[Nfbnet-members-list] NFB Imagineering Our Future: The sounds of change

Fri Oct 8 04:48:48 UTC 2010

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Imagineering Our Future

      Issue 27
October 2010

In this issue:

    * Message from the Executive Director
    * What’s New
    * Education
    * Braille Initiative
    * Advocacy
    * Straight Talk About Vision Loss
    * Product and Access Technology Talk
    * From the tenBroek Library
    * Independence Market
    * Parent Outreach
    * Spotlight on the Imagination Fund
    * NFB Calendar
    * Citation

    []

    Message from the Executive Director

    Dear Friends,

    Recently I was thinking about the sounds of 
change.  As I walked my son to preschool the 
other day, we discussed the changing of the 
seasons from summer to fall.  My son, Austin, was 
looking forward to the leaves falling so we could 
pile them up and jump into them.  I talked with 
him about the colors of the leaves changing but 
also about the sounds that are different, such as 
leaves blowing down the street and birds flying south.

    Last month we hosted a group of energetic 
Federationists who are working on youth outreach 
programs in our affiliates. During that 
gathering, I also found myself thinking about the 
sounds of change. The lively discussions, 
passionate dreams, and exciting new ideas were 
heard (and felt) throughout the NFB Jernigan 
Institute. Thousands of people come to the NFB 
Jernigan Institute for seminars and meetings each 
year. The sounds of change are present in all of 
these gatherings. Those sounds are also present 
in the state and local gatherings of 
Federationistsespecially during this busy fall 
season, which features many affiliate conventions 
and local outreach events for Meet the Blind 
Month. If you want to hear hope, listen to the 
melody of collaboration, or accompany a song of 
discovery, then you need to be part of the National Federation of the Blind.

    As you will find in this month’s issue, as 
the seasons change, the work of the Federation 
carries forward in new and dynamic ways. The 
sounds of change are a part of what we offer as 
well as a consistent rhythm of high expectations 
and positive attitudes. What makes the sound so 
beautiful is that it incorporates thousands of 
voices in a symphony that Dr. Jernigan described 
as “individual efforts collectively focused.” We 
hope to see you at one of our many Meet the Blind 
Month events, where we will be demonstrating the 
sounds of change through the hopes and dreams of the blind of America.

    Graphic: Signature of Mark Riccobono

    Mark A. Riccobono, Executive Director, NFB Jernigan Institute

    []

Featured NFB News

Who’s Whozit?
Image: Whozit, the NFB's symbol

Meet the Blind Month Is Here!

October is Meet the Blind Month, our nationwide 
campaign to increase awareness of and support for 
the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). This 
person-to-person awareness campaign is designed 
to increase the understanding that the National 
Federation of the Blind is the country’s 
preeminent membership organization of blind 
people and that we, the NFB, are the recognized 
resource when it comes to vision loss, blindness, and rehabilitation.

This year we are launching a pilot program, Who’s 
Whozit, to bring our message to school-aged 
children. This initiative will serve to generate 
excitement around one of our organization’s most 
important effortspublic education. The primary 
focus in 2010 is to shatter common misconceptions 
about blindness, show how far the blind have come 
due to the efforts of the NFB, and focus 
attention on the work that needs to be done in 
order for the blind to obtain full integration 
into society on the basis of equality.

Check out the Meet the Blind Month activities in 
your area or post your upcoming events on the 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=2f2u7iWKf7KfijuU36gzBQ..>Meet 
the Blind Month Web page.

[]

Education

NFB Youth Slam

It’s back:  The third 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=ltZ2lX_m5ZIBDI-56VncZg..>NFB 
Youth Slam, a STEM academy for blind high school 
students ages 14-18, will be held in the summer 
of 2011. This exciting program provides blind 
youth with a unique opportunity to interact with 
blind peers and successful blind adult role 
models, while learning exciting new things and 
participating in challenging confidence-building experiences.

Photo: Mentor Heather Oklak and 2007 Youth Slam participant

Volunteers needed:  We are looking for 
enthusiastic, dynamic, positive adults (18 years 
of age and older) who are interested in serving 
as volunteers to help facilitate the NFB Youth 
Slam. We need individuals who are able to be 
mentors, marshals, assist with instructionyou 
name it. We couldn't do a program like this 
without the help of great volunteers.

All those who are interested in attending or 
volunteering for this one-of-a-kind event should 
visit 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=_LdjCTNX63TFF3Wdq4eh7Q..>www.blindscience.org 
to submit an online application when registration opens this fall.

Thank you:  The National Federation of the Blind 
offers our deepest appreciation to all those who 
supported our efforts over the last two months to 
secure a grant in the Pepsi Refresh project. Out 
of over 450 organizations competing for the 
$250,000 prize, the NFB reached as high as 15th 
place. However, we were unable to break into the 
top twoa necessary position to receive funding 
for the 2011 NFB Youth Slam program.  While our 
Pepsi project has done well enough to roll over 
into the October competition, we will be focusing 
our energies on other efforts, including our 
grassroots Meet the Blind Month programs and our 
new Text2Give campaign, which will support our 
Imagination Fund and the programs it benefits, 
such as the NFB Youth Slam.  More information 
about this effort can be found in the Spotlight 
on the Imagination Fund section of this 
newsletter.  Again, we wholeheartedly thank you 
for your enthusiastic support and commitment as 
we continue to build a future full of opportunities.

NLCSD Doctoral Fellowship

Graphic: NLCSD logo

Applications for the second and final cohort of 
the National Leadership Consortium in Sensory 
Disabilities (NLCSD) are now being 
accepted.  This is a four-year doctoral 
fellowship for students in participating 
consortium universities.  Sponsored by the U.S. 
Department of Education, Office of Special 
Education Programs, the consortium consists of 
twenty-five universities with doctoral programs 
that have an emphasis in one or more of the three 
sensory impairment areas: blind/visually 
impaired, deaf/hard of hearing, and 
deafblindness.  Applications will be accepted 
until December 31, 2010.  The cohort will begin 
their studies in the Fall of 2011.  More 
information about the application process can be 
obtained on the 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=ECxheCt8NdLdjS54732E0w..>NLCSD 
Web site.

The NFB is deeply concerned that we have strong 
leaders in order to continue our work to improve 
the education of blind children and the programs 
to train teachers to work with those 
children.  We encourage those interested in 
providing leadership in this area to consider applying.

[]

Braille Initiative

Braille Certification Training Program

The National Federation of the Blind Jernigan 
Institute is nearing the end of our fourth year 
of working under contract with the Library of 
Congress, National Library Service for the Blind 
and Physically Handicapped, to administer the 
courses leading to certification for Braille 
transcribers and proofreaders. During the past 
four years, approximately nine hundred students 
have successfully completed the 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=fTCChhLwmoZVYe9trz1j_A..>Braille 
Certification Courses and earned their 
certification from the Library of Congress. In 
addition, we have revised the manual for the 
literary transcribing course, added a new 
Associate Music Transcriber certification, and 
updated other requirements and processes to keep 
the courses running efficiently and to maintain 
the high standards of the Library of Congress 
certification. Further updates are ongoing as we 
continue to strive to increase the quality and 
quantity of Braille produced in this country.

Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest

The National Federation of the Blind Jernigan 
Institute, the National Association to Promote 
the Use of Braille (NAPUB), and the National 
Organization of Parents of Blind Children are 
pleased to announce that registration for the 
twenty-eighth annual 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=Zcpzjvpj5rYVMQSqSGdYUg..>Braille 
Readers Are Leaders Contest began October 1.  The 
contest encourages children in grades K-12 to be 
proud of their ability to read Braille and to 
continually work to improve their skills.

In addition, the NFB Jernigan Institute and NAPUB 
are offering a Braille Readers Are Leaders 
Contest for adults again this year. This contest 
promotes the use of Braille in recreational 
reading among blind adults as a means to maintain 
and improve their skills. Adults with various 
levels of experience reading Braille are welcome to join in the fun.

Braille Reading Pals Club

COMING SOON!  We’re getting ready for a new year 
in the 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=L6XQUeibVjnmDRJnt6q8oA..>Braille 
Reading Pals Club, an early literacy program that 
encourages parents to read daily with their blind 
child (ages infant to seven). 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=mFYXgnNN1HXpvqCHCcACEA..>Registration 
opens November 1, with the new club year beginning in January.

[]

Advocacy

Photo: Anne Taylor, from Baltimore Sun eBay article

(Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. Lam / September 24, 2010)

A 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=LU3fP02Re5d5G5QH1qzZiw..>Baltimore 
Sun<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=LU3fP02Re5d5G5QH1qzZiw..> 
article was among the media reports that eBay, 
the world’s largest online marketplace, has 
partnered with the National Federation of the 
Blind to create more opportunities for blind 
Americans to gain employment in e-commerce.  With 
70 percent of blind Americans either unemployed 
or underemployed, job creation is critical to 
tackle the employment challenges facing the blind.

eBay.com now includes enhanced features for users 
to buy, bid, and sell using the keyboard alone, 
as well as improved ways to navigate content 
using assistive technologies, such as screen 
access software. The blind are now empowered to 
start businesses and connect with eBay’s 92 
million users and shop from 200 million live listings.

The NFB and eBay will also provide additional 
tools and support to the blind community to 
enable their success on eBay, such as providing 
seed funding for promising blind entrepreneurs, 
recruiting members of the blind community to 
become eBay Trainers to educate other blind 
individuals in selling on eBay, and creating an 
NFB e-commerce store on the eBay platform.  Those 
interested in receiving information about the NFB 
eBay entrepreneurs program should 
<mailto:jerniganinstitute at nfb.org?subject=NFB/eBay%20Entrepreneurs%20Program%20Information>e-mail 
their contact information to the Jernigan Institute.

For more details, see the NFB and eBay 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=MkcoZ-gRWLcCiZqwesQGpg..>Jobs 
Development Partnership Agreement and joint 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=0uyizN9bZdjZjVralTF6qQ..>press 
release.

[]

Straight Talk About Vision Loss

Photo: Gary Wunder

This month, 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=30fEVLUEboOuIDdANsEbLQ..>Straight 
Talk About Vision Loss brings you 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=57DaYMW963hDur-MSclhog..>Episode 
33, an interview with Gary Wunder, the new editor 
of the lead publication of the NFB, the Braille 
Monitor.  Eleven issues of the Monitor are 
published each year (August and September are 
combined into one issue and cover our annual 
national convention), and it has been the voice 
of the nation’s blind since 1957. The Monitor 
offers a positive philosophy about blindness to 
both blind readers and the public at large, and 
it covers the events and activities of the NFB 
and addresses issues such as social concerns of 
the blind, employment, education, legislation, 
rehabilitation, and products and technology used by the blind.

We take this opportunity to bring you a message from the Monitor’s editor:

Last January we did some pruning of the Monitor 
list by asking that people receiving the 
publication contact us to affirm they still 
wanted the magazine. Though we tried to make the 
process easy and avoid dropping active readers 
from the list, it is apparent that a considerable 
number of Federationists have been removed and 
are not sure how to resubscribe. In my own state 
this has included board members, chapter 
presidents, and rank and file members.

I am asking that you take personal responsibility 
to see that our flagship publication is being 
received by those who want and can benefit from 
it.  Please talk with your chapters and affiliate 
members about how to subscribe and, if necessary, 
help them get on the list. Seeing that members 
get the information we carry is too important to 
be left to chance. If you have problems getting 
people subscribed, you may e-mail me at 
<mailto:gwunder at nfb.org>gwunder at nfb.org or call at (573) 874-1774.

Information is the lifeblood of our organization. 
Please help me see that it gets to all who want and can benefit from it.

Subscriptions are available in large print 
(14-point), in Braille, on 2- or 4-track 
cassette, or via e-mail.  To subscribe to large 
print (14-point), Braille, 2- or 4-track 
cassette, or to change your mailing address, 
please contact the NFB by mail (at the address 
given below); phone (410) 659-9314, ext. 2344; or 
<mailto:nfb at nfb.org?subject=Braille%20Monitor%20subscription>e-mail, 
and indicate which format you would like to 
receive.  To receive the Monitor electronically, 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=gneZKRc0BP14sRoHCES3Jg..>sign 
up online.

Braille Monitor subscribers in the U.S. are 
invited to help cover the subscription cost ($25) 
when possible.  However, subscriptions mailed to 
foreign countries are invoiced at $75 USD per 
year, and Canadian subscriptions are invoiced at 
$35 per year. Checks should be made payable to 
the “National Federation of the Blind” and sent 
to the NFB, attention Braille Monitor, 200 East 
Wells Street at Jernigan Place, Baltimore, Maryland 21230.

[]

Product and Access Technology Talk

As the cooler weather sets in, the Access 
Technology team has been opening boxesour 
favorite task. We have been testing out the new 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=3_gTCVDdHxxmOEjemLsVgg..>Kindle, 
and trying out 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=R8h_j9g0tONZnDnD5uyM2w..>JAWS 
12. Another open box for the International 
Braille and Technology Center is Freedom 
Scientific’s 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=u3Cm_02CDtICJbbIsPKiAw..>Pearl 
camera, to go with their update of the OpenBook 
software for scanning and recognizing print. All 
of these have been written up for the 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=EaTcc26IG7uHwYT1Ln3wRQ..>blogand 
the preliminary testing has yielded some pretty interesting results.

 From the manufacturer side, the 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=B0RHWH0xk3HfmSKr7Jnvgg..>Access 
Technology tips now include instructions on how 
to use the 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=EkY9WNASgJauDAow3uzV3g..>BrailleNote 
Apex as a Braille display, and on how to use the 
Function Key for the new 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=E_XKLypBXwxjJAP-qCxsHw..>Olympus 
DM-4 digital recorder.

On Monday, September 13, the Access Technology 
team played host to election technology 
developers at a seminar devoted to nonvisual 
access to voting technology. Representatives from 
Dominion Voting, Election Systems & Software, 
Hart Intercivic, and Everyone Counts were 
welcomed to the seminar by NFB President Marc 
Maurer. NFB members Steve Booth of Baltimore, 
Maryland, Dan Burke of Missoula, Montana, Michael 
Kasey of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Jan Wright 
of Indianapolis, Indiana, shared their voting 
experience with seminar attendees. The AT team 
shared their experience in an exchange of ideas 
about accessibility design and demonstrated the 
state of the art in touch-screen accessibility. 
The seminar also included a discussion about the 
lack of poll worker training on accessible voting 
machines, lead by Lou Ann Blake, manager of the 
Institute’s 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=AZuja9c7n6ZU5f9Q1g_80A..>Help 
America Vote Act (HAVA) grant from the United 
States Department of Health and Human Services. 
Information on federal guidelines and 
certification testing was provided by Ron 
Gardner, member of the United States Access Board 
and president of the NFB of Utah, and Dr. Sharon 
Laskowski of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Finally, the team participated in Pearson 
Publishing’s 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=UwKXqD7ZfnNRS5D5eO2rvA..>Accessibility 
& Innovation Conference on September 28. The 
presentation covered editorial, instructional 
design, and usability aspects of Web 
accessibility and eBook accessibility. The event 
targets decision makers and process owners at 
Pearson, one of the largest publishers of textbooks in the world.

[]

 From the tenBroek Library

The tenBroek family
Photo: tenBroek family in living room

Last winter we heard from 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=5aoRxHVQ2h0Gm84E5AfHmw..>Judge 
Michael Marcus of the Multnomah County (Oregon) 
Circuit Court. At the time he was receiving 
chemotherapy for brain cancer and he had good 
reason to believe that he wouldn't live too long. 
To make things right in this world he felt that 
he had to fulfill a promise he had made to Hazel tenBroek in 1968.

In 1968, Judge Marcus was a law student and 
earlier, while an undergraduate, he had been a 
student of Dr. tenBroek’s. Marcus had remained 
close with the tenBroeks and was a favored 
protégé of the blind constitutional scholar at 
the time of the professor’s death. It was 
natural, then, for Mrs. tenBroek to offer Marcus 
the set of United States Supreme Court Reports 
that had occupied a place of honor in a bookcase 
in the tenBroek home. Marcus promised Hazel that 
he would make good use of the books, but 
unfortunately he let them languish, and they 
eventually ended up in the basement of his home in Portland.

Dr. tenBroek’s Supreme Court Reports
Photo: Dr. tenBroek's Supreme Court Reports

Judge Marcus contacted the tenBroek Library, 
telling us he’d gladly pay to ship the books to 
Baltimore. He wanted the books permanently 
connected to his mentor’s memory. We could hardly 
refuse. These were the very books that Hazel and 
other sighted readers had read aloud as Jacobus 
tenBroek digested the meaning of the Supreme 
Court decisions for citation in his scholarly 
writings. Although everything in these books is 
now available to lawyers and scholars through 
online services such as Westlaw, the books 
themselves should remain dear to Federationists 
and to all who are better off as a result of 
Jacobus tenBroek’s life and work. Here they sit, 
in an honored place on the 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=S9Jf5RKdlM6laoujeasoZg..>tenBroek 
Library shelves. We’re pleased to say that Judge 
Marcus is still with us and that he is satisfied 
knowing that the books are here, in the home of America’s organized blind.

[]

Independence Market

Photo: A Braille calendar

It is not too early to order your 2011 Braille or 
large print calendar from the NFB Independence 
Market.  We have the following calendars available.

<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=_Pgg7pJNO_zejQ1ijYVfpg..>2011 
American Action Fund Braille Calendar   This 
comb-bound, pocket-sized Braille calendar 
measures 6 x 6 1/2 inches. Each calendar page 
includes the days of the month and lists major 
holidays. A page for personal notes is in the 
back. This calendar is available free of charge.

<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=n9mX0ibzHLY8vqOuWUtxmg..>2011 
Large Print Calendar   This spiral-bound, large 
print appointment calendar measures 8 1/2 x 11 
inches with inside pockets. Each month is 
displayed on two facing pages and features 2-inch 
blocks for each day of the month. The months are 
tabbed and include a section for monthly notes as 
well as a three-month calendar overview. The 
calendar costs $10.00 plus shipping and handling.

These items can be ordered 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=JyBct2xLdBRItLnwy7P-vA..>online 
from the Independence Market. Please contact 
staff with any questions via 
<mailto:IndependenceMarket at nfb.org>e-mail or by 
phone at 410-659-9314, extension 2216, Monday 
through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

[]

Parent Outreach

Let Go and Empower Blind Youth

Some who have read previous issues of this 
newsletter or made visits to the NFB Jernigan 
Institute have seen our dynamic accessible 
bulletin board. The goal of this board is to help 
promote the mission and work of the NFB and to 
highlight specific programs and philosophies 
related to blindness. Our bulletin board also 
helps model for teachers how regular classroom 
and school bulletin boards can be made engaging 
for blind students easily and creatively. This 
quarter’s display illustrates a parent 
encouraging her blind child to go after the career of his choice.
Photo: LEt GO, Empower bulletin board

This bulletin board features a scene from the 
lives of Linda LEGO and her blind son Luke. In 
the bottom right-hand corner a short story gives 
viewers background information about the LEGO family and sets the scene.

Linda LEGO loves her son Luke LEGO. Like all 
parents, she wants to protect him from all things 
bad. She used to worry constantly about how her 
blind son could navigate the world. Then one day 
Captain Whozit paid her a visit.

Captain Whozit told Linda LEGO, “With the proper 
training and opportunities blindness can be 
reduced to the level of a mere nuisance.” He also 
told her about the skills Luke needs to have to 
be successful. Now, having taken Captain Whozit’s 
words to heart, Linda knows it’s okay to LEt GO!

The title of this displayLEt GO, Empowercan be 
found in the top left-hand corner in print and in 
Braille. In print, the words “LEt GO” are 
oriented vertically along the left border and the 
word “Empower” branches off of the “e” in “let” 
and continues horizontally beneath the top border 
producing a crossword puzzle effect. Large 
three-dimensional figures of Linda (approximately 
three feet tall) and Luke (approximately two feet 
tall) pop off the deep green background. Luke is 
dressed in a white collared shirt, blue jeans, 
and red sneakers. An authentic NFB children’s 
cane rests on his shoulder. Luke’s clothes are 
adorned with the characteristics of a successful 
blind child: problem solver, socially 
appropriate, cane traveler, determined, 
confident, independent, active, 
technology-literate, and Braille reader. Linda is 
wearing a red dress that features the 
characteristics a parent needs to raise a 
successful blind child: good listener, creative, 
loving, strong, good sense of humor, persevering, 
dedicated, assertive, and investigative. Word 
bubbles show the conversation between mom and son.

Luke says, “I want to be a fireman, but Jimmy 
says I can't do it because I’m blind.”

Linda replies, “You need to LEt GO of those 
negative attitudes! You can do whatever you want. 
We'll find out if any other blind people are 
firefighters and how they do their job.”

Continuing the theme all the way to the edge of 
the bulletin board, the border is made of real 
LEGO building bricks. Visitors are invited to 
interact with the display and reposition the LEGO pieces!

Youth Coordinator Leadership Seminar

On September 24-26, 2010, the NFB Jernigan 
Institute hosted a youth coordinator conference 
to help foster development of more programs for 
blind youth across the country. Thirty-three 
youth coordinators, selected by their NFB state 
affiliate president from twenty-seven states, 
participated in the event. The youth coordinators 
worked in groups to plan hypothetical programs 
for blind youth emphasizing areas of Braille, 
transition, blindness philosophy and skills, and 
STEM subjects. The groups shared their ideas with 
each other at the end of the evening, and their 
programs were evaluated by blind youth. The goal 
of this seminar is for coordinators to take the 
ideas shared at this conference back to their 
state affiliates and apply what they learned in 
their own youth outreach efforts.

Leading the Way Program

In the NFB 2001 Everest Expedition, the NFB 
sponsored blind athlete Erik Weihenmayer in his 
record-breaking summit of Mt. Everest, the 
tallest peak in the world.  The Jernigan 
Institute has been asked to pass along a notice 
of this travel program for students of all 
abilities, developed by the nonprofit 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=ZFUNi1ef4ysxupwP8nACKw..>Global 
Explorers in partnership with Erik:

Do you know an exceptional student who would 
benefit from a unique travel and leadership program?
Graphic: Global Explorers logo

The Global Explorers Leading the Way program 
brings together blind and sighted youth ages 
14-21 for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure 
combining leadership, science, culture, and 
service.  The program aims to achieve the following:
    * Provide unparalleled leadership skills by 
learning about and practicing No Barriers Leadership.
    * Develop confidence, independence, 
self-awareness, and curiosity about the world in participants.
    * Promote peer relationships among youth of 
different backgrounds and abilities.
    * Equip participants with the tools they need 
to step up and make a difference in the world.
    * Prepare participants to act on the passions they discover.
    * Spread messages of hope by breaking down 
barriers between those with and without disabilities.

Our summer 2011 Leading the Way destination is 
one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World–the 
majestic Grand 
Canyon! 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=DtiNnPkLrNc2R42YseJ4oA..>Nominate 
a student online by the Monday, November 15, 
deadline.  For more information, please 
<mailto:laura at globalexplorers.org>e-mail Laura or call (877) 627-1425.

[]

Spotlight on the Imagination Fund

Graphic: Cell phone

Easy Way to Support the Race for Independence Campaign

As of October 1, 2010, the Imagination Fund has a 
new tool to help raise funds for the innovative 
and vital programs it supports. It is called 
Text2Give, and it is a program where members and 
others are invited to text a gift of $10 to the 
Imagination Fund. The task is simple. Just text 
the keyword “Blind” to 85944 and help us raise $1 
million for the programs of the National 
Federation of the Blind Jernigan 
Institute.  (Messaging and data rates may apply. 
A one-time gift of $10 will be charged to your phone.)

For more information on the Race for Independence 
Campaign, please visit 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=2L9D_dr86JC0Wwi5XdHkyw..>www.raceforindependence.org. 

Proceeds from the 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=XwkCSb1u2c1JuileWwTsmg..>Imagination 
Fund build programs of the National Federation of 
the Blind at the national, state, and local levels.

[]

NFB Calendar

October 
2010 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=EwDqsGV1I0wr462OQlvH2Q..>Meet 
the Blind Month, a nationwide campaign conducted 
by chapters throughout the country every 
October.  Activities that spread the NFB’s 
message in local communities are listed by state 
in the 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=4Bjx9f4rUCaQMuf4sdYxpg..>Meet 
the Blind Month events page.

October 1, 
2010 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=Ya7anGbXjztjm4YYLmjYDA..>Braille 
Readers Are Leaders Contest registration begins

The Fall Convention Season  The yearly meetings 
of the NFB’s state affiliates cluster in the fall 
and the spring. The list of states that will meet 
in convention assembled in October is 
impressive:  Alaska, District of Columbia, 
Georgia, Arkansas, Hawaii, California, Delaware, 
Indiana, Maryland, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, 
Washington, Colorado, Michigan, and Nebraska.  To 
look up when the NFB of (insert your favorite 
state) meets or for more information, see the 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=OIKg3bTOqbEEe5lH-n3HgQ..>State 
Conventions page on the NFB’s Web site.

November 1, 
2010 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=ya_Iu58H58YPPZ-kzvS_xw..>Braille 
Reading Pals club 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=xs7flhq_T8sSH7nsMT44ew..>registration 
begins

November 1, 
2010 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=aljuOl-raP6hnZ8SOBJ6qA..>Braille 
Readers Are Leaders Contest reading period begins

November 1, 2010    Application becomes available 
for 2011 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=fc9lKNglZ1gZ8jU3An2hqw..>NFB 
Scholarship Program

January 4, 2011  Louis Braille’s birthday

January 31-February 3, 2011   NFB 2011 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=VsVfad5m5ajItcusThzUKw..>Washington 
Seminar

March 31, 2011  Deadline to apply to win one of thirty 2011 NFB Scholarships

July 2011  The 71st Annual NFB 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=rypk3D2J4W2N4d04gVvH5A..>National 
Convention, Orlando, Florida

[]

Citation

Whereas the National Federation of the Blind, the 
Nation’s oldest and largest organization of blind 
people and a leading advocate for Braille 
literacy in the United States, has launched a 
national “Braille Readers are Leaders” campaign 
to promote awareness of the importance of Braille 
and to increase the availability of competent 
Braille instruction and of Braille reading 
materials in this country:  Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives

(1) supports the importance of Braille and the 
role that Braille plays in the lives of blind people;
(2) recognizes the 70th anniversary of the 
National Federation of the Blind; and
(3) supports the efforts of the National 
Federation of the Blind and other organizations to promote Braille literacy.

       <http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=vEl34l4AcnVY7bAzDcvQhA..>H. 
Res. 1034: Expressing support for the importance 
of Braille in the lives of blind people, passed 
in the U.S. House of Representatives, 111th Congress, June 23, 2010.

Back to Top

Thank you for reading the NFB Jernigan Institute’s Imagineering Our Future.

Mentor Trevor Attenberg leads campers along the nature trail

Photo: Group on white water raft

Support the Jernigan Institute through the 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=Mj5yJBPMIxp6cUw90Sz_7Q..>Imagination 
Fund

Photo: Young woman playing flute

Interesting links:

<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=WhvMF-Q4wRzziUTdUYFWMg..>Archive 
of Straight Talk about Vision Loss videos

<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=lTCQUqQNPYWbPgIQfk9_gA..>National 
Center for Blind Youth in Science

<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=74qO_IuvNJJ5hNJ3OV9zDw..>Access 
Technology Tips

Photo: Youth practicing martial art

Blogs:

<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=dKR37vHbFArG82vfRH1Gvw..>Access 
Technology

<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=5D6rMMGG4gGD8ieA-J5D1g..>Voice 
of the Nation’s Blind

Photo: Senior couple

Publication archives:

<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=75j3pmMPkWMqZ1AatHRQbA..>Future 
Reflections

<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=HLzML57zFW5eBZMPhnSnSQ..>Braille 
Monitor

Photo: Mom and son take a moment and a hug

Graphic Logo: National Federation of the Blind

Photo: Blind little girl with cane

Photo: Blind youth reading Braille book

Photo: Blind girl examining model of constellations

Photo: Blind boy with tactile globe

Blind Teens Carry the 2007 Youth March for Independence Banner

Visit us at 
<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=cU5zWfAnkDTTefucPBFpUg..>nfb.org

Imagine a Future Full of Opportunity

[]

Jernigan Institute, National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place, Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314      Fax (410) 
659-5129      E-mail 
<mailto:JerniganInstitute at nfb.org?subject=Reply%20to%20Imagineering%20Our%20Future>JerniganInstitute at nfb.org
Visit us at www.nfb.org

Better Business Bureau logo
 <http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=crQikVjD3A34tRU_8Os_Gw..>
American Institute of Philanthropy logo

The National Federation of the Blind meets the 
rigorous Standards for Charity Accountability set 
forth by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and is 
Top-Rated by the American Institute of Philanthropy.

<http://www.raceforindependence.org/site/R?i=qNCDzIEveoh-iA0uORP-SA..>Forward 
this newsletter.
If this issue was forwarded to you and you’d like 
to subscribe, please e-mail 
<mailto:JerniganInstitute at nfb.org?subject=Reply%20to%20Imagineering%20Our%20Future>JerniganInstitute at nfb.org.
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