From dsmithnfb at gmail.com  Sun Oct 14 16:00:15 2012
From: dsmithnfb at gmail.com (Darian)
Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2012 09:00:15 -0700
Subject: [Nfbsf] Fwd: [Nfbnet-members-list] Braille Readers are Leaders
	Contest Starting Soon
References: <auto-000079488756@mailfront4.g2host.com>
Message-ID: <BC07A0B6-58A0-4579-BE84-9E35D1BD0207@gmail.com>



Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

> From: David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com>
> Date: October 1, 2012, 5:34:20 PM PDT
> To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] Braille Readers are Leaders Contest Starting Soon
> 
> Greetings Federationists,
> 
>  
> 
> It?s time to start reading! The reading period for the annual Braille Readers Are Leaders contest for adults begins November 1. Registration for the contest is now open! You can register at www.nfb.org/BRAL now through the end of the contest, January 4, 2013. 
> 
>  
> 
> The contest is for adults who read Braille. There are categories for all levels of Braille readers, from beginners to experts. Participants read for prizes, practice, and pleasure. Whether you love the competition or are spurred on simply because it?s a great way to promote and refine your Braille skills, this contest is for you. 
> 
>  
> 
> For more information, you can check the Web site, www.nfb.org/BRAL. There you will find all the forms and reading logs you will need to participate. If you still have questions, please contact the Braille Readers Are Leaders team at (410) 659-9314, extension 2312, or BrailleReadersAreLeaders at nfb.org.
> 
>  
> 
> Put your fingers to the paper and start recording what you are reading today! 
> 
>  
> 
> Braille Rocks,
> 
> The Braille Readers Are Leaders team
> 
>  
> 
> P.S. Looking for information about the K-12 Braille Readers Are Leaders program? 
> 
>  
> 
> This year marks the 30th anniversary of the K-12 Braille Readers Are Leaders program. To celebrate 30 years of success, later this fall we will be expanding the program and launching Braille Readers Are Leaders 360: A Community of 21st Century Braille Readers?the first-ever accessible online community for children who read Braille! The Braille Readers Are Leaders 360 (BRL360) online community will provide a safe place online where Braille readers in kindergarten through twelfth grade can share their literacy experience through: online discussions about their favorite books, book trailers, live author chats, videos of themselves reading Braille, and much more! Continuing with the Braille Readers Are Leaders mission, BRL360 will promote a pride in Braille and a joy of reading among blind children all year long. Stay tuned for more information about the expansion of our K-12 Braille Readers Are Leaders program. Contact us with your questions at:BRL360 at nfb.org or 410-659-9314, extension 2418.
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>  
> _______________________________________________
> Nfbnet-members-list mailing list
> Nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org


From dsmithnfb at gmail.com  Sun Oct 14 16:04:37 2012
From: dsmithnfb at gmail.com (Darian)
Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2012 09:04:37 -0700
Subject: [Nfbsf] Fwd: [Nfbnet-members-list] Get The Braille Monitor
References: <auto-000081832561@mailfront3.g2host.com>
Message-ID: <8B4D1365-C527-4ED1-94C2-99111B7F3D51@gmail.com>



Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

> From: David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com>
> Date: October 12, 2012, 8:22:29 AM PDT
> To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] Get The Braille Monitor
> 
> The following comes from Gary Wunder, gwunder at nfb.org and concerns getting and using the Braille Monitor.
> 
> Dave
> 
> 
> As I travel around the country I encounter a number of people who tell me that they love the braille monitor but were a victim of the purge. They somehow believe that cost-cutting meant the elimination of individual subscriptions to the magazine. This could not be further from the truth.
> 
> 
> 
> Several years ago we attempted to clean up our list to ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that we were making the best use of money spent on the braille monitor. We did not want to send it to people who had moved, no longer cared to receive it, or were deceased. We decided that the best way to determine who wanted to continue receiving the magazine was to ask. For this reason we ran an item in the monitor miniatures section saying we were going to clean up the list and asking that those who wished to continue receiving the monitor send us an email, write to us at the national office, or give us a call to indicate their continuing interest.
> 
> 
> 
> One can speculate about why so many people who wanted to read the braille monitor were removed, but in less the speculation can result in a systemic change for the better, there is probably little value in doing it. What is important is that we make sure those who want to receive the publication are getting it and that they know it is available in print, in braille, in audio, on the web, and through email. Subscriptions can be updated by writing to Marsha Dyer at the Jernigan Institute. Her email address is mdyer at nfb.org ; her postal address is 200 East Wells St., at Jernigan Pl., Baltimore, MD 21230. Subscription requests can also be left in our bulk voicemail box by calling (410) 659-9314, extension 2344. One can request the Monitor in their email, on an audio flash drive, in Braille, or in print.
> 
> 
> 
> A second but related issue is that a number of people who read the magazine using email admit that they seldom read all of the magazine. The problem, they say, is not that they do not find it interesting, but that they do not wish to read it in one sitting and find it hard to return to where they left off. Most do not seem to know that they can move what they receive in an email message to their favorite word processor, place a mark where they leave off, and return to it at will. Let me explain how this is done or at least the way I do it.
> 
> 
> 
> Once you have opened the magazine in your email program, select the contents of the message (the content of the magazine) by holding down the control key and pressing the letter A. Copy the selected text to the clipboard by pressing the control key and the letter C. Open your favorite word processor, start a new document, and paste the contents of the Monitor into the new document by holding down the control key and pressing the letter V. The last step is to save your newly created document. I would use a name that indicates it is the Monitor and the month of the publication. ?brlmondec or BrailleMonitorDecember2011) would serve.
> 
> 
> 
> When wanting to place a bookmark into your document, try to come up with something you aren't likely to find in the text. You might use several pound signs or perhaps the text string xxx. Anything you can easily remember will work, but avoid using common words as bookmarks. The words ?start here? might work, but at some point you will be caught by the sentence ?We must start here to make the change we want.? I use bookmarks not only to tell me where I've stopped reading, but to bring me back to places where I want to extract an address, lookup a word I don?t know, or question a grammatical construction I haven?t seen before?I?m always on the lookout for a new turn of phrase.
> 
> 
> 
> I know it is wishful thinking to believe that every member and nonmember who is interested in affairs concerning the blind will read the braille monitor from cover to cover, but I hope that something here will make it easier for you to get the information the monitor works so hard to distribute. Your suggestions for improving our flagship publication are always welcome.
> 
> 
> 
> Gary Wunder, Editor The Braille Monitor
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Nfbnet-members-list mailing list
> Nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org


From jktomasell at aol.com  Tue Oct 16 23:15:32 2012
From: jktomasell at aol.com (jktomasell at aol.com)
Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2012 19:15:32 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [Nfbsf] East Bay Chapter's Fundraiser at State Convention
Message-ID: <8CF7A0B461827F0-1328-53D0@webmail-d141.sysops.aol.com>

Hello!!
?
??????????????? The East Bay chapter of the NFBC will be selling Ghirardelli chocolate at this year?s state convention!! We will be selling very large chocolate bars in toffee or in almonds for 1 for $5 or 5 for $20. We will be also selling smaller squares in milk & dark chocolate for 3 squares for $1.? If you are attending state convention and have a craving for some great chocolate, please find one of the many members of the East Bay chapter who will be at state convention, and purchase some Ghirardelli chocolate. Thank you in advance by supporting the East Bay chapter by supporting our fundraiser by purchasing some Ghirardelli chocolate during this year?s state convention!!
?
Sincerely,
Jaime Tomasello, Board Member at Large for the East Bay Chapter of the NFBC



From dsmithnfb at gmail.com  Fri Oct 19 16:44:27 2012
From: dsmithnfb at gmail.com (Darian Smith)
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:44:27 -0700
Subject: [Nfbsf] Voting call this Sunday
Message-ID: <CAEwUdjPxR+9wVigu4E1Z4fcbeC132oDztrUyYLOPpNnD7Ny5Ww@mail.gmail.com>

For everyone, student or not.
 Greetings fellow blind students and NFB members,

	In the words of former U.S. president Franklyn D. Roosevelt, ?Nobody
will ever deprive American people of the right to vote accept for the
American people themselves and the only  way they could do this is by
not voting.?
As a result, it is the goal of the NABS Membership Committee to ensure
that no one deprives themselves of their right to vote because of a
lack of information on accessible voting. Thus we want to extend an
invitation to take part in our October membership call ?the ABC?s of
voting.? Join us on October 21st to hear from Luanne Blake from our
national center on how to register to vote, voter rights in terms of
completing your ballot independently, and how to file a complaint if
your rights are violated.

What: The ABC?s of Voting Conference Call
Who: Anyone, not just students!
When: October 21, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. ET, 4:00 P.M. PT.
Where: Conference Call, (530)881-1212 Code: 757-809-541

We look forward to you joining us!
The NABS Membership Committee



-- 
Darian Smith

"Let's work together to eliminate Subminimum Wages for People with Disabilities"

http://www.nfb.org/fairwages


"To dream what is possible and to put oneself in service of that dream is the
formula
for a life well lived."

- Dr. Peter Benson



From dsmithnfb at gmail.com  Mon Oct 22 16:02:35 2012
From: dsmithnfb at gmail.com (Darian Smith)
Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2012 09:02:35 -0700
Subject: [Nfbsf] Regarding the voting call...
Message-ID: <CAEwUdjM0E+0MHvf12dRHA2_AKkVyhjauegzjkx4wVEhRqWRC0w@mail.gmail.com>

Fellow Federationests,
 On behalf of the membership committee of the National Association of
Blind Students, I would like to apologize to all of you who had
attempted to call in for the voting call presented by Nabs. We had
experienced some technical difficulties with the conference line and
were unable to fix them in a timely manner.  Please be assured that we
have fixed these matters and have rescheduled the voting call for this
Tuesday (Tomorrow) at 8 p.m. ET. The information for this call can be
found below this note.


Greetings fellow blind students and NFB members,

	In the words of former U.S. president Franklyn D. Roosevelt, ?Nobody
will ever deprive American people of the right to vote accept for the
American people themselves and the only  way they could do this is by
not voting.?
As a result, it is the goal of the NABS Membership Committee to ensure
that no one deprives themselves of their right to vote because of a
lack of information on accessible voting. Thus we want to extend an
invitation to take part in our October membership call ?the ABC?s of
voting.? Join us on October 23rd to hear from Luanne Blake from our
national center on how to register to vote, voter rights in terms of
completing your ballot independently, and how to file a complaint if
your rights are violated.

What: The ABC?s of Voting Conference Call
Who: Anyone, not just students!
When: October 21, 2012 at 8:00 P.M. ET, 5:00 P.M. PT.
Where: Conference Call, (530)881-1212 Code: 757-809-541

We look forward to you joining us!
The NABS Membership Committee







-- 
Darian Smith

"Let's work together to eliminate Subminimum Wages for People with Disabilities"

http://www.nfb.org/fairwages


"To dream what is possible and to put oneself in service of that dream is the
formula
for a life well lived."

- Dr. Peter Benson



From dsmithnfb at gmail.com  Wed Oct 24 18:51:01 2012
From: dsmithnfb at gmail.com (Darian Smith)
Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2012 11:51:01 -0700
Subject: [Nfbsf] information from the voting call
Message-ID: <CAEwUdjOk6PPSiQFvErGRmMP78DJUiE6E7zxcsBvJKm=S5ATgug@mail.gmail.com>

Hi all,
 Credit Cindy Bennett for the notes from last nights call.  Also, and
most importantly, thanks to Lou Ann Blake from  the National Center
for voting information and Nijat  Worley from the  National Center for
the Newsline information related to this election!
 Please enjoy  the notes and atatched documents. Utilize the
information because information is an empowering thing!



Access the NFB?s information about accessible voting and materials for
running voting drives go to
http://nfb.org/hava-intro.

Hava was signed into law in 2002. It was a result from the close 2000
election and the confusing ballots.

HAVA insures that everyone can vote independently and privately. HAVA
covers federal elections only. It states that all polling places must
have an accessible voting machine. States that conduct vote by mail
does technically fall under HAVA guidelines, but some do not believe
it does.

HAVA does not cover state elections.

HAVA also does not cover absentee voting.

A new requirement in some states is the requirement of voters to bring
an ID. This brings up issues because some people don?t bother getting
an ID if they don?t drive, and some do not have transportation to get
one. It is a measure to help prevent voter fraud.

Most election law is state law, not federal law.

Typically, you must be a citizen and at least 18 years old by Election
Day to register to vote.

You can register to vote in many ways. Typically public service
offices, libraries, the board of elections, etc. have registration
forms. Many states have accessible online forms.

Go to
www.eac.gov
There is a national mail voter registration form that can be used if a
state does not have an accessible form. You just print and sign it and
send it to your state board of elections.

Many voter registration periods end 21 days before the actual election.

Rights as a blind voter:

For federal elections you have the right to vote privately and
independently on an accessible machine.

HAVA covers early voting as long as it is for a federal election. So
if you vote early, your polling place should have a machine.

If there is no machine available or if the poll workers don?t know how
to set it up or work it, you have the right to file a complaint with
your state board of elections.

If poll workers are having problems with the machine, it is suggested
that you continue to insist that you want to use the machine and stay.
But if they take some time and fix it, then they know how to use it
and it will be easier in the future.

You have the right to take whoever you want with you to assist you to
vote if you wish. This can be helpful for state elections that do not
have the accessible ballot requirement. If you do not bring anyone,
you can ask a poll worker to assist you. They are not to comment on
any voting decision you make at any time.

File claims about inaccessible machines or the lack thereof. You can
and should also file complaints about any poll worker who attempts to
influence your decision. Your state protection and advocacy committee.
They can assist in filing a complaint and there is no charge. They get
federal money to help make sure voting runs smoothly. P&A contact info
for each state is available on your local channel of Newsline.

A typical voting machine has a touch screen and there is an audio
component once headphones are plugged in and you use a keypad to make
your entries. There is no time limit.

Some states use a vote by phone system but it has to be done at the
polling place.
Some states have turned to an online ballot marking system. This is
typically used for military and overseas citizens, but the NFB and
others are advocating the allowance of this method to be extended to
people who need an accessible ballot.

There are guidelines for the design of accessible voting machines for
things like the quality of the audio, the presence of buttons, etc.
there are no federal government regulations that are enforced. Most
states have regulations though.

If your state is looking into transitioning to a vote by mail system,
advocate that they do not switch or that they include a more
accessible option.
?Get the NFB affiliate involved.

Ways to educate poll workers and blind voters

You can organize voting drives
Volunteer to train poll workers
Sign up to be a poll worker
Ask someone from the board of elections to bring an accessible machine
to a chapter meeting or NFB event

The NFB is hosting a blind voter hotline on Election Day. It will be
monitored from 7:00 A.M. Eastern Time to 7:00 P.M. Pacific Time.
877.632.1940
Call if poll workers are having trouble setting up the machine, or you
are having trouble voting.

The league of women voter?s website has nonpartisoned candidate
information and registration.

Newsline presentation

There is now an election news section in the main menu on the phone.
On the iPhone app, go to publication options, choose all publications,
and election news will be on the list.

This feature allows you to read information about candidates from their website.
It is then divided into sections to read about positions on various
categories such as foreign policy, taxes, etc.

You can search for political news. The search function will search the
50 top newspapers in the country about individual candidates. You can
also use the global search option in the main menu.

P&A contact info for each state, and information about rights for
blind voters is available on your state channel of Newsline.
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From dandrews at visi.com  Fri Oct 26 00:49:14 2012
From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews)
Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2012 19:49:14 -0500
Subject: [Nfbsf] FW: CEA Bulletin & Exempt Announcement Online Bulletin
	System
Message-ID: <auto-000083571638@mailfront3.g2host.com>


>
>Michael Hingson
>Hi,
>
>At our convention last Saturday Joe Xavier mentioned that blind 
>people are not applying for the many jobs available through the 
>California state government system.  I have asked him to add me to 
>his distribution list which he has done.  Here is a job for your 
>consideration.  As he sends me job announcements I will pass them on.
>
>You can get more information about available jobs by visiting 
>www.spb.ca.gov.  On that site you also can take any appropriate 
>civil service examination for positions.
>
>
>Best,
>
>
>Michael Hingson
>
>
>A new bulletin listing for EXEMPT was added to the California 
>Department of Human Resources Online Bulletin System on 10/24/2012.
>
>Department: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
>
>Position Title: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR HORIZONTAL INTEGRATION
>
>Type: EXEMPT
>
>
>
>http://jobs.spb.ca.gov/bull2/exemptpdfs/10222012_1.pdf
>
>This mail message was sent automatically from the California 
>Department of Human Resources Online Bulletin System.
>To unsubscribe from this service, click on the following link:
>http://jobs.spb.ca.gov/bull_users/enotifysignin.cfm
>
>NOTICE: THIS EMAIL WAS SENT FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. DO NOT 
>REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE.




From brandonkeithbiggs at gmail.com  Sun Oct 28 20:09:03 2012
From: brandonkeithbiggs at gmail.com (Brandon Keith Biggs)
Date: Sun, 28 Oct 2012 13:09:03 -0700
Subject: [Nfbsf] information from the voting call
In-Reply-To: <CAEwUdjOk6PPSiQFvErGRmMP78DJUiE6E7zxcsBvJKm=S5ATgug@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAEwUdjOk6PPSiQFvErGRmMP78DJUiE6E7zxcsBvJKm=S5ATgug@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <D56524C49E6142BCB456203C0BC2EFCC@BrandonsLaptop2>

Hello,
I'm looking everywhere, but I can't seem to find a single document with all 
the props, the candidates and whatnot so I don't have to open up a new PDF 
for every single new prop. I see where I can open up every prop singly, but 
that would take for ever.
I missed the voting call unfortunately, but I don't see the 2012 CA voter's 
guide anywhere.
Thanks,

Brandon Keith Biggs
-----Original Message----- 
From: Darian Smith
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2012 11:51 AM Subject: [Nfbsf] information from 
the voting call

Hi all,
Credit Cindy Bennett for the notes from last nights call.  Also, and
most importantly, thanks to Lou Ann Blake from  the National Center
for voting information and Nijat  Worley from the  National Center for
the Newsline information related to this election!
Please enjoy  the notes and atatched documents. Utilize the
information because information is an empowering thing!



Access the NFB?s information about accessible voting and materials for
running voting drives go to
http://nfb.org/hava-intro.

Hava was signed into law in 2002. It was a result from the close 2000
election and the confusing ballots.

HAVA insures that everyone can vote independently and privately. HAVA
covers federal elections only. It states that all polling places must
have an accessible voting machine. States that conduct vote by mail
does technically fall under HAVA guidelines, but some do not believe
it does.

HAVA does not cover state elections.

HAVA also does not cover absentee voting.

A new requirement in some states is the requirement of voters to bring
an ID. This brings up issues because some people don?t bother getting
an ID if they don?t drive, and some do not have transportation to get
one. It is a measure to help prevent voter fraud.

Most election law is state law, not federal law.

Typically, you must be a citizen and at least 18 years old by Election
Day to register to vote.

You can register to vote in many ways. Typically public service
offices, libraries, the board of elections, etc. have registration
forms. Many states have accessible online forms.

Go to
www.eac.gov
There is a national mail voter registration form that can be used if a
state does not have an accessible form. You just print and sign it and
send it to your state board of elections.

Many voter registration periods end 21 days before the actual election.

Rights as a blind voter:

For federal elections you have the right to vote privately and
independently on an accessible machine.

HAVA covers early voting as long as it is for a federal election. So
if you vote early, your polling place should have a machine.

If there is no machine available or if the poll workers don?t know how
to set it up or work it, you have the right to file a complaint with
your state board of elections.

If poll workers are having problems with the machine, it is suggested
that you continue to insist that you want to use the machine and stay.
But if they take some time and fix it, then they know how to use it
and it will be easier in the future.

You have the right to take whoever you want with you to assist you to
vote if you wish. This can be helpful for state elections that do not
have the accessible ballot requirement. If you do not bring anyone,
you can ask a poll worker to assist you. They are not to comment on
any voting decision you make at any time.

File claims about inaccessible machines or the lack thereof. You can
and should also file complaints about any poll worker who attempts to
influence your decision. Your state protection and advocacy committee.
They can assist in filing a complaint and there is no charge. They get
federal money to help make sure voting runs smoothly. P&A contact info
for each state is available on your local channel of Newsline.

A typical voting machine has a touch screen and there is an audio
component once headphones are plugged in and you use a keypad to make
your entries. There is no time limit.

Some states use a vote by phone system but it has to be done at the
polling place.
Some states have turned to an online ballot marking system. This is
typically used for military and overseas citizens, but the NFB and
others are advocating the allowance of this method to be extended to
people who need an accessible ballot.

There are guidelines for the design of accessible voting machines for
things like the quality of the audio, the presence of buttons, etc.
there are no federal government regulations that are enforced. Most
states have regulations though.

If your state is looking into transitioning to a vote by mail system,
advocate that they do not switch or that they include a more
accessible option.
Get the NFB affiliate involved.

Ways to educate poll workers and blind voters

You can organize voting drives
Volunteer to train poll workers
Sign up to be a poll worker
Ask someone from the board of elections to bring an accessible machine
to a chapter meeting or NFB event

The NFB is hosting a blind voter hotline on Election Day. It will be
monitored from 7:00 A.M. Eastern Time to 7:00 P.M. Pacific Time.
877.632.1940
Call if poll workers are having trouble setting up the machine, or you
are having trouble voting.

The league of women voter?s website has nonpartisoned candidate
information and registration.

Newsline presentation

There is now an election news section in the main menu on the phone.
On the iPhone app, go to publication options, choose all publications,
and election news will be on the list.

This feature allows you to read information about candidates from their 
website.
It is then divided into sections to read about positions on various
categories such as foreign policy, taxes, etc.

You can search for political news. The search function will search the
50 top newspapers in the country about individual candidates. You can
also use the global search option in the main menu.

P&A contact info for each state, and information about rights for
blind voters is available on your state channel of Newsline.






_______________________________________________
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Nfbsf at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbsf_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Nfbsf:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbsf_nfbnet.org/brandonkeithbiggs%40gmail.com 




