From john_bailey17 at hotmail.com  Mon Nov  2 15:09:36 2015
From: john_bailey17 at hotmail.com (John Bailey)
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2015 10:09:36 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Fairfax Chapter Nov. 19 meeting: How to enjoy the
	holidays without regrets
Message-ID: <BLU173-DS15420F7F611425F3D029E78F2C0@phx.gbl>

Our program for the November 19, 2015 (third Thursday meeting) will be focused on how to be happy healthy and guilt free during the upcoming holidays. If you are like me, you tend to overdue it during the holidays by eating and drinking too much. The holidays are to be celebrated. Is there a way to have fun, join in the parties, and enjoy food and drink without suffering ?January Regret??



Our guest speaker for our November meeting is Debbie Dennis NS. She knows what motivates people to overindulge and she also knows how to break the cycle so that we can enjoy ourselves without the remorse.



Debra?s Background 

Debra Dennis, Founder of Indigo Lifestyle Solutions, has been a highly respected Consultant and expert in the field of Household and Estate Staffing and

Nutritional Coaching for the past 23 years. 



Debra focuses on working with busy people who have challenges around weight, overeating, binge eating, body image, and a number of health

concerns such as digestion, fatigue, mood issues, autoimmune disease and more. She is trained in a highly unique and results oriented approach to eating issues.



With her Bachelors Degree in Mental Health & Masters in Nutritional Science, she believes in making sense of life?s complexities. Her passion has always been about breaking things down to their simplest form and opening up new doors (and minds) for others. 



Debbie was professionally trained and

Certified by the Institute for the Psychology of Eating. In addition, she is a Certified Integrative Holistic Nutritionist, Aroma Touch Practitioner, Essential Oils Educator and a bestselling author on Amazon.



November means Chapter Elections:

At our November meeting, we will be holding elections for the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and two board positions. The only requirement for the board positions is the desire to grow the chapter and to attend monthly conference calls.



Contact Cathy for more information about the offices at 703.319.9226.





Meeting Location and Time:

For the foreseeable future, we will be meeting at the home of Cathy Schroeder. Her address is:

9522 Laggersfield Circle

Vienna, VA

Her townhouse is a short walk from the Vienna Metro station.

Cathy?s phone number is:

703.319.9226



We begin gathering at 6:30 PM for dinner and the program begins at 7:00 PM. Pizza is available for a $5 donation. Please let Cathy know before the meeting if you are planning to attend and have pizza so we can order enough.



From mwroane at mindspring.com  Thu Nov  5 17:26:23 2015
From: mwroane at mindspring.com (Mark W. Roane)
Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2015 12:26:23 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] NFBV IEP Seminar
Message-ID: <21EF2ABCBBB244708FCBCC1897A6A3BA@LapTop>

One of the most effective ways for us to work with parents of blind children in Virginia is to help them get the best education they can get and the services needed to accomplish that are set forth in the Individualized Education Plan document.  Join us Saturday, November 21, 2015 at The Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired (VRCBVI) located at 401 Azalea Avenue, Richmond, VA  23227 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to learn how to advocate for families in their IEP meetings.  You will learn IEP jargon, how to spot good and bad goals, what a reading assessment is, the purpose of a functional visual assessment, components of an IEP for a student who is a dual learner (learning large print and Braille), what services the school district must provide and accommodations for students with multiple disabilities.  A variety of materials will be provided in print, Braille or electronically (indicate your preference on the registration form).  There will be time for questions.  

 

Our NFBV treasurer, Mark Roane, is collecting the registration forms and seminar registration fee; for seminar specific questions, contact Sandy Halverson at 703-400-6890.  We will not be providing child care for this seminar.  The registration fee of $30 per person or $50 per couple includes a box lunch.



We hope to see many of you there.


-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: NFBV IEP Seminar Registration Form.doc
Type: application/msword
Size: 23040 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbv-announce_nfbnet.org/attachments/20151105/6ddf5e88/attachment.doc>

From michaelgkasey at verizon.net  Thu Nov  5 17:56:40 2015
From: michaelgkasey at verizon.net (Michael Kasey)
Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2015 12:56:40 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Independently voting.
In-Reply-To: <62A8C357-11F3-4B5D-A135-C9B485D0FFE2@gmail.com>
References: <62A8C357-11F3-4B5D-A135-C9B485D0FFE2@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <001301d117f3$5375b5d0$fa612170$@verizon.net>

This should be a Richmond Chapter issue to be worked together with you.


The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

-----Original Message-----
From: valentinoma19 at gmail.com [mailto:valentinoma19 at gmail.com] 
Sent: Thursday, November 5, 2015 12:22 PM
To: Fellows NFB Leadership <Virginia-Fellows at nfbnet.org>;
nfbv-announce at nfbnet.org
Cc: Kasey Michael <michaelgkasey at verizon.net>; Roane Mark
<mwroane at mindspring.com>; Soforenko Tracy <tracy.soforenko at gmail.com>;
Jeannette <jigholson at comcast.net>
Subject: Independently voting.

Recently we had elections here in the Commonwealth of Virginia and when I
went to my polling place I was given the option of having someone read the
ballot to me or marking it up myself. Where I vote we had a paper ballot.
Fortunately, I am low vision and was able to put my nose on the paper and
figure it out independently.

Most of the time I have to put ointment in my eyes which would have negated
me being able to vote without some type of accommodation. I called The
Hanover County Board of Elections this morning and spoke with Teri Smithson.
She assured me that there was an audio and braille style voting device at my
voting precinct. And I assured her that my wife and I were never informed of
its presence or existence. 
After a short positive conversation in which I expressed that I'm not here
to fuss, I'm here to help others and educate them, we agreed that more work
needs to be done to raise the awareness concerning these voting device that
are available to help the blind and visually impaired independently vote.

Michael Valentino
valentinoma19 at gmail.com
Cell - 804-513-6261

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.
 




From holleymanor at verizon.net  Sun Nov  8 21:00:11 2015
From: holleymanor at verizon.net (Rick Holley)
Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2015 16:00:11 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] At Large Chapter Nov. Meeting
Message-ID: <5B07B1A5604B4F5FAF96BAE7B91F971A@LENOVO0A00C700>

Greetings
Date: November 10
Time: 8 PM
Conf. No.: 877-394-5901
Passcode: 614 9670
Subject: Topics for the next 6 mo.s

Please attend and bring your thoughts, ideas, and special needs.. It will be exciting.
Rick

Mark, if the Announce doesn't go, please send out the message.
Thanks, Rick


From mwroane at mindspring.com  Sun Nov  8 23:38:41 2015
From: mwroane at mindspring.com (Mark W. Roane)
Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2015 18:38:41 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] November At Large Chapter Conference call
Message-ID: <43C002BC214E419EB51AC7AA9A9B4955@LapTop>

Hello all,

 

Please join moderator, Rick Holley, for our monthly NFB of Virginia At Large Chapter conference call meeting on Tuesday, November 10, 2015at 8:00 pm.  To participate, simply call 1 (877) 394-5901 and when prompted for a pass code, enter 6149670.

 

Guest Speaker

 

Topic:

Planning our next 6 months

 

Please bring your thoughts, ideas and needs to our discussion.

 

We look forward to you joining us.

 

Rick Holley

Moderator

 


From tracy.soforenko at gmail.com  Wed Nov 11 16:54:33 2015
From: tracy.soforenko at gmail.com (Tracy Soforenko)
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2015 11:54:33 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Share Your Feedback: 2015 NFB of Virginia
	Convention Survey
Message-ID: <031401d11ca1$a430a9a0$ec91fce0$@gmail.com>

We heard positive feedback on the 2015 NFB of Virginia Convention. However,
we want to learn from you how we can make future conventions even better.
Please take 5 minutes to complete the 9 question survey on Survey Monkey.

 

Note for Screen reader users:

The Survey Monkey tool worked really well but the accessibility is good but
not perfect.

Using a screen reader, the first question allows you to select which
Saturday break out you attended but didn't provide me the selection when I
tab back into the field. It worked better for our other tester.

A few of the questions allow you to select all the statements for which you
agree. Using a screen reader, I was able to use the space bar to select each
of the statements for which I agreed.

After the 9th question, the Done button comes immediately after the question
response field.

You must select the Done button to submit your survey response.

We did not test using VoiceOver on an iPhone.

 

 <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5HR7LGW>
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5HR7LGW

 

We ask that you complete your survey by Saturday, November 14.

 

If you are unwilling or unable to use this Survey Monkey tool, I have
attached a Microsoft Word document with the survey which you can send back
to me. However, I do ask that you try to Survey Monkey because this tool
will automatically compile your answers.

 

Many thanks to John Bailey, Jeremy Grandstaff, and corbb O'Connor for
developing this survey.

We truly value your feedback on what worked well and where we can continue
to improve.

 

Thank you,

 

Tracy Soforenko

First Vice president, NFB of Virginia

Tracy.soforenko at gmail.com

202 285-4595

 

-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2015 Post Convention Survey  v2.docx
Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
Size: 20908 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbv-announce_nfbnet.org/attachments/20151111/029e8525/attachment.docx>

From michaelgkasey at verizon.net  Wed Nov 11 22:51:55 2015
From: michaelgkasey at verizon.net (Michael Kasey)
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2015 17:51:55 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] 2016 NFB Convention dates and location
Message-ID: <000801d11cd3$907e5290$b17af7b0$@verizon.net>

Our 2016 National Convention of the NFB will be held in Orlando at the Rosen
Shingle Creek from Thursday June 30 to Tuesday July 5.

 

Make plans now and save your money to be there with other Virginians!

 

 

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

 



From michaelgkasey at verizon.net  Wed Nov 11 23:18:15 2015
From: michaelgkasey at verizon.net (Michael Kasey)
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2015 18:18:15 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] 2016 National Scholarships from the NFB
Message-ID: <000d01d11cd7$3e8decd0$bba9c670$@verizon.net>


News:


NFB Scholarship Program:
We are accepting scholarship applications from November 1, 2015, to March
31, 2016.  This annual program offers thirty scholarships worth from $3,000
to $12,000 to eligible students, from high school seniors beginning their
freshman year in the fall semester of 2016, up through grad students working
on their PhD degrees. These merit scholarships are based on academic
excellence, community service, and leadership. In addition to the money,
each winner will receive assistance to attend the June 30-July 5, 2016, NFB
annual convention in Orlando, Florida, providing an excellent opportunity
for high-level networking with active blind persons in many different
professions and occupations.

Go to www.nfb.org/scholarships <http://www.nfb.org/scholarships>  for
complete rules and requirements.

 

 

 

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

 



From john_bailey17 at hotmail.com  Thu Nov 12 15:02:28 2015
From: john_bailey17 at hotmail.com (John Bailey)
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2015 10:02:28 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] NLS seeks patrons for video testimonials
Message-ID: <BLU173-DS3F0EFD4C46E14F84F15E58F120@phx.gbl>

NLS seeks patrons for video testimonials
The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, is producing radio and television public service announcements (PSAs) and videos featuring testimonials from NLS patrons who have used the braille and talking book program. These products will raise awareness of NLS services so that all may read and will encourage more people to take advantage of NLS resources.

We need your help to identify and contact participants for the video shoots on either Saturday, December 12, or Sunday, December 13, in the DC Metro area. We seek NLS patrons who are willing to speak on camera about their favorable experiences with the braille and talking book program. We especially want to include patrons who are aging adults, students, and veterans, or who have a physical disability that prevents them from using regular print materials.

Interested patrons should contact me directly at (571) 982-8864 or fgoldsten at reingold.com for more information. They will be interviewed over the phone before being selected as confirmed participants in the video shoot.

Please spread the word about this video shoot among the NLS patrons you know in the Washington metropolitan area who might like to participate. I have attached language you can personalize and share with local NLS patrons by email or in person. We are also happy to directly contact specific NLS patrons you may have in mind. 



Thank you for your support of this important endeavor! Please contact me if you have any questions. 



Best regards,

-- 

Forrest Goldsten

Communications Intern



Reingold, Inc.

433 E Monroe Avenue

Alexandria, VA 22301

Main: 202.333.0400x045

Fax: 703.299.2424

Email: fgoldsten at reingold.com



www.reingold.com



We're on a mission. Yours.


From michaelgkasey at verizon.net  Thu Nov 12 17:10:07 2015
From: michaelgkasey at verizon.net (Michael Kasey)
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2015 12:10:07 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] VTTI - EV Noise testing
Message-ID: <002301d11d6c$fb629370$f227ba50$@verizon.net>

Please see the announcement below.

 

 

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

 

Please see the note below from Virginia Tech Transportation Institute And
distribute to NFB members in and around Blacksburg, Virginia.

 

>From Virginia Tech Transportation Institute:

 

 

Thank you for your interest in our study! This project is recruiting people
ages 18 and older who are legally blind.

 

We are currently recruiting eligible individuals who are visually impaired
to participate in a research study assessing detectability of approaching
vehicles within a simulated intersection environment.  Specifically,
participants will be asked to identify the first point of detection with
respect to approaching vehicles, as well as the point at which the
approaching vehicle has passed and is no longer a threat.  These assessments
will be from the point of view of a pedestrian who is attempting to cross
the street, although participants will remain stationary throughout the test
session.  This study would involve coming to our facility for a single
day-long (7-8) session.  This session will include two, 2.5 hour, evaluation
blocks within the simulated intersection environment; one in the morning and
one after lunch. There will be several breaks, and lunch and snacks will be
provided as part of participation. You will participate with 3 other
participants.  An experimenter will be with you at all times.  Participants
will be paid $250 for full participation.  

 

If you are interested in possibly participating, we need to go over some
screening questions to see if you meet all the eligibility requirements of
this study. Any information given to us will be kept secure and
confidential. 

 

Please call us at 540-231-1277 to go through the telephone screening, which
will take approximately 15 minutes. Or you may send an email with subject
line "CROSSING" to:  <mailto:VTTIstudy at vtti.vt.edu> VTTIstudy at vtti.vt.edu
with your phone #, time and date that is best for us to call and we will be
happy to contact you.

 

Please let us know if you have any questions.

 

Sincerely, 

 

Anne Hall

Project Assistant

Virginia Tech Transportation Institute

3500 Transportation Research Plaza

Blacksburg, VA 24061

Email:  <mailto:ahall at vtti.vt.edu> ahall at vtti.vt.edu


Work: 540-231-1277

 

Please note that VTTI holds normal business hours. Any correspondence
received after 5:00pm will be attended to on the next business day. 

 

 

 

-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: VTTI - 'Crossing' Study more information recruitment email.docx
Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
Size: 17383 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbv-announce_nfbnet.org/attachments/20151112/792ec131/attachment.docx>

From michaelgkasey at verizon.net  Sat Nov 14 19:34:53 2015
From: michaelgkasey at verizon.net (Michael Kasey)
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2015 14:34:53 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] People with disabilities in STEM - Nov. 18 ACS
 Science & the Congress Briefing
In-Reply-To: <CAJojENQT97UmDeyfam=HZasBCzte7Ou=AUVOyn1J7rHcuTO_5w@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAJojENTwG=jGJnb7Z7ZJS30B5ex+NKRaps==zNsY2AEDqoKgCA@mail.gmail.com>
	<CAJojENQT97UmDeyfam=HZasBCzte7Ou=AUVOyn1J7rHcuTO_5w@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <000901d11f13$8927ed70$9b77c850$@verizon.net>

Dear fellow Federationists,

 

We would like to invite you all to a non-partisan, informational briefing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at noon. We will be hearing from four panelists, including Gabe Cazares from the NFB National Center, about people with disabilities in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and healthcare workforce. As you know, the disparity between disabled and non-disabled people in the workforce is large and difficult to overcome. This briefing will look at possible ways forward in addressing this important issue. Since this topic is likely not on the radar of many Congressional staff, this is also an excellent opportunity to make connections. So please RSVP and show that we can #LiveTheLifeWeWant.

 

Event info:

http://www.congressplus.com/events/index.cfm?action=Event_Page <http://www.congressplus.com/events/index.cfm?action=Event_Page&eventcode=vgMYxY&bypass=true> &eventcode=vgMYxY&bypass=true

 

RSVP:

http://www.congressplus.com/events/index.cfm?action=Registration_Form <http://www.congressplus.com/events/index.cfm?action=Registration_Form&eventcode=vgMYxY&bypass=true> &eventcode=vgMYxY&bypass=true 

 




Stephanie H. DeLuca, Ph.D.

Science Policy Fellow, American Chemical Society
stephanie.h.deluca at gmail.com <mailto:stephanie.h.deluca at gmail.com> 
256.810.2138 <tel:256.810.2138> 

In the field of observation, chance favors only the prepared mind.
    ~Louis Pasteur, lecture 1854

 

Stephanie H. DeLuca is a 2015 ? 2016 NFB of Virginia Leadership Fellow

 

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams.  You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

 

 



From mwroane at mindspring.com  Mon Nov 16 15:59:24 2015
From: mwroane at mindspring.com (Mark W. Roane)
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2015 10:59:24 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] IEP seminar registration form
Message-ID: <1604F30B4FF94DF38229DE4497C56AF7@LapTop>

Good morning all,
For any of you that missed receiving a IEP seminar registration form, please see the attached document.
Please email back the completed form no later than this Wednesday and bring the registration fee with you when you come on Saturday.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday.
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: NFBV IEP Seminar details.doc
Type: application/msword
Size: 20992 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbv-announce_nfbnet.org/attachments/20151116/9be1dd42/attachment.doc>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: NFBV IEP Seminar Registration Form.doc
Type: application/msword
Size: 23040 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbv-announce_nfbnet.org/attachments/20151116/9be1dd42/attachment-0001.doc>

From michaelgkasey at verizon.net  Thu Nov 19 20:12:43 2015
From: michaelgkasey at verizon.net (Michael Kasey)
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2015 15:12:43 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Disability community representation needed for
 planning and input sessions on Virginia's statewide sheltering strategy
In-Reply-To: <30DD2B3B29B9964E9EF3AAD6106359EA46CABD6A@COVMSGCES-MBX09>
References: <B1A6ABAB46ABF24BAED86240B50C330E05AE36D7@COVMSGCES-MBX16>
	<30DD2B3B29B9964E9EF3AAD6106359EA46CABD6A@COVMSGCES-MBX09>
Message-ID: <000001d12306$a6b85810$f4290830$@verizon.net>

Good afternoon,                                                     

 

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management is seeking input and ideas
for development of an integrated, statewide sheltering strategy. We have
collected and solicited feedback across the state over the past few years
and now we would like to take the next step and provide an opportunity for
local emergency managers and emergency management stakeholders in sheltering
to help craft this new strategy. Our goal is to develop a statewide
sheltering strategy that enhances and augments local and regional
sheltering, using state resources in the most effective and efficient way
possible. I am reaching out to invite your organization to help ensure we
have adequate representation from the disability community at each of these
sessions. I want to ensure that any and all discussions about sheltering and
mass care related to disasters include people with disabilities. With your
input, we can identify the best way to support sheltering for people with
disabilities and we can develop the most effective way to use state
resources to keep people as close to home as possible during sheltering. 

 

Through a series of regional listening sessions that will be carried out
across the Commonwealth, your organization and other disability advocacy
organizations across the state can provide your input on new and evolving
issues with sheltering, potential solutions, major concerns, what has been
tried in the past and what worked and didn't work. Part of the approach for
these listening sessions is to have a well-balanced cross-section of
representation from the whole community. That's why we are inviting local
and regional emergency managers and planners, non-profits that have a role
in sheltering, and other emergency management stakeholders from the
community. These include disability advocates, military, healthcare, higher
education, animal control and voluntary agencies. I sincerely hope that you
and your organization will consider participating in as many of these
sessions as you are able. 

 

The following dates and times have been scheduled: 

 

*	Nov. 23: 10 to 12 p.m. in Winchester; 
*	Dec. 1: 10 to 12 p.m. in Fredericksburg;
*	Dec. 3: 1 to 3 p.m. in Fairfax;
*	Dec. 8: 10 to 12 p.m. in Salem;
*	Dec. 9: 1 to 3 p.m. in Marion;
*	Dec. 16: 10 to 12 p.m. in Culpeper;
*	Jan. 5: 1 to 3 p.m. at the Eastern Shore Community College;
*	Jan. 7: 10 to 12 p.m. in Norfolk;
*	Jan. 14: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Williamsburg; and
*	Jan. 19: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Tappahannock.

 

All dates, times and locations are listed on the Eventbrite registration
page. If you are unable to attend a meeting in your region, please feel free
to attend one in another region. Registration is required at
www.regionallisteningsessions2015.eventbrite.com
<http://www.regionallisteningsessions2015.eventbrite.com>    

 


If there is an agency, organization or individual you feel should be
included in the sessions, please email forward the invitation directly to
them. If you are unable to attend any of the meetings, please feel free to
email your ideas and concerns to me at: dawn.brantley at vdem.virginia.gov
<mailto:dawn.brantley at vdem.virginia.gov> . 

 

Please let me know if you have any concerns, suggestions or questions. I
hope to meet you at one of these upcoming sessions or before. 

 

 

Respectfully,

 

Dawn Brantley, ADAC

Sheltering Coordinator

Virginia Department of Emergency Management

 

C) 804-332-3432

 

Linked In: linkedin.com/in/dawn Brantley

 

"If all you have is a hammer, you look at every problem as a nail."

 

 

 

 

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: RLS Flyer.pdf
Type: application/pdf
Size: 599852 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbv-announce_nfbnet.org/attachments/20151119/af021825/attachment.pdf>

From michaelgkasey at verizon.net  Thu Nov 19 20:20:26 2015
From: michaelgkasey at verizon.net (Michael Kasey)
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2015 15:20:26 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Information from NABS
Message-ID: <000601d12307$ba85d010$2f917030$@verizon.net>

Students are encouraged to participate in Washington Seminar

 

Hello everyone,

 

I have been asked to post the following message from NABS to this list. Here is what our students have to say.

 

Hello,

                The National Association of Blind Students (NABS) is launching our first-ever Washington Seminar sponsorship program!

Students from all affiliates are encouraged to apply to be considered for financial support. NABS is making a big push this year to have a grand turn-out of students to represent our Federation family and advocate for our issues.

The deadline is shortly approaching, as applications are due this Sunday, November 22! Decisions will be made by December 15. As affiliate presidents, we welcome any recommendations you may have throughout the decision-making process. Please email Kathryn Webster (kathrynwebster.nfb at gmail.com <mailto:kathrynwebster.nfb at gmail.com> ) or Sean Whalen (nabs.president at gmail.com <mailto:nabs.president at gmail.com> ) with any references you may have.

Please distribute the following link to student division presidents and any students that would be interested:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1SU6lRgEw2yPZRLYi1qWowV0fl1bAPa2AWMcHJllxrxk/viewform?c=0 <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1SU6lRgEw2yPZRLYi1qWowV0fl1bAPa2AWMcHJllxrxk/viewform?c=0&w=1> &w=1

 

To learn more, read the information below!

 

We are extremely excited to have an impressive student turnout at the 2016 Washington Seminar. Washington Seminar is an empowering and meaningful experience where students can not only learn a ton, but also help the Federation build a brighter future for blind Americans. I urge each of you to strongly consider taking part in the Washington Seminar, and encourage anybody who requires financial support to do so to take advantage of this funding opportunity.

 

Keep in mind that this effort is intended to provide funding to students who would be otherwise unable to attend Washington Seminar due to financial hardship.

If you, your parents, your local chapter or state affiliate, or anybody else is providing or could provide financial support to enable you to make the trip, please take advantage of those other opportunities. Receiving financial support from another entity does not necessarily make you ineligible for this funding. Only apply if you truly NEED the help to attend Washington Seminar. Finally, be aware that if you are granted financial support, you will be required to attend meetings and functions in DC from 9am January 25 to 5pm January 27.

Applications are due November 22. Please simply read the instructions and requirements and fill out the form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1SU6lRgEw2yPZRLYi1qWowV0fl1bAPa2AWMcHJllxrxk/viewform?c=0 <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1SU6lRgEw2yPZRLYi1qWowV0fl1bAPa2AWMcHJllxrxk/viewform?c=0&w=1> &w=1

If you apply, you will receive a decision on your application no later than December 15, leaving ample time for transportation and hotel bookings.

 

Yours,

Kathryn Webster

Secretary/Treasurer | National Association of Blind Students

 

 

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

-------------- next part --------------
An embedded and charset-unspecified text was scrubbed...
Name: Untitled attachment 00040.txt
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbv-announce_nfbnet.org/attachments/20151119/18171c7f/attachment.txt>

From tracy.soforenko at gmail.com  Fri Nov 20 20:56:10 2015
From: tracy.soforenko at gmail.com (Tracy Soforenko)
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2015 15:56:10 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] What You Missed at the 2015 Career/Employment
	Workshop
Message-ID: <042a01d123d5$e2a97e60$a7fc7b20$@gmail.com>

The Career/Employment Break Out at the 2015 NFB of Virginia Convention  was
a great success. Facilitated by Jeremy Grandstaff and guided by our team of
presenters and 12 facilitators, Jeremy has compiled information from all our
facilitators and prepared the following document as an output from this
session. 

 

Melody Roane and I want to thank everyone who participated in this session
and hope that everyone can benefit from the good work of this talented team.

 

Tracy Soforenko and Melody Roane


 


NFBV-Career Development W    workshop?Summary and Raw Outputs


Facilitated by: Jeremy Grandstaff <http://linkedin.com/in/jeremygrandstaff>
, Organization and collaboration Consultant, S  <http://www.sgendeavors.com>
& G Endeavors, Ltd.


 

Introduction: On October 31, over sixty people gathered at the National
Federation of the Blind of Virginia <http://www.nfb.org>  State Convention
to:

1.     Learn from others;

2.     share their stories; and,

3.       Together, create solutions and action that will position
participants for career success.

Their overall purpose: to provide participants with the confidence,
knowledge, skills, and techniques to achieve their career goals

The following document recaps the collaborative career development workshop
by highlighting what happened and capturing the raw outputs from the
discussion. Links to audio recordings of the panel, panel Q&A, and
report-outs from small group discussions will be available in December 2015.

 


Panel ?Transforming your approach-Growing Your Career Potential


Activity Introduction: With the purpose of bringing a fresh perspective,
story, and wisdom to participants, four panelists shared tips that could
help participants rethink how they could transform their careers moving
forward. After the panel, the participants broke into small groups to
process their reactions to the knowledge shared by the panel and to identify
those questions of understanding that would help get the panelists to share
more wisdom. The panelists included:

?         Fredric Schroeder, Ph.D., First Vice President, World Blind Union
and Immediate Past President, NFB of Virginia 

?         Michael Kasey, President, NFB of Virginia

?         Althea Pittman, President, Eastern Shore Chapter and Executive
Director, Eastern Shore Center for Independent Living

?         Corbb O?Connor, Business Growth & Communications Consultant,
O'Consulting Group

 

The raw outputs from the break-out discussions are captured below.

 


What did we hear? (We will have all heard different things)


?         Blind skills are important,

?         Networking, social media.

?         Discrimination will occur 

?         Timing is everything.

?         And be able to deal with that.

?         Need a positive attitude.

?         Social media networking updating skills.

?         Very positive. Especially importance of good training; importance
of addressing one?s blindness

?         Really liked the presentations. 

?         Want even more on networking and how to tap the NFB

?         Dignity at work

?         Find People

?         Positive on personal and social media

?         People are told to be bold.  Use Social Networks to get the word
out about blind people.  People have experienced discrimination need to keep
trying.  

?         People need to have proper training.  

 


What are our reactions to what we heard? (Because we all heard different
things, our reactions may be different as well).


?         Inspiration.

?         Frustration with discrimination.

?         No matter what stage of life you are in you will experience some
of the same discrimination.

?         I have bad skills and need to go to a training center to improve
my skills. I need to get more involved with the National Federation of the
Blind here in Virginia. 

?         Important to network and reach out to others

?         Will face discrimination. What matters is how you react to that
discrimination.

?         The NFB believes in me when others might not. 

?         Grateful for others to work to overcome societies injustices, but
not sure of our role in that process

?         Only takes effort to communicate

?         Create  your message and presence on social media

?         Don?t portray the wrong message

?         Can tell the people who are blind. No picture in their profile.  

?         Don?t take no from someone who does not have the authority to say
yes.

?         One participant indicated that they did not have problems getting
a job. This person expressed surprise in hearing about discrimination.  

?         Anger at hearing about people being rejected.  

?         Networking is now a requirement.  Many jobs are not advertised. 

 


What questions of understanding do we have and for whom? Each group was able
to ask at least one question)


?         When you have multiple disabilities how do you advocate and move
forward?

?         What is the right time to decide what it is you want to do?

?         How much information do we share on social networking?

?         Give us good resources on how to create good profile

?         Social media with Corbb

?         did you have a mentor and how did you find this mentor??Althea

?         Corbb ? What are the significances of using LinkedIn, when one is
not looking for a job?

?         Corbb ? What would be a good LinkedIn post versus a post on
Facebook or Twitter?

?         Althea ? What else did you hear from the contacts you made in
addition to the encouragement they gave you to get you in?

?         Fred ? How do you help someone who is 45ish and has had a lifetime
of low expectations and self-esteem get to a better point in life?

?         What tips can people come up with as to how to convince others
that we are good job candidates?  How can we sell ourselves?

 


Small group break-out Discussions?Digging Deeper and Taking It to the Next
Level


Activity Introduction: After the panel, the room was divided into small
group break-out discussions around a variety of predetermined topics.
Participants were encouraged to self-select the topic that was most
important to them, creating an opportunity for participants to explore
personal challenges, collaborate to build solutions, and identify strategies
for success in particular areas.

Each small group was encourage to dig deeper around their topic area,
specifically brainstorming the challenges faced, choosing two challenges to
discuss, and identifying solutions to the prioritized challenges. At the end
of this activity, each group shared the highlights of their discussion with
the whole group.

The following section recaps the raw outputs from each group?s discussion. 

 

 


Topic: Refreshing your blindness skills.


 


Brainstormed challenges


?         Have no idea how to cook.

?         Technology

?         Reading braille too slowly.

?         Dealing with quick changing of technology.

?         Just lost vision recently and needs help.

?         Learning mobility in new areas.

 


Challenge Discussed: Full blindness training.


?         Wherever you are in your blindness journey, getting training on
blindness skills is okay.

?         If you have specific skills you need to work on there are many
places to get that training.

?         Most importantly is to talk with your NFB family to find how to
get what training you need.

 


Topic: Deciding to go back to work


 


Brainstormed challenges


?         Blindness skills

?         Process of finding jobs

?         Where do I go to open Locational Rehabilitation Case?

?         What do I do about the age barrier?

 


Challenge Discussed: blindness skills


NFB training center to obtain the correct skills to be successful.

 


Challenged discussed: Process of finding skills


NFB training center to help with finding jobs.

 


Challenge discussed: Where do I go to open Locational Rehabilitation Case?


Open the case at your local Locational Rehabilitation Office. 

 


Challenge discussed: What do I do about the age barrier?


Join other groups dealing with age. 

 


Topic: How to not be the token blind person


 


Brainstormed challenges


?         Being treated as special. 

?         don't feel challenged

?         Employers and coworkers assume you are incapable.

?         you are a demographic

 


Challenged discussed: Finding a way out of the ?token blind person? spot


We decided that because one of us was in a "token blind person" position in
his office, we would find a solution to that. As the person described his
situation, it sounded like a no win situation and we unanimously decided
that the best method of not being token in a situation where you are blocked
on all sides is to research other employment options. Having options
empowers us.

 

Other potential solutions that can be considered are:

?         open dialogue

?         find other employment

?         Make yourself unique to the employer.

?         build a relationship

 


Topic: Employers? Expectations and How You Present Yourself


 


Brainstormed Challenges


?         One?s boss uninterested in challenges and techniques used by
employee?wondered if the boss should ?walk in the blind employee?s
moccasins? to see how the job would be performed. The boss didn?t seem to
have any interest in how the job would be performed by a blind employee.
Just expected the job to be done. 

?         Boss loaded the employee with extra duties without promotion.
Since the employee didn?t have a degree and broader career options
elsewhere, the boss simply loaded on work with no career advancement.

 


Discussed Challenge: Uninterested Boss:


For the uninterested boss, get more personal.  Some ideas included:

?         Getting to know about his or her interests, family, or outside
activities in order to engage him in conversation.  

?         Maybe invite him or her out for lunch or some other social event.

?         Volunteer for opportunities at the office that show you can
contribute more than others expect. Ideas included holiday parties, the
combined federal campaign, special committees or other tasks that take you
out of just doing the day job. For example, volunteer to attend a
conference, travel to the conference, take notes, and present back to the
team after the conference.

 


Topic: Networking


 


Brainstormed Challenges


?         How to network

?         How to work a room

?         How to have confidence when you can?t read others body language

 


Discussed Challenge: How to network


?         Use all resources possible, Social media, friends, family, past
co-workers

?         Make sure you do all necessary research on company, job, and tasks

?         Have a good resume and personal references at hand

 


Discussed Challenge: How to work a room


?         If possible, have someone describe the layout of the room, where
tables, objects, and people are.

?         Walk around, don?t just stand there.  Listen to where people are
and head towards them.

?         Don?t be afraid to ask someone where the person you are looking
for is. 

?         Don?t just yell out a name

?         Learn to identify voices

 


Topic: Obstacles in the workplace


Highlights from the discussion


Employer is not willing to allow the instillation of Screen Enlarging
Software (Zoom text).  The individual has a copy of the software that can be
placed on a workstation at no cost to the employer, but employer has refused
to do this.  Solution:  Increased advocacy by the NFB.  (Dr.  Fred Schroeder
is working with this person, and I have shared with him this discussion with
the permission of the individual.)  There were no other challenges
identified.  

 


Topic: Overcoming the No Experience, No Job, Catch 22


 


Brainstormed Challenges


?         Lack of opportunity 

?         How to get employer to feel comfortable

?         Sometimes they will not let you volunteer either

?         Too low the bar

?         Sometimes age discrimination

?         Especially employment gaps

?         Cant demonstrate ability

?         Jobs are low level beneath abilities

?         Feeling of rejection

 


Challenges Discussed?Solutions include:


?         Bring recommendation letters from anyone who knows you well

?         Bring work samples 

?         May have samples of work on the phone or easily available

?         Do free volunteering

?         Prepare answers for questions

?         Be a mentor at the he workplace

?         Get a mentor at the work place

?         Network with everyone

?         When feeling rejected talk to other blind people

?         Relax 

?         Keep moving and trying

 


Topic: Interviewing with Confidence


 


Brainstormed Challenges


?         Interviewing information

?         When to bring up the pink elephant of blindness in the interview.

?         How do you get nerves under control so that you don't sound
nervous in an interview, but you convey confidence.  I get nervous about
what questions they'll ask.  How do you prepare for an interview and then
you get asked something you didn't expect.

?         Dealing with how uncomfortable blindness can make people feel;
they don't know how to direct you; they're nervous about how to help you.  

?         As an employer, my struggle is how to hire best fit not just the
most qualified because of hr. policies. 

?         Overcoming that I?m not just friendly person, but am also
qualified.

 


Challenge Discussed: Dealing with being nervous during an interview.


?         Get experience.  

?         Capability profile: where you list your capabilities not just your
experience which is on a resum?; don't show it to them beforehand; they'll
look at it and it has headings like administration.  Corbb will share an
example with us.

?         Everybody is different; some rehearse before interviews; don't
think everyone else is great about interviews and I'm not

?         ask what can I do to get that edge off

?         get friend to rehearse interviews.

 

Challenge discussed: Pink elephant

?         when to bring up blindness.

?         Bring it up at beginning.  

?         During questions, you can add in how you dealt with situation as a
blind person.  Use behavioral questions to segue into talking about
blindness. 

?         Go with the flow if it is a topic that people understand blind
people can do; if they will be astonished, then raise blindness.  If you are
applying for a job in same department, you might not bring up blindness.
>From a sighted person's perspective, should I ask people who will be
interviewing with us if they need accommodations? 

?         If blindness is not brought up in the interview, the sighted
person will be wondering about it; they won't ask.  If you don?t bring it
up, I'll be distracted about it.  

?         It's important that the blind person initiate the discussion about
blindness.  

?         The blind person needs to anticipate equipment they may need to
bring to an interview to do things that may be asked in the interview.  

?         If you are an employer you can put something on the application or
interview invite, (for instance, if writing on a whiteboard is part of the
interview and it presents a challenge, let us know and we can accommodate.) 

 

 

Tracy Soforenko

 

Tracy.soforenko at gmail.com

202 285-4595

 



From michaelgkasey at verizon.net  Wed Nov 25 00:31:05 2015
From: michaelgkasey at verizon.net (Michael Kasey)
Date: Tue, 24 Nov 2015 19:31:05 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] NFB of Virginia 2016 Student Scholarship Committee
Message-ID: <000a01d12718$929a5020$b7cef060$@verizon.net>

Federation Family,

 

We  are pleased to announce that Chelsea Cook and Brian Miller have agreed
to serve as our Co-chairs for our 2016 NFB of Virginia College Scholarship
program.  We look forward to hearing from them and the rest of the committee
early next year.

Thank you,

Michael Kasey

President

National Federation of the Blind of Virginia

 

 

 

 

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

 



From john_bailey17 at hotmail.com  Wed Nov 25 13:20:18 2015
From: john_bailey17 at hotmail.com (John Bailey)
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 2015 08:20:18 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Join the NFBV on Twitter : Need your input
In-Reply-To: <BLU173-DS1467F2C29B6738E8074A188F270@phx.gbl>
References: <BLU173-DS2092C27342294ACE26EFB78F530@phx.gbl>
	<BLU173-DS4A4D543AD403799DC17318F350@phx.gbl>
	<BLU173-DS1467F2C29B6738E8074A188F270@phx.gbl>
Message-ID: <BLU173-DS9351EE1842EE27958E7B08F050@phx.gbl>

Greetings Fellow Federationists



As the holidays swiftly approach, I am sure we have a list of things, people, and situations we should be thankful for. Personally, I would like to state that my involvement with the federation is definitely on that list. One way I plan to show my thanks is to continue to show awareness and promote the NFB message and spirit. As the engineer of the affiliate?s Twitter page, I plan to rejuvenate our presence on Twitter and use the platform to continue to showcase the great work that all of our chapters do.



I am beginning a program on the Twitter page that I need all of your assistance with. This ?Word Association? program is a movement that I will spur within the affiliate by calling upon each federationist to explain to me in one word what the NFB is in your opinion. Simply, I am requesting all of the members to send me a three word e-mail or text message. This should read, ?NFB is ?? followed by your name and chapter you are a part of. This ?movement is a challenge to each and every one of the members of our affiliate to take all of the positive, uplifting things that the NFB embodies and use the word that can best describe. Your word association will be posted on the Twitter page and will be the cornerstone of a hopefully much larger movement that will bring Virginia?s Twitter page to prominence and capture the attention of the world.



If you can take the time to send me a word association, please send this to rob.parso3389 at gmail.com with the subject line ?Word Association.? Please do not forget to mention your name and chapter after the quote. I also ask the chapter presidents to present this request to their chapters in their monthly meetings in order to garner more activity. As always, you can find the NFB of Virginia on Twitter as @NFBVirginia. If e-mail is not your forte, please feel free to text message the word association along with your name and chapter to 804 200 3275. I hope for this Twitter movement to become a success and bid you all a great day.



Happy Holidays



Robert E. Parsons Jr.

Vice President, Richmond Chapter

National Federation of the Blind of Virginia (NFBV)

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College '17

Alpha Delta Mu National Music and Social Work Fraternity ?07

Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society '15

www.nfbv.org

Phone: 804 200 3275

"Persist Until Success Happens." -Thomas Bailey





From michaelgkasey at verizon.net  Thu Nov 26 00:58:30 2015
From: michaelgkasey at verizon.net (Michael Kasey)
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 2015 19:58:30 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Passing of Mel Padgett
Message-ID: <000201d127e5$92f1cfd0$b8d56f70$@verizon.net>

I regret to inform you of the passing of Mel Padgett.  He was our Treasurer
of the Fredericksburg Chapter of the NFBV.  Mel was a friend to many.
Please join me in offering prayers for him and his family.

 

Melvin R. Padgett II passed away, peacefully in his sleep, at the age of 62,
on November 20, 2015.

Born on July 21, 1953 in Pasadena, California, he was the eldest son of
Catherine and Melvin Padgett I. He attended Penn State University, where he
graduated with a Bachelor's in Animal Science. He went on to earn his
Masters of Business Administration, from Southeastern University.

Melvin worked as a Senior Commercial Loan and Grant Specialist, for the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, for 28 years. He was also very active in the
community; he was always willing to give his time and talent to help improve
the community. At the time of his passing, he was serving as the Treasurer
for the Fredericksburg Chapter of the National Federation of The Blind; he
was an active member of the Disability Resource Center and he was an
enthusiastic participant in the Spotsylvania Lions Club.

Melvin is survived by his two daughters, Suzie Telfer and Amanda Maddox, his
wife Elizabeth R Belz Padgett, and his four grandchildren, Seth, Victoria,
Alex and Caleb.

Funeral services to be held at 11 am on Saturday, December 12th, 2015, at
Christ Lutheran Church of Fredericksburg.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation,
103 Vision Way, Bloomfield CT 06002 or by using the website www.Fidelco.org
<http://www.Fidelco.org> 

 

 

 

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

 



From michaelgkasey at verizon.net  Thu Nov 26 16:49:38 2015
From: michaelgkasey at verizon.net (Michael Kasey)
Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2015 11:49:38 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Happy Thanksgiving
Message-ID: <001001d1286a$71e3bd50$55ab37f0$@verizon.net>

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

 

 

We celebrate with our families this Thanksgiving day.  I write to remind you
we thank God for all our gifts.  I share with you a proclamation offered by
our 1st President of the United States of America.

 

 

Following a resolution of Congress, President George Washington proclaimed
Thursday the 26th of November 1789 a day of "public thanksgiving and prayer"
devoted to "the service of that great and glorious Being who is the
beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be."
Reflecting American religious practice, Presidents and Congresses from the
beginning of the republic have from time to time designated days of fasting
and thanksgiving (the Thanksgiving holiday we continue to celebrate in
November was established by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and made
into law by Congress in 1941).

In setting aside a day for Thanksgiving, Washington established a
non-sectarian tone for these devotions and stressed political, moral, and
intellectual blessings that make self-government possible, in addition to
personal and national repentance. Although the First Amendment prevents
Congress from establishing a religion or prohibiting its free exercise,
Presidents, as well as Congress, have always recognized the American regard
for sacred practices and beliefs. Thus, throughout American history,
Presidents have offered non-sectarian prayers for the victory of the
military and in the wake of catastrophes. Transcending passionate quarrels
over the proper role of religion in politics, the Thanksgiving Proclamation
reminds us how natural their relationship has been. While church and state
are separate, religion and politics, in their American refinement, prop each
other up.

Thanksgiving Proclamation 

Issued by President George Washington, at the request of Congress, on
October 3, 1789 

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of
Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly
to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress
have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of
the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by
acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty
God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a
form of government for their safety and happiness:" 

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November
next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that
great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that
was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto
Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the
people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal
and manifold mercies and the favor, able interpositions of His providence in
the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of
tranquillity, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the
peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish
constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly
the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty
with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing
useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors
which He has been pleased to confer upon us. 

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and
supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to
pardon our national and other trangressions; to enable us all, whether in
public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties
properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all
the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and
constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to
protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown
kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and
concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue,
and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto
all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be
best. 

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the
year of our Lord 1789.

George Washington

 



From tracy.soforenko at gmail.com  Sun Nov 29 20:34:03 2015
From: tracy.soforenko at gmail.com (Tracy Soforenko)
Date: Sun, 29 Nov 2015 15:34:03 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Wanted: Innovators to create a new Career Resource
	for Blind Virginians
Message-ID: <00ff01d12ae5$49870d80$dc952880$@gmail.com>

Do you want to arm blind and low vision students and adults with the
attitude and skills to succeed in today's work environment? 

Do you have experience with online education, rehabilitation, and new media?

Do you have interest in creating something valuable to enhance the career
success of our members?

The NFB of Virginia Career Education committee is seeking a few talented
individuals to help formulate new tools to augment blindness skills
training.

This committee will be working to develop a proposal to be presented at the
NFB of Virginia Board of Directors meeting on January 18, 2016. If approved
by the Board of Directors, the committee will continue to develop this idea,
seeking partnerships and developing pilot content for a roll out in 2016. 

 

If you are interested in learning more and believe you could contribute to
the committee's efforts, please contact Patrick Johnson, Career Education
committee chair at

 

patrickjohnson1015 at gmail.com

or via phone at  540 230-4287.

Since we are moving forward quickly, we ask that you kindly reach out to
Patrick no later than December 9 so we can work to compile ideas into a
working document for those people we know will attend. The agenda for the
committee meeting will only be provided to those people who reach out to
Patrick in advance.

Please plan to attend our committee conference call on Tuesday, December 15.


Conference Call details:

 

Tuesday, December 15 at 7:00 PM

Conference Call Number: 712 432-0220

Passcode: 9986460#

 

Tracy Soforenko

First Vice president, NFB of Virginia

Tracy.soforenko at gmail.com

202 285-4595

 



