From tracy.soforenko at gmail.com  Sun Dec  3 16:37:59 2017
From: tracy.soforenko at gmail.com (Tracy Soforenko)
Date: Sun, 3 Dec 2017 11:37:59 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Invitation to Greater Alexandria Chapter Holiday
 Party
Message-ID: <028501d36c55$14de2880$3e9a7980$@gmail.com>

From: BrianMiller [mailto:brianrmiller88 at gmail.com] 
President, Greater Alexandria Chapter

All are welcome at our first annual holiday gathering!

 

You are cordially invited to join us for the Greater Alexandria Chapter's
first ever holiday blast!  It will be held on Friday evening, December 15
from 5:30pm to 9pm at the home of Bob Hartt and Bonnie O'Day.  A catered
dinner from Rockland's BBQ will be available beginning around 6:30.  The
cost of dinner, which will include Rocklands sandwich favorites, cucumber
salad, mixed vegetables, corn bread muffins, rice and beans plus their
dessert cupcakes, will be approximately twenty dollars.  The final price
will be set based on the number of people who RSVP, and you will be notified
of the exact  amount after the RSVP deadline.  

It has been rumored that a few of the Alexandria Harmonizers masquerading as
elves, and maybe even a quartet of them, will make an appearance to
entertain and get all of us to chime in with a few stanzas of our favorite
holiday tunes.  Please RSVP to Bonnie O'Day at bonnoday at gmail.com
<mailto:bonnoday at gmail.com>  no later than Monday, December 11.  

In the spirit of holiday giving, you are invited to join our chapter members
in donating gifts to Volunteers of Alexandria Toy drive. Note that gift
donations must be collected prior to our December 15 holiday party, by
December 14. Gifts must be unwrapped, and can be for all ages of children,
from infant to teen-ager. If you would like to make the season brighter for
some deserving families eligible for this program, you are invited to
contact Evelyn Valdez for full details and to arrange for pick-up of your
gift.  She can be reached at Evelyn.Valdez at va.gov
<mailto:Evelyn.Valdez at va.gov> 

On behalf of all chapter members,  We look forward to your RSVP and wish you
a happy and healthy holiday season!

Brian Miller

President

Greater Alexandria Chapter

Virginia Affiliate, National Federation of the Blind

 



From tracy.soforenko at gmail.com  Sun Dec  3 18:15:23 2017
From: tracy.soforenko at gmail.com (Tracy Soforenko)
Date: Sun, 3 Dec 2017 13:15:23 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] You Dream In Color? Screening at Randolph Macon
Message-ID: <02d801d36c62$affca000$0ff5e000$@gmail.com>

From: Robert Parsons [mailto:rob.parso3389 at gmail.com] 



Greetings Affiliate Members

 

I hope that this message reaches all of you in good health and spirit. I
hope that you are all preparing for the holiday season with plenty of love,
hope, and determination. I am writing to invite you all to an event tomorrow
that I am so proud to be a part of. 

 

In the month of September, I began my final academic year at Randolph Macon
College in Ashland, VA. I worked with the college in hopes of spreading
Federation philosophy in my actions and interactions with faculty, students,
and staff. During this time, I requested that the college screen "Do You
Dream in Color?" in an attempt to not only educate the students and
community members on the brand of the Federation, but to expand the minds of
the students so they can understand all that goes into the methodology of a
successful blind student. After much negotiation, I was granted my wish.

 

On Monday, December 4, Randolph Macon College, in coordination with its
Sociology, Anthropology, and Black Studies Departments will screen "Do You
Dream in Color?" in the Dollar Tree Room at 6pm. This is an event open to
students, community members, and staff. I encourage as many white canes and
guide dogs to make an appearance at this event along with their respective
Federation members. The event will have light refreshments and there will be
a panel discussion proceeding the screening. Serving on the panel will be
yours truly, Luke Schwinck, and Kathryn Webster. Please take time, if you
can, to show support for this event either in person or spirit. If you have
any questions about the event, feel free to contact me at
rob.parso3389 at gmail.com <mailto:rob.parso3389 at gmail.com>  or 804.801.7674.
The address to the college is 305 Henry St., Ashland, VA 23005. I hope to
hear from some members that are interested. 

 

All the Best 

 

Robert E. Parsons Jr.

President, Richmond Chapter

President, Virginia Association of Blind Students

National Federation of the Blind of Virginia

President, French Club

Secretary, Caribbean American Student Alliance

Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society '15

Randolph Macon College '18 

Phone: 804 801 7674

"Without struggle, there is no progress." -Frederick Douglass

 



From tracy.soforenko at gmail.com  Wed Dec  6 02:53:54 2017
From: tracy.soforenko at gmail.com (Tracy Soforenko)
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2017 21:53:54 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Outstanding Video from Virginia's 2017 BELL
 Academies
Message-ID: <002401d36e3d$74aef5c0$5e0ce140$@gmail.com>

The Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) Academies in
Virginia were a tremendous success. This year, we produced an outstanding
video to introduce parents, students, sponsors and volunteers to the program
and we wanted to share this great video with you. We look forward to
introducing more students to BELL academies in 2018.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WQlktH6D4g
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WQlktH6D4g&feature=youtu.be>
&feature=youtu.be

 

Tracy Soforenko

President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia

202 285-4595

Tracy.soforenko at gmail.com <mailto:Tracy.soforenko at gmail.com> 

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

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

National Federation of the Blind. Live the Life You Want

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work
together to help blind people live the lives they want.

 

 



From richard43manor at gmail.com  Wed Dec  6 19:10:19 2017
From: richard43manor at gmail.com (Rick Holley)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2017 14:10:19 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Dec. 2017 NFBV At Large chapter meeting
Message-ID: <59C9B6A2A06645F5AC1A193EE01511E4@LENOVO0A00C700>

Greetings one and all.
We have a very special meeting this month so please spread the news.

Topic: AIRA glasses
Presenter: NFB's own Scott White
Date and Time: Dec. 12 , 8PM
Call In No.: 877-394-5091
Passcode: 6149670
Leader No.: 7813197

Let's all get excited and we'll have a great meeting.

Rick Holley


From richard43manor at gmail.com  Fri Dec  8 22:37:39 2017
From: richard43manor at gmail.com (Rick Holley)
Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2017 17:37:39 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] At Large Chapter Meeting, Big OOPS
Message-ID: <D32F9703A6FA4F31A98D1A8082578720@LENOVO0A00C700>

A double oops, I'm getting too old.
Date, Time: Dec. 12 at 8PM
Topic: Aira glasses
Speaker: Scott White
Call in no.: 877-394-5901
Passcode: 6149670

Hope this one is all correct.
Rick Holley


From SWhite at nfb.org  Mon Dec 11 19:27:35 2017
From: SWhite at nfb.org (White, Scott)
Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2017 19:27:35 +0000
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Come learn about AIRA at the NFB at Large Chapter
 meeting, December 12, 2017
Message-ID: <BN3PR17MB06583A4232BA227A75ED203AD0370@BN3PR17MB0658.namprd17.prod.outlook.com>

Hello,

I am writing to invite you to a teleconference call on Tuesday, December 12, at 8:00 P.M. to introduce you to Aira. See below for call in details.

Perhaps you have heard of Aira or perhaps you have not yet heard of this incredible product!

So, what is Aira exactly? Aira is a product consisting of smart glasses with a tiny high-resolution video camera, an app on a smartphone, and a specially trained agent who describes the images seen by the glasses? camera. To use Aira a blind person contacts Aira through the Aira app. When a request is made an agent is called by the smartphone while at the same time a video internet connection is established between the agent and the glasses. When the agent answers the call from the user, not only does the agent see what the camera transmits, but they also receive gps and Google map data showing where the user is and what is geographically around them.

Agents are specifically hired because they have an aptitude for describing and providing information as required. They go through special training and a rigorous battery of tests before they are permitted to accept calls and go to work. Aira agents do not help, but rather they provide information. If, for example, you use Aira while walking and you approach a street corner the Aira agent will not tell you when it is safe to cross the street. The agent can indicate it they see cars coming and they can tell you when the traffic light turns green for you. Aira does not replace canes, guide dogs or your travel skills. Instead, Aira enhances your toolbox of information gathering techniques.

People have used Aira to go shopping, travel through airports and malls, perform household tasks such as identifying and preparing meals, putting on makeup, visiting places such as amusement parks and Arlington cemetery, assembling items and even running in the Boston Marathon. Aira is limited in what it can do only by your imagination!

If you want to learn more about how this easy to use accessibility tool can be used in your daily life to obtain access to visual information around you, please join us this Tuesday evening, December 12, 2017 at 8PM Eastern by calling the number listed below.

Call: 877-394-5901
Pin: 6149670

During the meeting, you will learn all you wish to know about Aira. I will be accompanied by an AIRA agent, we will be conducting a live demonstration. Come join us and get your questions answered.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Scott White

Disclaimer

The information contained in this communication from the sender is confidential. It is intended solely for use by the recipient and others authorized to receive it. If you are not the recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking action in relation of the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful.

This email has been scanned for viruses and malware, and may have been automatically archived by Mimecast Ltd, an innovator in Software as a Service (SaaS) for business. Providing a safer and more useful place for your human generated data. Specializing in; Security, archiving and compliance. To find out more visit the Mimecast website.

From tracy.soforenko at gmail.com  Tue Dec 12 04:00:50 2017
From: tracy.soforenko at gmail.com (Tracy Soforenko)
Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2017 23:00:50 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Tell congress about Your Experience with Access to
 Instructional Materials in higher Ed
Message-ID: <011001d372fd$ccc807f0$665817d0$@gmail.com>

From: Andre Hill [mailto:andrehill6188 at gmail.com] 
Virginia Association of Blind Students

Legislative Committee chair

To maximize our effectiveness in Washington advocating with Congress for the access to Instructional Materials in Higher Education (AIM HE) Act,  we need help from current college students to write a letter in the next few weeks. To incent you to provide a letter, we have  arranging a drawing where you can win a $25 prize.

We adjusted the deadline to ensure students can help us advocate for this important work. The letter needs to explain your interactions with accessing educational and other related materials whether it is positive or negative so we can share these letters with Congress. 

 

These letters are very important because it allows YOUR legislator to hear directly from you about the challenges you are encountering at your College or University. If you haven't had any challenges in school and everything is doing well so far for you, that is wonderful write a letter explaining that because that equally as important. 

 

We have made significant changes in the world of disability rights and many of those changes started with letters from parents, teachers, advocates and especially STUDENTS just like you who told your stories and let your voices be heard. Each semester, more and more students are facing the future unprepared because of inaccessible materials in colleges and universities. This must stop now!! The future is ours to shape and mold but we must do it together and I am asking for your help.

 

As you know, we are raffling off a $25 gift card. Any student who sends us a letter will be placed in a drawing to win that gift card. Only one letter per person. We are extending the deadline: ALL letters MUST BE turned in by January 5, 2018 at 11:59pm. 

 

I strongly ask that you take some time out of your holiday break and please write your letter. If you need help feel free to contact me or President Parsons, we will be glad to assist you. 

 

 

Yours Sincerely, 

 

Andre' E. Hill

 

-Chair, Legislative Committee

Virginia Association of Blind Students

National Federation of the Blind

 

-Member- Planning Activities Committee & Alumni Advisory Council
Maryland Youth Leadership Forum

 

-Student Member

Electronic Information & Technology Advisory Board

Tidewater Community College

 

 

"I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it.?-Rosal?a de Castro

 



From patnaude.sarah at yahoo.com  Thu Dec 14 22:10:37 2017
From: patnaude.sarah at yahoo.com (Sarah Patnaude)
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2017 17:10:37 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Join Us at the 2018 Washington Seminar
Message-ID: <fa425ec5-3140-406c-b3b5-b0362810f209@email.android.com>

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From jsorozco at gmail.com  Tue Dec 26 23:47:33 2017
From: jsorozco at gmail.com (Joe Orozco)
Date: Tue, 26 Dec 2017 18:47:33 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] The Vigilant: December 2017
Message-ID: <001e01d37ea3$e6c3d880$b44b8980$@gmail.com>

Hello all,

Please follow the link below to read our affiliate newsletter. Of special
note, please be mindful of the reservation deadlines. Hotel reservations for
Washington Seminar must be made by this Thursday, December 28, and hotel
reservations for Richmond Seminar must be made by next Thursday, January 4.
All the information you need to make said reservations are in the enclosed
newsletter. Please note I am not reserving extra rooms for Richmond, so that
January 4 deadline is a hard deadline.

Thanks all, and enjoy the newsletter:

http://www.nfbv.org/vigilant-december-2017/

Joe Orozco




From patnaude.sarah at yahoo.com  Sat Dec 30 16:18:09 2017
From: patnaude.sarah at yahoo.com (Sarah Patnaude)
Date: Sat, 30 Dec 2017 11:18:09 -0500
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Deadline Reminder,
 2018 Richmond Seminar Reservations by January 4 and Board meeting
 details.
Message-ID: <d08ba7f0-5802-447d-9489-87f76c64079a@email.android.com>

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