From john_bailey17 at hotmail.com  Thu Feb  3 14:45:34 2011
From: john_bailey17 at hotmail.com (John Bailey)
Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2011 09:45:34 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] blindness defined
In-Reply-To: <00ec01cbbd93$b28390c0$178ab240$@com>
References: <00ec01cbbd93$b28390c0$178ab240$@com>
Message-ID: <BLU141-DS13DDD482602C15FFE7C3218FE70@phx.gbl>

As a chapter President who works with members of my local community, I am
often asked how do I define my vision. Do I call myself blind, visually
handicapped, etc. Below is an excerpt from an article from the NFB that
might help clear up some of these definitions you or the public might have. 

This is a great item to bring to chapter meetings to get a discussion going.

http://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/Publications/fr/fr1/Issue4/f010406.html

Future Reflections July 1982, Vol. 1 No. 4 


Myths and Facts About Blindness
Visually impaired, partially sighted, visually disabled, visually
handicapped, low vision, partially blind, visually limited, sightless . . .
blind.

The list of terms used to describe our children's vision seems endless and
often confusing. It seems that every book and professional journal about
blindness, and every special teaching program, teacher, and rehabilitation
counselor of the blind have their own set of terms with their own set of
definitions.

Of course, in one sense it is necessary and appropriate that we have words
which we can use when we need to easily and quickly indicate we are talking
about someone with usable vision.

However, the proliferation of these terms goes beyond this need and has
become a way to avoid at all costs the word "blind". This tendency is one
indication of some very harmful myths about blindness.

We will deal directly with some of those myths in our next issue. In this
issue, we will lay the groundwork, so to speak, by defining what we mean by
"blindness". Dr. Jernigan has given, I believe, the best possible definition
in his article "A Definition of Blindness". The following is an excerpt from
the article. The complete article may be obtained free by writing to:
National Federation of the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230.

>From "A Definition of Blindness"

Before we can talk intelligently about the problems of blindness or the
potentialities of blind people, we must have a workable definition of
blindness. Most of us are likely familiar with the generally accepted legal
definition: visual acuity of not greater than 20/200 in the better eye with
correction or a field not subtending an angle greater than 20 degrees. But
this is not really a satisfactory definition. It is, rather, a way of
recognizing in medical and measurable terms something which must be defined
not medically or physically but functionally.

In my way of thinking . . . one is blind to the extent that he must devise
alternative techniques to do efficiently those things which he would do with
sight if he had normal vision. An individual may properly be said to be
"blind" or a "blind person" when he has to devise so many alternative
techniques-that is, if he is to function efficiently-that his pattern of
daily living is substantially altered. It will be observed that I say
alternative not substitute techniques, for the word substitute connotes
inferiority, and the alternative techniques employed by the blind person
need not be inferior to visual techniques. In fact, some of them are
superior. The usually accepted legal definition of blindness already given
(that is, visual acuity of less than 20/200 with correction or a field of
less than 20 degrees) is simply one medical way of measuring and recognizing
that anyone with better vision than the amount mentioned in the definition
will (although he may have to devise some alternative techniques) likely not
have to devise so many such techniques as to alter substantially his
patterns of daily living. On the other hand, anyone with less vision than
that mentioned in the legal definition will usually (I emphasize the word
usually, for such is not always the case) need to devise so many such
alternative techniques as to alter quite substantially his patterns of daily
living.

First, what of the person who has light perception but sees little or
nothing else? In at least one situation he can function as a sighted person.
If, before going to bed, he wishes to know whether the lights are out in his
home, he can simply walk through the house and "see". If he did not have
light perception, he would have to use some alternative technique-touch the
bulb, tell by the position of the switch, have some sighted person give him
the information, or devise some other method. However, this person is still
quite properly referred to as a blind person. This one visual technique
which he uses is such a small part of his overall pattern of daily living as
to be negligible in the total picture. The patterns of his daily living are
substantially altered. In the main he employs alternative techniques to do
those things which he would do with sight if he had normal vision- that is,
he does if he functions efficiently.

Next, let us consider the person who has normal vision acuity but cannot
hold his eyes open because of his sensitivity to light. He must devise
alternative techniques to do anything which he would do with sight if he had
normal vision. He is quite properly considered to be a "blind person".

Finally, what of the sighted person who is put into a vault which has no
light? Even though he can see nothing at all, he is still quite properly
considered to be a "sighted person." He uses the same techniques that any
other sighted person would use in a similar situation. There are no visual
techniques which can be used in such circumstances. In fact, if a blind
person found himself in such a situation, he might very well have a variety
of techniques.

I repeat that in my opinion, blindness can best be defined not physically or
medically but functionally or sociologically. The alternative techniques
which must be learned are the same for those born blind as for those who
become blind as adults. They are quite similar (or should be) for those who
are totally blind or nearly so and those who are "partially sighted" and yet
are blind in terms of the usually accepted legal definition. In other words,
I believe that the complex distinctions which are often made between those
who have partial sight and those who are totally blind, between those who
have been blind from childhood and those who have become blind as adults are
largely meaningless. In fact, they are often harmful since they place the
wrong emphasis on blindness and its problems. Perhaps the greatest danger in
the field of work for the blind today is the tendency to be hypnotized by
jargon. 





From john_bailey17 at hotmail.com  Fri Feb  4 15:39:44 2011
From: john_bailey17 at hotmail.com (John Bailey)
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 10:39:44 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Remembering the milestones as the NFB moves
	forward- A History
In-Reply-To: <BLU141-DS13DDD482602C15FFE7C3218FE70@phx.gbl>
References: <00ec01cbbd93$b28390c0$178ab240$@com>
	<BLU141-DS13DDD482602C15FFE7C3218FE70@phx.gbl>
Message-ID: <BLU141-DS7E4CB0934AA3697A16AC88FE60@phx.gbl>

Hello All,
In the last few years, the blind In our country have achieved so much in
terms of equal access to education, employment, and public acceptance. The
future looks even brighter as the NFB continues the movement toward
increased opportunities for the blind.

In order to truly appreciate what we all have been able to accomplish
together, it is a good idea to look back and remind ourselves of the way
things used to be not so long ago. There was a time when sheltered workshops
were the norm for employment and the state organization of the blind had a
say in whom you could marry or you could risk losing your job and your
benefits.

As part of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia's fiftieth
Anniversary in 2008, our First Vice President Seville Allen created a
document chronicling the hurdles we have overcome in Virginia and those
blind leaders who paved the way for our organization.

Attached is the document Seville wrote. It should be read by anyone who has
shared in the social and economic benefits spearheaded by the largest
consumer organization of the blind in the country-- the NFB.

John Bailey
Membership Committee Chair
John_bailey17 at hotmail.com

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From fschroeder at sks.com  Fri Feb  4 19:15:30 2011
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Fri, 04 Feb 2011 11:15:30 -0800
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Passing of Leon Robinson
Message-ID: <4d4c5077.9a5bdf0a.0ed6.29b3@mx.google.com>

Friends,

It is my sad duty to inform you that Leon Robinson passed away 
last evening. .  As you know, Leon served as the president of our 
Richmond Chapter until last year when Jennifer Kennedy assumed 
the chapter's leadership.  From what I understand Leon's death 
was heart related.  Apparently he was hospitalized a few weeks 
ago with chest pain.  At this time I have no specific information 
about funeral arrangements.

Leon was a quiet yet strong man.  I remember him at our national 
leadership training.  He took the seminar very seriously and 
demonstrated a true depth of commitment to our movement.  He will 
be truly missed.

Fred Schroeder, President
National Federation of the Blind of Virginia



From fschroeder at sks.com  Mon Feb  7 16:37:48 2011
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2011 11:37:48 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Change of Date for May Board Meeting
Message-ID: <00dd01cbc6e5$5b485ab0$11d91010$@com>

Good morning all:

I apologize, but I need to reschedule our May board meeting. The meeting
will now be held on Saturday, May 14 from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. The
meeting will be held at the Department for the Blind Library and Resource
Center in Richmond.

I hope this will not cause too much difficulty for any of you.

Fred Schroeder, President
National Federation of the Blind of Virginia




From altheapittman at yahoo.com  Mon Feb  7 17:48:59 2011
From: altheapittman at yahoo.com (althea pittman)
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2011 09:48:59 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Change of Date for May Board Meeting
Message-ID: <866321.3797.qm@web161319.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>

 Fred thank you for the heads up it should not be a problem thank you app


      

From jumpsharp60 at verizon.net  Mon Feb  7 20:42:21 2011
From: jumpsharp60 at verizon.net (Leon)
Date: Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:42:21 -0600 (CST)
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Passing of Leon Robinson
Message-ID: <1956134.1374881.1297111341070.JavaMail.root@vznit170128>

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From rjbfreetofly at gmail.com  Mon Feb  7 21:03:57 2011
From: rjbfreetofly at gmail.com (Dr. Ronald Jerome Byrd)
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2011 16:03:57 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Change of Date for May Board Meeting
In-Reply-To: <866321.3797.qm@web161319.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
References: <866321.3797.qm@web161319.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <00c101cbc70a$8a357270$9ea05750$@gmail.com>

Cannot open,  or,  unable to ascertain what is said.

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbv-announce-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfbv-announce-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of althea pittman
Sent: Monday, February 07, 2011 12:49 PM
To: NFB of Virginia Information and Announcements
Subject: Re: [Nfbv-announce] Change of Date for May Board Meeting

 Fred thank you for the heads up it should not be a problem thank you app


      
_______________________________________________
Nfbv-announce mailing list
Nfbv-announce at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbv-announce_nfbnet.org




From fschroeder at sks.com  Mon Feb  7 21:47:49 2011
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2011 16:47:49 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Leon Robinson's Funeral
Message-ID: <000b01cbc710$aac013f0$00403bd0$@com>

Information from Leon Robinson?s niece, Charissa Robinson:

Leon W. Robinson's Wake:

 

Friday, February 11, 2011

7-8pm 

White-Tidewater Funeral Home, Jamaica, Va

 

Funeral services:

Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011

Grafton Baptist Church, 425 Grafton Road, Grafton, Va

1pm

 

Please don't send flowers.

All donations should be sent to the Blind Veterans Association

www.bva.org



From michaelgkasey at verizon.net  Tue Feb  8 14:17:43 2011
From: michaelgkasey at verizon.net (Michael Kasey)
Date: Tue, 08 Feb 2011 09:17:43 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Budget Amendments threatens Library Services for
	the Blind of Virginia
Message-ID: <002601cbc79a$f483f210$dd8bd630$@net>

Please contact your Delagate in the General Assembly, especially those on
the list below.

Two proposed budget amendments proposed by Delagate Landes are still in the
House version of the Budget.

They are:

Chief Patron: Landes Item 320 #8h 

Chief Patron: Landes Item 341 #4h 

 

These amendments take $1 million from the Department of the Blind and
Visually Impaired (DBVI) and allocate to the Department of Rehabilitation
Services (DRS).  These funds are used for our Library Services.  We know
that taking from one disability agency to provide for another is just not
the right thing to do.  We oppose this amendment.  Please call soon as
voting is pending.

 

Dear Team leaders,

It is important that you contact your General Assembly Delegates as soon as
possible concerning this issue.

A list of Delegates to contact appears at the end of this message.  Please
focus on your team assignments.  Multiple telephone calls by your team
members are acceptable.  If you have questions, please let me know.

 

ISSUE: Delegate: Landes introduced 2 budget amendments identified as Item
341 #4h  and item 320 #8h

 

Both propose to transfer $1 million from DBVI to DRS.  This eliminates the
funding for library services at DBVI.

 

It is in the Health And Human Resources portion of the budget.


Explanation: 
(This amendment reallocates funding provided in the introduced budget 
from the Department of the Blind and Vision Impaired to the Department 
of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) for employment services for vocational 
rehabilitation consumers. The introduced budget provided $1.0 million 
each year from the general fund to the Department of the Blind and 
Vision Impaired for vocational rehabilitation services. Instead most of 
this funding would be reallocated and provided in fiscal year 2012 in 
order for DRS to continue to serve 32,000 Virginians with disabilities, 
including an additional 6,000 Virginians who have become eligible for 
services during the past year largely due to the downturn in the 
economy. Without the additional general fund amount, DRS will have to 
wait-list consumers in need of services.) 

Let your Delegates serving on the Appropriations committee know the Blind
oppose this budget action.  It will affect all Blind Citizens in Virginia to
lose the library services.

 

Lands Budget Amendment- House Appropriations Committee

Joe Hobson , team leader?Nancy, Sue Povinelli Carl, Jeff Lucas

Sherwood, Beverly J. Rm511, appropriations Committee (804) 698-1029 R

Phillips, Clarence E. Rm802 Appropriations committee (804) 698-1002 D

Poindexter, Charles D. Rm807 Appropriations (804) 698-1009 R

Charlie Brown, Team leader? Brittney Savage, Paul Jenkins and Travis,

May, Joe T., Rm504 appropriations committee  (804)698-1033 R 

Scott, James M. Rm402 Appropriations committee   (804)698-1053 D

Larry Povinelli, team leader?Gwen and Henderson Beavers      , Stuart and
Cathy Owen

Landes, R. Steven Rm515 Appropriations  Committee, vice chair Education
Committee,   (804)698-1025 R (previously patroned  agency consolidation bill
2005)   

Massie,  James P. III Rm516 Appropriations, Education and Health, welfare
and institutions Committees (804) 698-1072 R

O'Bannon, John M., III Rm521 Appropriations and Vice Chair, Health welfare
and institutions Committee ((804)698-1073 R

Cox, M. Kirkland  Rm948 Vice Chair Appropriations committee (804)698-1066 R

Dance, Rosalyn Rm813 appropriations committee (804)698-1063 D

Abbitt, Watkins M. Rm804 appropriations committee (804) 698-1059 I

Tracy Soforenko team leader? Mary Anne Kessler,  Bilie Ruth Schlank, and
Heather DeAtley

Ware, Onzlee Rm816 appropriations and Education Committees (804)698-1011 D

Brink, Robert Rm711 appropriations committee  (804)698-1048 D

Michael Kasey, team leader? Mark Roane and Jody Silverberg

Putney, Lacey E. Rm947  chairman appropriations committee  (804)698-1019 I 

Miss Layne (804)698-1219 assistant 

Betty Peaco (receptionist) 

Ingram, Riley E. Rm404 appropriations committee (804)698-1062 R

Lingamfelter, L. Scott Rm403 Appropriations and education committees
(804)698-1031 R )Jody?s delegate) 

Ken Jessup team leader?Mary Durbin, Michael McCann, Brian McCann

Jones, S. Chris Rm720 appropriations committee  (804) 698-1076 R

Howell, Algie T., Jr. Rm512 appropriations and health welfare and
institutions committees  (804) 698-1090 D

Stewart Prost and Althea Pitman team leaders?  Andr?, Ron Byrd,   and
Tidewater Chapter member

Morgan, Harvey B. Rm523 appropriations committee (804)698-1098 R 

Joannou, Johnny S. Rm423 appropriations committee (804)698-1079 D 

BaCote, Mamye Rm507 appropriations, health welfare and institutions
committees (804) 698-1095 D 

Tata, Robert Rm801 chair education committee, appropriations committee
(804)698-1085 R 

 

 

 

 



From fschroeder at sks.com  Wed Feb  9 02:09:59 2011
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2011 21:09:59 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Budget and the DBVI
Message-ID: <010a01cbc7fe$74fa1c40$5eee54c0$@com>

Good evening all:

 

Business in the Virginia General Assembly session moves quickly.  Here is
the latest and our position on the Budget.

You may use this information to telephone your Delegate and Senator in the
General Assembly.

To our Delegates and Senators,

We now have confirmation that the amendment to take away funding for Library
Services for the Blind is not in the House or Senate Budget bills.

However, in the Governor's budget was an additional amount of $1 million to
the DBVI annual budget for Vocational Rehabilitation.  We voiced our support
for this addition when we visited with you.  It seems that the House Budget
bill has eliminated this for both budget years.  The Senate version
eliminates the addition in the first year only.

This $1 million was offered by the Governor from the General Fund to help
ensure that Virginia matches the Federal funds  used for Vocational
Rehabilitation.

Therefore, we support the Governor's budget and oppose the House and Senate
efforts to eliminate these funds from the DBVI.

We would appreciate if you would voice our opposition to those on the budget
conference committee of the House and Senate.

Thank you for supporting our issues.

Sincerely,

Michael

 



From holleymanor at verizon.net  Wed Feb  9 21:00:25 2011
From: holleymanor at verizon.net (Richard Holley)
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2011 13:00:25 -0800
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Budget and the DBVI
References: <010a01cbc7fe$74fa1c40$5eee54c0$@com>
Message-ID: <F1547F8DBBEB479A84B84A16F7BCEC1B@LENOVOE40B4A08>

Rick Holley here,
I contacted both my delegate and senator this morning concerning the budget. 
I am trying to become best friends with their staffs.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Fredric Schroeder" <fschroeder at sks.com>
To: "'NFB of Virginia Information and Announcements'" 
<nfbv-announce at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 6:09 PM
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Budget and the DBVI


> Good evening all:
>
>
>
> Business in the Virginia General Assembly session moves quickly.  Here is
> the latest and our position on the Budget.
>
> You may use this information to telephone your Delegate and Senator in the
> General Assembly.
>
> To our Delegates and Senators,
>
> We now have confirmation that the amendment to take away funding for 
> Library
> Services for the Blind is not in the House or Senate Budget bills.
>
> However, in the Governor's budget was an additional amount of $1 million 
> to
> the DBVI annual budget for Vocational Rehabilitation.  We voiced our 
> support
> for this addition when we visited with you.  It seems that the House 
> Budget
> bill has eliminated this for both budget years.  The Senate version
> eliminates the addition in the first year only.
>
> This $1 million was offered by the Governor from the General Fund to help
> ensure that Virginia matches the Federal funds  used for Vocational
> Rehabilitation.
>
> Therefore, we support the Governor's budget and oppose the House and 
> Senate
> efforts to eliminate these funds from the DBVI.
>
> We would appreciate if you would voice our opposition to those on the 
> budget
> conference committee of the House and Senate.
>
> Thank you for supporting our issues.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Michael
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nfbv-announce mailing list
> Nfbv-announce at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbv-announce_nfbnet.org 




From dandrews at visi.com  Sat Feb 12 03:05:43 2011
From: dandrews at visi.com (David Andrews)
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2011 21:05:43 -0600
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Sleep Disorder Study
Message-ID: <auto-000000968542@mailfront4.g2host.com>

I have been asked to circulate the following:

Dave

Sleep disorder study


Announcing an upcoming sleep study focusing on 
totally blind individuals. The Light House 
International of New York and the New York Eye 
and Ear Hospital Are looking for blind 
individuals with no light perception to 
participate in this study.  Do you have problems 
sleeping or trouble with daytime sleepiness? If 
you qualify would you like to earn $1500 while you sleep?

Non-24-hour sleep wake disorder occurs in some 
individuals who are totally blind and lack the 
light sensitivity necessary to reset the ?body 
clock?.  This can lead to problems with sleep 
and/or daytime excessive sleepiness.

You can help researchers understand non-24-hour 
sleep wake disorder by taking a brief phone 
survey. In addition, you will have the 
opportunity to be informed of upcoming clinical 
studies recruiting in your area.

Survey Participants Need to:

?        be over 18 years of age

?        be blind with no light perception

?        have sleep problems and/or daytime sleepiness


Collected information will be kept strictly confidential.



If you want to participate in the study, please 
call Katy Tai at 212-979-4251 or toll-free

1-212-821-9499, Monday-Friday between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM ET.

  





From fschroeder at sks.com  Thu Feb 17 12:44:04 2011
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2011 07:44:04 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] NCLB Test to be Given in Baltimore
Message-ID: <001801cbcea0$5ca24a20$15e6de60$@com>

>From Dr. Edward Bell:

 

Hello, 

 

Please see the attached flyer. We will be offering the NCLB test for any
interested persons in the Baltimore, DC, or Northern Virginia area. The test
will be on Saturday, March 26 at Blind Industries and Services of Maryland,
BISM. 

 

Please help us spread the word to braille teachers, TVI's, and anyone else
who might help us to promote this administration. 

 

Thanks, 

 

Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC
Director, Professional Development and Research
Institute on Blindness
Louisiana Tech University
210 Woodard Hall
PO Box 3158
Ruston LA  71272
Office: 318.257.4554 
Fax: 318.257.2259 (Fax)
Skype: edwardbell2010
ebell at latech.edu
www.latech.edu/instituteonblindness
********************
"I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's
brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and
died in cotton fields and sweatshops." 
-- Stephen Jay Gould 

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Deja Powell <mailto:dpowell at latech.edu>  

To: 'NCLB Administration List' <mailto:nclbadmin at lists.nbpcb.org>  ; 'James'
<mailto:jakon22 at gmail.com>  

Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 3:16 PM

Subject: [NCLBAdmin] HalfPage.Baltimore

 

I don't know if I sent this announcement for the NCLB test in Baltimore out
to everyone but here it is! Please spread it far and wide and encourage
people to get the word out about the test. Be sure chapter presidents and
state NFB and ACB presidents receive this as well as the chapter president
for Washington D.C.

 

Much Thanks,

 

Deja Powell

 

Deja M. Powell, M.A., NOMC

Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness

Louisiana Tech University

Program's Manager

318.257.2029

801.891.3430

dpowell at latech.edu

deja.powell at gmail.com

PDRIB Website <http://www.pdrib.com/> 

 

 

  _____  

_______________________________________________
NCLBAdmin mailing list
NCLBAdmin at lists.nbpcb.org
http://lists.nbpcb.org/listinfo.cgi/nclbadmin-nbpcb.org

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From john_bailey17 at hotmail.com  Thu Feb 17 19:56:08 2011
From: john_bailey17 at hotmail.com (John Bailey)
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:56:08 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Fairfax Hosts Lions support NFBV BELL program with
	donation
In-Reply-To: <010a01cbc7fe$74fa1c40$5eee54c0$@com>
References: <010a01cbc7fe$74fa1c40$5eee54c0$@com>
Message-ID: <BLU141-DS25F53D4DA93304DB0615C8FD50@phx.gbl>



LOGO



Contact Information							FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE

John C. Bailey, President
 Fairfax Chapter National Federation of the Blind of Virginia
4219 Linden Street
Fairfax, VA 22030
John_Bailey17 at hotmail.com
(703) 994.2040


Local Lions Club Brings the Gift of Literacy to Blind Youth

The 2011 Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning  (BELL) program
scheduled for May will be able to host more students this year thanks to a
generous donation to the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia  from
the Fairfax Host Lions.


The Fairfax Hosts Lions Club donated two thousand dollars to support the
BELL initiative that will help students learn new skills to do well in
school and to eventually be employed.

The BELL program teaches blind and low vision children below the age of
fourteen how to use Braille effectively for reading and writing. "The goal
of the BELL program is to introduce children who cannot read regular print
to how useful Braille can be in hopes that they continue using it throughout
their lives." Said Dr. Fredrick K. Schroeder, President, of the National
Federation of the Blind of Viginia.

"When they become adults, the one factor that enables them to be employable
is their Braille skills. Odds are, if you don't know Braille, you don't have
a job.", Dr. Schroeder added.

This is the second summer where the NFBV will be organizing a BELL program
in our area. In a pilot program in August of 2010 held in Arlington, VA,
seven blind and low vision students participated in a two-week program of
exploration of how many uses there are for Braille in school and at home. 

Theresa Willis from Virginia Beach, a blind parent of a blind student who
attended the 2010 pilot program, said, "I have retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and
have never read a book in my life.  I would try to read a chapter but would
give up because it was too hard with eyestrain and headaches.  I don't want
that for my child and this program has given her what our school district
could not.  My daughter also has RP and if she learns Braille, she will not
have to come home from school crying because her eyes are tired and she has
headaches.  I want her to be able to read the books that I have never been
able to."



Braille is a system of raised dots that blind people can use to read and
write. It was invented by Louis Braille nearly 200 years ago and is one of
the most effective methods for bringing literacy to those who cannot read
print.
 
The Fairfax Hosts Lions Club was established in 1951 and serves the City of
Fairfax by creating and fostering a spirit of understanding among all people
for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through community
involvement and international cooperation. The club is also a member of
Lions Club International which has over 1.35 million members in over 206
countries and geographic regions. 

The National Federation of the Blind of Virginia consists of fifteen
chapters throughout the state and serves its members and all visually
impaired citizens by promoting fellowship as well as supporting programs
that increase the educational and economic opportunities of the blind. 

###





From fschroeder at sks.com  Mon Feb 21 14:23:11 2011
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2011 09:23:11 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] February 24 At-Large Chapter Call
Message-ID: <02e001cbd1d2$ded46570$9c7d3050$@com>

Hello all,

The next meeting of our At-Large Chapter will be held on Thursday, February
24 at 8:00 P.M. 

This month we will hear from Conchita Hernandez, a former national
scholarship winner and a student at Louisiana Tech University. Conchita will
talk about the Blind Driver Challenge held last month in Daytona Beach. She
will give her first-hand account of the event and its long-term potential
for expanding opportunities for the blind, and its impact on public
attitudes about blindness.

We will also hear from Tracy Soforenko, President of the Potomac Chapter and
Chairperson of the McDonald Fellowship program. Tracy will discuss how to
apply for financial help to attend the national convention in Orlando this
summer.

Please join us on February 24 for this important discussion.

      Scheduled Start Time: 08:00 PM Eastern Standard Time 
Dial-in Number: 1-213-342-3000
Access Code: 3613754

Please join us on the call.

Jessica Kostiw, At-Large Chapter Coordinator




From PotomacNFB at verizon.net  Tue Feb 22 05:00:51 2011
From: PotomacNFB at verizon.net (Tracy Soforenko)
Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:00:51 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] 2011 McDonald Fellowships to National Convention in
	Orlando
Message-ID: <C4C273A82BD54402A5D346E69CB69761@basement>

 2011  McDonald Fellowships  to National Convention

by Tracy Soforenko

E-mail: 

PotomacNFB at verizon.Net

 

This year, we will celebrate  our NFB National Convention in beautiful
Orlando, Florida. The convention will  be more magical if you are there to
join us. 

Many of those who have attended our national NFB  convention are amazed at
how seeing, meeting, and interacting with over 3000  other blind and low
vision convention attendees has literally changed their  lives. They not
only experience how the problems of vision loss can be overcome, but they
also experience the confidence that can come with it. 

 

The  McDonald Fellowship program was established in 1998 in order 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. 

 

Robert and  Marian McDonald  selflessly contributed to our Virginia
affiliate to further the progress and better the lives of those who are
blind,  visually impaired, and low vision in Virginia. In their honor,  we
recognize the personal benefits that come to people who attend a national
convention for the first time. In their memory, the National Federation of
the Blind of Virginia (NFBV) continues their legacy of education and
empowerment to Virginia's blind citizens. 

 

This year the goal of the McDonald Fellowship program is to issue  four
McDonald Fellowship awards each in the amount of $ 600.00. These funds will
be awarded to assist each fellowship recipient in covering the cost of
attending our  2011  NFB National Convention to be held in  Orlando,
Florida , the week of July 3 through July 8. This event will take place at
the  absolutely remarkable Rosen Shingle Creek   Resort in Orlando, Florida
.

 

We will link each of our fellowship winners up with mentors 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  2011  NFB of Virginia
state convention. 

 

Deadline for applications for the McDonald Fellowship is April 15, 2011  .
Winners will be announced May 17 ,  2011.   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). 

There is no specific format for the application. 

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. 

 



From PotomacNFB at verizon.net  Thu Feb 24 03:43:45 2011
From: PotomacNFB at verizon.net (Tracy Soforenko)
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 22:43:45 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] NFB of Virginia Cruise Still Available
Message-ID: <90610E48DFE84F34A68F9E205E11F395@basement>

Dear Friends! 

I am pleased to announce we have some availability on our National
Federation of the Blind of Virginia cruise at our special NFB rates.  If you
act quickly, the NFB of Virginia will also receive substantial fundraising
because we are just below the threshold for raising another $700 in matching
funds from Carnival. Please consider booking a cabin by March 6 and helping
us to raise substantial funds for our affiliate.
 
You have probably heard by now that The National Federation of the Blind of
Virginia is sponsoring a 
fund-raising Caribbean cruise   which consists of a seven day fun-filled
Shipboard experience. The cruise ship will be departing from Baltimore MD on
August 21, 2011. We will visit Port Canaveral, Orlando, Florida; Nassau,
Bahamas and Freeport, Bahamas.  We will be on the beautiful Carnival Pride.
To see details about this beautiful ship please follow this link:
<http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/ships/carnival_pride/default.aspx?shipCode=
PR>
http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/ships/carnival_pride/default.aspx?shipCode=P
R . 

We would like to let you know that we have a few balcony and inside cabins
left for booking. We  only have one week from today! We would love to see
you join our group! Vacations are always more fun when spent with friends!!!

 
Here are the cost specifics:

Inside cabin start at $926 per person 
Balconies start at $1086 per person 
3rd and 4th passenger prices come on average to 70% of the full price. 

Feel free to contact Anahit LaBarre for additional details. She can
be reached at  <mailto:alabarre at labarretravel.com>
alabarre at labarretravel.com or 720-334-3652. 


Please take a moment to read the important information below:

Prices are per person based on double occupancy cruise only and do include
all taxes, fees and gratuities and may vary a little depending on which deck
the cabin would be on. Optional shore excursions and insurance are
available.  Carnival Cruise Line reserves the right to charge fuel
supplement should fuel prices go up significantly. 

At this point we would need a full per person deposit of $250 per person to
hold the cabin. Payment plans can be arranged. 
 
 
  
Tracy Soforenko
President, Potomac Chapter, National Federation of the Blind
PotomacNFB at verizon.net
703 635-2085


From john_bailey17 at hotmail.com  Thu Feb 24 19:19:33 2011
From: john_bailey17 at hotmail.com (John Bailey)
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:19:33 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] it is time to start thinking about summer fun and
	Blind Industries and Services of Maryland Independence
In-Reply-To: <90610E48DFE84F34A68F9E205E11F395@basement>
References: <90610E48DFE84F34A68F9E205E11F395@basement>
Message-ID: <BLU141-DS891D0CC3463D1E129006C8FDA0@phx.gbl>



Spring is almost here, so it is time to start thinking about summer fun and
Blind Industries and Services of Maryland Independence 2011! 

 

Last year Independence 2010 was a great success and this year it is going to
be even better. 

 

Independence 2011 is a seven-week residential program where blind and low
vision youth entering into the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades in the fall of
2011 will have the opportunity to learn the nonvisual skills of blindness
from successful blind instructors. We will return to the campus of Towson
University, where students will live in apartments with their blind adult
instructors/mentors and learn how to manage their own apartment, cook,
clean, grocery shop, manage money, wash clothes, to name just a few things.
Not only will students of the seven-week residential program learn the
skills of blindness through classes such as cane travel, Braille,
computer/technology, and independent living (Home Ec.) but they are going to
be able to gain that much needed resume builder - paid employment. With
these economic times, who doesn't need a little extra spending money?
Students will have the opportunity to work a total of 30-40 hours in the
community during the last two weeks of the program. 

 

Independence 2011 is going to attend the national convention of the National
Federation of the Blind in Orlando, FL and participate in the National
Federation of the Blind Youth Slam and we can't forget spend a day having
fun in Disney World. Then, there are the times that we explore Baltimore,
Towson, visit our Nation's capital, attend an O's game, go swimming, check
out a movie or two and we can't forget those evenings of playing cards until
the wee hours of morning.

 

Sound fun!?! You better believe it! 

 

Dates: June 19 - August 5, 2011 

 

For more information about Independence 2011, feel free to email me at
aphelps at bism.org and please forward this to youth, parents, teachers, and
blindness professionals. 

 

 

Warm regards, 

 

Amy C. Phelps, CRC, NOMC

 

Help sponsor our youth program activities Donate
<https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=100
3647>  

Check out information about our summer youth program: Independence 2011
<http://bism.org/r_youth_TEMP_2.cfm>  

Take the NCLB at BISM  in Baltimore on March 26. For information: 
National Certification in Literary Braille
<http://www.nbpcb.org/pages/NCLBcertification.php> 

 

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland

3345 Washington Blvd

Baltimore, MD 21227

Phone: 410-737-2642

Mobile: 410-274-1647

Fax: 410-737-2689

Toll Free: 888-322-4567

E-mail: aphelps at bism.org <mailto:aphelps at bism.org> 

 

"...given proper training and opportunity, the average blind person can do
the average job in the average place of business and do it as well as his or
her sighted neighbor..." Freedom for the Blind, James H. Omvig

 

 

 

Confidentiality Note:  The information contained in this message may be
privileged and confidential and protected from disclosure. If the reader of
this message is not the intended recipient, or an employee or agent
responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are
hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this
communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
communication in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the
message and deleting it from your computer.

 





From john_bailey17 at hotmail.com  Thu Feb 24 20:23:34 2011
From: john_bailey17 at hotmail.com (John Bailey)
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:23:34 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Announcing the 2011 California Chemistry Camp for
	Blind High School Students!
In-Reply-To: <90610E48DFE84F34A68F9E205E11F395@basement>
References: <90610E48DFE84F34A68F9E205E11F395@basement>
Message-ID: <BLU141-DS1114B33444B3B6A71A3F238FDA0@phx.gbl>

This event is open to youth from all states. Preference will be given to
California residents.



Announcing the 2011 California Chemistry Camp for Blind High School
Students!
 
	Would you like to learn how blind people tackle the very visual
subject of organic chemistry successfully? Do you have a general love for
science? Do you want to learn how you can do chemistry as a blind person
just as successfully as your sighted peers? Are you interested in how blind
professionals use science in their careers every day? Then the 2011
California Chemistry Camp is for you!
	Come join the National Federation of the Blind of California, the
California Association of Blind Students, the Lighthouse for the Blind of
San Francisco, the University of California, Davis chemistry department, and
up to twelve blind and low-vision high school students for an Educational,
exciting, and Fun-Filled weekend of science!
 
When: Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 1, 2011. 
Where: Enchanted Hills Camp near Napa, California.
Who: Up to twelve blind high school students ages 14-18 will be selected to
participate.
 Cost: There is no cost to apply for the program. The National Federation of
the Blind of California, the California association of Blind Students, and
the Lighthouse for the Blind of San Francisco are underwriting the camp.
Once accepted, however, donations from students or parents to the National
Federation of the Blind of California would be most appreciated to off-set
the expenses associated with the program.
 
	During this exciting and busy 3-day experience, students will get to
learn how blind people use  chemistry in their careers, will explore
techniques used by blind people to make chemistry accessible, perform
hands-on accessible chemistry experiments, apply the chemistry they learned
to some basic cooking, see the chemistry they learned turned into action
with an exhilarating magic show, and talk with blind scientists who use
science in their professional careers. The students will also be able to
participate in recreational activities possibly including swimming and the
martial art of Judo. Note that students need not only love science to apply.
This will be a learning experience for all blind people! 
 
To fill out the application, go to: 
www.sixdots.org
and follow the link on the main page to the application form.


We hope to see you at camp! 
 
If you have questions, please contact: 
Henry Wedler
Program Coordinator
hobywedler at gmail.com 
T: (707) 338-3692.






From fschroeder at sks.com  Mon Feb 28 19:14:53 2011
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:14:53 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] National Certification in Literary Braille NCLB
Message-ID: <004501cbd77b$c86a73c0$593f5b40$@com>

>From Edward Bell:

 

Hello, 

 

Please help us to promote these following upcoming test dates for the NCLB
in your state and agencies. 

Please note the upcoming test dates for National Certification in Literary
Braille (NCLB)

?      Saturday, March 26, Blind Industries and Services of Maryland,
Baltimore.

?      Saturday April 9th, Virginia Services for the Blind and Visually
Impaired, Richmond, Virginia

?      Saturday April 23rd, Iowa Department for the Blind, 524 Fourth
Street, Des Moines, Iowa

?      Friday April 29th, Louisiana Tech University Woodard Hall, Ruston,
Louisiana

?      Friday May 20th, Louisiana Tech University Woodard Hall, Ruston,
Louisiana

?      Saturday June 4th, Virginia Services for the Blind and Visually
Impaired, Richmond, Virginia

?      Friday June 17th, Louisiana Tech University Woodard Hall, Ruston,
Louisiana

?      Monday & Thursday Afternoons, July 4th & 5th, Rosen Shingle Creek
Resort
9939 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, Florida

 

Please go to our Website,  <http://www.nbpcb.org/nclb> www.nbpcb.org/nclb to
find out more information and to register for any of the above test dates.
You may also contact Deja Powell at dpowell at latech.edu or at 318.257.2029 if
you have any questions or would like to host a test in your area.

 

 

Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC
Director, Professional Development and Research
Institute on Blindness
Louisiana Tech University
210 Woodard Hall
PO Box 3158
Ruston LA  71272
Office: 318.257.4554 
Fax: 318.257.2259 (Fax)
Skype: edwardbell2010
ebell at latech.edu
www.latech.edu/instituteonblindness
********************
"I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's
brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and
died in cotton fields and sweatshops." 
-- Stephen Jay Gould 

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