacob Bolotin 
Story.  The book was published by Blue Point 
Books and is available through the National 
Federation of the Blind.  A portion of the 
proceeds from book sales will also benefit the 
award program.  For more information about the 
Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Program, including more 
information about this year?s winners, as well as 
eligibility criteria and application procedures, 
visit <http://www.nfb.org/>www.nfb.org.



###
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From MRiccobono at nfb.org  Sun Jul 19 00:57:53 2009
From: MRiccobono at nfb.org (Riccobono,
	Mark)
Date: Sat, 18 Jul 2009 19:57:53 -0500
Subject: [nfb-db] NFB Youth March for Independence
Message-ID: <auto-000108131866@mailfront1.g2host.com>


Come join the National Federation of the Blind 
for a historic gathering to celebrate the next generation of blind innovators!

On Friday, July 31, the blind students and their 
mentors from the 2009 NFB Youth Slam will gather 
in our nation?s capitol for an inspirational 
rally at the Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool 
followed by the NFB Youth March for Independence 
on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. After 
the march, blind students, blind mentors, and 
friends will gather for a celebratory program of 
the past week?s achievements in the United States 
Capitol Visitor Center.  Members of congress will 
be in attendance, and speakers will include Dr. 
Marc Maurer (President of the NFB), NFB Youth 
Slam students, members of the United States 
Congress, and officials from NASA including one 
of the astronauts from the STS 125 shuttle 
mission--the same mission that carried two Louis 
Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollars to space.



We encourage Federationists and friends to come 
be part of these historic events?you will not want to miss it!



Schedule of Events:

The rally at the Lincoln Memorial will kick off 
at 2:45 p.m. just in front of the reflecting pool 
and at the foot of the steps where so many other 
revolutionary historic gatherings have taken place.



The NFB Youth March is expected to leave the 
rally site at the Lincoln Memorial at 
approximately 3:20 p.m. proceeding down the 
National Mall to the National Air and Space 
Museum.  Please note that the distance from the 
memorial to the museum is approximately 1.5 miles.



The closing ceremonies at the Capitol Visitors 
Center will begin at 5:30 pm. (doors open) with 
the program beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Congressional Auditorium.



The Capitol Visitor Center is closed to the 
public, so please let security know that you are 
attending the NFB event.  We encourage you to get 
there early as there is a security screening 
before the entrance to the Capitol Visitor 
Center; the link to items that are not permitted 
is 
<http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/Visit/Visitor%20Safety%20and%20Policies/>http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/Visit/Visitor%20Safety%20and%20Policies/. 




The Capitol Visitors Center entrance is on the 
East side of the Capitol near the intersection of First and Maryland streets.



If you are coming to the concluding ceremony 
only, the easiest way to get there is by metro.  The three closest stops are:
    * Union Station ? Located at First Street, NW, and Massachusetts Avenue
    * Capitol South ? Located at First Street between C and D Streets, SE
    * Federal Center, SW ? Located at the 
Southwest corner of Third and D streets, SW

For more information about the metro, visit 
<http://www.wmata.com/>http://www.wmata.com/.



Please join us for this historic event where the 
next generation of the blind is helping to change 
what it means to be blind!  The NFB Youth Slam is 
one of the ways that the National Federation of 
the Blind Jernigan Institute is providing more 
opportunities for blind youth to pursue careers 
that were once falsely perceived as impossible 
and empowering the next generation to interject 
their voice into the leadership of this country.



Let us celebrate the accomplishments of these 
youth and their mentors while looking forward to 
their future full of opportunities!



If you have any questions, please call Mark 
Riccobono at 410-659-9314 ext. 2368 or e-mail 
<mailto:mriccobono at nfb.org>mriccobono at nfb.org

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From braille at nbpcb.org  Tue Jul 21 03:56:17 2009
From: braille at nbpcb.org (Braille Certification)
Date: Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:56:17 -0500
Subject: [nfb-db] NCLB Braille Exam in Pennsylvania, Aug 9
Message-ID: <auto-000111065314@mailfront2.g2host.com>



Testing for the National Certification in Literary Braille (NClB) 
will be held on Sunday, August 9, 2009, at Salus University 
(established by the Pennsylvania College of Optometry) in Elkins 
Park, PA. The cost is $250 and the application deadline is Sunday, July 26.




Please see the attached flyer for more details, view our website at 
<http://www.nbpcb.org/>www.nbpcb.org or contact me, Louise Walch, 
NCLB Coordinator, at <mailto:braille at nbpcb.org>braille at nbpcb.org.



Exams are also being scheduled in New Mexico, Georgia, and Virginia 
in the near future.



Please pass this information along to anyone you think might be interested.



Thanks,



Louise


Louise G. Walch
NBPCB Coordinator
<mailto:braille at nbpcb.org>braille at nbpcb.org
www.nbpcb.org


__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus 
signature database 4255 (20090717) __________

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

<http://www.eset.com>http://www.eset.com

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From JFreeh at nfb.org  Thu Jul 23 08:42:39 2009
From: JFreeh at nfb.org (Freeh,
	Jessica)
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 03:42:39 -0500
Subject: [nfb-db] National Federation of the Blind and Blind Business Owner
 File Complaint with Small Business Administration
Message-ID: <auto-000111412056@mailfront2.g2host.com>



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

cdanielsen at nfb.org



National Federation of the Blind and Blind Business Owner
File Complaint with Small Business Administration





SBA's Inaccessible Web Site Discriminates Against the Blind



Baltimore, Maryland (July 22, 2009): The National Federation of the 
Blind, the nation's oldest and largest organization of blind people 
and the leading advocate for equal access by the blind to information 
technology, and Virgil Stinnett, a blind business owner from 
Honolulu, Hawaii, filed an administrative complaint today with the 
Small Business Administration (SBA).  The complaint asserts that the 
SBA's Web site violates Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act because 
it is inaccessible to blind people who use text-to-speech screen 
access technology or Braille displays to access information on the 
Internet.  Because of the inaccessibility of the SBA Web site, blind 
people cannot fill out forms on the site or take online courses 
offered by the SBA.  Mr. Stinnett was unable to apply for 
certification under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act because of 
the inaccessibility of the Web site.  Section 8(a) certification 
would provide Mr. Stinnett's business with access to federal and 
private procurement markets.



Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, 
said: "Blind Americans have the same dreams, the same goals, and the 
same entrepreneurial spirit as all other Americans.  If we are to 
have equal access to the tools and techniques needed to be effective 
business owners and to compete on terms of equality with our sighted 
peers, we must have equal access to the resources offered on the SBA 
Web site and other government sites.  The National Federation of the 
Blind demands equality for blind business owners and will tolerate 
nothing less."



Virgil Stinnett, owner of Good News HI, a business providing military 
dining services, said: "As a blind entrepreneur, access to the SBA 
Web site is critical in order for me to use its programs and services 
and expand my business.  The fact that I could not access the Web 
site has cost me time and resources that I would not have needed to 
expend if I had been able to use the site like everyone else.  I hope 
the action we are taking today will prompt the SBA to take immediate 
steps so that all Americans, blind and sighted, have equal access to 
the programs, training, and resources that it provides."



Complainants are represented by attorneys Daniel F. Goldstein and 
Allison L. Harper of Brown, Goldstein & Levy, LLP, <?xml:namespace 
prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />120 
E. Baltimore Street, Suite 1700, Baltimore, MD 21202, (410) 962-1030, 
fax: (410) 385-0869, <mailto:dfg at browngold.com>dfg at browngold.com, 
<mailto:ah at browngold.com>ah at browngold.com, 
<http://www.browngold.com/>www.browngold.com.





###
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From slabarre at labarrelaw.com  Fri Jul 24 03:24:38 2009
From: slabarre at labarrelaw.com (Scott C. LaBarre)
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:24:38 -0500
Subject: [nfb-db] Looking for People
Message-ID: <auto-000108919123@mailfront1.g2host.com>

Greetings:

We are very interested in talking to anyone who 
is blind/visually impaired and interested in 
pursuing a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from 
Palmer College of Chiropractic.  We are also 
interested in talking to any blind/visually 
impaired employees who either work directly for 
or through a contractor to provide 
switchboard/communication services for the 
Veterans Administration.  Finally, we are 
interested in speaking with anyone, 
blind/visually impaired, who is planning on 
attending law school, is currently an undergrad, 
and who plans on taking the LSAT either this fall or in the next year.

Please contact me at the below information.
Thanks,
Scott C. LaBarre, Esq.

LaBarre Law Offices P.C.
1660 South Albion Street, Ste. 918
Denver, Colorado 80222
303 504-5979 (voice)
303 757-3640 (fax)
<mailto:slabarre at labarrelaw.com>slabarre at labarrelaw.com (e-mail)
<http://www.labarrelaw.com>www.labarrelaw.com (website)

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message may contain 
confidential and privileged information. If you 
are not the designated recipient, you may not 
read, copy, distribute or retain this message. If 
you received this message in error, please notify 
the sender at 303) 504-5979 or 
<mailto:slabarre at labarrelaw.com>slabarre at labarrelaw.com, 
and destroy and delete it from your system. This 
message and any attachments are covered by the Electronic
Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. ?? 2510-2521.

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From AZNOR99 at aol.com  Mon Jul 27 00:20:19 2009
From: AZNOR99 at aol.com (by way of David Andrews <dandrews@visi.com>)
Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 19:20:19 -0500
Subject: [nfb-db] NFB Youth Slam Now on Twitter
Message-ID: <auto-000109213902@mailfront1.g2host.com>


200 blind high school students have just 
converged on the campus of the University of 
Maryland to spend a wild week learning about 
science, technology, engineering, and math.  With 
more than 70 adult blind mentors, they will build 
greenhouses, dissect sharks, learn CSI techniques, and even drive cars.



You can follow along through the week and learn 
breaking news from the NFB Youth Slam by going to

<http://www.twitter.com/NFBYouthSlam>www.twitter.com/NFBYouthSlam

or follow ???NFBYouthSlam??? if you already have a Twitter account,.



Two hundred blind and low vision students from 
all across the country will attend this five-day 
adventure that will engage, inspire, and 
encourage the next generation of blind youth to 
consider careers falsely believed to be 
impossible for the blind.  Have you ever wanted 
to build and launch a rocket?  Are you interested 
in learning about forensics?  Or do you have an 
interest in journalism?  The possibilities are plentiful at the NFB Youth Slam!

While staying at the University of Maryland, 
College Park, students will be mentored by blind 
role models during fun and challenging activities 
designed to build confidence and increase science literacy.  Participants
Students and mentors dance during the closing party of the 2007
will also have the opportunity to attend 
workshops on topics such as leadership, career 
preparation, and blindness.  In addition, 
students will have time for fun and mingling 
during social activities, such as extreme sports, 
recreation night, and a talent show.


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From dandrews at visi.com  Fri Jul 31 15:36:12 2009
From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews)
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:36:12 -0500
Subject: [nfb-db] How many children in America are not taught to read?
Message-ID: <auto-000109959805@mailfront1.g2host.com>

 From Dr. Maurer:

Subject: [Brl-campaign] How many children in America are not taught to read?

The answer is 90 percent if the children are 
blind.  Most Americans are shocked to hear this 
statistic.  And we should be.  The blind read and write using
Braille, so why is our educational system failing 
to teach Braille to so many children?  Why are 
these children being denied the opportunities that come
with a proper education?  What if you could not 
read and write?  Where would you be today?

There are three primary reasons for this 
educational crisis: (1) there are not enough 
Braille teachers; (2) some teachers of blind children have not received
enough training; and (3) many educators do not 
think Braille instruction is even necessary.

To bring critically-needed attention to this 
educational crisis, the United States Congress 
authorized the minting of the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial
Silver Dollar with a portion of the sale of each 
coin going toward a revolutionary and 
comprehensive Braille literacy campaign.

Learning to read and write is fundamental to 
education, which in turn is paramount to full and 
equal participation in American society.  This coin, the
first U.S. coin to have proper tactile Braille, 
symbolizes independence, opportunity, and the 
potential of blind people to make significant contributions
to society when they learn to read and write 
using Braille.  To learn more, read our report
The Braille Literacy Crisis in America,
or watch our video
Making Change with a Dollar.

Please purchase this unique and beautiful coin now
  and help solve this educational crisis for blind children in America.

The law authorizing this 2009 silver dollar 
requires that any coins not sold by midnight on 
December 31, 2009, be melted down.  Time is of the essence??a
90 percent illiteracy rate is not acceptable and 
the opportunity to purchase this coin will soon be gone.

Be part of the solution, give the gift of 
literacy, and create new opportunities.
Please buy the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar now.

Marc Maurer, President

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND  




