From fschroeder at sks.com  Sun Jun  2 08:19:28 2013
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Sun, 2 Jun 2013 04:19:28 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Virginia caucus at the National Convention
Message-ID: <001f01ce5f69$f6a200a0$e3e601e0$@sks.com>

Good morning all,

As you know, each year the Virginia affiliate holds a caucus at the national
convention. This year we will be meeting on Tuesday evening, July 2 from
10:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The caucus will be held in Salon 5 of the Rosen Centre
Hotel.  All salons are located on the second floor.

See you there,

Fred Schroeder, President
National Federation of the Blind of Virginia
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From mwroane at mindspring.com  Sun Jun  2 19:33:52 2013
From: mwroane at mindspring.com (Mark W. Roane)
Date: Sun, 02 Jun 2013 15:33:52 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] NFBV BELL Program Registration Deadline June 15,
	2013
Message-ID: <679071AD0B4D48858C32DDFA6BAA440C@LapTop>

NFB OF VIRGINIA

BELL PROGRAMS

 

The NFB of Virginia will be hosting four NFB BELL Programs this summer and we need to know by June 15, 2013 if your child will participate.

 

What is an NFB BELL Program?

An NFB BELL Program provides children ages 4-12 with two weeks of intense Braille instruction through fun, hands-on learning.  This program is for all blind and low vision children who aren't receiving as much Braille instruction during the school year as they need.

 

The program runs Monday through Friday for approximately 7 hours each day.  In addition to Braille, crafts, games and other engaging projects, children may also enjoy field trips to sites related to the NFB BELL curriculum.

 

We need your help!

In order to successfully plan these programs, we need to know who will participate at each site.  If you have an interest in your childs participation, please contact the program coordinator in your area by June 15, 2013.

 

RICHMOND

Weeks of:  July 15 & 22

C. J. Fish

(804) 222-7068

cjwfish07 at yahoo.com

 

HAMPTON ROADS

Weeks of:  August 5 & 12

Tasha Hubbard

(757) 239-2976

nlhubbard at liberty.edu

 

VIRGINIA BEACH

Weeks of:  July 15 & 22

Theresa Willis

(757) 286-9407

theresa_willis at hotmail.com

 

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Weeks of:  July 29 & August 5

Briley O'Connor

(703) 380-8876

brileyoc at gmail.com


From michaelgkasey at verizon.net  Mon Jun  3 23:34:03 2013
From: michaelgkasey at verizon.net (Michael Kasey)
Date: Mon, 03 Jun 2013 19:34:03 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Paddle with the Blind!!!
Message-ID: <000001ce60b2$d7663d10$8632b730$@net>

On behalf of Jessica Reed, the President of the Fredericksburg Area Chapter
of the NFB, we announce:

The 2nd annual Paddle with the Blind will be held on Saturday June 15, 2013
at 10 AM at Motts Run Reservoir.  The Virginia Outdoor Center will provide
boats, paddles and life jackets.  Information about the Reservoir appears
below.

 

Please let us know no later than Monday June 10 that you will join us!

Contact Michael at michaelgkasey at verizon.net or (540)760-3885

 

 

 

Motts Run Reservoir is at  6600 River Road.  This 860-acre natural area
including the 160-acre reservoir, is a haven for fishing, boating canoeing,
hiking and picnicking. It also serves the residents of Fredericksburg and
parts of Spotsylvania County with drinking water. No swimming, horseback
riding, biking of any kind, or all-terrain vehicles permitted.  If the
weather is questionable, call before coming (540) 786-8989. When the weather
is bad we reserve the right to close the reservoir early.

 

 

 

 



From PotomacNFB at verizon.net  Tue Jun  4 03:36:02 2013
From: PotomacNFB at verizon.net (potomac NFB)
Date: Mon, 03 Jun 2013 23:36:02 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] volunteer Assistance Needed at National Convention
	with Inter Hotel Bus
In-Reply-To: <001301ce60aa$9e419cd0$dac4d670$@net>
References: <009601ce5ff6$fce78d30$f6b6a790$@verizon.net>
	<001301ce60aa$9e419cd0$dac4d670$@net>
Message-ID: <02b101ce60d4$a362d6a0$ea2883e0$@verizon.net>

Hi Virginia Federationists

 

Michael Kasey and I need your help ensuring that our National convention
runs smoothly.  The Virginia Affiliate will be organizing the buses between
the two hotel properties and we need volunteer assistance.

 

Background:

Participation at this year's National Convention is very strong and we have
grown out of the Headquarters hotel, the Rosen Center hotel. Some
federationists will be staying at the Rosen Plaza hotel, about a 20 minute
walk away. Our National Office has arranged for a 50 passenger air
conditioned motor coach between the properties from 7:30 AM to 10:30 PM. The
bus will run until 11:30 on banquet night.

Our request:

We need volunteers to help in 3 different roles:

 

A)     Evening Bus Boarders: From 8:00 PM to 10:30 PM each evening, we will
need one individual at each of the two hotels to help ensure that people
know where to wait inside and do not need to wait outside in the heat. In
this role, you will receive a walkie talkie and when the bus leaves the
other property, you will check your watch. Ten minutes later, announce that
the bus is leaving and then you will walk your passengers to the bus stop.
Once the passengers are boarded and the bus pulls away, you use the walkie
talkie to tell your peer at the other property that it has left your
property. This is a 2.5 hour shift.

B)       Train UPS Volunteers - from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, we will have UPS
volunteers to work the shifts at the two convention properties. We need a
coordinator on each day to help train the new volunteers at the beginning of
each shift. Assuming a 4 hour shift, you would be responsible for training/
shift turn over for the following 3 shift changes:

a.       From 11:45 AM to 12:15 PM 

b.      From 3:45 PM to 4:15 PM

c.       From 7:45 PM to our NFB Evening coordinators are in place around
8:15PM

 

Michael and I will cover the early morning shift between 7:30 AM and 8:00 AM
and will train the first set of UPS volunteers for the morning shift. 

 

Throughout the convention, either Michael or I will be on call to address
any serious problem such as a missing or broken down bus, missing
volunteers, serious frustration from a convention participant, etc.

 

In summary, we are asking you to email or call me with your willingness to
take either an evening volunteer shift or a full day of UPS Volunteer
training. Please include your preferred day.

 

For those people staying in the Rosen Plaza hotel, this role is essential to
ensure a successful convention experience. We are grateful for your
willingness to participate in this important responsibility.

 

Tracy Soforenko

Second Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia

PotomacNFB at verizon.net

202 285-4595

 



From mwroane at mindspring.com  Tue Jun  4 13:57:32 2013
From: mwroane at mindspring.com (Mark W. Roane)
Date: Tue, 04 Jun 2013 09:57:32 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Female Virginian seeks roommate for convention
Message-ID: <AF46EC04E7A243379E0E7A56345ACA9D@LapTop>

Good morning all,
A female Virginian, who has a room in the convention hotel, is seeking one or more females to share the room at convention.
If anyone knows of anyone who is looking for a roommate, please contact me and I will pass the information along.
Mark Roane
(804) 262-7057


From holleymanor at verizon.net  Fri Jun  7 01:08:12 2013
From: holleymanor at verizon.net (Richard Holley)
Date: Thu, 6 Jun 2013 21:08:12 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] NFBV At Large Chapter Meeting June
Message-ID: <F89FA5D77CB24CD4A000D8F23E65385F@LENOVOE40B4A08>

It's that time again.  Join us for a lively discussion about guide-dogs.
Date:  June 11
Time:  8PM
Subject:  Guide-Dogs
Teleconference phone number:  877-394-5901
Passcode:  2216375
Bring your thoughts and questions for a lively time.

Thanks, Rick Holley

Patrick and Kandance, please post to FaceBook, nfbv at large.

From mwroane at mindspring.com  Fri Jun  7 15:58:05 2013
From: mwroane at mindspring.com (Mark W. Roane)
Date: Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:58:05 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] NFBV BELL Program date changes
Message-ID: <80F39267C1BE4100B441AB34CEB10BBC@LapTop>

Good morning all,
The dates of the Virginia Beach BELL Program have changed.  Please see the new dates below.

NFB OF VIRGINIA

BELL PROGRAMS

 

The NFB of Virginia will be hosting four NFB BELL Programs this summer and we need to know by June 15, 2013 if your child will participate.

 

What is an NFB BELL Program?

An NFB BELL Program provides children ages 4-12 with two weeks of intense Braille instruction through fun, hands-on learning.  This program is for all blind and low vision children who aren't receiving as much Braille instruction during the school year as they need.

 

The program runs Monday through Friday for approximately 7 hours each day.  In addition to Braille, crafts, games and other engaging projects, children may also enjoy field trips to sites related to the NFB BELL curriculum.

 

We need your help!

In order to successfully plan these programs, we need to know who will participate at each site.  If you have an interest in your childs participation, please contact the program coordinator in your area by June 15, 2013.

 

RICHMOND

Weeks of:  July 15 & 22

C. J. Fish

(804) 222-7068

cjwfish07 at yahoo.com

 

HAMPTON ROADS

Weeks of:  August 5 & 12

Tasha Hubbard

(757) 239-2976

nlhubbard at liberty.edu

 

VIRGINIA BEACH

Weeks of:  August 19 & 26

Theresa Willis

(757) 286-9407

theresa_willis at hotmail.com

 

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Weeks of:  July 29 & August 5

Briley O'Connor

(703) 380-8876

brileyoc at gmail.com


From corbbo at gmail.com  Fri Jun  7 23:50:32 2013
From: corbbo at gmail.com (Corbbmacc O'Connor)
Date: Fri, 7 Jun 2013 19:50:32 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Update: Art class for the blind in Richmond
Message-ID: <B27BE334-180C-4D56-8402-8F3C33E9BBA2@gmail.com>

ON BEHALF OF: DANIEL ASHMAN, INSTRUCTOR

I have an update on one of the classes; Exploring My Artistic Self is going to be offered over the course of 2 Saturdays (July 20 and 27) from 10am-4pm instead of June 17-21 from 9am-12pm. The enrollment was too low to offer the class as it was, however the wish is that the class still be offered. An individual is not required to sign up for both classes but is highly encouraged since they cover 2 separate mediums. Mosaics in the Making is still to be offered June 17-21 from 1-4pm and enrollment is still open.
 
Within Reach: Exploring My Artistic Self
Further information and registration will be posted on the Virginia Museum of Fine Art web page at:
http://www.vmfa.state.va.us/default.aspx under the "Learn" header
Day + Time
Saturday, July 20 and 28 from 10am ? 4pm
Location
MWV Art Education Center
Instructor
Daniel Ashman
Class Number
CW1
Ages
5 - 8
Cost
TBD
Registration
Register online, by phone at 804.340.1405, or by mail-in registration form.
Description
Within Reach: Within Reach camps are designed specifically for children who are blind or visually impaired, providing an opportunity to use touch, sound, and smell to interpret, create, and enjoy art! This week-long program includes hands-on art activities and a guided touch tour through the galleries. Professional artist Daniel Ashman is also an experienced teacher with a certification in Braille.
 
[CW1] Exploring My Artistic Self: Learn about the art and history of portraiture through guided touch tours, group discussion, and hands-on studio art activities. With materials and guidance provided, students explore artistic ways to represent themselves in two- and three-dimensional self-portraits.
 
Cancellations: Fees are nonrefundable except when VMFA cancels a class. If enrollment does not meet minimum capacity to fund class, you will be notified at least one week in advance.


From Nicole.Jeffords at dbvi.virginia.gov  Mon Jun 10 15:17:08 2013
From: Nicole.Jeffords at dbvi.virginia.gov (Jeffords, Nicole (DBVI))
Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:17:08 +0000
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] FW: Job Vacancies - Virginia Department for the
 Blind and Vision Impaired
Message-ID: <0831CC758A55804FBF68E76F9B54045627B65F@COVMSGCES-MBX11>

Would love to see some well qualified blind people in these open positions!!!  Please share...

Nikki Jeffords
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Regional Transition Coordinator
Virginia Dept. f/t Blind & Vision Impaired
Interstate Corporate Center, Bldg. #18
6325 N. Center Drive, Ste. 131
Norfolk, VA  23502
Direct :(757) 455-0856
Main:  (757) 466-4162
Fax:  (757) 455-0142

[cid:image002.png at 01CE65CC.0B8432F0]

From: Robinson, Joann (DARS)
Sent: Monday, June 10, 2013 10:17 AM
To: ~ All DBVI Staff (DBVI)
Subject: Job Vacancies - Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired


Good morning!

Listed below are DBVI and VRCBVI positions that are currently available.  Each week Human Resources will send out an updated listing of current openings to all employees.

If you are interested in applying, here are some helpful tips to remember when applying:

*       Update your application to reflect your current duties.

*       Only fully completed applications can be accepted.  Please do not write "see resume" on your application. For screening purposes we only review the RMS application.

*       Please continue to view http://www.vadsa.org/jobs/ for new positions that may be added throughout the week.

*       If you have not updated your application, please be aware that new veteran's questions will need to be updated on all applications created prior to June 30, 2012.

*       RMS closes at 5 p.m. on the closing date.  Be sure that you apply early to avoid the system closing before you can submit your application at 5 p.m.

Additionally, if you know of someone who may be interested in the positions, please delete the top portion of this email and send them the information below.





Listed below are positions with the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired, and/or the Virginia Industries for the Blind.  These positions may be accessed directly in the Recruitment Management System (RMS) by clicking on the Quicklink. If you already have your application established in the RMS, applying for the position will be very streamlined and take only a few minutes. If you have not yet completed your online application in the RMS, you may visit http://jobs.agencies.virginia.gov to begin the process or simply click on the Quicklink below. While the system will not allow you to apply until you have established your application, you will be able to access the application through this site.

Please be aware that we ONLY accept fully completed RMS online applications (required) and applications only are accepted for advertised vacancies. Job postings close at 5 p.m. on the closing date.  You may attach cover letters and resumes and in some cases are required to submit college or university transcripts or professional certifications (see job posting for instructions). These may be scanned and attached to your online applications, faxed, or mailed to the appropriate recruiting contact.  Please review the posting for any special requirements or instructions.



Agency:                     Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired

Job Title:                   Education Coordinator

Location:                   Norfolk

Position #:                 00033

Closing Date:            Open Until Filled

Quicklink:                  http://jobs.agencies.virginia.gov/applicants/Central?quickFind=161048



Agency:                     Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired

Job Title:                   Rehabilitation Technology Specialist

Location:                   Norfolk

Position #:                 00003

Closing Date:            Open Until Filled

Quicklink:                  http://jobs.agencies.virginia.gov/applicants/Central?quickFind=169306



Agency:                     Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired

Job Title:                   Rehabilitation Teacher

Location:                   Henrico

Position #:                 00217

Closing Date:            Open Until Filled

Quicklink:                  http://jobs.agencies.virginia.gov/applicants/Central?quickFind= 169305<http://jobs.agencies.virginia.gov/applicants/Central?quickFind=%20169305>



Joann Robinson, SPHR

HR Manager

Human Resources

8004 Franklin Farms Drive

Richmond, VA  23229

804-662-7175

804-662-7662 fax

Joann.Robinson at drs.virginia.gov<mailto:Joann.Robinson at drs.virginia.gov>

www.vdbvi.org<file:///\\www.vdbvi.org>

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From holleymanor at verizon.net  Tue Jun 11 12:14:36 2013
From: holleymanor at verizon.net (Richard Holley)
Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:14:36 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] NFBV At Large Chapter June Meeting
Message-ID: <1B4538A0238E4F0C956E6BE9799EFFA8@LENOVOE40B4A08>

Greetings,
Just a reminder that today is the date of our June meeting.
Date: June 11
Time: 8 PM
Subject: Guide-dogs 
Teleconference No. 877-394-5901
Passcode: 2216375
Join us,
Rick Holley


From fschroeder at sks.com  Thu Jun 13 19:18:03 2013
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:18:03 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Please Sign the White House Petition on Accessible
	Books for the Blind
Message-ID: <00bc01ce686a$bcffdcf0$36ff96d0$@sks.com>

As many of you know, we are working on getting a treaty that will allow
countries to share braille and other accessible formatted books across
borders. There is a petition on the White House website that I am asking you
to sign. It calls on the administration to support the treaty. The link is
below. Please take a few minutes and help with this important effort and ask
your friends and family to sign the petition as well.

Fred Schroeder, President
National Federation of the Blind of Virginia




https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/side-blind-over-obstructionist-com
panies-secure-treaty-blind-makes-books-accessible-globally/ZJtgcVph  -- Prue





From fschroeder at sks.com  Thu Jun 13 23:06:42 2013
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:06:42 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Corrected Link to White House Petition on
	Accessible	Books for the Blind
Message-ID: <000001ce688a$ae7371e0$0b5a55a0$@sks.com>

Dear all:

I apologize for sending out the incorrect link to the White House petition. 
Here is the correct link.  You will need to first create an account and then
sign the petition.  You can do both from this link.

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/side-blind-over-obstructionist-com
panies-secure-treaty-blind-makes-books-accessible-globally/ZJtgcVph
Thanks

Fred Schroeder, President
National Federation of the Blind of Virginia




From fschroeder at sks.com  Fri Jun 14 13:08:03 2013
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 09:08:03 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Advice on Accessing the White House Petition Link
Message-ID: <007c01ce6900$35231090$9f6931b0$@sks.com>

Please remember to go to the White House website and sign the petition on
the treaty for books for the blind. The following advice comes from Ed
Kenlon: 

Depending on what browser folks are using, the best way to get the entire
link to behave correctly is to copy all the way to the end of the URL where
the last three letters one hears is "Vph" and then copy all that is
selected. Then paste into a fresh browser window. That process ensures
success almost always. 

I share this because you didn't send out a bad link earlier. Some email
clients wrap or break the URL across two display lines on the screen. The
second line is seldom regarded as a continuation of the preceding line and
the link becomes broken and non-functional.

Thanks for sharing the link in any case. 





From gyeager12 at gmail.com  Fri Jun 14 18:23:07 2013
From: gyeager12 at gmail.com (gerald yeager)
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:23:07 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Fwd: House Amends HR 164 in to National Defense
	Authorization Act
References: <2BB00FBD463098408703320EC67B51E1371BE621@CH1PRD0710MB367.namprd07.prod.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <98DF139E-2F96-4A42-8E1F-F55813C9C843@gmail.com>

NFBV Colleagues,

Here is word on progress of our bill to allow 100% Service Disabled Veterans use military transportation on a space available basis.  My thanks to all who have helped along the way.  As the message indicates, we will probably be needing calls to the Senate offices in the near future.  Please stand by for action as you always do.

Thanks,
Jerry Yeager
NFBV Federal Legislative Coordinator




Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Hartle, Jesse" <JHartle at nfb.org>
> Subject: House Amends HR 164 in to National Defense Authorization Act
> Date: June 14, 2013 2:13:34 PM EDT
> To: "'kccajun at att.net'" <'kccajun at att.net'>, "'Pat.nfb at att.net'" <'Pat.nfb at att.net'>, "State President, Arkansas" <tosheeler at cox.net>, "'donaldpfield at gmail.com'" <'donaldpfield at gmail.com'>, "'info at michaelhingson.com'" <'info at michaelhingson.com'>, "'rhouston58 at gmail.com'" <'rhouston58 at gmail.com'>, "'jbeecham at cocenter.org'" <'jbeecham at cocenter.org'>, "'president at alumni.ecu.edu'" <'president at alumni.ecu.edu'>, "State President, District of Columbia" <callaway.shawn at gmail.com>, "'smith990 at gmail.com'" <'smith990 at gmail.com'>, "'majla at verizon.net'" <'majla at verizon.net'>, "'valkemadenise at aol.com'" <'valkemadenise at aol.com'>, "State President, Florida" <danjhicks at yahoo.com>, "State President, Georgia" <gscott at nfbga.org>, "'stootle at nfbga.org'" <'stootle at nfbga.org'>, "State President, Hawaii" <nanifife at aol.com>, "'one.fisherman at hawaiiantel.net'" <'one.fisherman at hawaiiantel.net'>, "State President, Iowa" <michael.nfbi at gmail.com>, "'hoovere74 at gmail.com'" <'hoovere74 at gmail.com'>, "State President, Illinois" <pattichang at att.net>, "'rosesloan2013 at u.northwestern.edu'" <'rosesloan2013 at u.northwestern.edu'>, "'highlander at indy.rr.com'" <'highlander at indy.rr.com'>, "'rob.tabor at sbcglobal.net'" <'rob.tabor at sbcglobal.net'>, "State President, Kansas" <donnajwood at cox.net>, "'pam.glisson at insightbb.com'" <'pam.glisson at insightbb.com'>, "'lizngraves at gmail.com'" <'lizngraves at gmail.com'>, "'wa2ios.mark at gmail.com'" <'wa2ios.mark at gmail.com'>, "State President, Maine" <leonproctorjr at yahoo.com>, "'suncat0 at gmail.com'" <'suncat0 at gmail.com'>, "'f.wurtzel at att.net'" <'f.wurtzel at att.net'>, "State President, Minnesota" <jennifer.dunnam1829 at gmail.com>, "'sbwright95 at att.net'" <'sbwright95 at att.net'>, "'glsbyrd at att.net'" <'glsbyrd at att.net'>, "'chiefblindtech at gmail.com'" <'chiefblindtech at gmail.com'>, "'State President, Montana" <burke.dall at gmail.com>, "'Anthony at olivero.us'" <'Anthony at olivero.us'>, "State President, New Hampshire" <cemcnabb21 at yahoo.com>, "'tti777 at gmail.com'" <'tti777 at gmail.com'>, "'martinez.joni at gmail.com'" <'martinez.joni at gmail.com'>, "State President, New Mexico" <avigil74 at gmail.com>, "State President, Nevada" <realhappygirl1 at gmail.com>, "'winds159 at yahoo.com'" <'winds159 at yahoo.com'>, "'chrisminkler at gmail.com'" <'chrisminkler at gmail.com'>, "'ajacobs633 at aol.com'" <'ajacobs633 at aol.com'>, "'bbpierce at pobox.com'" <'bbpierce at pobox.com'>, "State President, Ohio" <eduffy at pobox.com>, "State President, Oklahoma" <jmassay1 at cox.net>, "'Gfarnum at cox.net'" <'Gfarnum at cox.net'>, "State President, Oregon" <admin at mainstreetmontessori.org>, "'artds55 at comcast.net'" <'artds55 at comcast.net'>, "'michelleandremy at gmail.com'" <'michelleandremy at gmail.com'>, "'Angies143 at verizon.net'" <'Angies143 at verizon.net'>, "'debracanc2 at myfrontiermail.com'" <'debracanc2 at myfrontiermail.com'>, "'trevorwhite79 at gmail.com'" <'trevorwhite79 at gmail.com'>, "'jose.marquez.texas at gmail.com'" <'jose.marquez.texas at gmail.com'>, "State President, Utah" <baconev at yahoo.com>, "'karl at axistech.net'" <'karl at axistech.net'>, "'sachin.pavithran at usu.edu'" <'sachin.pavithran at usu.edu'>, "'gyeager12 at gmail.com'" <'gyeager12 at gmail.com'>, "State President, Vermont" <deannaljones at comcast.net>, "'hviens76 at gmail.com'" <'hviens76 at gmail.com'>, "State President, Washington" <k7uij at panix.com>, "'wolvessarah at hotmail.com'" <'wolvessarah at hotmail.com'>, "'krnfbmbwv at gmail.com'" <'krnfbmbwv at gmail.com'>, "'slk5111 at hotmail.com'" <'slk5111 at hotmail.com'>, "State President, Wyoming" <kthornbury at bresnan.net>
> Cc: "Lewis, Anil" <ALewis at nfb.org>, "Pare, John" <JPare at nfb.org>
> 
> Good Afternoon To You All,
>  
>      I am pleased to inform you that our work on behalf of Blind Veterans has paid off.  Because of the cosponsor support on HR 164, Congressman Bilirakis submitted this legislation as an amendment to the House National Defense Authorization Act.  That Amendment was accepted by the Rules Committee on Wednesday night and  by the House yesterday afternoon.  A short time ago the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act.  The Senate has been working in committee on its version of the Defense bill, and it may get to the Senate floor next week, but I do not have confirmation of that at this time.  I do know that our Senate sponsor of S 346, Senator Tester, is planning to offer the bill as an amendment to the Senate defense bill.  I will let you know more information about the Senate as it becomes available, because we will need calls to your Senators asking them to support Senator Tester?s amendment.  If we are successful in the Senate, we will then have to wait for the conference committee to resolve the differences in the two bills.  I want to take this time to thank you all for your hard work on this issue, and urge you to prepare your affiliates for the Senate push.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.  Take Care, and have a great weekend!  Jesse
>  
>     
> Jesse Hartle
> National Federation of the Blind
> Government Programs Specialist
> Phone: 410-659-9314, Ext. 2233
> Email: jhartle at nfb.org



From fschroeder at sks.com  Sat Jun 15 12:44:41 2013
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 08:44:41 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Planning a Virtual Convention Banquet
Message-ID: <02ce01ce69c6$1c05db30$54119190$@sks.com>

Greetings:

The following recipe comes to us from longtime Federationist Brad Hodges
*****

Greetings from the Mountain State:
 
    Many of you on this list have plans to attend the 2013 Banquet in
Orlando on Saturday July 6. Unhappily a number of us are not going to be
able to attend in person this year. While admittedly feeling a bit sorry for
myself it occurred to me that with a minimum of difficulty we could create
our own Virtual Banquet here in Huntington. Here is the recipe I intend to
follow.
 
 Ingredients
 1 large pan of lasagna
 1 big green salad
 lots of fresh  garlic bred
 1 easy to make desert
 6 to 10 enthusiastic Federationists and neighbors
 1 or more bottles of good wine and as many pots of my husbands outstanding
coffee
 1 audio stream of the Banquet
 
 Method
 1. Send husband with van to pick up guests.
 2. on a living room stereo connect to the NFB Convention audio stream.
 3. In a large dining room combine first 6 ingredients.
 4. For at least 3 hours enjoy good food, good Federation fellowship and be
inspired by the words of President Maurer.
 5. Return guests to their homes nourished in body and renewed in spirit.
 
 With so many ways to enjoy streaming audio, I am sure that there are as
many variations on this recipe as there are chapters and individuals who
might be encouraged or inspired by their own Virtual Banquet.
 
 In Federationism
 
 Brad Hodges
 NFB of WV Huntington Area Chapter
 nfbhuntington at aol.com
 304-691-0632
 
 
 




From fschroeder at sks.com  Tue Jun 18 11:04:36 2013
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:04:36 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] NCD Legislative Affairs Outreach Vacancy
	Announcement
In-Reply-To: <6D.89.05813.D5A7FB15@smtp02.rcn.cmh.synacor.com>
References: <6D.89.05813.D5A7FB15@smtp02.rcn.cmh.synacor.com>
Message-ID: <008501ce6c13$9f97d7b0$dec78710$@sks.com>

This is a very good employment opportunity.

Fred Schroeder, President
National Federation of the Blind of Virginia

Original message...

NCD is hiring!

NCD is looking to fill a vacancy in the Legislative Affairs and 
Outreach Directorate with a Legislative Affairs Specialist. Details 
follow below.

The following job announcement has been posted on the USAJobs.gov 
website, and can be accessed directly by going to the link at the 
bottom of this message.  Please forward to any qualified individuals 
who might be interested in working for NCD in a challenging yet 
rewarding position, and please advise everyone to follow the directions 
in the job announcement when applying for this vacancy.  Applications 
must be submitted by Friday, June 28, 2013.

Job Title:    Legislative Affairs Specialist
Agency:     National Council on Disability

Job Announcement Number:    PH-CF-13-906507
SALARY RANGE:    $89,033.00 to $136,771.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD:     Friday, June 14, 2013 to Friday, June 28, 2013
SERIES & GRADE:    GS-0301-13/14
POSITION INFORMATION:   Full Time - Permanent
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:   14
DUTY LOCATIONS:   1 vacancy in the following 
location: Washington DC, United States
WHO MAY APPLY:   United States Citizens

JOB SUMMARY:

The National Council on Disability (NCD) is an independent federal 
agency making recommendations to the President and Congress to enhance 
the quality of life for all Americans with disabilities and their 
families.

NCD staff supports the work of the Council, which is comprised of 15 
members appointed by the President.  The incumbent of this position 
serves as a Legislative Affairs Specialist, subject to the provisions 
of Title 5 U.S.C. as established by the Vocational Rehabilitation Act 
of 1973, as amended by PL-98-221, dated February 22, 1984.

NCD is committed to actively recruiting and retaining qualified people 
with disabilities and encourages people with disabilities to apply for 
this vacancy.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

1. You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
2. Resume and supporting documents (See How to Apply section).
3. One or more positions may be filled using this vacancy.
4. Some travel required.
5. Incumbent will be required to undergo a Background Investigation.

DUTIES:
    * Serves as key liaison with Members of  Congress and their staffs, 
representing NCD  when necessary, by articulating NCD's  viewpoints and 
positions with respect to legislation and other policies.
    * Tracks and/or drafts legislation and drafts legislative issue briefs.
    * Monitors congressional hearings, and  coordinates and offers 
congressional staff briefings.
    * Performs analyses of bills, laws, programs  and policies relevant 
to the disability  community and recommends areas in which the  
National Council on Disability should consider  legislative or 
regulatory positions or initiatives.
    * Provides or arranges testimony and  responses to Congressional 
inquiries.
    * Serves as a liaison to federal, state,  tribal, and local 
government organizations and  other National Council on Disability 
stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GS-13

I have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the 
GS-12 level in the federal government that has equipped me with the 
knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of 
a Legislative Affairs Specialist.  My knowledge, skills, and abilities 
and experience include knowledge of the federal legislative process and 
a broad variety of agencies, organizations, and programs that serve 
people with all types of disabilities; knowledge of disability laws, 
including but not limited to the Americans with Disabilities Act, 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Ticket to Work and Work 
Incentives Improvement Act, Rehabilitation Act, Fair Housing Act, 
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, Air 
Carrier Access Act, Social Security Act, and other relevant disability 
laws and regulations; experience serving as a liaison with members of 
Congress and their staffs (or employment as legislative staff at the 
state and/or federal levels); utilization of background information to 
assess strengths and weaknesses of competing legislative proposals; 
establishment and maintenance of positive interpersonal relationships; 
planning, coordination, and implementation of projects in collaboration 
with other team members and demonstrated prioritization of work to meet 
deadlines; research and tracking of legislation; effective 
communication of legislative matters and policy positions.

OR

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GS-14

I have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the 
GS-13 level in the federal government that has equipped me with the 
knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of a 
Legislative Affairs Specialist.  My knowledge, skills and abilities and 
experience include an extensive knowledge of the federal legislative 
process and a broad variety of agencies, organizations, and programs 
that serve people with all types of disabilities; extensive knowledge 
of disability laws, including but not limited to the Americans with 
Disabilities Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Ticket 
to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act, Rehabilitation Act, Fair 
Housing Act, Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights 
Act, Air Carrier Access Act, Social Security Act, and other relevant 
disability laws and regulations, and provision of authoritative 
testimony and responses to congressional inquiries on those laws and 
regulations; experience serving as a key or senior liaison with members 
of Congress and their staffs (or employment as legislative staff at the 
state and/or federal levels); in-depth tracking, research, and analyses 
of laws, programs, and policies relevant to the disability community, 
and recommending specific areas in which organizational positions or 
initiatives are warranted; establishment and maintenance of positive 
interpersonal relationships; effective communication of legislative 
matters and policy positions to a variety of audiences.

Only experience obtained by the closing date of this announcement will 
be considered.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

For Noncompetitive Applicants -  All qualified candidates will be 
referred to the hiring agency.

People with Disabilities/Schedule A:  In addition to applying through 
competitive procedures, certain applicants with disabilities may be 
considered noncompetitively under a Schedule A hiring authority.  To 
qualify for employment under Schedule A, an applicant must provide 
proof of disability.  As proof of disability, applicants may provide 
records, statements, or other appropriate information issued from a 
licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical 
professional duly certified by a State, the District of Columbia, or a 
U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational 
rehabilitation specialist (i.e., State or private); or a Federal 
agency, State agency, or an agency of the District of Columbia or a 
U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits.  Proof  of 
disability must be included in the application package.  For more 
information on proof required, see 
<http://www.opm.gov/disability/PeopleWithDisabilities.asphttp://www.opm.gov/
disability/PeopleWithDisabilities.asp.

For Competitive Applicants/All US Citizens:  If you meet the 
qualifications, you will be rated and ranked under Category Rating 
procedures. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which 
your background matches the competencies required for this position.
Candidates will be ranked into 3 categories: 
Best-Qualified; Well-Qualified; and Qualified.

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans? preference points or 
apply the ?rule of three?, but protects the rights of veterans by 
placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. 
Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements 
and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 
per cent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the 
case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or 
higher).

Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The 
category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background 
matches the competencies required for this position.  Please follow all 
instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. All 
applicants' qualifications will be evaluated on the following 
competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
    * TECHNICAL COMPETENCE - LEGISLATIVE/LAW AND  POLICY ANALYSES; AND 
FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
    * PLANNING AND EVALUATING
    * INTERPERSONAL/LIAISON SKILLS
    * EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

BENEFITS:

The National Council on Disability (NCD) offers a comprehensive 
benefits package including paid vacation and sick leave, federal 
holidays, health and life insurance, and participation in the Federal 
Employees Retirement System (FERS), including the Thrift Savings Plan 
(TSP).  The NCD is a great place to work.  Other incentives such as 
Telecommuting and Alternative Work Schedules may also be available to 
you.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Conditions of Employment:
1.       Entrance on duty is contingent upon 
completion of a pre-employment security investigation.
2.       DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees 
are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to 
a financial institution of their choosing.
3.       All male applicants born after December 
31, 1959, must have registered for the selective service (see 
<http://www.sss.govhttp://www.sss.gov/ ). If selected for this 
position, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his 
registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the 
Selective Service Law.

Other Information:
?         Reasonable Accommodations ? The 
National Council on Disability provides reasonable accommodation to 
applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation 
for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please notify 
OPM Philadelphia Services Branch at 215-861-3074.
The decision on granting reasonable
accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
?         Veterans' Preference: If you are a 
veteran claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy 
of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) or an official statement (including 
Character of Service) from your command if currently on active duty. If 
you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the 
DD-214, you must also submit a Standard Form
15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) and the required 
supporting documents listed on that form.  For more information on 
veterans'
preference see <http://www.fedshirevets.gov/http://www.fedshirevets.gov/ .
?         Career Transition Assistance Programs: 
This program applies to Federal workers whose positions have been 
deemed 'surplus' or no longer needed, or an employee has been 
involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the 
competitive service.  To receive selection priority for this position, 
you must be rated 'well-qualified'.  For information on how to apply 
and what documents to submit as an CTAP/ICTAP eligible, go to:
<http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictaphttp://ww
w.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap. 
Candidates must meet or exceed the
Well-Qualified category (85) to be considered as an ICTAP eligible.
?         The National Council on Disability is 
an Equal Opportunity Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, 
there will be no discrimination because of color, race, religion, 
national origin, politics, marital status, disability, age, sex, sexual 
orientation, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, 
or on the basis of personal favoritism.
?         The National Council on Disability 
welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and 
is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities 
have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit 
within the agency.

HOW TO APPLY:

You must submit a complete Application Package by 11:59 PM (EST) on 
Friday, June 28, 2013.

* To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to 
your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume 
and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational 
questionnaire.

* Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.

* It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate 
documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

* To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS 
account, 
<https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Loginhttps://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Lo
gin, select the Application Status link and then select the more 
information link for this position. The Details page will display the 
status of your application, the documentation received and processed, 
and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application.  
Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan 
process.

* To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account 
and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement.  You must 
re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account 
or your application will be incomplete.

Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents:
?         You are encouraged to apply 
online.  Applying online will allow you to review and track the status 
of your application.
    * NOTE:  If you applied online and your  application is complete, 
do not fax the paper  application (1203FX) as this will override your  
prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.
    * If you completed the occupational  questionnaire online and are 
unable to upload supporting document(s):
    * To fax your documents, you must use the  following cover page  
<http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usacover.pdfhttp://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/u
sacover.pdf  and provide the required information.  The
 Vacancy ID is 906507.   Fax your documents to 1-478-757-3144.
    * If you cannot complete the Application  Package online, you may 
fax all of your  materials.  The complete application package  must be 
submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Friday,  June 28, 2013 to receive 
consideration.  Keep a  copy of your fax confirmation in the event 
verification is needed.
    * If you cannot apply online:
1.       Click the following link to view and 
print the assessment questionnaire Online Questionnaire
(https://applicationmanager.gov/Login.aspx?VacancyID=906507)
to Full Questionnaire, View Occupational Questionnaire
(<https://applicationmanager.gov/Questionnaire.aspx?ID=4724851&PreviewT
ype=Questionnairehttps://applicationmanager.gov/Questionnaire.aspx?ID=
4724851&PreviewType=Questionnaire)
and
2.       Print this 1203FX form, follow the 
instructions and provide your responses to the assessment questionnaire 
items 
<http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/opm1203fx.pdfhttp://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf
image/opm1203fx.pdf.
3.       Fax the completed 1203FX form along 
with any supporting documents to 1-478-757-3144. 
Your 1203FX will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application 
Package which includes:

1. Your R?sum?
2. A complete Assessment Questionnaire
3. Veterans' Preference documentation (if
applicable):  Copy of DD-214 provided must show type of 
discharge/character of service, and VA Letter and SF-15, if applicable.
4. Other supporting documents:
         - Eligibility documents, required below


Other Supporting Documents (Submit if applicable to you):
    * Peace Corps Volunteers/Personnel
 Eligibles: Applying as a non-competitive  candidate, MUST submit 
documentation of no less  than 36 months of continuous service without 
a  break in service of 3 days or more and  separated within the last 3 
years.  For more  information see  
http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/competitive-hiri
ng/#url=MiscellaneousAuthoritiesRegulated.

    * Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities Appointment Eligibles: 
 Applying as a non-competitive candidate, MUST submit a copy of your 
 Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal 
 rehabilitation office citing your eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 
 (u).  For more information and proof required see 
 http://www.opm.gov/disability/PeopleWithDisabilities.asp.
    * CTAP/ICTAP eligibles: If you are an eligible Career Transition 
 Assistance Program
 (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) 
 applicant, you may apply for special selection over other applicants 
 for this position. Individuals who have special priority selection 
 rights under CTAP or ICTAP must be well qualified for the position. To 
 be well qualified, applicants must satisfy all qualification 
 requirements for the vacant position and score 85 or better on 
 established ranking criteria, not including veterans? preference 
 points, if applicable.  Proof of eligibility include the
 following:  Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force 
 Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; AND most recent 
 performance evaluation; AND SF-50 demonstrating your separation or the 
 position you will be separated from.  Worker's Compensation 
 Separation: Agency certification of inability to place employee AND 
 Notification of Separation OR Separation SF-50. Disability Annuity 
 Termination: Notification from OPM of disability annuity termination 
 AND Separation
 SF-50 of the last position held. Military Reserve or National Guard 
 Technician Special Disability Retirement Annuity under 5 U.S.C.
 8337(h) or 8456: Certification of special disability retirement 
 annuity from a military department or National Guard Bureau AND 
 Separation SF-50 of the last position held
 (<http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictaph
 ttp://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap)


To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload, complete this 
cover page 
<http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdfhttp://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usasco
ver.pdf
using the following 906507.   Fax your documents to 1-478-757-3144.

If you cannot apply online:
1. Click the following link to view and print the assessment 
questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire, and 2. Print this 1203FX 
form to provide your response to the assessment questionnaire 
<http://www.opm.gov./forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdfhttp://www.opm.gov./f
orms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf
and
3. Fax the completed 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to 
1-478-757-3144. Your 1203FX will serve as a cover page for your fax 
transmission.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Philadelphia Services Branch
Phone: (215)861-3074
Email: <mailto:PHILADELPHIA at OPM.GOVPHILADELPHIA@OPM.GOV
Agency Information:
Philadelphia Services Branch
US Office of Personnel Management
600 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106
USA
WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an 
acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. Based upon 
your score, you may be referred to the hiring official. If your name is 
referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly by that 
office for a possible interview. You will receive notice via email or 
by mail, if no email address was provided by you during the application 
process, once this process is completed (generally 4-6 weeks).

Control Number: 345412700

To view this vacancy announcement on USAJobs.gov, go to:
<https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/345412700https://www.usajo
bs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/345412700





From mwroane at mindspring.com  Tue Jun 18 17:19:34 2013
From: mwroane at mindspring.com (Mark W. Roane)
Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:19:34 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Ann Cutshall's passing
Message-ID: <4C9D86AD44A64FF7AE16A3A25F67662F@LapTop>

I regret to inform you of the passing of Ann Cutshall, a long time member of the Richmond Chapter of the NFB of Virginia.  Her obituary is below.
LOUISE CUTSHALL CUTSHALL, Louise "Ann," 72, of Richmond, departed this life Friday, June 14, 2013. She is survived by her sons, Ronald Cutshall and Eddie Cutshall; and one grandchild, Matthew. She was involved with volunteer and outreach for the blind and multi-disabled. Ann was a longtime member of Stockton Memorial Baptist Church. A memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Friday, June 21, at Stockton Memorial Baptist Church, 5100 Claypoint Rd., Chesterfield, Va. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to the Virginia Association of the Deaf-Blind. . Published in Richmond Times-Dispatch on June 18, 2013. 

From fschroeder at sks.com  Wed Jun 19 21:42:43 2013
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:42:43 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Fun at Convention
In-Reply-To: <1371672671.94457.YahooMailNeo@web162001.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
References: <1371672671.94457.YahooMailNeo@web162001.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <011801ce6d35$efb872e0$cf2958a0$@sks.com>

The note below is from Brittany Savage:

 

Hi Dr. Schroeder,

 

I am writing in regards to Sunday, July 7th. I am planning a trip to Sea
World for the day and they only give guided tours to parties of two or more
people. I was wondering if you could send an email on the NFB announce list
to see if there is any interest. . 

My cell phone number is 804-832-5439. My email is tanielizabeth21 at yahoo.com 

 

Thank you,

 

Brittany Savage



From corbbo at gmail.com  Thu Jun 20 18:05:52 2013
From: corbbo at gmail.com (Corbbmacc O'Connor)
Date: Thu, 20 Jun 2013 14:05:52 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Please sign up to help at the NFB of Virginia's
	exhibit hall table in Orlando!
Message-ID: <83B8F57C-BC7D-4294-8B6A-B2A78839A921@gmail.com>

The following announcement comes from Mary Durbin, Fundraising Committee Chairperson.

We are again looking for people to work the NFB of Virginia's table in the Exhibit Hall. We will be selling peanuts and connecting with our members from around the country. We would very much appreciate any help that you are able to provide. The schedule is below. Please contact Mary Durbin at mrdurbin at cox.net to sign up.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013
One-hour shifts beginning at 11:00, last shift begins at 4:00
						
Wednesday July 3, 2013		
1 half-hour shift at 8:30, One-hour shifts beginning at 9:00, last shift begins at 4:00
						
Thursday July 4, 2013		
Shift from 12:00-1:00 or 1:00-1:45
						
Friday July 5, 2013		
Shift from 12:00-1:00 or 1:00-1:45
Also, one-hour shifts beginning at 6:00, last shift begins at 8:00


From fschroeder at sks.com  Sat Jun 22 01:00:29 2013
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Fri, 21 Jun 2013 21:00:29 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Some disabled workers paid just pennies an hour
In-Reply-To: <20738936.1371848743862.JavaMail.Administrator@newsline-srvra>
References: <20738936.1371848743862.JavaMail.Administrator@newsline-srvra>
Message-ID: <001d01ce6ee3$ebc06850$c34138f0$@sks.com>

FYI.

 

From: John Pare [mailto:jpare at nfb.org] 
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 5:04 PM
To: Fred Schroeder
Subject: Some disabled workers paid just pennies an hour

 

NBC Rock Center - Some disabled workers paid just pennies an hour ?? and
it's legal

At 10:00 PM, Eastern on June 21, 2013

By Anna Schecter, Producer, NBC News

One of the nation's best-known charities is paying disabled workers as
little as 22 cents an hour, thanks to a 75-year-old legal loophole that
critics say needs to be closed.

Goodwill Industries, a multibillion-dollar company whose executives make
six-figure salaries, is among the nonprofit groups permitted to pay
thousands of disabled workers far less than minimum wage because of a
federal law known as Section 14 (c). Labor Department records show that some
Goodwill workers in Pennsylvania earned wages as low as 22, 38 and 41 cents
per hour in 2011.

"If they really do pay the CEO of Goodwill three-quarters of a million
dollars, they certainly can pay me more than they're paying," said Harold
Leigland, who is legally blind and hangs clothes at a Goodwill in Great
Falls, Montana for less than minimum wage.

"It's a question of civil rights," added his wife, Sheila, blind from birth,
who quit her job at the same Goodwill store when her already low wage was
cut further. "I feel like a second-class citizen. And I hate it." Section 14
(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which was passed in 1938, allows
employers to obtain special minimum wage certificates from the Department of
Labor. The certificates give employers the right to pay disabled workers
according to their abilities, with no bottom limit to the wage. Most, but
not all 

special wage certificates are held by nonprofit organizations like Goodwill
that then set up their own so-called "sheltered workshops" for disabled
employees, where employees typically perform manual tasks like hanging
clothes.

The non-profit certificate holders can also place employees in outside,
for-profit workplaces including restaurants, retail stores, hospitals and
even Internal Revenue Service centers. Between the sheltered workshops and
the outside businesses, more than 216,000 workers are eligible to earn less
than minimum wage because of Section 14 (c), though many end up earning the
full federal minimum wage of $7.25.

Harold Leigland, who is blind, with his guide dog on the bus during his
morning commute to the Goodwill facility in Great Falls, Montana, where he
works hanging clothing.

When a non-profit provides Section 14 (c) workers to an outside business, it
sets the salary and pays the wages. For example, the Helen Keller National
Center, a New York school for the blind and deaf, has a special wage
certificate and has placed students in a Westbury, N.Y., Applebee's
franchise. The employees' pay ranged from $3.97 per hour to $5.96 per hour
in 2010. The franchise told NBC News it has also hired workers at minimum
wage from Helen Keller. A spokesperson for Applebee's declined to comment on
Section 14 (c).

Helen Keller also placed several students at a Barnes & Noble bookstore in
Manhasset, N.Y., in 2010, where they earned $3.80 and $4.85 an hour. A
Barnes & Noble spokeswoman defended the Section 14 (c) program as providing
jobs to "people who would otherwise not have [the opportunity to work]."

Most Section 14 (c) workers are employed directly by nonprofits. In 2001,
the most recent year for which numbers are available, the GAO estimated that
more than 90 percent of Section 14 (c) workers were employed at nonprofit
work centers.

Critics of Section 14 (c) have focused much of their ire on the nonprofits,
where wages can be just pennies an hour even as some of the groups receive
funding from the government. At one workplace in Florida run by a nonprofit,
some employees earned one cent per hour in 2011.

"People are profiting from exploiting disabled workers," said Ari Ne'eman,
president of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. "It is clearly and
unquestionably exploitation."

Defenders of Section 14 (c) say that without it, disabled workers would have
few options. A Department of Labor spokesperson said in a statement to NBC
News that Section 14 (c) "provides workers with disabilities the opportunity
to be given meaningful work and receive an income."

Terry Farmer, CEO of ACCSES, a trade group that calls itself the "voice of
disability service providers," said scrapping the provision could "force
[disabled workers] to stay at home," enter rehabilitation, "or otherwise
engage in unproductive and unsatisfactory activities."

Harold Leigland, however, said he feels that Goodwill can pay him a low wage
because the company knows he has few other places to go. "We are trapped,"
he said. "Everybody who works at Goodwill is trapped."

Leigland, a 66-year-old former massage therapist with a college degree,
currently earns $5.46 per hour in Great Falls.

His wages have risen and fallen based on "time studies," 

the method nonprofits use to calculate the salaries of Section 14 (c)
workers. Staff members use a stopwatch to determine how long it takes a
disabled worker to complete a task. That time is compared with how long it
would take a person without a disability to do the same task. The nonprofit
then uses a formula to calculate a salary, which may be equal to or less
than minimum wage. The tests are repeated every six months.

Harold Leigland works at the Goodwill facility in Great Falls, Montana,
where he earns $5.46 an hour.

Leigland's pay has been higher than $5.46, but it has also dropped down to
$4.37 per hour, based on the time-study results.

He said he believes Goodwill makes the time studies harder when they want
his wage to be lower.

"Sometimes the test is easier than others. It depends on if, as near as I
can figure, they want your wage to go up or down. It's that simple," he
said.

His wife, Sheila, 58, spent four years hanging clothes at the Great Falls
Goodwill for about $3.50 an hour. She said the time study was one of the
most degrading and stressful parts about her job. "You never know how it's
going to come out. It stressed me out a lot," she said.

She quit last summer when she returned to work after knee surgery and found
that her wage had been lowered to $2.75 per hour, a training rate.

"At $2.75 it would barely cover my cost of getting to work. I wouldn't make
any money," she said.

Harold said he believes Goodwill can afford to pay him minimum wage, based
on the salaries paid to Goodwill executives. While according to the
company's own figures about 4,000 of the 30,000 disabled workers Goodwill
employs at 69 franchises are currently paid below minimum wage, salaries for
the CEOs of those franchises that hold special minimum wage certificates
totaled almost $20 million in 2011.

In 2011 the CEO of Goodwill Industries of Southern California took home $1.1
million in salary and deferred compensation. His counterpart in Portland,
Oregon, made more than $500,000. Salaries for CEOs of the roughly 150
Goodwill franchises across America total more than $30 million.

Goodwill International CEO Jim Gibbons, who was awarded $729,000 in salary
and deferred compensation in 2011, defended the executive pay.

"These leaders are having a great impact in terms of new solutions, in terms
of innovation, and in terms of job creation," he said.

Gibbons also defended time studies, and the whole Section 14 (c) approach.
He said that for many people who make less than minimum wage, the experience
of work is more important than the pay.

"It's typically not about their livelihood. It's about their fulfillment.
It's about being a part of something. And it's probably a small part of
their overall program," he said.

And Goodwill and the organizations that run the sheltered workshops are not
alone in their support for Section 14 (c). In many cases, the families of
the workers who have severe disabilities say their loved ones enjoy the work
experience, enjoy getting a paycheck, and the amount is of no consequence.

Sheila Leigland, who is blind, with her guide dog. She quit her job at
Goodwill in Great Falls, Montana, after her hourly wage was lowered to
$2.75.

"I feel really good about it. I don't have to worry so much about him," said
Fran Davidson, whose son Jeremy has worked at Goodwill in Great Falls,
Montana, for more than a decade. "I know he's not getting picked on, and
he's in a safe place. He enjoys what he's doing, and he's happy, and that's
what we like for our kids." Jeremy started out working for a sub-minimum
wage but did well on his last time study and is currently earning $7.80 an
hour, Montana's minimum wage.

But foes of Section 14 (c) have hopes for a new bill that's now before
Congress that would repeal Section 14 (c) and make sub-minimum wages illegal
across the board.

"Meaningful work deserves fair pay," the sponsor of the bill, Rep. Gregg
Harper, R.-Miss., told NBC News. "This dated provision unjustly prohibits
workers with disabilities from reaching their full potential."

The bill is opposed by trade associations for the employers of the disabled,
and past attempts to change the law have failed. But Marc Maurer, president
of the National Federation of the Blind and a foe of the sheltered workshop
system, is cautiously optimistic that this time the bill will pass, and end
what he called a "two-tiered system."

That system, explained Maurer, says "'Americans who have disabilities aren't
as valuable as other people,' and that's wrong. These folks have value. We
should recognize that value."

Monica Alba contributed to this report.

John G. Par??, Jr. 

Executive Director for Advocacy and Policy NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

200 East Wells Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21230

Telephone: (410) 659-9314, ext. 2218

Fax: (410) 685-5653

Email: jpare at nfb.org



From fschroeder at sks.com  Tue Jun 25 12:07:13 2013
From: fschroeder at sks.com (Fredric Schroeder)
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 08:07:13 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Seeking an Assistive Technology Tester in our
	McLean, VA Office
In-Reply-To: <00af01ce719a$0a291590$1e7b40b0$@verizon.net>
References: <3bd32a11f987e131757d2768422618e2@mail.gmail.com>
	<CAApqNJrReNuJvCsvhRi9-14O1jz2yU5ZApxQvjkBHNM_fhVt8w@mail.gmail.com>
	<00af01ce719a$0a291590$1e7b40b0$@verizon.net>
Message-ID: <004101ce719c$87ba3f50$972ebdf0$@sks.com>

FYI. This would be a great job for someone strong in technology.

 

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Sam Joehl <sam.joehl at ssbbartgroup.com>
Date: Mon, Jun 24, 2013 at 3:09 PM
Subject: Seeking an Assistive Technology Tester in our McLean, VA Office



Interested in working for a company that provides you a chance to grow
professionally, give back to society and make money doing it?

SSB BART Group (SSB) helps companies design and enhance their IT systems ?
including web sites, web applications, software, hardware, and services ? so
they are usable by people with disabilities. In the same way that buildings
must conform to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) modern web sites
and applications must be accessible to people with disabilities or face
legal liability. SSB allows organizations to address these risks through
software, training, and consulting solutions. This ensures that people with
disabilities have equal access to, and use of, IT systems. With over 1000
public and private sector customers SSB is the leader in the growing field
of accessible IT solutions. Our proven Accessibility Management Platform
(AMP) is the industry?s first on-demand solution that integrates the
business and technical aspects of complying with regulations such as Section
508, ADA, and WCAG.

SSB has an immediate opening for an Assistive Technology (AT) Tester. The
ideal candidate will have significant experience working with assistive
technology, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and will possess strong verbal and
written communication skills. The candidate will have a bachelor?s degree
and relevant work experience.

The AT Tester will work with clients to validate user interfaces against
accessibility design requirements. SSB is a vibrant, fast-paced workplace,
and the AT Tester will be expected to keep up with tight deadlines.
Knowledge of accessibility testing is not a requirement ? SSB will train the
AT Tester in all relevant design requirements. But significant experience
with assistive technology is a requirement.

Responsibilities

?  Test Set Definition ? The AT Tester will work with the client to
determine the boundaries of the testing environment. The AT Tester will
identify a representative test set of the user interface components found in
the client?s system.

?  Testing ? The AT Tester will test the client?s IT system against specific
manual and assistive technology tools.

?  Delivery ? The AT Tester will deliver testing results to the client and
will participate in conference calls and follow-up discussions in order to
create a road map to improve the accessibility and usability of the client?s
IT system.

Qualifications

?  AT Experience - If you use a screen reader or other assistive technology
all day every day we are looking for you. The ideal candidate will have
extensive experience using assistive technologies and will use them as the
primary means of controlling their computer or mobile system.

?  Technical Experience - If the terms HTML, JavaScript and CSS are familiar
to you this is probably a good job for you. We are looking for someone with
a core understanding of web development technologies and how they produce
user experiences. Experience developing with Adobe Flash applications and
PDF documents is a plus.

?  Testing Focus - A large portion of what we do involves testing interfaces
and verifying that they conform to technical requirements. A desire to
perform this validation and experience testing web-based interfaces for
compliance with design specifications is critical.

?  Communicative - You should be able to clearly and effectively communicate
with clients in both written and verbal fashion. Written communication
should show a high attention to detail. Verbal communication should be
formal and indicate the ability to communicate complex topics concisely.

?  Organized and Disciplined - SSB has a culture of disciplined execution
over a long period of time. We seek to hire and advance people that have
this focus and can execute activities on their own, over a long period of
time without a large amount of management oversight. A candidate that will
succeed in this environment should have a desire to grow in the system over
several years and seek to build towards big goals ? over a long period of
time.

?  Excellence Focused - At SSB, we have been successful because we
constantly seek to be the best in our market across all of the products and
services we provide. Think the Ritz Carlton, not the Holiday Inn. In
practice, that means we both charge more and invest more, with the end goal
of providing far more value per dollar spent than our competitors. It also
means that we focus on a very high level of quality and hold ourselves
accountable for delivering against that level of quality. As an Account
Manager, we will give you the discretion and empowerment to act in the best
interests of the customer. As part of that we expect you, in turn, to hold
other team members accountable for delivering high levels of quality and
value to the customer.

?  Small Team Experience - SSB is a small, growing company with teams in
three offices across the country. Experience working in a small office
environment with flexible roles and responsibilities is a desired component.

?  Education - College degree ? BA/BS ? or equivalent is desired.

Application Process

Salary is commensurate with experience. This is a full-time, salaried
position with a competitive benefits package.

For immediate consideration, send a cover letter and resume to
jobs at ssbbartgroup.com. Please include the phrase ?AT Tester? in the subject
line. Failure to include this in the subject line will indicate an inability
to read the job description and follow simple instructions. So, pretty
please, put it in the subject line?

 

 

Sam Joehl

Director of Client Services

SSB BART Group

Accessibility-On-Demand

Follow us:  <http://www.facebook.com/#!/ssbbartgroup> Facebook |
<http://twitter.com/#!/SSBBARTGroup> Twitter |
<http://www.linkedin.com/company/355266?trk=tyah> LinkedIn |
<http://www.ssbbartgroup.com/blog> Blog |  <http://eepurl.com/O5DP>
Newsletter

 

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From gyeager12 at gmail.com  Fri Jun 28 12:48:46 2013
From: gyeager12 at gmail.com (gerald yeager)
Date: Fri, 28 Jun 2013 08:48:46 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Available Room at Rosen Center
Message-ID: <F3C1A426-7E7F-4798-9178-0DB6BF91604F@gmail.com>

All,

I am aware of an extra room available at the Rosen Center hotel.  If anyone knows of someone interested in this, please call me at (703) 461-8528 by midnight Sat.

Thanks,
Jerry





