[Nfb-web] NCBYS Portal information glitch

[Peter Donahue]

Good morning everyone,

Yesterday I sent messages to these lists expressing my concerning over a
broken link on the new National Center for Blind Youth and Science Portal
Web page located at:
http://www.nfbscience.org

    Below is the portion of Mark Riccobono's Braille Monitor article in
which he discusses this new resource followed by the excerpt from the 2006
convention agenda announcing the NCBYS Web Portal Launch during the
convention. Here they are:

Building an Education Program at the Jernigan Institute: Reviewing Progress
and Imagining the Future
by Mark A. Riccobono

    Using the Science Academy as a starting point, we brought together an
advisory work group to help us focus on the most pressing needs in the area
of education
and employment in science, technology, engineering, and math. The NCBYS
advisory work group includes scientists, educators, parents, researchers,
and other
partners. As with all NFB programs the NCBYS advisory work group includes
the perspectives of many blind individuals. The work group helped develop a
strategic plan for the NCBYS, which highlighted a number of important
priorities. One central theme was positioning the NCBYS as a central
clearinghouse of information
and resources for the rest of the country. In this way the Institute could
help drive innovation in the field and focus resources in the most critical
areas of need. As a result of the clearinghouse priority, the Jernigan
Institute pursued and was awarded a grant from the National Science
Foundation to
establish the NCBYS Web portal, <www.blindscience.org>. As of May 1, 2006,
the portal became available for public use and feedback. During the initial
evaluation period of the portal, through August 31, 2006, visitors to the
site can complete a brief survey and have a chance to win a gift certificate
from the NFB Independence Market. Please visit the site and provide your
feedback.

Now here is the announcement from the 2006 Convention Agenda concerning the
launch of this portal:

 Sunday July 2, 2006



4:30 - 7:00 pm-NATIONAL CENTER FOR BLIND YOUTH IN SCIENCE (NCBYS) WEB PORTAL
LAUNCH

 Peacock Terrace, Tower Lobby

Be the first to browse this unique portal that serves as a resource
clearinghouse for blind youth and science, technology, engineering, and
math. Meet with blind scientists and engineers and learn about other
exciting NFB initiatives.  Developed under a grant from the National Science
Foundation's Research and Disabilities Education Program.



    I suggested to the NFB Webmaster and to Mark Riccobono that the above
information be included on the Portal Media page and the bad link removed as
another way to promote the convention. That's the scoop. I've always been
interested in science myself and can't wait to see what kind of goodies will
be made available to parents and educators of blind children through this
wonderful resource. Sources tell me that it will be awesome!



Peter Donahue