From dandrews at visi.com  Wed Apr  1 01:01:45 2009
From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews)
Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:01:45 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] National Federation of the Blind Enhances and
 Expands Newspaper Service for the Blind
Message-ID: <auto-000091884957@mailfront1.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)
<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org




National Federation of the Blind Enhances and Expands
  Newspaper Service for the Blind





NFB-NEWSLINE?

 Online Offers Blind Individuals More Options for Accessing the News


Baltimore, Maryland (March 31, 2009): 
NFB-NEWSLINE?, the largest electronic newspaper 
service in the world for blind and print-disabled 
Americans, is pleased to announce the launch of 
NFB-NEWSLINE? Online 
(<http://www.nfbnewslineonline.org/>www.nfbnewslineonline.org). 
Through NFB-NEWSLINE? Online?s groundbreaking 
features, subscribers can enjoy both an enhanced 
experience in reading the news and dramatically 
increased flexibility in how they choose to 
access their favorite publication?s content.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National 
Federation of the Blind, said: ?The NFB-NEWSLINE? 
service was created so that blind people could 
benefit from independent access to information on 
world news and hometown events in the same way 
that our sighted colleagues can.  The new 
features offered by NFB-NEWSLINE? Online are an 
extension of this service?s ability to allow 
independent and flexible access to news content 
by the blind.  I am very proud of the increased 
choice and convenience that initiatives like Web 
News on Demand and NFB-NEWSLINE? In Your Pocket 
provide to NFB-NEWSLINE? subscribers.?

NFB-NEWSLINE?, which began operation in 1995, 
offers over 275 newspapers and magazines as well 
as TV listings to over 65,000 subscribers through 
a standard touch-tone telephone.  With the 
exciting launch of NFB-NEWSLINE? Online, 
subscribers also now have unequaled access and 
unrivaled flexibility in how they read their 
favorite publications.  Two new initiatives have 
been designed to enhance the subscriber?s 
experience: Web News on Demand and NFB-NEWSLINE? In Your Pocket.

Through the easy-to-use Web News on Demand 
feature, subscribers can, for the first time 
ever, visit a secure Web site that offers a 
customizable reading experience and the ability 
to send entire publications, particular sections, 
or single articles to their e-mail inbox.  NFB- 
NEWSLINE? In Your Pocket is a dynamic software 
application that a subscriber installs on his or 
her computer.  Through an Internet connection, 
this software automatically downloads the 
publications of the subscriber?s choice to his or 
her portable digital talking book player (such as 
the Victor Reader Stream or Icon/Braille+).

Jerry Moreno, a retired social worker from North 
Carolina, said: ?I love being able to get my 
favorite papers onto my digital talking book 
player in such an easy and quick 
way!  NFB-NEWSLINE? In Your Pocket does it all 
for me, so that I can go about my morning routine 
and by the time I?m done my papers are loaded and 
ready for me to read along with my cup of coffee.?

David DeNotaris, director of Bureau of Blindness 
& Visual Services with the Pennsylvania Office of 
Vocational Rehabilitation, said: ?As a husband, 
father, avid sports fan, and busy professional, I 
particularly appreciate the fact that Web News on 
Demand allows me to access relevant local, 
national, and international news quickly, simply, and independently.?

To experience the groundbreaking features of 
NFB-NEWSLINE? Online, please visit 
<http://www.nfbnewslineonline.org/>www.nfbnewslineonline.org. 
For further information please write to 
<mailto:swhite at nfb.org>swhite at nfb.org or call (866) 504-7300.


###


About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National 
Federation of the Blind is the largest and most 
influential membership organization of blind 
people in the United States.  The NFB improves 
blind people's lives through advocacy, education, 
research, technology, and programs encouraging 
independence and self-confidence.  It is the 
leading force in the blindness field today and 
the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 
the NFB opened the National Federation of the 
Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and 
training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.





From fschroeder at sks.com  Wed Apr  1 19:42:41 2009
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 15:42:41 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Don't Forget--NFB Beginnings and Blueprints
	EarlyChildhoodConference
Message-ID: <D20701265B5E40FB8CD598B6FE845F74@Fredricslaptop>

-----Original Message-----
From: "Thorpe, Mary Jo"
Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 2009 10:51 AM
To: 
Subject: Don't Forget--NFB Beginnings and Blueprints
EarlyChildhoodConference

National Federation of the Blind Beginnings and Blueprints Early
Childhood Conference May 8-9, 2009

The NFB Jernigan Institute is holding an innovative Beginnings and
Blueprints Early Childhood Conference in collaboration with the National
Organization of Parents of Blind Children and various resources in the
field of early childhood from across the mid-Atlantic region.  This
two-day conference will bring together families of blind children ages
birth to seven, early childhood providers, teachers, and professionals
in order to disseminate the NFB's approach to best practices in early
childhood education for blind children.

Families of blind and low vision children ages birth to seven are
encouraged to attend.  Various organizations and programs will be
present for consultation and to provide presentations to families on
what resources are available to them.  Children are encouraged to attend
with their parents as there will be activities for young blind children
in mind.

Please complete the online registration form or print the registration
form (Word) and submit this by April 15, 2009.  This can be found at
<http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Beginnings_Blueprints.asp>http://www.nfb.org/nfb
/Beginnings_Blueprints.asp
You can also learn more about the conference at that site.

For more Information    please contact Mary Jo Thorpe, Education 
Programs Specialist, NFB Jernigan Institute, at (410) 659-9314, ext.
2407.
MThorpe at nfb.org
See you there! 




From dandrews at visi.com  Wed Apr  1 20:36:14 2009
From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews)
Date: Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:36:14 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Imagineering Our Future
Message-ID: <auto-000092039784@mailfront1.g2host.com>


Graphic Logo: NFB Jernigan Institute


Imagineering Our Future

      Issue 11

March 31, 2009


In this issue:

block quote

list of 12 items
? Message from the Executive Director

? What's New

? Education

? Braille Initiative

? Straight Talk About Vision Loss

? Technology Talk

? From the Jacobus tenBroek Library

? Independence Market

? Parent Outreach

? Spotlight on the Imagination Fund

? NFB Calendar

? Citation

list end
block quote end

block quote

Message from the Executive Director
block quote end

block quote
Our moment in history has finally arrived!

When Louis Braille first observed the night 
writing code used by the French military, I 
wonder, did he recognize what the moment meant and how that moment
would be a turning point in history?  From our 
perspective in time, all we can do is speculate 
about the events of that moment and how they unfolded into
the code that gives knowledge to the blind even 
today.  However, we know much about our current 
moment in time and the turning point that is represented
by the launch of the Louis Braille Bicentennial 
Silver Dollar?hosted at the NFB Jernigan Institute on March 26, 2009.

On that day, we released
The Braille Literacy Crisis in America: Facing 
the Truth, Reversing the Trend, Empowering the Blind.
  This comprehensive report discusses the current 
status of Braille literacy?the crisis facing the 
blind?and provides our unwavering commitment to eliminate
that crisis through our Braille Readers are 
Leaders Literacy Campaign.  Of course, the Louis 
Braille coin first went on sale that day, and over seventeen
thousand coins were sold?suggesting that this 
coin is going fast.  And the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration announced that two Louis Braille
coins will fly on the STS-125 mission scheduled 
for later this year to provide servicing to the 
Hubble Space Telescope (the subject of the book Touch the
Universe).

What will mark this moment that we cannot yet 
recognize?  What will it feel like to look back 
when 20, 30, 50 percent of blind children are getting adequate
instruction in Braille?  What will the 
imaginative new opportunities be when we have 
spread an understanding of Braille farther and wider than ever before?
It is hard to fully answer any of these 
questions.  However, we know with absolute 
certainty that our complete dedication, our bold advancement, and our
hopeful spirit will forever be part of what makes this moment special.

Thank you for being part of this important moment 
in time with the National Federation of the Blind.
Graphic: Signature of Mark Riccobono
Mark A. Riccobono, Executive Director, NFB Jernigan Institute

Featured NFB News

ANNOUNCING:  Baltimore's new main event?the Cane Event!

Join the NFB for a night of decadence with all 
proceeds benefiting our Braille literacy 
programs! Ladies & gentlemen, now presenting Baltimore?s newest
main event, The Cane Event. Open bar, live 
entertainment, seated dinner, and live & silent 
auctions. Cocktail hour begins at 7:00 p.m. Black tie optional.
$120 a ticket. For info visit TheCaneEvent.org. 
Braille is Beautiful. Logos: Deque Systems, Inc., 
BG&L, MDG, Smith Barney, IBM, M&T Bank

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) will 
host the Cane Event on April 4, 2009, at the 
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute in south
Federal Hill. The event will celebrate the NFB?s 
Braille Readers are Leaders literacy campaign. 
More than four hundred friends, colleagues, and blind people
from across the nation are expected to attend. 
The event promises an evening of food, fun, and 
entertainment?featuring a catered dinner, silent and live
auctions, and live music provided by Marquise.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National 
Federation of the Blind, said: ?We are pleased 
and proud to welcome our friends from the Baltimore community,
as well as friends from all over the country, to 
our annual fundraiser the Cane Event. The evening 
will surely be a remarkable celebration and will serve
to highlight the importance of Braille literacy 
to the general public. There can be no doubt that 
the ability to read and write Braille competently and
efficiently is the key to education, employment, 
and success for the blind.  Despite the 
undisputed value of Braille, however, only about 10 percent of
blind children in the United States are learning 
it. Please join us at the Cane Event as we work 
together to reverse the downward trend in Braille literacy.?

Proceeds from this event will go to the National 
Federation of the Blind?s Braille Readers are 
Leaders campaign, a national initiative to promote the importance
of reading and writing Braille for blind children 
and adults. The Braille Readers are Leaders 
campaign kicked off in July of 2008 with the unveiling of
the design of a commemorative coin in recognition 
of the two-hundredth anniversary of the birth of 
Louis Braille (1809-1852), the inventor of the reading
and writing code for the blind that bears his 
name. On March 26, the Louis Braille Bicentennial 
Silver Dollar was released by the U.S. Mint.

Cane Event tickets may be purchased
online
; by phone at (410) 659-9314, extension 2419; or by
e-mail.

Education

Parent gives her young son a cane lesson

The NFB Jernigan Institute is holding an innovative
Beginnings and Blueprints Early Childhood Conference
  in collaboration with the National Organization 
of Parents of Blind Children and various 
professionals in the early childhood field from across the Mid-Atlantic
region. This two-day conference (May 8-9, 2009) 
will bring together families of blind children 
and early childhood service providers, teachers, and professionals
in order to disseminate the NFB's approach to 
best practices in early childhood education for blind children.

Families of blind and low vision children ages 
birth to seven who live in the Mid-Atlantic 
region are encouraged to attend.  Families who live outside
of the area are also welcome to attend if they 
desire, but should be aware that some of the 
exhibits and information will be region-specific. Families
can choose among a variety of breakout sessions 
on topics such as early movement, literacy, and 
active learning. Families will also be able to consult
with early childhood professionals. Children are 
encouraged to attend with their parents as there 
will be activities with young blind children in mind.

Please complete the
online
  or
print
  registration form and submit by April 15, 2009.  For more information please
e-mail Mary Jo Thorpe,
Education Programs Specialist, NFB Jernigan 
Institute; call (410) 659-9314, ext. 2407; or visit the
Beginnings and Blueprints page.

Plans are in full swing for the NFB Jernigan Institute?s
Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL)
  program in the summer of 2009. The BELL program 
is designed to serve as a demonstration program 
that provides intensive Braille instruction to low vision
children during the summer months. Statistics 
show that only 10 percent of blind and low vision 
children receive Braille instruction. Therefore, the NFB
aims to promote intensive summer programs, led by 
its affiliate members, to help improve the amount 
of exposure to Braille by young blind and low vision
children, raise literacy levels of this 
population, and stir up greater interest in Braille education.

This pilot program will be modeled after the 
successful 2008 BELL Program led by the NFB of 
Maryland state affiliate. The NFB Jernigan Institute will expand
this program into Wisconsin and Georgia as well 
during the summer of 2009. The program dates are: 
Wisconsin, June 15-26; Georgia, July 13-24; and Maryland,
August 3-15. The states will host the Jernigan 
Institute?s BELL Core Team during the two weeks 
of their programs. BELL Core Team members will facilitate
a variety of fun, hands-on lessons ranging from 
group activities to one-on-one instruction 
designed to teach Braille to low vision children ages four to
twelve. Children will also be mentored by older 
blind role models with positive attitudes about 
blindness and visit various field trip sites. The NFB Jernigan
Institute plans to make the curriculum from this 
program available to other states for future use 
in developing their own BELL summer programs.

Braille Initiative

Photo: Coin launch ceremony

On March 26, 2009, the official launch ceremony 
of the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar 
took place at the NFB Jernigan Institute. More than three
hundred NFB members and friends, as well as 
variety of special guests and speakers including 
Dr. Abraham Nemeth, Dr. Marc Maurer, Dr. Frederic K. Schroeder,
and U.S. Mint Director Ed Moy, gathered in the 
Members Hall to celebrate this special day and to 
have the first opportunity to purchase their piece of
the Braille literacy movement.

During the launch program guests were treated to 
the reading of a very special resolution by 
MarCh? Daughtry, Brandon Pickrel, and Jason Polansky. Additionally,
White House Representative Kareem Dale was presented with a copy of
The Braille Literacy Crisis in America: Facing 
the Truth, Reversing the Trend, Empowering the Blind,
and Dr. Joyce Winterton of NASA announced that 
the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar will 
be the first commemorative coin to travel to space.  If
you missed the event or just want to relive it, you can
watch
  or
listen
  to the coin launch program, including speeches 
from Dr. Maurer and U.S. Mint Director Ed Moy.

In addition to the formal launch ceremony in 
Baltimore, we had significant proclamations from 
over thirty governors or state legislatures, and thousands
of members of the National Federation of the 
Blind gathered in about fifty towns and cities 
across America to celebrate this monumental day in history.
Many met with public officials and participated 
in ceremonies to demonstrate our commitment to 
Braille literacy and full participation in society.

Fifty thousand Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver 
Dollars have been sold as of the publication of 
this newsletter.  To purchase yours, please visit the
U.S. Mint Web site. For more information about 
Braille, the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial 
Siver Dollar, and the NFB's other Braille literacy efforts,
please visit
Braille.org,
join the
literacy campaign mailing list,
or follow on the social networking site
Twitter.

Straight Talk About Vision Loss

The 2008 scholarship class of the NFB.
Photo: 2008 scholarship class of the NFB
The
Straight Talk About Vision Loss
  team presents
Straight Talk About Vision Loss Episode 24.
  Anil Lewis discusses the NFB scholarship 
program with the Jernigan Institute executive 
director. TMarch 31 is the last day to apply for
thirty NFB scholarships,
ranging from $3,000 to $12,000, to be awarded at 
the NFB National Convention in July.  Anil Lewis 
is chairman of the NFB scholarship committee as well
as a national board member.

Product and Access Technology Talk

The NFB Jernigan Institute Access Technology team 
provides ongoing access technology awareness 
services for universities and colleges in the area. On March
3, Dr. Jonathan Lazar, associate professor in the 
Department of Computer and Information Sciences 
at Towson University, and a group of his students visited
the International Braille and Technology Center 
for the Blind (IBTC).  The team has reached out 
to groups of young engineers and computer scientists to
help further accessibility in the next generation.

As mentioned as an upcoming event in the previous 
newsletter, the Access Technology team attended 
and made three presentations at the California State
University at Northridge?s annual Technology and 
Persons with Disabilities Conference this month. 
In addition to the preparations for this conference,
they received a
tech tip from Adobe on accessible PDFs
  and contributed three new posts to the AT blog?a final report on the
Consumer Electronics Show
  in Las Vegas, a post on the
Plextalk Pocket digital talking book player,
and a write-up of the new
KNFB Reader Mobile software update.
The team also added a
list of manufacturers of CCTVs
?digital magnification devices using a camera and 
screen?to their technology list, broadening the 
resources available for low vision visitors to the site.


 From the tenBroek Library

Several major events have happened recently or 
are about to happen at the National Center.  The 
tenBroek Library wants to help you enjoy them, even if you
cannot be here.

On March 26, of course, the Jernigan Institute 
hosted the official unveiling of the
Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar.
The tenBroek Library contributed some interesting 
items to be viewed (visually and tactilely) at 
the celebration, including several historic books in tactile
codes other than Braille. We are especially 
pleased to have arranged to borrow, for this 
event, an extremely rare copy of the
embossed pamphlet of 1829
  in which Louis Braille first published the 
Braille code. For more information, take a look at the
annotated bibliography
  of books on Louis Braille and the development 
of the Braille Code housed in the tenBroek Library.

April 4 is the date of the
Cane Event,
a gala dinner party that will no doubt be the 
main event of the Mid-Atlantic social season. To 
honor the cane, the tenBroek Library presents this link
to the NFB?s publication, Tom Bickford?s
The Care and Feeding of the Long White Cane.

Finally, the Jernigan Institute is presenting the second
Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium
  on April 17. The Obama administration will be 
represented by an official with great 
responsibility for programs related to blindness and other disabilities.
The symposium will be of concern to lawyers and 
all interested in disability rights.  More than fifty years ago, in his speech
Within the Grace of God,
Jacobus tenBroek laid out key arguments regarding 
blindness that have become fundamental to the disability rights movement.

Please join the tenBroek Library as we celebrate 
Louis Braille, the long white cane, and Jacobus tenBroek!

Independence Market

The upcoming Cane Event celebration highlights 
the long white cane as a key to independence and 
freedom for blind people.  With good mobility skills blind
people gain control over their own movements and 
can travel freely and independently in both 
familiar and unfamiliar environments.    Thomas Bickford's
Care and Feeding of the Long White Cane 
(mentioned above) is a self-help guide that 
encourages blind individuals to grow their cane travel independence. The
author shares his own experiences about learning 
how to use a long white cane and traveling 
independently in a variety of settings. The reader learns about
choosing a cane, negotiating steps, walking down 
a city sidewalk and using landmarks as travel 
cues, making use of various modes of public transportation,
and traveling in adverse weather conditions and 
in rough terrain. This practical how-to guide, 
encouraging blind individuals new to cane travel to venture
out with their long white cane, is available from the Independence Market in
print, Braille, and four-track cassette.
    The Independence Market also sells books 
geared toward teaching independent cane travel skills to children and youth:
Independent Movement and Travel in Blind Children: A Promotion Model
  (by Joseph Cutter) is full of practical tips 
and strategies about how parents and teachers can 
help a blind child develop normal and independent movement.
It includes detailed instructions and information 
about canes?what kind, when a child should get 
one, etc.?and introduces the "Bottom-Up" approach to teaching
orientation and mobility to young children of 
developmental ages birth through kindergarten.
Modular Instruction for Independent Travel for 
Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
  (by Doris Willoughby and Sharon Monthei) is a 
practical guide for the mobility teacher, 
classroom teacher, or parent, that offers a thousand creative suggestions
for teaching cane travel to preschool through 
high school blind and low vision students in 
every possible setting.  And, of course, the Independence Market
also has
long white canes
  available in all sizes.



Parent Outreach

In honor of the two-hundredth birthday of Louis 
Braille, we are issuing a special edition of 
Future Reflections, our quarterly magazine for parents and
teachers of blind children. The "Special Issue: A 
Celebration of Braille" edition features a brief 
biography of Louis Braille by children's author Deborah
Kent-Stein; a fascinating historical timeline 
about the "War of the Dots"; a playful poem about 
Braille from deaf-blind author, John Lee Clark; descriptions
of innovative Braille programs; inspiring stories 
that celebrate the impact Braille has had in the 
lives of ordinary blind people; and much more. The edition
will be available online by mid-to-late-April and 
in print by the end of the month.
Future Reflections
  has a print format domestic circulation of over 
fourteen thousand, and thousands more read it 
internationally and in other formats. The magazine informs,
inspires, raises expectations, and provides a 
blueprint for change and action to improve the 
lives and education of blind and low vision children.



Spotlight on the Imagination Fund

Photo: NY Tweens and Teens program

The Imagination Fund
  provides support for the outreach efforts of 
local Federation chapters and affiliates 
throughout the United States as well as the research, technology,
and education programs and initiatives of the NFB 
Jernigan Institute. The Imagination Fund was 
established January 2004 with the Grand Opening of our NFB
research and training institute.  On May 17 and 
18 of last year the National Federation of the 
Blind of New York and its Parents of Blind Children Division (POBC)
held a two-day seminar for children, parents, 
educators, and other interested parties.  The 
emphasis was on ?tweens and teens.?   The seminar addressed
all aspects of the lives of blind children and 
focused on the changes in their needs and their 
dreams and goals. All aspects of their development were
considered as presenters interacted with the 
participants.    Every group was challenged 
concerning the need for and the use of such things as Braille,
the long white cane, and adaptive 
technology.  Attendees discussed the wide-ranging 
possibilities of career choices for young blind people. There was much
hands-on exposure to Braille and alternative 
techniques.  A cane walk in Midtown Manhattan was also included.  The
Tweens and Teens Seminar
  was supported by the fundraising efforts of the 
NFB as part of the Imagination Fund grant program.


NFB Calendar

  2009  Year of Louis Braille's Bicentennial, 
launch of the U.S. Louis Braille Bicentennial 
Silver Dollar, and kickoff of the
NFB Braille Literacy Campaign.
    March 26, 2009
U.S. Mint
  began sales of the
Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar.
    March 31, 2009  Deadline to apply for
thirty NFB scholarships,
ranging from $3,000 to $12,000, to be awarded at National Convention in July.
Get more information
  or
fill out an application online.

  Image: The Cane Event banner

April 4, 2009
The Cane Event: Celebrating Braille Readers are Leaders,
Members Hall, NFB headquarters, Baltimore.
Image: Whozit wearing a top hat
Break out your top hat and be a part of the Cane 
Event: Celebrating Braille Readers are Leaders, 
at the NFB Jernigan Institute.  Please join us the evening
of Saturday, April 4, for entertainment, food, 
and silent and live auctions. Support the 
Jernigan Institute and have fun. Visit
thecaneevent.org
  for details and to
buy your tickets online.
   You can be a Braille Literacy Champion!  This 
ticket package option includes recognition for 
you or your company, two Cane Event tickets, and one Louis
Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar, all for $500.

April 15, 2009
Jacob Bolotin Awards
  online
application and nomination
  deadline.   April 15, 2009   Deadline to sign up for
Beginnings and Blueprints Early Childhood Conference.
  Sign up
online
  or download a
print
  registration form.     April 17, 2009
Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium.
Register online.
View the
agenda.
     May 8-9, 2009
Beginnings and Blueprints Early Childhood Conference,
open to parents of blind children ages birth to 
seven. Part of NFB Jernigan Institute's
Early Childhood Education initiative.
    May 30, 2009
Pre-registration
  cut-off for
NFB 2009 National Convention.
When purchased online before May 31st, the 
pre-registration fee for convention is $15 ($20 
on-site) and the cost of a banquet ticket is $35 ($40 on-site).
    June 8-13, 2009
Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL)
  program Core Team Member training at NFB 
Jernigan Institute.   June 15-26, 2009
Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL)
  program in Wisconsin.

  July 3-8, 2009
NFB 2009 National Convention,
Marriott at the Renaissance Center, Detroit, 
Michigan.  For reservations, write directly to 
the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center, 100 Renaissance Center,
Detroit, Michigan 48243, or call 1-800-266-9432. 
Information for sponsors, exhibitors, and other attendees is
online.
Now available?discounted
online pre-registration and banquet ticket sales.
    July 13-24, 2009
Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL)
  program in Georgia.

  July 6, 2009
Motor City March for Independence,
A Walk for Opportunity, Detroit, Michigan.
Register to participate
  in the third annual March in Detroit.  Hear an
audio report on last year's Dallas March.

  July 26-August 1, 2009
NFB Youth Slam:
A STEM Leadership Academy, University of Maryland, College Park.  View a
video
  about this exciting event!    August 3-15, 2009
Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL)
  program in Maryland.


Citation

block quote
A good education is the key to success, and every 
American deserves an equal opportunity to receive 
a good education. Inherent to being educated is being
literate. The ability to read and write means 
access to information that, in turn, leads to 
understanding and knowledge. And knowledge is power?the power
to achieve, function in the family, thrive in the 
community, succeed in a job, and contribute to 
society.   Nearly 90 percent of America?s blind children
are not learning to read and write because they 
are not being taught Braille or given access to 
it. There is a Braille literacy crisis in America.   The
National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the 
largest and most influential membership 
organization of blind people in the United States, is taking swift
action to reverse this trend. This year, 2009, 
marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Louis 
Braille, inventor of the system that allows blind people
to read and write independently. Coinciding with 
this anniversary, the NFB has announced specific 
action to address the education of America?s blind children
so that every blind child who has a need for 
Braille will have the opportunity to learn 
it.   In this report to the nation on the state of Braille literacy
in America, the NFB examines the history and 
decline of Braille education, addresses the 
crisis facing the blind today and key factors driving it, and
proposes a number of action steps to double the 
Braille literacy rate by 2015 and eventually reverse it altogether.    ?
The Braille Literacy Crisis in America: Facing 
the Truth, Reversing the Trend, Empowering the Blind,
A Report to the Nation by the National Federation 
of the Blind Jernigan Institute, March 26, 2009

Back to Top
    Thank you for reading the NFB Jernigan 
Institute's Imagineering Our Future.

block quote end

block quote end

Mentor Trevor Attenberg leads campers along the nature trail

Photo: Group on white water raft

Support the Jernigan Institute through the
Imagination Fund

Photo: Young woman playing flute

Interesting links:

Archive of Straight Talk about Vision Loss videos

National Center for Blind Youth in Science

Access Technology Tips

Photo: Youth practicing martial art

Blogs:

Access Technology

Voice of the Nation's Blind

Photo: Senior couple

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From fschroeder at sks.com  Thu Apr  2 15:51:05 2009
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2009 11:51:05 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] PAC Plan Update
Message-ID: <AC1A1C8F67FD4A35AF413C24B35DEE14@Fredricslaptop>

Hi all,

I wanted to pass on the good news that Virginia is now number two in the PAC
rankings.  Here are the top ten:

National Federation of the Blind
PAC Report - States Ranked by Pledge

1. Maryland; $4,151.50; 118; $35.18; $12,564.50
2. Virginia; $2,164.50; 80; $27.06; $6,483.50
3. Colorado; $2,158.00; 55; $39.24; $6,689.00
4. Minnesota; $1,749.00; 34; $51.44; $5,257.00
5. Louisiana; $1,526.00; 60; $25.43; $4,578.00
6. Missouri; $1,279.50; 37; $34.58; $3,838.50
7. California; $1,213.50; 60; $20.23; $3,830.50
8. South Carolina; $1,042.00; 71; $14.68; $3,123.50
9. Arizona; $984.00; 39; $25.23; $2,942.00
10. Nebraska; $910.00; 40; $22.75; $2,750.00

As you see, we are only $6.50 ahead of Colorado.  The good news is that we
have 80 people contributing compared to Colorado's 55.  As you will remember
from the state convention, we are working toward one hundred PAC
contributors from Virginia.  Let's see if we can get this done before the
national convention.

If anyone would like more information about the PAC plan and how to sign up,
please let me or Mark Roane know.

Fred Schroeder, President
National Federation of the Blind of Virginia




From corbbo at gmail.com  Thu Apr  2 17:06:58 2009
From: corbbo at gmail.com (Corbb O'Connor)
Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2009 13:06:58 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] PAC Plan Update
In-Reply-To: <AC1A1C8F67FD4A35AF413C24B35DEE14@Fredricslaptop>
References: <AC1A1C8F67FD4A35AF413C24B35DEE14@Fredricslaptop>
Message-ID: <4ed9a39a0904021006l7aef341fob1cbc02cc04c259c@mail.gmail.com>

Ok, Fred, I won't cancel my

On Thu, Apr 2, 2009 at 11:51 AM, Fredric Schroeder <fschroeder at sks.com>wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I wanted to pass on the good news that Virginia is now number two in the
> PAC
> rankings.  Here are the top ten:
>
> National Federation of the Blind
> PAC Report - States Ranked by Pledge
>
> 1. Maryland; $4,151.50; 118; $35.18; $12,564.50
> 2. Virginia; $2,164.50; 80; $27.06; $6,483.50
> 3. Colorado; $2,158.00; 55; $39.24; $6,689.00
> 4. Minnesota; $1,749.00; 34; $51.44; $5,257.00
> 5. Louisiana; $1,526.00; 60; $25.43; $4,578.00
> 6. Missouri; $1,279.50; 37; $34.58; $3,838.50
> 7. California; $1,213.50; 60; $20.23; $3,830.50
> 8. South Carolina; $1,042.00; 71; $14.68; $3,123.50
> 9. Arizona; $984.00; 39; $25.23; $2,942.00
> 10. Nebraska; $910.00; 40; $22.75; $2,750.00
>
> As you see, we are only $6.50 ahead of Colorado.  The good news is that we
> have 80 people contributing compared to Colorado's 55.  As you will
> remember
> from the state convention, we are working toward one hundred PAC
> contributors from Virginia.  Let's see if we can get this done before the
> national convention.
>
> If anyone would like more information about the PAC plan and how to sign
> up,
> please let me or Mark Roane know.
>
> Fred Schroeder, President
> National Federation of the Blind of Virginia
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nfbv-announce mailing list
> Nfbv-announce at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbv-announce_nfbnet.org
>


From corbbo at gmail.com  Thu Apr  2 17:07:38 2009
From: corbbo at gmail.com (Corbb O'Connor)
Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2009 13:07:38 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Sorry about that - please ignore. Wrong keystrokes
	sent the message!
Message-ID: <4ed9a39a0904021007k51e79741k5d3532b37dd3b3a7@mail.gmail.com>




From LPovinelli at aol.com  Thu Apr  2 20:50:03 2009
From: LPovinelli at aol.com (LPovinelli at aol.com)
Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2009 16:50:03 EDT
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Please come along to NYC - reserve your seat on the
	VA bus & come make history!
Message-ID: <c29.53d7ce2d.37067efb@aol.com>

 
 
Hello all,
 
I wanted to let you know that the affiliate has reserved a 47 passenger bus  
to go to New York City on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 to participate in the protest 
 against the Author's Guild.  
 
Please let me know if you would like to come along and be a part of  history. 
 Our affiliate will pickup the cost.  All you have to do is  come along and 
be ready to walk,chant and maybe carry a sign or two.  If  you have never been 
part of a picketing before come and find out how much  fun it really is! 
 
The bus will make stops along the way from Virginia Beach to Northern  
Virginia depending on how many folks and where. 
 
I hope to see you all on the bus.  
 
Please email me at _lpovinelli at aol.com_ (mailto:lpovinelli at aol.com)  or call 
me on  703-969-6476.
 
Warmest regards,
 
Larry Povinelli



**************Worried about job security? Check out the 5 safest jobs in a 
recession. 
(http://jobs.aol.com/gallery/growing-job-industries?ncid=emlcntuscare00000003)


From CDanielsen at nfb.org  Sat Apr  4 01:55:44 2009
From: CDanielsen at nfb.org (Danielsen, Chris)
Date: Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:55:44 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Sign the petition to allow everyone access to
	e-books
Message-ID: <auto-000095917646@mailfront2.g2host.com>


Dear Fellow Federationists:

As many of you know, we are engaged in a campaign to obtain access 
for the blind and others with print disabilities to e-books available 
for Amazon's new Kindle 2 e-book reader. The new reader, which Amazon 
is working to make fully accessible to the blind, has the ability to 
use text-to-speech to read these e-books aloud; but under pressure 
from the Authors Guild, Amazon has announced that authors and 
publishers will be allowed to disable the text-to-speech function. 
The National Federation of the blind has joined with over twenty 
other organizations to create the reading Rights Coalition, which has 
set up an on-line petition to urge the Authors Guild and Amazon to 
reverse course. Please read and sign the petition here: 
<http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/We-Want-To-Read>http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/We-Want-To-Read

Please note: If you are using screen access technology, the first 
three fields on the form to sign the petition may not be announced. 
They are, in order: (1) a drop-down menu from which to select your 
prefix (Mr., Mrs., etc.); (2) an edit field for your first name, and 
(3) an edit field for your last name. the rest of the fields should 
announce themselves as you tab to them. If you still have trouble 
filling out the form, please send the following information to 
<mailto:readingrights at nfb.org>readingrights at nfb.org and we will be 
happy to sign on your behalf. You will need to send us your name, 
address, e-mail address, and any personal comments you would like to 
make about this issue. Thank you so much for your participation in 
this critically important effort.

Sincerely:

Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind

P.S. Once you have signed the petition, please be sure to forward the 
link to all of the contacts in your address book that you believe 
will support us in this cause.




From fschroeder at sks.com  Mon Apr  6 15:09:25 2009
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 2009 11:09:25 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] (Urgent) Put eBooks in the Hands of all Disabled
	People!
Message-ID: <D5101F94EE4F41AE9087176EA26C3118@Fredricslaptop>

Friends,
 
As you know, we are holding a protest in New York City tomorrow to
demonstrate The importance of access for the blind and others with print
disabilities to e-books available for Amazon's new Kindle 2 e-book reader.
The new reader will soon have the ability to use text-to-speech to read
these e-books aloud; but under pressure from the Authors Guild, Amazon has
announced that authors and publishers will be allowed to disable the
text-to-speech function.  It is very important that we show how much support
there is for our position.  Below is information about an online petition
that we need everyone to sign.  Please make this a priority today.
 
Fred Schroeder, President
National Federation of the Blind of Virginia
 
 


  _____  

From: John Pare [mailto:jpare at nfb.org] 
Sent: Sunday, April 05, 2009 5:09 PM
To: fschroeder at sks.com
Subject: Put eBooks in the Hands of all Disabled People!





Please Read! Then Act!

The NFB is engaged in a campaign to obtain access for the blind and others
with print disabilities to e-books available for Amazon's new Kindle 2
e-book reader. The new reader, which Amazon is working to make fully
accessible to the blind, has the ability to use text-to-speech to read these
e-books aloud; but under pressure from the Authors Guild, Amazon has
announced that authors and publishers will be allowed to disable the
text-to-speech function. The National Federation of the Blind has joined
with over twenty other organizations to create the Reading Rights Coalition,
which has set up an on-line petition to urge the Authors Guild and Amazon to
reverse course. Please read and sign the petition here:
<http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=MFxRqMJ80bI_GMfpz3krGA..>
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/We-Want-To-Read
 
Please note: If you are using screen access technology, the first three
fields on the form to sign the petition may not be announced. They are, in
order: (1) a drop-down menu from which to select your prefix (Mr., Mrs.,
etc.); (2) an edit field for your first name, and (3) an edit field for your
last name. The rest of the fields should announce themselves as you tab to
them. If you still have trouble filling out the form, please send the
following information to  <mailto:readingrights at nfb.org>
readingrights at nfb.org and we will be happy to sign on your behalf. You will
need to send us your name, address, e-mail address, and any personal
comments you would like to make about this issue. Thank you so much for your
participation in this critically important effort.
 


Sincerely:
 
John G. Pare, Jr.


Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND


P.S. Once you have signed the petition, please be sure to forward the link
to all of the contacts in your address book that you believe will support us
in this cause. 
 
 

 
<http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/PixelServer?j=Ba4iMxCR_fiOtrOJ84m7
3w..> 


Unsubscribe
<http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/CO?i=NZfglpKD5ok9LUW8S--eTdAG3ousf
6r2&cid=0> from receiving email, or change your email preferences.



From pyyhkala at gmail.com  Mon Apr  6 19:42:36 2009
From: pyyhkala at gmail.com (Mika Pyyhkala)
Date: Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:42:36 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Association of Blind Citizens To Webcast Authors
 Guild Protest From NYC Tue Apr 7 12:00 P.M. EDT
Message-ID: <auto-000096190545@mailfront2.g2host.com>

New York City (Monday April 6, 2009)

The Association of Blind Citizens, ABC, will produce a live webcast of
the Reading Rights Coalition, RRC,  protest being held at The Authors
Guild in New York City.  The webcast will begin on Tuesday April 7th
between 11:45 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. EDT

Listeners around the world can access the web page:
http://blindcitizens.org/live
which has information and links for listening to the live event.  It
is recommended that you access this web page prior to the event so
that you can install the Talking Communities conference  web browser
component in advance.  A flash based and mp3 stream may also be
available at the above web address.

The Reading Rights Coalition is a joint effort made up of 27
organizations representing upwards of 15 million Americans who are
blind or otherwise  unable to readily use traditional print.  RRC
organizations and members will collectively protest the discriminatory
separate but not equal stance of the Authors Guild as it relates to
Ebooks and the Amazon Kindle  2 text to speech audio feature.

"The water company does not charge separate rates for the use of water
depending on whether the consumer is drinking it or using it to wash
dishes; it simply
charges for the amount of water used. By the same token, an e-book is
not inherently visual or aural, and to claim that reading it either
visually or aurally
should cost a different price is discriminatory."
http://readingrights.org

The RRC web site, above, has in depth information regarding the
protest, an electronic petition, and other background and resource
material.  .

The board of directors of NFB of Massachusetts, ABC, as well as all
RRC organizations
collectively, encourage you to sign the online petition, attend the
protest in person or virtually, and sign up on the RRC web page to
receive action alerts and updates.  We urge you to widely circulate
this information to your email contacts, personal and professional
networks, and on vehicles such as Facebook and Twitter.

Contact:
Mika Pyyhkala
Vice President
Association of Blind Citizens
Google Voice/SMS: (617) 202-3497
pyyhkala at gmail.com
Micro Blog: http://twitter.com/pyyhkala




From LPovinelli at aol.com  Mon Apr  6 19:33:21 2009
From: LPovinelli at aol.com (LPovinelli at aol.com)
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 2009 15:33:21 EDT
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Spring 2009 - Vigilant
Message-ID: <c7e.28e5f076.370bb301@aol.com>

     


 

 




NFB Vigilant 

National Federation of the Blind of  Virginia 

SPRING 2009  
?Voice of Virginia's  Blind" 

In This  Issue: 
?  2009 McDonald Fellowships by Tracy  Soforenko 
Articles From 2008  Fellowship Winners 
?  Bus To  National Convention 
?  Touching  Lives, taken from the Eastern Shore News 
?  Nothing Could Stop Tynes, taken from  HamptonRoads.com 
?  Editor On The Move, taken from ASI  Newsletter 
?  Vigilant  Report 
?  How You Can Assist Us 
?  State Officers 
?  Vigilant Production  Staff 
?  NFBV Calendar of Events 

2009  McDonald Fellowships 
by Tracy  Soforenko 
Robert ?Mack? McDonald knew that attending your first NFB National  
Convention could transform your perspective of blind people and yourself.  If you have 
never attended a national  convention, this is the year to attend.   
The  McDonald Fellowship  program was established to: a)  assist those who 
have never attended a convention of the National  Federation of  the Blind (NFB) 
 before, or b) financially assist those who have demonstrated a commitment to 
our  organization and who are unable to afford the costs of  attending a 
national convention.   
Last year?s McDonald Fellows shared the excitement and thrill of seeing,  
meeting, and interacting with over 3,000 other blind and low vision convention  
attendees. They not only experience how the problems of vision loss can be  
overcome, but they also experience the confidence that can come with it.   
Robert McDonald was the founding father of our state affiliate. He and  his 
wife, Marian, gave of themselves tirelessly and selflessly to further the  
progress and better the lives of those who are blind,  visually impaired, and low 
vision in  Virginia.  
In establishing the McDonald Fellowship program, we recognized the  personal 
benefits that come to people who attend a national convention for the  first 
time. In Mac?s memory, the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia  (NFBV) 
continues his legacy of education and empowerment to Virginia's blind  
citizens.  
This year the goal of the McDonald Fellowship program is to issue three  
McDonald Fellowship awards each in the amount of $750.00. These funds will be  
awarded to assist each fellowship recipient in covering the cost of attending  
our 2009 NFB National Convention to be held in Detroit, Michigan, the week of  
July 3 through July 8. This event will take place at the Detroit Marriott at 
the  Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan. 
We will link each of our fellowship winners up with a state mentor who  will 
assist them in getting the most out of their national convention  experience. 
Preference will be given to McDonald Fellowship applicants who have  not 
previously attended a national convention.  
As part of the Fellowship application requirements, McDonald Fellowship  
winners are asked to attend the entire NFB convention and write an article about  
their experiences for the Vigilant (the newsletter of the National Federation 
of  the Blind of Virginia) upon their return from convention. Winners will 
also have  an opportunity to address our 2009 NFB of Virginia state convention.   
Deadline for applications for the McDonald Fellowship is April 15, 2009.  
Winners will be announced May 15, 2009. We ask that applicants write a brief  
letter of application outlining their reasons why they should be considered for  
a Fellowship. Preference will be given to applications from: those who have  
never attended a NFB National Convention before; those who have demonstrated  
commitment to the NFBV organization by their participation in either chapter or 
 state activities over the past year; and by those applicants who include  
pertinent supporting information that will help in our selection process (e.g.  
letters of support from chapter presidents).  
E-mailed applications or questions about the Fellowship program should be  
sent to Tracy Soforenko, Chairman, McDonald Fellowship Committee, by e-mail at  
PotomacNFB at verizon.net or by phone at 703.635.2085.   

My First National  Convention 
By Ixchell Laraurri  
I had a wonderful time at  my first convention.  I learned how  to deal with 
my blindness a lot better.  I saw other children who were blind and how they 
were dealing with  it,  this helped me with my  feelings. 
I saw children and adults using their canes and now I don?t feel bad  about 
using mine. 
I no longer feel alone.  I  used to feel like I was all alone, the only one 
who was blind, now I  don?t. 
Going to the National Convention helped me be more independent with my  cane 
and feel a lot more confident.  Now when I go places I do more by myself and 
not be so dependent on my  mom.  I am looking forward to going  again next 
year.   
Having mentors helped me a lot.  They showed me different techniques that 
they knew and other stuff that  really helped.  They helped me get  the most out 
of the convention by making sure I got to different meetings and  they helped 
me in the exhibit hall too. 
I would like to thank everyone who helped me and my NFBV family for  sending 
me and my mom to the convention. 
Ixchell Laraurri was a 2008  McDonald Fellowship winner 

My  First National Convention 
by  Jennifer Shields 
My name is Jennifer  Shields.  I am 15 years old, and in  the Chesterfield 
school system.  I  am currently in my first year of high school.  Attending 
national convention this year  was a very unforgettable experience for me because 
it gave me confidence in  myself that I really needed. 
When I was younger, I sometimes felt like I was the only person who knew  
what it is like to be blind, but talking to people at the National Convention  
has helped me realize that I?m not alone.  One of the things I enjoyed the most 
was meeting other successful blind  individuals and people my own age who 
could give me advice from first-hand  experience.  Meeting so many blind  people 
in one place was an amazing experience that is hard to describe; so many  great 
people gave me advice about life and helped me learn better ways to do  
things.  It was cool to be in a  place where everyone was blind and could share 
their experiences and  concerns. 
When I first stepped into the hotel at National Convention, I felt a  little 
overwhelmed.  But, over time,  I began to relax a little and enjoy the great 
opportunity I had to meet new  people.  There was always something  interesting 
to do, whether it was visiting the PacMate room or the teen  room.  I also 
spend as much time as  I could in the Exhibit Hall, learning all about the 
different types of  technology that blind people use.  It was really cool to walk 
into room where Braille brochures were  available, instead of the useless blank 
pieces of paper that people usually try  to give me. 
Another fun experience was the March for Independence, where I carried  the 
Virginia banner.  That made a  powerful impact on me; I will never forget that 
day, because I was participating  in something meaningful.  National  
Convention changed my life in a way I will never forget.  I met lots of incredible 
people, had  some amazing experiences, and realized, through it all, that even 
though I may  be different, I?m not alone.  I  would like to take this 
opportunity to thank everyone who made it possible for  me to attend my first national 
convention; I now know that I can be anything I  want to be. 
Jennifer  Shields was a 2008 McDonald Fellowship winner 

Joining The Family 
>From A Parent?s View 
By Chuck and Janet Shields 
Our daughter Jennifer is 15 years old and has been blind since  birth.  In 
the past we have attended  a few state conventions, several seminars that were 
sponsored by the NFB along  with a few chapter meetings, but had never attended 
a national NFB  convention.  We considered going the  past few years but, 
wondered whether Jennifer was old enough to really gain the  full benefit from 
the entire convention experience.  This year we decided that Jen was almost  15 
and would be ready for college at the blink of an eye.  So it was time to get 
her really  initiated into the National Federation of the Blind. 
Reluctantly Jennifer agreed that it was time for her to spread her wings  and 
to really begin getting involved with an organization that has great things  
to offer blind youth.  Not only  would she have the opportunity to meet other 
blind young adults that not only  ?talk the talk? but also ?walk the walk?.  
How many chances would we have to be with over 2,000 blind individuals of  
all ages and walks of life in one hotel?   
After we learned about the McDonald scholarship from our local Richmond  
Chapter president, Maurice Peret, we decided it was time to move forward with  out 
application and trust that we would find a way to get to Dallas for the  
convention.  As luck would have it,  we were chosen as a 2008 recipient of the 
scholarship and were given the chance  to go to Dallas.  We were thrilled  and 
felt very blessed to receive this wonderful gift for our family. 
Once we started reviewing the agenda, we were a bit overwhelmed with the  
opportunities this trip would offer Jennifer.  We found ourselves trying to 
choose  which seminars to attend for both the parent track and the teen track.  
What an exciting time for our  family! 
With Tracey Soforenko?s help, we developed a game plan and drafted a  
schedule of events that all of us were interested in attending.  In some instances we 
could not decide  which meeting to attend, so Chuck and I chose to part ways 
and benefit from  attending two different events at the same time.  The teen 
track was similarly difficult  to decide which sessions Jennifer would like to 
attend and which sessions we as  parents would like her to take advantage of.  
With a little coaxing, we came up with  the right schedule for Jennifer and 
she was excited and a little scared all at  the same time.  Without the help  
from all of the NFB mentors it would not have been as great of an experience as 
 it turned out to be with all the guidance we received.    
Chuck and I knew what a great experience for Jennifer this entire week  would 
turn out to be but we didn?t really grasp how much the entire week of  events 
would benefit us as parents.  To watch your child thrive in an environment 
where she did not feel so  different than everyone else and found Braille 
materials always at her  fingertips ? words could never express how pleased we were 
with the entire  experience.  I think that the first  time we realized how 
much this would mean to our family was when Jennifer walked  into the enormous 
room of Braille reading materials and we saw her face light up  when she reached 
out and picked up many brochures, books and articles that she  could read 
without any assistance.  Being an avid reader of all kinds of books and 
periodicals, she was in  heaven!  She spent a lot of time  pouring over the many 
choices of reading materials and asking for another bag to  hold everything. 
The next stop at the NFB store was equally as fulfilling for our  daughter.  
She looked at Braille  watches, games, books etc. and was able to shop in a 
store that had many things  that she wanted to buy.  We bought  her first NFB 
cane and she was fortunate enough to have a young man spend some  time with her 
to give her a quick lesson on how to use the long white cane.  Now she felt 
even more like her peers  and mentors that she met throughout the week. 
Moving on to the Exhibit hall where Jennifer looked at many technology  
devices among many other interesting things.  Here is where she was able to 
experience  walking with a guide dog name Angel for the first time and it left a 
lifelong  impression with her.  
We attended many great informative sessions and Jennifer spent a lot of  time 
in the Pacmate suite learning many useful tips on how to use her new  
equipment provided by the Chesterfield County School system at the end of her  8th 
grade year.  This  equipment would not have been provided without the NFB?s 
guidance and  support. 
Along with the obvious benefits of attending many quality sessions, it is  
the subtle benefits that really hit home for us.  For example, during one of the 
many  meals we had with our various mentors, someone said in passing about 
how you  gracefully spread butter on a roll and one of the adult blind 
individuals said  ?Oh that?s easy, this is how I do it?.  Then she proceeded to 
explain in detail how to spread butter gracefully  on a roll without being able to 
see what you are doing.  Another time one of the seasoned NFB  members told the 
kids to build in ?get lost? time so if you do find yourself a  bit confused, 
you have time to find your way and you won?t be late.  These statements meant 
a lot more coming  from a blind individual who has had life experiences that 
make them the experts  on real life situations. 
Being somewhat of a shy person, the teen room was a great confidence  builder 
to Jennifer.  We knew she  would be just fine when she came back from an 
afternoon meeting in the teen room  and came through the door and said ?Sorry I can
?t stay, I just came back to put  my stuff down.  Brigett and I are  going 
down to register.?  She told  us that everything that was discussed in the teen 
room was confidential and most  of all ?parents are not allowed in the room at 
any time!  This brought a smile to our faces and we  knew that she was really 
enjoying this entire experience.  
When it was time for the Virginia Caucus we were starting to feel  exhausted 
from the week?s events so far.  But when Fred Schroeder asked Jennifer to 
carry the VA sign in the March  for Freedom, she was honored to participate in 
such a meaningful event.  Even though it was a late night and a  very early 
morning, we truly enjoyed the walk and the events that took place  bright and early 
that morning. 
Overall the entire week of meetings, teen events, building friendships  and 
just being a functional blind person was an invaluable experience that our  
family will treasure for many years to come.  Thanks again for all who made this  
exciting and wonderful event possible. 

Bus  To National Convention 
We are looking for anyone  interested in taking a bus to the NFB Convention 
in Detroit.  We need 55 people who are interested in  traveling to Detroit by 
bus.  The  cost is $150.00 per person if we can get 55 people.  The bus would 
start in Virginia Beach,  make a stop in Norfolk, Hampton, Richmond, and 
somewhere in Northern VA.  We would stop for lunch and dinner.  We would leave on 
July 2nd  and leave on July 9.  We need to  know if you would be interested by 
April 15th so we can book the  bus.  If you are interested or have  any 
questions, please call or email me before April 15th.   
Mary  Durbin 
700 Biltmore  Drive 
Virginia Beach, VA  23454 
757-431-1205 
757-472-2495  (cell) 
mrdurbin at cox.net 

Touching Lives 
Event at The Book Bin,  Onley, VA designed to promote Braille literacy
By Carol Vaughn, Staff writer,  Eastern Shore News, January 14, 2009  
Few people would argue  against teaching children to read, but that argument 
is made on a regular basis  when it comes to blind children -- only 10 percent 
of them are being taught to  read Braille, the system of raised dots by which 
the blind read using their  fingers.  Two members of the  National Federation 
of the Blind last week demonstrated the Braille system at a  local bookstore 
in an effort to raise support for literacy for the blind. The  event Tuesday 
at The Book Bin was one of dozens held across the county as part  of a 
celebration of Louis Braille's 200th birthday on Jan.  4. 
Braille developed his reading system in 19th century France from a spot  code 
used during Napoleon's time, using cells of up to six raised dots to  
represent letters. 
Along with the birthday,  the federation initiated its Braille Readers are 
Leaders campaign to double the  number of readers by 2015 and to have all 50 
states enact legislation requiring  special education teachers of blind children 
to be  Braille-certified. 
"I just can't imagine my life without being able to read," said Sandy  
Halverson, who has been blind all her life and learned to read Braille as a  child. 
Halverson, who lives in Northern Virginia and attended the event here,  was 
the first totally blind court reporter in the United States and is president  of 
the Virginia Association to Promote the Use of  Braille. 
"The National Federation of the Blind has a mission to fully integrate  the 
blind into society and it begins with education...If we can't read and  write, 
what kind of jobs can we get?" said the other presenter, Richard Holley  of 
Assawoman, who is president of the federation's Eastern Shore chapter.  "The 
state teaches sighted children to  read. Why shouldn't they teach blind children 
to read?" he added.  Braille literacy will help lower the 70  percent 
unemployment rate for blind people in the United States, Holley said,  citing studies 
that say 85 percent of employed blind people use Braille on the  job Holley, 
who has a doctoral degree in chemical engineering, is a retired  product 
development manager for a textile company. He was declared legally blind  as a child 
and gradually lost nearly all of his vision. Holley now is learning  to read 
Braille with the help of an employee from the Virginia Department of the  
Blind and Visually Impaired who visits the Shore twice monthly.  "I love that he 
has taken his blindness  and made it positive," said Holley's wife Pam, who 
accompanied him  Tuesday. 
Marjorie Evans of Cashville was among those who stopped by the event.  Evans' 
great-grandson, Bryce Ward, 5, a kindergartener at Pungoteague Elementary  
School, is legally blind and has had several eye surgeries.  "They shouldn't be 
left behind; it's  wrong," said Evans. She said about her great-grandson, 
"He's very smart; I don't  want him to lose anything because he's legally  blind." 
Among the items on display at The Book Bin were Halverson's Braille  knitting 
patterns -- she is an expert knitter -- along with a large hardcover  volume 
that is 1/18th of her Bible.  Also there was a hefty computer-generated 
Braille cellular telephone  manual --one of two volumes-- which Nokia provided at no 
charge. Halverson also  showed Evans several Braille/print children's books, 
similar to those she used  to read to her sighted son. 
"If you read it to me, I'm  not learning to spell...and I don't have the 
freedom to go back and look at the  book," she said of the need to teach the blind 
to read.  The federation also has a parents'  organization and provides 
resources to help families of blind children.  The Potomac chapter, of which 
Halverson  is a member, provides free white canes to children until they reach age 
18.  The canes help children feel more  confident and independent, Halverson 
said.  "People have this notion that if you cannot see, you can't do anything,"  
said Halverson, citing surveys that show going blind is near the top of the 
list  of things people fear. 
But the evidence refutes that notion, the presenters said.  "There's story 
after story of successful  blind people," Holley said -- including the current 
state and national  presidents of the federation, both of whom hold doctoral 
degrees, in education  and law, respectively. 
Holley himself continues to downhill ski--something he has enjoyed doing  
since childhood -- thanks to a free service that provides guides for blind  
skiers.  There also are many  different methods of writing Braille available to 
blind people today -- from a  simple index-card sized metal slate and stylus to 
Halverson's $3,000 personal  digital assistant, which she uses to take notes, 
keep track of phone numbers and  for other tasks. The device can be hooked up 
to a computer to print out  information either in Braille or print. 
The Eastern Shore's is one of 700 federation chapters in the United  States. 
Its two dozen members represent only a tiny fraction of the 800 or so  blind 
people the state says live on Virginia's Eastern Shore.  Holley's goal is to 
increase membership  to at least 80, or 10 percent of the local blind population 
-- but he said  privacy laws prevent the state and school systems from giving 
the group names of  local blind people -- meaning recruitment is mainly 
through word of mouth or  media announcements.  Events like  this one help raise 
awareness about the local NFB chapter and about the needs  and abilities of 
blind people.  "I  guess the point is, the blind can do anything," Holley summed 
it up, adding as  he turned to Evans, "I look forward to Bryce being what he 
wants to  be." 

Nothing Could Stop  Tynes  
Duane Bourne, Published on  HamptonRoads.com, December 2008 
Andre Predale Tynes had practiced walking across the gymnasium stage at  
Norfolk State University, his walking cane guiding him.  He lost his vision 10 
years ago to  diabetes, but his disability never beat him and a few steps surely 
would  not. 
On Saturday morning at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall, Tynes reached for  the 
railing when his name was announced.  He stepped onto the staircase and 
stopped for a moment when his cane  became wedged in metal halfway up.  He wrenched 
it free and made it across the platform to the standing  ovation. 
Back at his seat to the right of the stage, the 42-year-old Newport News  man 
was overwhelmed. 
?I guess I got nervous,? he said.  ?That did not happen at rehearsal.? 
Tynes was one of 562 students who graduated from Norfolk State.  Nearly 1,000 
received diplomas at two  ceremonies at Old Dominion on Saturday. 
It was impossible to collect the anecdotes from those people and chart  
personal struggles they may have faced in just getting  here. 
However, a singular message pervaded the fall commencements at both  
universities:  Despite the  challenges surrounding them, this was an exciting  time. 
Norfolk state senior class president Tiese Bright mentioned this in her  
address, as did Naomi Carp, alumna and chairwoman of the U.S. Equal Employment  
Opportunity Commission in hers. 
Perhaps Delores Johnson Brown, who helped break the color barrier at  Norfolk 
public school as one of the ?Norfolk 17,? showed that when she received  an 
honorary degree during ODU?s afternoon ceremony. 
?Life is not a race,? said Kathleen Parker, a syndicated columnist,  during 
her ODU address.  ?Sometimes  the road is not straight.  Relax.  Go out and so 
 something creative.? 
Like may of the graduates, Tynes is trying to figure out what to do  next.  
After losing his sight, he  decided to go back to college.  He?s  got a bachelor
?s in social work and now a master?s in severe  disabilities. 
Tynes hopes to land a job counseling people with disabilities, helping  them 
find jobs. 
He said that, if nothing else, he wanted to be an example not only for  the 
disabled, but for people confronted with their own sets of  challenges. 
Although he wrestled with his cane Saturday, Tynes said nothing would  have 
stopped him from walking across the stage. 
?I guess it?s a sign of my independence,? he said.  ?I wanted to prove that 
I can do  anything.? 

The  Editor on the Move 
>From an Accessible Space  Inc. Newsletter  
AP?s Freedom Apartments located at 11400 Occohannock Neck Road  in Exmore, 
Virginia began construction on September 22, 2009.  The 15 unit accessible, 
affordable  apartment building is for very low income adults with physical  
disabilities.  It is the sixth  sponsored development in Virginia by Accessible 
Space, Inc. (ASI).  AP?s Freedom Apartments is name for  Althea P. Pittman, 
Executive Director of Eastern Shore Center for Independent  Living (ESCIL).  ESCIL 
invited ASI  to pursue this development in the Accomack-Northampton area of 
Virginia.  AP?s Freedom Apartments has received  significant support from the HUD 
Section 811 Program; the Virginia Department of  Housing and Community 
Development; the Accomack-Northampton Planning District;  and ESCIL.  AP?s Freedom 
Apartments  are expected to be completed in July 2009.  The grand opening of AP?
s Freedom Apartments and ESCIL?s 10th  Anniversary is planned for September 
12, 2009. 
Chapter Roll  Call 
Potomac  Chapter 
Tracy  Soforenko 
This winter, members of the Potomac chapter have been so busy, we haven?t  
noticed the cold temperatures. We have been busy raising funds, working the  
legislative front, and having fun.   
In December, 40 chapter members gathered for an enjoyable holiday party  at 
Tivoli Restaurant.  To celebrate  Louis Braille?s birthday, we held an event on 
January 4th at a local  Library.  The weekend of January  24th was very busy. 
 The  Potomac Chapter was pleased to assist with the Fairfax Low Vision 
Resource  Fair.  Chapter members provided  children with canes from our Potomac 
Chapter Kiwanis Club Cane Bank.  Adults were signed up for the NFB  National Free 
Cane program.  Later  that day, 22 members and guess participated in our 
wine, cheese and chocolate  tasting where we raised $740 for the chapter.  Later 
that same weekend, 10 chapter  members headed to Richmond to participate in a 
very successful Richmond  Seminar. 
The Washington Seminar took place in early February.  The nerve center for 
the seminar was the  Mercury Room, run this year by Potomac Chapter members 
Sandy Halverson, Seville  Allen, John Halverson, Louise Ruhf, Nancy Yeager, and 
Patty Droppers.   
Finally, the chapter ran a successful February auction where we raised  
$1,200. 
Fredericksburg  Chapter 
Michael  Kasey 
Our annual Walkathon will be held Saturday, April 18 at 10 a.m. at the  City 
Dock.  This being our major  fund raiser, we hope all will attend.  Hundreds 
of dollars of in gift  certificates will be awarded to walkers to use the day 
of the  walk. 
The Chapter is planning to join others in Virginia for our weekend trip  to 
Baltimore on April 25th to visit our National  office. 
Our leaders here in Fredericksburg continue to be involved in many  community 
organizations such as Marilee Kenlon, who is a  board member of the Center 
for  Independent Living (CIL), Bernie Werwie also serves as a board member of 
the  Disability Services Board (DSB) and Brittany Crone serves as a  member of 
the Leos Club at Colonial  Forge High School. 
Eastern Shore  Chapter 
Rick  Holley 
Who is Jane Gustafson?  She  is the Eastern Shore Chapter?s oldest member at 
83 (and maybe the VA Affiliate?s  oldest active one also).  Although  she 
resides in Williamsburg, VA she belongs to our chapter since she is Rick?s  
mother-in-law and of course Pam?s mother.  With reduced vision due to AMD, Jane is a 
natural for membership in the  NFB.  Although she lost her husband  in 2004, 
she continues to live independently in her home of 35 years despite the  lack 
of a driver?s license.  For  transportation she relies on friends, family, and 
other resources as many of us  do.  Fiercely independent she either  
completes or makes arrangements for, routine house and yard maintenance,  resisting 
the efforts of family to make these arrangements for  her. 
Now for the active lifestyle she lives.  Up by dawn each morning, she walks  
through the neighborhood for daily exercise and has been seen at the local  
recreation center in organized exercise programs.  As recently as 2006 she was 
elected and  served as President of the Williamsburg chapter of the Lady Lions 
Club where she  is still an active participant.  She  fills out her days and 
weeks with many other activities such as wool carding,  spinning, knitting and 
weaving.  Admittedly she does have trouble with color differences and prefers 
to  use colors of high contrast or solid ones.  Jane is also active in the 
spinning, knitting and weaving guilds from  Williamsburg to Richmond and has been 
seen at local craft shows in southeastern  Virginia demonstrating the art of 
wool spinning.  Another activity she finds especially  rewarding is the 
hospice care she provides those in need in her  neighborhood. 
An avid reader, Jane uses the public library, the Library of Congress and  
her daughter to supply her with an inexhaustible number of audio books.  I have 
even caught her reading  (listening) to more than one at a time.  As for mail 
and other printed materials, she does use a reader, which was  loaned to her 
by the Lions Club. 
Now for the really fun stuff, Jane is a baker extraordinaire.  She loves to 
bake and shares the results  with family, friends, doctors, yard men and the 
NFB as evidenced by the 14 dozen  cookies she baked and auctioned off at our 
latest State Convention.  Her baked goods as well as the afghan  she made, added 
about $500 dollars in the live auction.  Wow, I?m tired just writing this and  
just think she?s only 87, I can?t wait to update this in maybe 5 or 10  
years. 
Winchester  Chapter 
Paula  Kelsey 
What we have accomplished in the past year.  We have made our presence in the 
 community known.  I have  consistently put our meeting dates in the 
Winchester Star.   
I appeared on Cable Talk presenting a variety of gadgets that can be used  by 
blind and visually impaired individuals throughout their daily lives.  I was 
given the opportunity to give out  our contact information and phone number.  
I received several calls in response to the show.   I was able to assist one  
individual with valuable information from the Social Security Administration  
concerning the Ticket to Work program.  Many other individuals in our area are 
concerned about finding employment  and maintaining benefits until they can 
establish gainful employment.  My two mile walk from the Social  Security 
Administration was well worth it when I was able to deliver these  materials along 
with information about our meeting time and location.        
Winchester?s chapter is proud to report that some of our newest members  have 
been on the move spreading the word of the  NFB. 

Vigilant  Report 
The tape version of the  Vigilant will no longer be available. Instead, the 
full text of the  Vigilant can be heard on NFB-NEWSLINE?.  One reason for this 
change is that the  time and expense required to create each audio issue of 
the Vigilant are  very costly.  A second reason is  that many services that 
produce audio tapes are switching over to alternative  formats because technology 
is changing and that change does not include the  continued use of audio 
tapes.  There  are much better alternatives. 
NFB-NEWSLINE? is a  free service available to all Virginians.  It is as close 
as your telephone and enables you to read not only the  NFBV Vigilant, but 
over 200 other publications from around the  country. 
If you are not already a  NFB-NEWSLINE? subscriber, signing up is easy.  If 
you have Internet access, go to  www.nfb.org, and follow the directions.  You 
may also call toll free:  1-866-504-7300.  Having the Vigilant available on 
NFB-NEWSLINE? means that you will be able to read each  issue as soon as it is 
available.  You will not have any more long delays while the tapes are being  
manufactured.  You will also get the  great features that come with being an 
NFB-NEWSLINE?  subscriber.  For example, being able to select the  reading voice 
you want, having the ability to read the articles as fast or as  slowly as you 
want, the ability to read word by word or character by character;  and best 
of all, NFB-NEWSLINE?  IS FREE. 
Don?t hesitate to sign up  for NFB-NEWSLINE? now and begin receiving the 
Vigilant along with  hundreds of other state and national publications! 

How  You Can Assist Us 
The National Federation of  the Blind of Virginia is a nonprofit organization 
whose purpose is to improve  the lives of the blind through education and 
legislation.  The NFBV is the blind speaking for the  blind.  Assistance from 
those who  share our mission is always welcome.  If you can offer time, material 
resources, or financial help, it would be  greatly appreciated.   
Another way to support the  efforts of the NFB of Virginia is by means of 
bequests.  Simply include the following information  in your will: "I give, 
devise, and bequeath unto National Federation of the  Blind of Virginia, 702 Prince 
Edward Str. Apt. 5, Fredericksburg, VA 23401, a  Virginia nonprofit 
corporation, the sum of $___ (or "___ percent of my net  estate" or "The following 
stocks and bonds:___") to be used for its worthy  purposes on behalf of blind 
persons." 
To learn of other ways in  which you can support the organization, call Fred 
Schroeder, President, NFBV, at  (703) 319-9226.      
State Officers   
President, Fred  Schroeder 
First Vice President,  Seville Allen  
Second Vice  President, Althea P. Pitman 
State Treasurer,  Lawrence Povinelli  
Asst. Treasurer, Mark  Roane 
Recording Secretary,  Stewart Prost 
Corresponding  Secretary,  
Gwen  Beavers  
Vigilant Staff  
Chief Editor/Print  Production, Althea P. Pittman 
Staff, Kathryn R.  Hall, Jazmine Collins 
Braille Production,  Alan and  
Billie Ruth  Schlank 
NFBV Calendar of  Events: 
?   Deadline for  applications for the McDonald Fellowship is April 15, 2009. 
 Winners will be announced May 15,  2009.   
?   On Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at 11:00am, a NEW Low Vision  Support Group 
will meet to address the needs of local citizens with visual  impairments. The 
meeting will be held at The Oaks Apartments in the Committee  Room -- 305 Oak 
Springs Drive, Warrenton.  This will be the founding meeting of the Warrenton 
Chapter. Everyone is  welcome! We promise information and fellowship!  We 
will have snacks and  door prizes.  
?   The NFBV Board Meeting will take place on Saturday, May  9, 2009 
?   The NFB National Convention will take place in Detroit  Michigan July3-8, 
2009 

**************Worried about job security? Check out the 5 safest jobs in a 
recession. 
(http://jobs.aol.com/gallery/growing-job-industries?ncid=emlcntuscare00000003)
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From fschroeder at sks.com  Wed Apr  8 13:42:42 2009
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 09:42:42 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Thank You To All!
Message-ID: <BF0F48E070974D269EF184F6E55A984A@Fredricslaptop>

Friends,

I wanted to take a minute and thank all of you who participated in
yesterday's demonstration in New York.  I especially want to thank Larry
Povinelli for organizing transportation.  We had over forty people on the
Virginia bus to New York.  We had about three hundred people, most of them
Federationists, participate in the protest.  We were able to get very good
news coverage of the event and I am confident that we are well underway to
resolving the accessibility issue with the new e-books issued through
Amazon.  

All we are asking is that the Kindle e-book reader be able to read aloud the
information that is displayed on the screen for sighted readers.  This makes
good sense for blind people and it should make good sense to the book
publishers.  We would still have to buy the e-books like anyone else.  All
we want is for the Kindle book reader to include speech for all e-books.
The Kindle 2 reader already has the speech feature in it, so we are not
asking for anything that will increase the cost.  The issue is that, under
pressure from the Authors Guild, Amazon has agreed to let the publisher or
author turn off the audible feature.  How many books will have the text to
speech disabled is anyone's guess.  What we do know is that e-books will
give us access to more books than we have ever had, providing we are able to
use them.

There will be more to do on this issue.  I appreciate the long trip many of
our members and friends made yesterday, particularly those from the Virginia
Beach, Tidewater and Hampton Roads areas.  I also want to alert those of you
who were unable to participate that you will very likely be called on as we
continue to fight for full access to e-books and the right to read.

With sincere gratitude,

Fred Schroeder, President
National Federation of the Blind of Virginia




From fschroeder at sks.com  Thu Apr  9 01:17:29 2009
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 21:17:29 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] FW: Legislative Alert-Cosponsors Needed for H.R.
	734 and H.R. 886
Message-ID: <F4CE5FC12DF1449BA5977E0FE2DAA195@Fredricslaptop>

Friends,
 
Please do what you can to help get cosponsors for our legislative
priorities.  Remember that members of Congress are much more likely to
listen to people from their home districts than anyone else.  Below is
information from James McCarthy explaining what we need.
 
Thanks,
 
Fred Schroeder, President
National Federation of the Blind of Virginia
 
 

  _____  

From: McCarthy, Jim [mailto:JMcCarthy at nfb.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 6:19 PM
Subject: Legislative Alert-Cosponsors Needed for H.R. 734 and H.R. 886



Fellow Federationists:

 

            Our activities at the 2009 Washington Seminar kicked off our
legislative efforts.  Aggressive follow-up with the staff that we met, and
with representatives at home, strengthens our opportunities for success.  

 

            Congress has begun its spring district work period which lasts
two weeks.  Members left Washington at the end of last week and they will
not return for legislative business until Monday, April 20.  This offers us
an opportunity to meet senators and representatives in their districts over
these two weeks.  Therefore, I encourage you to learn their schedules and
attend any town hall or other public meetings that you can.

 

            As you know, there are two bills we advocated for at the 2009
Washington Seminar that are presently introduced in the House of
Representatives.  These two bills are H.R. 734, the Pedestrian Safety
Enhancement Act of 2009, and H.R. 886, the Blind Persons Return to Work Act
of 2009.

 

            At Washington Seminar, attendees reported on representatives who
were rated as likely cosponsors of H.R. 886.  Representatives were rated as
4 or 5 on our scale, with 5 being the most likely to cosponsor.  

 

            At the present time H.R. 886 has five cosponsors that include
the lead sponsor, John Lewis, which means that H.R. 886 is not advancing
right now as quickly as is necessary, so we must increase our efforts to
move this legislation.  Key points are:

 

-- This bill would establish a benefit reduction instead of totally ending
the benefit for blind people who earn more than the allowable earnings
amount, which would be a yearly rather than monthly amount, as is now the
case.

-- This amount would continue to be indexed as it is under present law.

-- Earnings over the annual amount would result in a one dollar loss of
Social Security benefits for each three dollars of excess earnings.

-- There would be an Impairment Related Work Expense deduction for anyone
with excess earnings.

-- The amount of this deduction would be 16.3% of excess earnings, or the
amount determined by the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration,
whichever amount is greater.

 

            I know that you will, as you always do, work hard over the
upcoming two-week spring district period to increase commitments from your
representatives on this important legislation.

 

            Presently, we have 105 cosponsors on H.R. 734, the Pedestrian
Safety Enhancement Act.  This is outstanding, but we need more.  A
legislative alert was sent last week identifying the cosponsors.  Over the
spring district work period, you should reach out to those representatives
who have not yet cosponsored this legislation.  Attending question and
answer sessions for representatives that are already cosponsors and publicly
thanking them for their support of H.R. 734, will allow you to focus the
attention on the silent car issue in your local communities.  

 

            This attention should help us achieve our goal of getting this
legislation enacted as soon as possible, so that we can continue to travel
with confidence and have the information we need to make appropriate travel
judgments.

 

            Let us build support for H.R. 886 and continue the march toward
passage of H.R. 734.

 

            Below you will find the list of the cosponsors of H.R. 886 and a
list of those who were rated 4 or 5 who should be cosponsors of H.R. 886.  

 

            Thank you for your continuing efforts on behalf of our National
Federation of the Blind.

 

Most cordially,

 

 

James D. McCarthy

Government Programs Specialist

National Federation of the Blind

Telephone:  (410) 659-9314, extension 2240

E-mail:   <mailto:jmccarthy at nfb.org> jmccarthy at nfb.org

 

Jesse Hartle

Government Programs Specialist

National Federation of the Blind

Telephone:  (410) 659-9314, extension 2233

E-mail:   <mailto:jhartle at nfb.org> jhartle at nfb.org

 

 

Cosponsors of H.R. 886

John Lewis, GA - Sponsor

James Oberstar MN

Pedro Pierluisi, PR

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, FL

Tim Ryan, OH

 

 

Representatives Rated Five

Rep. Abercrombie, Neil (D-HI) - Cosponsored in 110th

Rep. Davis, Danny (D-IL) - Cosponsored in 110th

Rep. Driehaus, Steve (D-OH)

Rep. Lance, Leonard (R-NJ)

Rep. Langevin, James (D-RI)

 

 

Representatives Rated Four

Rep. Ackerman, Gary (D-NY)

Rep. Bachus, Spencer (R-AL)

Rep. Berkley, Shelley (D-NV) - Cosponsored in 110th

Rep. Berry, Marion (D-AR)

Rep. Biggert, Judy (R-IL)

Rep. Bilbray, Brian (R-CA)

Rep. Blumenauer, Earl (D-OR) - Cosponsored in 110th

Rep. Braley, Bruce (D-IA) - Cosponsored in 110th

Rep. Castor, Kathy (D-FL)

Rep. Clarke, Yvette (D-NY)

Rep. Clyburn, James (D-SC)

Rep. Crenshaw, Ander (R-FL)

Rep. DeGette, Diana (D-CO)

Rep. Delahunt, Bill (D-MA)

Rep. DeLauro, Rosa (D-CT)

Rep. Doyle, Mike (D-PA)

Rep. Ellison, Keith (D-MN) - Cosponsored in 110th

Rep. Etheridge, Bob (D-NC

Rep. Frank, Barney (D-MA)

Rep. Garrett, Scott (R-NJ)

Rep. Green, Al (D-TX)

Rep. Hall, Ralph (R-TX)

Rep. Hare, Phil (D-IL) - Cosponsored in 110th

Rep. Heinrich, Martin (D-NM)

Rep. Heller, Dean (R-NV)

Rep. Himes, Jim (D-CT)

Rep. Hodes, Paul (D-NH)

Rep. Hunter, Duncan (R-CA)

Rep. Jackson-Lee, Sheila (D-TX)

Rep. Johnson, Hank (D-GA)

Rep. Johnson, Sam (R-TX)

Rep. Kennedy, Patrick (D-RI)

Rep. King, Peter (R-NY)

Rep. Latta, Bob (R-OH)

Rep. Lee, Barbara (D-CA)

Rep. Lungren, Dan (R-CA)

Rep. Maffei, Dan (D-NY)

Rep. Markey, Ed (D-MA)

Rep. Matheson, Jim (D-UT)

Rep. McDermott, Jim (D-WA) - Cosponsored in 110th

Rep. McGovern, Jim (D-MA)

Rep. McIntyre, Mike (D-NC)

Rep. Meek, Kendrick (D-FL)

Rep. Meeks, Gregory (D-NY)

Rep. Mollohan, Alan (D-WV)

Rep. Moran, Jim (D-VA)

Rep. Nadler, Jerrold (D-NY)

Rep. Norton, Eleanor (D-DC)

Rep. Oberstar, James (D-MN) - Cosponsored in 110th

Rep. Ortiz, Solomon (D-TX)

Rep. Paul, Ron (R-TX) - Cosponsored in 110th

Rep. Peterson, Collin (D-MN) - Cosponsored in 110th

Rep. Petri, Tom (R-WI)

Rep. Platts, Todd (R-PA) - Cosponsored in 110th

Rep. Polis, Jared (D-CO)

Rep. Rothman, Steven (D-NJ) - Cosponsored in 110th

Rep. Rush, Bobby (D-IL) - Cosponsored in 110th

Rep. Sanchez, Linda (D-CA) - Cosponsored in 110th

Rep. Schiff, Adam (D-CA)

Rep. Sessions, Pete (R-TX)

Rep. Stark, Pete (D-CA) - Cosponsored in 110th

Rep. Sutton, Betty (D-OH) - Cosponsored in 110th

Rep. Terry, Lee (R-NE)

Rep. Thompson, Glenn (R-PA)

Rep. Tiberi, Patrick (R-OH)

Rep. Towns, Edolphus (D-NY) - Cosponsored in 110th

Rep. Visclosky, Peter (D-IN) - Cosponsored in 110th

Rep. Watson, Diane (D-CA)

Rep. Wolf, Frank (R-VA) - Cosponsored in 110th

Rep. Woolsey, Lynn (D-CA)

 

 
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From fschroeder at sks.com  Thu Apr  9 01:27:04 2009
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 21:27:04 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] NEWSPAPER STORY ON LOCAL PARTICIPANT IN COIN
	CEREMONY
Message-ID: <752FC74CF9D545CDAE6C847769C5E77B@Fredricslaptop>

The story below appeared in the Wednesday, April 8, edition of the 
Cumberland (Maryland) Times-News:


Brandon's Braille
Sarah Moses
Cumberland Times-News


April 08, 2009 09:05 am

- MCHENRY - Seven-year-old Brandon Pickrel was one of three children to 
speak at the unveiling of the Louis Braille 200th birthday commemorative 
silver dollar coin.
"It was a very prideful moment for us," Trudy Pickrel, Brandon's mother, 
said of the event held at the U.S. Mint in Washington. "He worked very hard 
on (the speech.) It was a proclamation that he and two other children read. 
To have a first-grader reading, there were people who were just very proud 
of how he'd done reading Braille."
Brandon, a McHenry resident and first-grader at Accident Elementary, has 
been learning to read Braille since he was 2 years old, Trudy said, but he 
is still learning what is called contracted Braille. Contracted Braille, 
rather than spelling out individual letters, has a specific symbol for a 
word. Brandon has knowledge of phonics and first-grade Braille.
"I don't like to read, but my favorite book is 'Where the Wild Things Are,' 
but I can't read it myself," Brandon said. "That's because the big books are

hard."
His favorite book, like many others, is printed in contracted Braille, his 
mother said, but he is continuing to learn, which was especially important 
for the proclamation he read when the National Federation for the Blind 
unveiled the commemorative coin.
Brandon said he was just a little nervous when he went up to speak, but that

he was very excited before and had even bounced on the hotel beds. Both his 
parents and his two younger sisters attended the unveiling ceremony with 
him.
Part of Brandon's speech, Trudy said, was to express concern that only about

10 percent of blind children in America are being taught Braille. She added 
that 90 percent of employed blind people use Braille and that $10 from the 
sale of each coin will go toward Braille Literacy in America.
Brandon was the youngest of the three who spoke, and many people in 
attendance reportedly were impressed with the larger words he had to read 
from the proclamation.
Children who are neither fully blind nor fully sighted are made to rely on 
the little sight they have, Trudy said, and that was part of the reason she 
has advocated bringing a vision teacher to Garrett County. Many of these 
children learn to read faster with Braille and could use it as an added 
tool.
This was not the first time Brandon has been asked to speak, and he has not 
only spoken at other events but recently was the recipient of a gift to help

him purchase a laptop and software from the Deep Creek and Friendsville 
Lions clubs.
To Trudy, one of the best parts of having Brandon speak at the coin 
unveiling was that it gave him the opportunity to meet a variety of people, 
including a NASA engineer, the special assistant to President Barack Obama 
for disability policy, a singer, doctors, lawyers and parents who were all 
legally blind.
"I liked it," Brandon said. "I can read and write. I can go to college."
Because of his recent speech, Brandon and his sisters were invited to the 
White House on Thursday to participate in the annual egg roll.
Contact Sarah Moses at smoses at times-news.com.

Copyright C 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.

Photos


Brandon Pickrel, 7, reads a proclamation in Braille during the unveiling of 
the Louis Braille 200th birthday commemorative silver dollar coin at the 
U.S. Mint in Washington recently. Pickrel is learning to read contracted 
Braille, which doesn't spell out individual letters and instead uses a 
specific symbol for a word. Cumberland Times-News






From dandrews at visi.com  Thu Apr  9 03:44:18 2009
From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews)
Date: Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:44:18 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Sign Reading Rights Coalition Petition!
Message-ID: <auto-000096605122@mailfront2.g2host.com>

As you know, the National Federation of the Blind, NFB, is part of 
the Reading Rights Coalition, along with 29 (and growing) groups that 
support people with disabilities.  The Reading Rights Coalition has 
been created to raise awareness about the Authors Guild and to 
support the 15 million print-disabled people in the US who are effected by
their decision to turn off the text-to-speech function on the Kindle 
2, stating that it violates copyright law.

We are asking everyone to go to the petition Web site at
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/We-Want-To-Read
  , sign the petition, and forward to all of your contacts.

We are trying to get 10,000 signatures and are one third of the way there.

Please help!


David Andrews




From fschroeder at sks.com  Thu Apr  9 11:37:07 2009
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 2009 07:37:07 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Jernigan Fund Scholarships
Message-ID: <BC5AEC5B396441D0A6B13E9FE900D0FE@Fredricslaptop>

Friends,

The Jernigan Fund assists people to attend their first national convention.
This year Mary Durbin is helping interested individuals with the application
process.  As you will see from the note below, the deadline for submitting
applications is April 15.  If you know of anyone who would benefit from a
Jernigan Fund Scholarship, please contact Mary ASAP.  Mary can be reached at
mrdurbin at cox.net.

Thanks,

Fred Schroeder, President
National Federation of the Blind of Virginia



-----Original Message-----
From: nfbaffiliatepresidents-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfbaffiliatepresidents-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Office Of
The President
Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 10:03 AM
To: NFB Affiliate Presidents List
Subject: [NFBAffiliatePresidents] From Marc Maurer

 

Dear Colleagues:

 

            Please see the following message from Allen Harris:

 

The 2009, Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarships will be awarded by
April 15th.  All applications (applicant letter and President's
recommendation) must be finalized before the 15th.  Any applications
received after this deadline will not be considered this "scholarship
year" and all applications will be returned, if unsuccessful this year.

Thanks to all of you who have submitted applications and have been
awarded 09, Conventi0on Scholarships.

 

We anticipate that more than 60, individuals will receive grants,
averaging $600.00.

Please contact The Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Committee, if
you have questions.

E mail, allen.harris at dwx.com (205.655.8221)

 

Cordially,

Allen C. Harris

Chairman, Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Committee

 

Marc Maurer, President 
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND 
1800 Johnson Street 
Baltimore, Maryland 21230 
Phone: 410-659-9314 
Fax: 410-685-5653 
officeofthepresident at nfb.org 
www.nfb.org 

 

_______________________________________________
NFBAffiliatePresidents mailing list
NFBAffiliatePresidents at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbaffiliatepresidents_nfbnet.org




From PeggyChong at earthlink.net  Thu Apr  9 23:59:24 2009
From: PeggyChong at earthlink.net (Peggy Chong)
Date: Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:59:24 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Gently Used Braille Children's Books Sought for
 Braille Book Flea Market at Convention
Message-ID: <auto-000093322728@mailfront1.g2host.com>


If you have gently used Braille Children's books that are no longer 
being used, the 2009 Braille Book Flea Market would love to find them 
a new home.  At our 2009 National Convention in Detroit, the Braille 
Book Flea Market will once again, provide many young Braille readers 
with Braille books to love and cherish at no cost to the 
children.  We need your children's books!  Please send your Braille 
books via USPS. to; UPS, 29855 Schoolcraft, Livonia, Michigan 
48150.  Attn:  NFB-Hold for book fair.  They can be mailed through 
the US Post office, Free Matter for the Blind.  IF you have any 
questions, please contact Peggy Chong at 515-277-1288 or 
peggychong at earthlink.net




From MRiccobono at nfb.org  Fri Apr 10 01:07:53 2009
From: MRiccobono at nfb.org (Riccobono,
	Mark)
Date: Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:07:53 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Seeking participants with visual or motor
 impairments for interview study
Message-ID: <auto-000093327084@mailfront1.g2host.com>


----------
We have been asked to post the following:

----------
From: vmwb-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu 
[mailto:vmwb-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Chandrika Jayant
Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 12:27 AM
To: vmwb at u.washington.edu
Subject: [vmwb] Seeking participants with visual or motor impairments 
forinterview study

The University of Washington is seeking people with motor and visual 
impairments for an interview about your use of mobile devices. The 
study consists of a one hour interview followed by a series of brief 
(5 minute) surveys the following week. Please see the attached 
announcement for details. Contact Shani Jayant 
(<mailto:cjayant at cs.washington.edu>cjayant at cs.washington.edu) or 
Shaun Kane (<mailto:skane at u.washington.edu>skane at u.washington.edu) 
for more information. Participants do not need to be in Seattle, this 
can be conducted over the phone and online.

Thank you!
Richard Ladner, Shani Jayant, and Shaun Kane



__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus 
signature database 3832 (20090206) __________

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

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


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From info at michaelhingson.com  Fri Apr 10 01:55:14 2009
From: info at michaelhingson.com (Michael Hingson)
Date: Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:55:14 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Purchasing A KNFB Reader Mobile?
Message-ID: <auto-000096776569@mailfront2.g2host.com>

Are you considering the purchase of a KnfbReader Mobile or do you 
know someone who may be interested in buying one?  If so, I would 
like to speak with you.  Please remember that the National Federation 
of the Blind is the only National distributor of the Reader and its 
related products.  For more information about the reader or to place 
an order please visit 
<http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com>http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com 
or please call me, Mike Hingson, at (888) 965-9191.

The current configuration of the Reader we are providing includes the 
KnfbReader software, the Nokia 6220 Classic mobile phone, and an 
optional screen reader either Talks or MobileSpeak.  The software and 
phone cost $1,370.00.  Either Talks or MobileSpeak cost $295.00.  The 
entire package including the screen reader option cost $1,665.00 plus shipping.

Don't forget that the Federation also offers a %3 interest rate 
technology loan should you need to finance your Reader 
purchase.  Information about the loan is available on the web site 
given above.  We also accept both Visa and MasterCard orders.

Join the technology revolution today and go totally globally 
mobile.  Please contact me if you need any information or have any 
questions about the Reader.  I hope to talk with you soon.


Cordially,


Mike Hingson

The Michael Hingson Group
      "Speaking with Vision"
                  Michael Hingson, President
                          (415) 827-4084
                    <mailto:info at michaelhingson.com>info at michaelhingson.com
                    www.michaelhingson.com


for info on the new KNFB Reader Mobile, visit:
<http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com/>http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com


From fschroeder at sks.com  Sat Apr 11 21:17:09 2009
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Sat, 11 Apr 2009 17:17:09 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] NFB Writers' Division Convention Notice
Message-ID: <0C7658182B454BB2B7E281AF727D1461@Fredricslaptop>

FYI
 


  _____  

From: Robert Newman [mailto:newmanrl at cox.net] 
Sent: Saturday, April 11, 2009 6:58 AM
To: fschroeder at sks.com
Subject: NFB- Convention Notice



Hi, as the president of the NFB Writers' division, <<...>> I would like to
provide you and your members with the following notice of two up coming
events to happen at National Convention in Detroit. Find in the attachment
information about our July 3rd workshop where we will have a well known
regional writer as our guest and July 5th, our Division annual meeting. I
would greatly appreciate it if you would please pass on this noticed to your
membership via your state newsletter or email list. 

Thank you very much. 

President NFB Writers' Division 
Robert Leslie Newman 
Email- newmanrl at cox.net 
Division Website- 
 <Http://www.nfb-writers-division.org> Http://www.nfb-writers-division.org 
My Web Site- 
 <http://www.thoughtprovoker.info> http://www.thoughtprovoker.info 




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From fschroeder at sks.com  Sun Apr 12 15:04:44 2009
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:04:44 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Kindle Reader and the Authors GuildFW: Call & Email
	to Authors Guild
Message-ID: <795806A8754C4FE79F8ED05C5B626CF4@Fredricslaptop>

Friends,
 
As all of you know, the Authors Guild is concerned that the Kindle 2 eBook
reader will harm sales of audible books.  As a result, Amazon has agreed to
allow publishers to turn off the text to speech feature on newly released
eBooks.  Below is a note from Debbie Prost.  Following the protest in New
York last Tuesday, Debbie contacted the Authors Guild to express her views
on the controversy.  I encourage all of you to do the same.  Debbie's note
below is an excellent example to follow when writing.
 
Thanks for all you do, and keep up the good work.
 
Fred Schroeder, President
National Federation of the Blind of Virginia
 


  _____  

From: Stewart & Deborah Prost 
Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 6:50 PM
To: Fredric Schroeder
Subject: Call & Email to Authors Guild


Hi Fred,
 
I'm sorry I couldn't attend the protest in NYC Tuesday because of my work
schedule.  However, this issue concerns me a lot because I love reading so
much.  (Saturday night after the Cane Event, I stayed up till 5:00 Sunday
morning finishing a book I had started that day in the conference room.
MarCh`e chose to stay there and read, too.)  Anyway, I got an email sent by
Larry Povinelli which was a response that someone had gotten from the
Authors Guild.  This prompted me to call them myself.  I spoke to a woman
named Andrea, who seemed to understand our concerns, and she also seemed
sorry that things are the way they are.  She suggested that I send the
Authors Guild staff an email following up on our conversation.  I am sending
you a copy of that email.  I also think as many people as possible should
call and email the Authors Guild.  The phone number has been in several
emails on NFB listservs, and their email address is staff at authorsguild.org. 
 
Debbie Prost
 
 
I spoke by phone today with Andrea in your office, and she suggested that I
send you an email follow-up to our conversation.  As a blind person and a
teacher of blind children, I know that blind people and others who can't
read printmust take advantage of every reading medium available to us in
order to be informed, productive citizens on the same level with our peers
who do read print.  I am an avid Braille reader, but, unfortunately, not all
books are available in Braille.  I urge the Authors Guild and Amazon NOT to
disable the text to speech feature on any books made for the Kindle 2
reader.
 
The fear by authors and publishers that the text to speech feature will take
away from sales of audio books done by professional readers is unfounded, in
my opinion, for several reasons.  Comparing text to speech and reading done
by a professional reader is like comparing apples and oranges, so to speak.
Each of these two reading modes has its place, and I don't believe one will
take away from the usefulness of the other.  the quality of a computerized
voice used in text to speech is certainly NOT the same as the quality of a
human voice.  If books were available in equal numbers and at the same
prices in both of these media, I'm sure the audio books would outsell those
read by computer software.  I understand that authors and publishers need to
be paid for their work, just as everyone else does.  However, I don't
believe that the text to speech feature would take away from audio book
sales.  Just as print readers ALWAYS have a choice to buy books in either
print or audio format, those of us who can't read print must have the same
choice, substituting text to speech for print--without always having to pay
more money than our print reading peers for the same books.
 
I saw an email that was sent by the Authors Guild that was circulated in
which the writer talked about having text to speech available for
"certified" users of the Kindle 2.  To me, this procedure is not acceptable
because it adds an unnecessary step to making books accessible for us.  No
sighted person has to prove that he/she is sighted or able to read print in
order to purchase a book from a local bookstore, online, or in any
situation.  Why should we be treated like children and need someone to
certify our inability to read print?  I personally wouldn't choose text to
speech if I could read print because I prefer to READ Braille rather than
listen to books.  .  It seems that if someone chooses this feature, he/she
should be treated like an adult and trusted that this need is indeed real.
As a blind professional, I feel that having to have someone else sign a
statement that I am really blind is demeaning.
 
When I spoke with Andrea today, she seemed to understand my concerns, saying
that they make sense.  She and I also talked about the fact that Amazon
needs to make the Kindle 2 itself accessible--controls, menus, and all
operational features must be accessible for independent use by blind people.
 
Thank you very much for your attention to and consideration of my concerns.
I believe that if the Kindle 2 is made totally accessible to people who
can't read print, All of us--authors and readers--will be winners.
 
Deborah Prost



From dandrews at visi.com  Wed Apr 15 09:36:43 2009
From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews)
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2009 04:36:43 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Baltimore Sun Op-Ed Piece from Dr. Maurer on Kindle
Message-ID: <auto-000094051322@mailfront1.g2host.com>

FYI.  from the Baltimore Sun


http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.blind14apr14,0,2676842.story 


Bias against blind book lovers
By Marc Maurer
April 14, 2009

I love to read, and I've been doing it ever since I was able. My wife 
is also an avid reader. But my wife and I are blind, and because I 
lead the Baltimore-based
National Federation of the Blind, we have many blind friends. And 
although many of us read everything we can get our hands on, we can't 
get our hands on
very much to read.

There are services for us, of course. Government entities and 
nonprofit organizations convert books into Braille, audio, or digital 
form for our use. But
only 5 percent of all books published undergo such a conversion. A 
few more are available as commercial audio books, but these are often 
abridged, and
those that are unabridged are quite expensive.

Nowadays, a solution to the problem of reading material is 
tantalizingly within our reach: the e-book. When Amazon released its 
new Kindle 2 e-book reader
earlier this year, it announced that the device now includes 
text-to-speech software and can read e-books aloud. Those of us who 
are blind were filled
with joy at this news. For the first time in history, it would now be 
possible, we hoped, for the blind to do something that everyone else 
takes for granted:
purchase a brand new book and start reading it right away.

Our hope quickly turned to despair, however - and then to anger. The 
Authors Guild doesn't want the Kindle 2 to be able to read books 
aloud. They say this
new capability violates authors' copyrights. This argument has 
absolutely no basis in copyright law. Reading a print book aloud or 
having it read aloud
to you in the privacy of your home is not a copyright violation; the 
only difference with the Kindle 2 is that a machine rather than a 
human being is doing
the reading.

In the face of this specious attack from the Authors Guild, Amazon 
initially took the legally and morally correct position that the 
text-to-speech feature
of the Kindle 2 did not violate copyright law. But then the company 
backed down, saying it would allow authors and publishers to decide 
which books they
would permit to be read aloud by the device. Dismayed, we contacted 
the Authors Guild. It claimed it did not oppose having e-books read 
aloud to the blind,
as long as there was a national registry of blind people who would 
then be allowed to unlock the text-to-speech feature.

This is wrong. The Authors Guild has no right to discriminate against 
disabled readers by segregating us into a separate and unequal class. 
If our sighted
friends don't have to "sign up" to be permitted to read, then blind 
people shouldn't either. And once we buy a book, how we read it is 
nobody's business
but ours. When we told the Authors Guild this, they added insult to 
injury by telling us that, if we wouldn't sign up for a registry, we 
would just have
to pay extra in order to use text-to-speech. Needless to say, this is 
outrageous and reprehensible behavior from an organization of people 
who claim to
support equal access to literature by all Americans. Instead of 
facilitating the free flow of information, the Authors Guild is 
making itself the arbiter
of who is worthy of access to the printed word.

The Authors Guild isn't just discriminating against blind people. 
People with other disabilities - especially brain injuries and 
conditions like dyslexia
- would also benefit from the ability to have books read aloud to 
them electronically. Groups representing many of these people are 
joining us to protest
the position of the Authors Guild and Amazon's craven response to it.

At present, very few of us buy books in any form. If we could have 
e-books read aloud to us, however, we would happily pay for them. We 
are an untapped
market consisting of some 15 million people to which authors and 
publishers have never before had direct access. For this reason, the 
position of the Authors
Guild is not only morally repugnant but also bad business. 
Prohibiting the blind and others from reading commercially available 
e-books just means that
authors and publishers won't get our money. The guild's position 
hurts both authors and people with print disabilities.

In an age when how we get information is constantly and rapidly 
changing, it's important that people with disabilities have access to 
it in the same way
that it is important for us to have access to physical structures, 
goods and services. Amazon took an important step in the right 
direction by including
a read-aloud feature on the Kindle 2, but the Authors Guild is now 
trying to set us back. We are not going to allow them to stand in the 
doorway of the
virtual bookstore to keep us out.

Marc Maurer is president of the National Federation of the Blind. His 
e-mail is
officeofthepresident at nfb.org.




From fschroeder at sks.com  Thu Apr 16 10:57:43 2009
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:57:43 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] FW: National Federation of the Blind to Present
	Second Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium
Message-ID: <F76C5EBFEDBC4D129F63186D477487A7@Fredricslaptop>

 

  _____  

From: Freeh, Jessica [mailto:JFreeh at nfb.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 9:21 AM
To: Alpidio Rolon; Amy Buresh; Anil Lewis; Art Schreiber; Beth Rival; Bob
Kresmer; Carl Jacobsen; Cathy Jackson; Charlene Smyth; Christine G. Hall;
Daniel Burke; David Ticchi; Don Galloway; Donna Wood; Elsie Lamp; Frank Lee;
Franklin Shiner; Fred Schroeder; Fred Wurtzel; Gary Ray; Gary Wunder; J.W.
Smith; James Antonacci; James Broadnax; Jennelle Bichler; Jennifer Dunnam;
Jerree Harris; Joe Ruffalo; John Batron; John Fritz; Joyce Scanlan; Kathy
Davis; Ken Rollman; Kevan Worley; Marie Johnson; Mary Willows; Melissa
Riccobono; Michael Barber; Michael Freeman; Nani Fife; Pam Allen; Parnell
Diggs; Patti Chang; Richard Bennett; Richard Gaffney; Ron Brown; Ron
Gardner; Sam Gleese; Scott LaBarre; Selena Sundling-Crawford; Steven
Priddle; Terri Rupp; Tommy Craig
Subject: National Federation of the Blind to Present Second Jacobus tenBroek
Disability Law Symposium



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 to Present 
Second Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium


Kareem Dale, President Obama's Special Assistant for Disability Policy, 
to Address Gathering and Field Questions


 

Baltimore, Maryland (April 15, 2009): The National Federation of the Blind
(NFB) will present the second Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium on
April 17, 2009, at the NFB Jernigan Institute in Baltimore.  The symposium,
entitled "New Perspectives on Disability Law: Advancing the Right to Live in
the World" and named for NFB founder and pioneering legal scholar Dr.
Jacobus tenBroek (1911-1968), will gather public officials, legal scholars,
and disability rights advocates for a full-day seminar on the state of
disability law in the United States and the world and will discuss how
disability rights may be advanced in the future.  Kareem Dale, special
assistant for disability policy to United States President Barack Obama,
will make a presentation to the gathering.  Mr. Dale will speak on the Obama
administration's policies on disability issues for approximately thirty
minutes followed by a forty-five minute question and answer session.  

 

"Our first Jacobus tenBroek symposium was a stunning success, and we are
looking forward to once again hosting leading players and thinkers in the
disability community," said Dr. Marc Maurer, an attorney and President of
the National Federation of the Blind.   "Disability law is rapidly changing
at the national and international level, and this forum will provide an
opportunity for everyone to assess developments and plan strategies in this
dynamic and critically important field." 

 

Other presenters at the 2009 symposium include Professor Gerard Quinn,
National University of Ireland, Galway; Assistant Attorney General Maura
Healey, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Professor Samuel Bagenstos, UCLA
School of Law; and Professor Peter Blanck, Burton Blatt Institute at
Syracuse University.

 

Dr. Jacobus tenBroek was a constitutional law scholar, a blind professor at
Berkeley, and an author of treatises on the Fourteenth Amendment and social
welfare.  Dr. tenBroek created the concept that civil rights should apply to
disabled Americans, and he published extensively on the application of the
law to those with disabilities.  His efforts to advance civil rights for the
blind and others with disabilities included drafting the Model White Cane
Law, which has had a profound influence on the development of civil rights
laws for the disabled throughout the United States, and publishing
authoritative articles like "The Right to Live in the World: The Disabled in
the Law of Torts."

 

For more information about the National Federation of the Blind, please
visit www.nfb.org <http://www.nfb.org/> .  

 

###

 



From fschroeder at sks.com  Thu Apr 16 10:48:24 2009
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:48:24 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] SSA Hiring Initiative: Free Teleconference
Message-ID: <1CCEDCB1D1794B30875707D58F409607@Fredricslaptop>

FYI

 

SSA Hiring Initiative: Free Teleconference

Tuesday, April 21, 2009 1:00-2:30pm EST

 

 

Ticket to Work Colleagues and Partners,

 

The Social Security Administration recently received funding to hire a
significant number of employees throughout the country.  This hiring
initiative offers a unique opportunity for individuals with disabilities who
may want to get a job with SSA.  These jobs will be at various skill levels
including a number of entry-level positions. 

 

SSA will be holding a national teleconference on this issue specifically for
Employment Networks, State Vocational Rehabilitation Staff and others who
help people with disabilities go to work on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 from
1:00 to 2:30 PM EST.  This session will build upon an earlier Webinar and
provide more details regarding the initiative.  A guest speaker from the
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will also discuss the Schedule A
Hiring Authority.  Please visit  <http://www.cessi.net/ttw>
www.cessi.net/ttw to register for the teleconference.

 

What kinds of jobs is SSA offering?

SSA is recruiting employees to work in field offices and teleservice centers
where they will assist the public by phone and in person with a wide variety
of program related activities such as filing claims, applying for new or
replacement Social Security cards and other types of inquiries.  SSA also is
recruiting employees to work in Program Service Centers where they will
process claims and to work in hearings offices in legal and paralegal
positions.

 

Where are these jobs located?

All across the United States; for example, some are in the 1,300 local SSA
field offices or SSA hearings offices, some in the 37 teleservice centers
nationwide, some in SSA's 6 program service centers and some at SSA
headquarters in the Baltimore area.

 

How will SSA recruit?

SSA will use a variety of avenues to recruit and hire people with
disabilities. In particular, the Agency is reaching out to Ticket to Work
Ticket Holders who are trying to return to work, veterans with disabilities
through programs such as the Wounded Warrior transitional program, and
students with disabilities.  Many individuals with disabilities will qualify
for consideration under a special placement authority called "Schedule A."

 

How can I tell if an individual is eligible for Schedule A? 

A person is Schedule A eligible if s/he has documentation establishing both
a disability and "job readiness."

 

Who can provide this documentation?

o        Proof of a disability can be provided by a licensed medical
professional or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District
of Columbia or a US territory that issues or provides disability benefits.
A recent benefit status letter is acceptable from a Social Security
Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income disability beneficiary.

o        Proof of job readiness can be provided by a licensed vocational
rehabilitation specialist working with a State Vocational Rehabilitation
agency or an Employment Network under the Ticket to Work program.

 

What is the next step?

o        To register for the April 21 teleconference, please visit
<http://www.cessi.net/ttw> www.cessi.net/ttw and select the "SSA Hiring"
icon.

o        For more information and resources about this hiring opportunity,
please visit  <http://www.cessi.net/ttw/SSAHires/index.html>
www.cessi.net/ttw/SSAHires/index.html

o        Please send resumes and documentation for Schedule A eligibility to
Selective.Placement.Applications at ssa.gov

 

 



From fschroeder at sks.com  Fri Apr 17 14:46:34 2009
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:46:34 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] FW: LA Times Festival of Books
Message-ID: <16B2322756E842589E3BE28E1395A959@Fredricslaptop>

 

  _____  

From: Danielsen, Chris [mailto:CDanielsen at nfb.org] 
Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 8:18 AM
To: Alpidio Rolon; Amy Buresh; Anil Lewis; Art Schreiber; Beth Rival; Bob
Kresmer; Carl Jacobsen; Cathy Jackson; Charlene Smyth; Christine G. Hall;
Daniel Burke; David Ticchi; Don Galloway; Donna Wood; Elsie Lamp; Frank Lee;
Franklin Shiner; Fred Schroeder; Fred Wurtzel; Gary Ray; Gary Wunder; J.W.
Smith; James Antonacci; James Broadnax; Jennelle Bichler; Jennifer Dunnam;
Jerree Harris; Joe Ruffalo; John Batron; John Fritz; Joyce Scanlan; Kathy
Davis; Ken Rollman; Kevan Worley; Marie Johnson; Mary Willows; Melissa
Riccobono; Michael Barber; Michael Freeman; Nani Fife; Pam Allen; Parnell
Diggs; Patti Chang; Richard Bennett; Richard Gaffney; Ron Brown; Ron
Gardner; Sam Gleese; Scott LaBarre; Selena Sundling-Crawford; Steven
Priddle; Terri Rupp; Tommy Craig
Subject: LA Times Festival of Books


Dear Fellow Federationists:

 

The Reading Rights Coalition, led by the National Federation of the Blind,
is scheduled to participate in the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.  The
coalition will have a table set up in one of the festival's exhibit areas so
that we may provide the reading and publishing communities with information
about our concerns regarding the threatened "turning off" of text-to-speech
in books available for Amazon's Kindle 2 electronic reading device. The
festival, the largest book fair in the world, will take place on the campus
of the University of California at Los Angeles from April 25-26.  If you
would like to help with our exhibit, please contact Ann-Marie Laney by
calling (410) 659-9314, extension 2219, or e-mail her at
<mailto:alaney at nfb.org> alaney at nfb.org.  Please join us in our continuing
efforts to ensure that everyone has access to e-books. 

 
 
 


From CDanielsen at nfb.org  Sat Apr 18 04:48:24 2009
From: CDanielsen at nfb.org (Danielsen, Chris)
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 23:48:24 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Los Angeles Festival of Books
Message-ID: <auto-000097939206@mailfront2.g2host.com>


Dear Fellow Federationists:


The Reading Rights Coalition, led by the National Federation of the 
Blind, is scheduled to participate in the Los Angeles Times Festival 
of Books.  The coalition will have a table set up in one of the 
festival's exhibit areas so that we may provide the reading and 
publishing communities with information about our concerns regarding 
the threatened "turning off" of text-to-speech in books available for 
Amazon's Kindle 2 electronic reading device. The festival, the 
largest book fair in the world, will take place on the campus of the 
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = 
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />University of 
California at Los Angeles from April 25-26.  If you would like to 
help with our exhibit, please contact Ann-Marie Laney by calling 
(410) 659-9314, extension 2219, or e-mail her at 
<mailto:alaney at nfb.org>alaney at nfb.org.  Please join us in our 
continuing efforts to ensure that everyone has access to e-books.



From albertsanchez at suddenlink.net  Sat Apr 18 04:50:57 2009
From: albertsanchez at suddenlink.net (Albert Sanchez)
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 23:50:57 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] We invite you to join us at a Memorial Service
 Honoring the life of Paul Kay
Message-ID: <auto-000097939271@mailfront2.g2host.com>

Dear Federation Friends,
I recently received the following message regarding a memorial 
service for Paul Kay and I am forwarding it for your information 
since many on this list knew him.

Yours in Federationism,
Albert Sanchez
Al's Piano Tuning & Repair
215 John Avenue
Greenville, NC 27858-4113
252-757-3023
----- Original Message -----
From: LPovinelli at aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 2009 11:00 PM
Subject: We invite you to join us at a Memorial Service Honoring the 
life of Paul Kay


We invite you to join us
at a Memorial Service
Honoring the life of

Paul Edward Kay

Sunday, May 17, 2009
at three o'clock in the afternoon
Temple Adas Israel
2850 Quebec Street, Northwest
Washington, D.C. 20008

Elizabeth Kay Goldstein & Lawrence Povinelli

RSVP by Friday, May 8, 2009
(703) 969-6476 or via email at lpovinelli at aol.comm




From qmsingleton at comcast.net  Sun Apr 19 18:25:21 2009
From: qmsingleton at comcast.net (Quintina M. Singleton)
Date: Sun, 19 Apr 2009 13:25:21 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] NAGDU on Thruoureyes
Message-ID: <auto-000094712249@mailfront1.g2host.com>


The next "Thruoureyes with Joe Ruffalo" live internet radio show is 
scheduled for

Wednesday April  22, 2009

  at

8:00 PM EST.

Mr. Ruffalo will be interviewing National Association of Guide Dog 
Users (NAGDU) president, Marion Gwizdala.

NAGDU's current initiatives  and legislative  issues related to 
service animals are some of the topics that will be discussed

on the evening's program.

I invite you to visit

<http://www.thruoureyes>www.thruoureyes.org

  or to

hear the program live via telephone dial 201 793 9022 with the access code:

2400484.

To phone in live during the show to ask a question use:

1 888 572 0141

Thruoureyes is also pleased to announce the new Thruoureyes JAWS 
page.  This page lists scheduled shows

for the month, topics, and listen/download capability. the link is:

<http://www.thruoureyes>www.thruoureyes.org/jaws.html


From m.barber at mchsi.com  Sun Apr 19 21:57:11 2009
From: m.barber at mchsi.com (Michael D. Barber)
Date: Sun, 19 Apr 2009 16:57:11 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Iowa Pocket Pledge
Message-ID: <auto-000094720924@mailfront1.g2host.com>


Iowa Pocket Pledge

How many of us have memorized the NFB Pledge?  How many of us still 
stumble through the pledge?  Oh, don't raise your hands.
I am pleased to announce that the National Federation of the Blind of 
Iowa will have available at our affiliate table at the NFB convention 
in Detroit a small plastic card, developed by our own Sarah 
Cranston,  containing the NFB Pledge.  Because we are celebrating the 
200th anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille, and because we are 
totally committed to the Braille literacy program of the National 
Federation of the Blind, the pledge appears in Braille and can be 
carried in your pocket, your purse, your note taker case, or wherever 
you like.  Oh, and did I say they are free?
The pledge cards are free and can be picked up at our table in the 
Exhibit Hall.  Oh, and while you're at our table, please avail 
yourselves of the opportunity to pick up one or several pairs of our 
famous Iowa stainless-steel folding scissors, which are $5 a 
pair.  You always need a pair of good scissors, and they make 
excellent stocking-stuffers at Christmas time.

See you in Detroit.  Oh, and don't forget to register for the March 
For Independence.  I've already raised $700.

Cordially,
Michael D. Barber, president
National Federation of the Blind of Iowa
<mailto:m.barber at mchsi.com>m.barber at mchsi.com
(515) 771-8348



From dandrews at visi.com  Tue Apr 21 02:03:47 2009
From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews)
Date: Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:03:47 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] How to Buy Braille Coins
Message-ID: <auto-000098240200@mailfront2.g2host.com>


Dick Davis, from our Minnesota Affiliate has written some 
instructions on ordering Louis Braille Commemorative Coins from the 
U.S. Mint.  The price of the coins goes up on Monday April 27th
so buy now!

Dave

How to order Braille coins from the U.S. Mint

Online:
Go to: catalog.usmint.gov
In left hand column select commemoratives.
3 choices: proof, uncirculated, uncirculated with easy open capsule
Select your choice and order.

By phone:
Call 800-872-6468 (800-usa-mint)

Prices before and after 5 p.m. EDT on 4/27:
Uncirculated with (or without) easy open capsule: before - $31.95 
after - $33.95
Proof: before - $37.95 after - $41.95
Shipping costs - about $5.00


From JFreeh at nfb.org  Tue Apr 21 23:14:51 2009
From: JFreeh at nfb.org (Freeh,
	Jessica)
Date: Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:14:51 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Reading Rights Coalition to Participate in LA Times
 Festival of Books
Message-ID: <auto-000095103272@mailfront1.g2host.com>



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

  Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, ext. 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org



Reading Rights Coalition to
Participate in LA Times Festival of Books


Readers with Print Disabilities Will Urge Authors
  to Allow Everyone Access to E-books



Los Angeles, California (April 21, 2009): The 
Reading Rights Coalition will participate in the 
LA Times Festival of Books to educate authors 
about the need to enable text-to-speech for books 
available for Amazon?s Kindle 2 reading 
device.  The LA Times Festival of Books will take 
place April 25?26 at the University of California 
at Los Angeles and the Reading Rights Coalition 
will be in booth #207 located in zone B.  The 
coalition includes the blind, people with 
dyslexia, people with learning or processing 
issues, seniors losing vision, people with spinal 
cord injuries, people recovering from strokes, 
and many others for whom the addition of 
text-to-speech on the Kindle 2 promises for the 
first time easy, mainstream access to over 260,000 books.



Deborah Kent, who is blind and has written over 
one hundred books for children and young adults, 
said: ?As both a blind person and a writer, I 
understand the importance of access to books for 
people of all ages and using all kinds of reading 
methods.  The inclusion of text-to-speech in 
e-books for the Kindle 2 will help many young 
people with print disabilities to gain access to 
books, thereby ensuring that they will receive an equal education.?



Randy Shaw, who will be speaking at the Book 
Festival about his new book, Beyond the 
Fields:  Cesar Chavez, the UFW, and the Struggle 
for Justice in the 21st Century and is the author 
of The Activist?s Handbook, said: ?As a writer, I 
see e-books not as a potential threat to my 
rights but as a way for my work to reach a 
broader market.  Readers who have never purchased 
books before because they were inaccessible will 
now join the book-buying public, increasing the 
revenue and reach of writers on every subject and in every literary genre.?



Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National 
Federation of the Blind, said: ?The issue of 
text-to-speech in e-books for the Kindle 2 is not 
one of copyrights but of civil rights.  The 
Reading Rights Coalition stands for the principle 
that when an individual has lawfully purchased an 
e-book, he or she should be able to read it in 
whatever medium is most suitable for him or 
her.  This principle advances the work of writers 
rather than taking rights away from them, and it 
allows people for whom reading was either an 
impossibility or a chore to join the mainstream 
of society.  We hope to persuade our friends in 
the literary community that it is in their best 
interest to make their books available with 
text-to-speech, but in any event we will not stop 
our campaign until everyone has access to e-books.?



For more information about the Reading Rights 
Coalition, please visit 
<http://www.readingrights.org/>www.readingrights.org. 
To sign our petition, go to 
<http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/We-Want-To-Read>http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/We-Want-To-Read. 
If you are an author who supports our cause, 
please send your contact information to 
<mailto:readingrights at nfb.org>readingrights at nfb.org.



From JWilson at nfb.org  Sat Apr 25 03:44:07 2009
From: JWilson at nfb.org (Wilson,
	Joanne)
Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:44:07 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] White Cane Program
Message-ID: <auto-000095656176@mailfront1.g2host.com>


Free White Cane Message

      If you have received a cane through our Free White Cane 
Program, then this message is for you!  We are preparing outreach 
materials, and would like a few quotes describing how you felt about 
getting your free cane.  Whether this was your first cane, or if 
you're an experienced cane user, we want to hear what you have to 
say.  For many, the White Cane is a symbol of independence, 
self-sufficiency, and freedom.  Please take a moment to tell us in a 
paragraph or two what the cane you received through the Free White 
Cane Program means to you.  Please e-mail your comments to 
<mailto:jwilson at nfb.org>jwilson at nfb.org.

Thanks,
Joanne Wilson
Affiliate Action Executive Director
410-659-9314 extension 2335
jwilson at nfb.org
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From fschroeder at sks.com  Mon Apr 27 12:34:24 2009
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:34:24 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Service Dogs in MD, Washington D.C,
	and VA get free eye exams - deadline April 29th
Message-ID: <CE0B96C5382E4C319130A7113BB0AB9F@Fredricslaptop>

 FYI
 
 From: Kelly Farnan [mailto:kelly at fetchingcommunications.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 5:16 PM
To: 
Subject: Service Dogs in MD, Washington D.C, and VA get free eye exams -
deadline April 29th

 

Please help us spread the word to your community.  We need to reach all
qualified service dogs (police dogs, seeing eye dogs, civilian service dogs,
etc) for this free, non-profit event.  Thank you! 

For Immediate Release
April 21, 2009

SERVICE DOGS IN VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON, D.C. AND MARYLAND RECEIVE FREE EYE
EXAMS IN MAY
<http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/3617/servicedogsearchandresc.jpg> 

Participants Must Register By April 29th

Fairfax, VA - Dr. Nancy Bromberg and SouthPaws Veterinary Specialists &
Emergency Center in Fairfax, VA is teaming up with The American College of
Veterinary OphthalmologistsR (ACVO) to take part in the ACVO/MerialR
National Service Dog Eye Exam event, May 4 - 8, 2009.  This event will
provide free sight-saving eye exams to service dogs in Virginia, Washington
D.C., Maryland and beyond.  Registration ends April 29th.

How to Register
In order to qualify, dogs must be active "working dogs," certified by a
formal training program or organization or currently enrolled in a formal
training program.  The certifying organization could be national, regional
or local in nature.

*Specific service groups are listed on the website at
<http://www.acvoeyeexam.org/> www.acvoeyeexam.org.
<http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/8176/drbrombergservicedog.jpg> 

*Owners/agents for the dog(s) must first register online at
<http://www.acvoeyeexam.org/> www.acvoeyeexam.org.

*Once registered, the owner/agent can contact SouthPaws Veterinary
Specialists & Emergency Center to schedule an appointment.  The SouthPaws
phone number is: 703-752-9100.

*Registration Ends April 29th

This will be the second year SouthPaws has participated in this national
event.  Last year, more than 1,500 service dogs were examined across the
U.S. and Canada, by more than 150 board certified veterinary
ophthalmologists.  "I feel it's really important for us to give back to the
dogs that do so much for us," according to Dr. Nancy Bromberg, Board
Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist at SouthPaws.  "These dogs make such a
difference in people's lives.  During these exams, we are able to detect a
number of issues including: lesions or growths of the eyelid that could
damage the cornea, inherited problems of the cornea, cataracts, retinal
disease and more.  It's a complete ocular exam."

Media Opportunities
The media is invited to interview Dr. Nancy Bromberg and take video/photos
of patients undergoing exams, both in advance of the exams and during the
exams. Please contact Kelly Farnan at 727-709-5252 or
<mailto:Kelly at FetchingCommunications.com> Kelly at FetchingCommunications.com. 

About SouthPaws Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Center
SouthPaws Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Center is a member of the
BrightHeart Veterinary Network.  BrightHeart is the national network of
advanced-care veterinary facilities that works closely with referring
veterinarians to ensure the delivery of the highest standards for diagnostic
and therapeutic pet care.  For more information about SouthPaws, visit
<http://www.southpaws.com/> www.southpaws.com. For more information about
BrightHeart Veterinary Centers, visit  <http://www.brightheartvet.com/>
www.brightheartvet.com.

To learn more about and register for ACVO's National Service Dog Eye Exam
Day, please visit  <http://www.acvoeyeexam.org/> www.ACVOeyeexam.org.

 

If you would rather not receive future email messages from BrightHeart
Veterinary Centers, let us know by clicking here.
<http://vocuspr.vocus.com/VocusPR30/OptOut.aspx?516948x25651x25365x1x3648941
x24000x6> 
BrightHeart Veterinary Centers, 80 Business Park Drive Suite 110, Armonk, NY
10504 United States



From outreach at nfb.org  Tue Apr 28 01:18:47 2009
From: outreach at nfb.org (Kevan Worley)
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:18:47 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Make A Promise - Change A Life With A Dollar
Message-ID: <auto-000096110976@mailfront1.g2host.com>





Did you know?

YOU
can
change a life
with a
promise
and a
dollar?





The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Imagination Fund is 
launching a mini March for Independence campaign to support our 
Braille literacy initiatives, local and national outreach efforts, 
and the educational programs of the NFB Jernigan Institute.

How it works:

When you JOIN the
Every Member, Every Friend Match Campaign
you PROMISE to support the campaign with a $120 PROMISE
(a dollar a day or $30 per month for the next four months)
paid in
flexible (options everyone can afford)
automatic monthly installments
deducted from your checking account or billed to your credit card.


Then:


YOU get just ONE OTHER PERSON to MATCH your PROMISE with the same
flexible, personalized, automatic payment schedule.


What Do You Get?

When you make a promise and get only ONE match, we'll throw in your 
March for Independence t-shirt!

More matches will get additional March incentives!

Many of us have not yet started fundraising for the March for Independence!

NOW IS THE TIME!

DON'T DELAY!

  <http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=MatQBEo3yZwl1pCU6TDNtA..>JOIN 
THE CAMPAIGN NOW!



<http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=ZK8uZ0vbgOe60vi4RFkCLw..>I'd 
like MORE INFORMATION




From LPovinelli at aol.com  Tue Apr 28 02:53:01 2009
From: LPovinelli at aol.com (LPovinelli at aol.com)
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:53:01 EDT
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Alease Vandevander - Passed away on Friday, April 24
Message-ID: <c6d.4b1865a0.3727c98d@aol.com>

    Alease  Vandevander    Alease  B. Vandevander PORTSMOUTH - Alease 
Bailey Vandevander, 68, died April 24,  2009. Mrs. Vandevander, a native of 
Portsmouth, was a retired assembly  line worker from Virga's Pizza Crust. She was 
a member of Portsmouth  Assembly of God and the National Federation of the 
Blind. She was  predeceased by a sister, Helen Skinner and a brother, Dr. 
George Bailey.  Survivors include her husband, Harry Robert Vandevander; a 
son, James  Matthew Vandevander of Norfolk; two sisters, Betty Cotton and 
husband  Rufus "Buddy" of Greensboro, N.C., Linda Bailey Kauffman and husband 
Mick  of Chesapeake; and three grandchildren. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m.  
Tuesday in Portsmouth Assembly of God, 912 Elmhurst Lane, Portsmouth, by  
the Rev. Homer L. Peterson. Burial will follow in Olive Branch Cemetery.  The 
family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday at Foster Funeral  
Home, Portsmouth. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to  the 
National Federation of the Blind, Tidewater Chapter, 736 Princess Anne  Road, 
W. Unit No. 1, Norfolk, VA  23517.

**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy 
steps! 
(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220572846x1201387511/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=62&bcd=
Aprilfooter427NO62)


From dkent5817 at worldnet.att.net  Wed Apr 29 18:43:40 2009
From: dkent5817 at worldnet.att.net (Deborah Kent Stein)
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:43:40 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Fw: Looking for Stories about Inspiring Individuals
Message-ID: <auto-000099620600@mailfront2.g2host.com>


Hi, Dave,

Please post this to the NFB lists.  It might be 
an opportunity for one or more Federationists to 
receive some well-deserved recognition and to 
spread the word about the abilities and achievements of blind people.

Thanks!

Debbie

_______________

Looking for Stories about Inspiring Individuals

Who do you know that deserves recognition for 
their efforts, sacrifices, and service to others? 
We are compiling stories in an upcoming book 
about individuals whose selfless devotion and 
accomplishments are inspiring, and whose enduring 
commitment is making this world a better place.

Please tell us:

?         What did this person accomplish or is 
currently doing that you feel has made a difference for the better?

?         Was there a specific incident or 
turning point that compelled him or her to take action?

?         Is there anything else that you can 
tell us that makes him/her exceptional or unique?



YOUR INFORMATION:

Name:

Email address:

Phone:



YOUR NOMINEE?S INFORMATION:

Name:

Email address:

Phone:

Website:


The deadline to send us information is June 1, 
2009. We hope to hear from you soon.



Sincerely,



Katie Rountree <mailto:russtree at aol.com>russtree at aol.com

and

Jody Feagan <mailto:jodyville at yahoo.com>jodyville at yahoo.com

Jody Feagan
Founder/Director
San Miguel Writers' Conference & Workshops
<http://www.sanmiguelworkshops.com>www.sanmiguelworkshops.com
US Phone:  323/306/4068
Local # in San Miguel de Allende (Mexico):  152-0478



From braille at nbpcb.org  Wed Apr 29 20:50:11 2009
From: braille at nbpcb.org (Braille Certification)
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:50:11 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Braille Certification Announcement
Message-ID: <auto-000099646986@mailfront2.g2host.com>

Hello Dave,

The announcement which appears below and the attached document are to 
announce that testing for the National Certification in Literary 
Braille has been scheduled for Austin, Texas, Detroit, Michigan, 
Orangeburg, New York, and Albuquerque, New Mexico.


National Blindness Professional Certification Board

would like to announce

that the

NATIONAL CERTIFICATION IN LITERARY BRAILLE (NCLB)

will be held on the following dates and locations:


Austin,
Texas

Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center
Friday, June 12,  2009
8:00am-5:00pm
Detroit,
Michigan

Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center
Saturday & Sunday, July 4-5,  2009
1:00pm-5:00pm
Orangeburg,
New York

Dominican College
Sunday, July 12,  2009
8:00am-5:00pm
Albuquerque,
New Mexico

Albuquerque Grand Airport Hotel
Saturday, Sept. 26,  2009
8:00am-5:00pm


A combined application/testing fee of $250 applies. For updates, 
application deadlines, and to apply online go to:


www.nbpcb.org/pages/announcements



For additional information, please visit the NBPCB website at: 
<http://www.nbpcb.org/>www.nbpcb.org, or contact Louise Walch, NBPCB 
Coordinator,
at (318) 257-4554 or 
<http://mail.nbpcb.org/src/compose.php?send_to=braille%40nbpcb.org>braille at nbpcb.org.

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