Greetings Fellow Federationists:

National Convention of the Blind is Coming Soon!
Don’t miss the largest gathering of blind people in the world. The annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind will be held July 1- 6, 2013 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Make your hotel reservations now. We are now filling an overflow hotel, which is very near the Convention Center and headquarters hotel. Room rates start at $79 per night.

2013 National NFB Agenda
Visit nfb.org/national-convention to read all about events and activities which will occur at the National Convention in Orlando, Florida. The highlight of the convention is our annual banquet. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Marc Maurer, President National Federation of the Blind. Be sure to register for the convention and buy a banquet ticket so you can hear about the strength and growth of the world’s largest organization of the blind.

BELL Comes to California
If you are living in the Los Angeles area or know children who do, please spread the word about the innovative summer program called BELL (Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning). This is the fastest growing program of the National Federation of the Blind. Eleven states will be holding BELL programs this year. For more information, contact our coordinator, Kia Vaca at (818) 288-3726.

Pay Disabled Workers Minimum Wages
HR 831, The Fair Wages for Workers with Disabilities Act of 2013 continues to gain support from representatives in Washington. Please help us to repeal the most discriminatory piece of legislation of our day. Disabled workers are the only population which still can receive less than the minimum wage. We are fighting for the rights of all disabled workers including the blind. We need your help. Go to nfb.org/fair-wages-petition to sign our petition and end discrimination of disabled workers.

We Now Have a Vehicle Donation Program
Do you own an old clunker that is not worth fixing up? How about your neighbor’s or friend’s? Donating your vehicle to the National Federation of the Blind is convenient, easy, and may qualify you for a tax deduction and best of all, your donation of a used vehicle will ensure a brighter future for all blind children and adults. In Northern California contact Darian Smith at (415) 215-9809. For Southern California, contact Cheryl Thurston at (909) 829-1466.

Calling All Frances Blend Students
If you were one of the students who benefitted from the education you received at the Frances Blend School in Los Angeles, we are asking for your testimony. Please send a brief description of the skills of blindness and educational experience you received. The Los Angeles Unified School District is planning termination of this specialized program for the blind. The education of blind children should be provided through a full continuum of programs and services. Blind and visually impaired students in Los Angeles risk full inclusion into the regular public schools where they will be lost in a sea of bureaucracy and minimal specific skills training. Don’t let this happen to the younger generation. Write your personal testimony letters to the Superintendent, members of the Board of Education, and the Independent Monitor of the Modified Consent Decree or contact Joy Efron at joyrefron@yahoo.com or (323) 464-1877.

Accessible Taxi Dispatch Acts
The Center for Accessible Technology in Berkeley is working with the California Public Utilities Commission to ensure that taxi dispatch apps like Uber, SideCar, Lyft and others are accessible in accordance with state law. If you have any experience with these apps and can contribute to this discussion about why it is important for blind people to be able to access these apps, please contact Melissa Kasnitz at mkasnitz@cforat.org or (510) 841-3224 x 2019.

There will not be a July 2013 Bulletin as I will be in Orlando at the world’s largest gathering of blind people in the world. To learn more, go to www.nfb.org

Mary Willows, President
3934 Kern Court
Pleasanton, CA 94588
(925) 462-8575
mwillows@sbcglobal.net

Greetings Fellow Federationists:

Register now for the National Convention coming July 1-6, 2013
The National Federation of the Blind will hold its annual convention, which gathers nearly three thousand blind people annually in Orlando, Florida. The convention will be held at the Rosen Centre Hotel. Make reservations now by calling 800-204-7234. Pre-registration is now open. Pre-register online or download the mail-in form at www.nfb.org/registration. Pre-registration closes on June 1st. You must register for the convention in order to take advantage of the hotel rate of $79 per night. For more details on this exciting event, please visit our National Convention Web page.

Grants to the 2013 National Federation of the Blind Convention Are Now Available!
Your presence at the National convention is important! By your presence, you are a part of the largest gathering of blind people held anywhere in the world. The Federation needs your ideas and your voice, and you need the strength and knowledge that comes from common association and collective action. The NFB of California Board of Directors is hopeful that you will join us in the power and unity of purpose that we find at a national convention. Therefore, we are offering grants in the amount of five hundred dollars to assist blind persons and their families to attend the convention in Orlando, Florida. The convention will be held at the Rosen Centre Hotel on July 1 to July 6, 2013.
There are two kinds of grants available:
First, the Wilbur Radcliff Grant is for first time attendees. The NFBC Board will select 10 recipients.
Second, the NFBC Grant will assist those who have attended a national convention in the past. There will be 5 recipients who will be chosen for this grant.
To apply for a grant, please go to 2013 National Convention grant forms. Apply before May 19th, 2013.

Voting Liaison Program
The National Federation of the Blind has received a grant from the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). I am seeking the names of experienced California voters who would be willing to serve as liaison to the state board of elections to help ensure that the rights of all blind and visually impaired voters in our state are not violated. If you are interested in voter’s rights, please contact me by email as soon as possible.

River City Fundraising Event
Join the River City Chapter (Sacramento) on May 18th 2013 for a lunch and 30-minute ride in a convertible. The Sacramento Area Miata Owners Club will be providing rides between 10 am – 2 pm followed by a BBQ lunch. The event will be held at the Society for the Blind in Sacramento. Reserve your ride today! Email Tiffany Manosh to reserve your spot.

Apple iphone Workshop
On Friday, May 24, 2013 at 6:30 pm, The National Federation of the Blind of California San Francisco Chapter will hold an accessibility workshop at the Apple Store located at 1 Stockton Street in San Francisco at the corner of Stockton and Ellis. Exit BART at the Stockton Street Exit on the northwest corner and you will be right in front of the store. At this workshop, you will learn how to get started using an IOS device. You will get some hands-on experience in understanding the ease of use and true accessibility of Apple’s devices. Spread the word to any and all blind and visually impaired people who are interested in purchasing Apple products but have not had the opportunity to explore the possibilities. For more information, contact Darian Smith via email at dsmithnfb@gmail.com or call 415-215-9809.

Mary Willows, President
3934 Kern Court
Pleasanton, CA 94588
(925) 462-8575
mwillows@sbcglobal.net

Greetings Fellow Federationists:

BELL is coming to California.
For the first time, the NFB of California will sponsor the Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) program for children. On July 15through July 26, 2013, blind and visually impaired children in the Los Angeles area will have the opportunity to develop an appreciation for Braille while they work and play. The program is intended to support the classroom instruction that students are receiving in their home district. Braille reading, writing, Orientation and Mobility, Daily Living Skills and lots of games will enrich the summer of 2013 for these students.

To learn more or apply, please contact our southern California BELL Co-coordinator, Kia Vaca. Her phone number is (818) 253-4955. Children living in the greater Los Angeles area are eligible to attend. Parents will be responsible for transportation. The following is the flyer for the BELL Program.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF CALIFORNIA
INVITES YOU TO APPLY FOR THE 2013 CALIFORNIA NFB BELL PROGRAM

The NFB Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) program provides children ages 4 through 12 with concentrated Braille instruction through fun, hands-on learning. Students will learn nonvisual techniques, in addition to daily time devoted to Braille and other projects, games, and engaging activities related to the content being covered in the program.

Who is the program for?
ALL BLIND CHILDREN
• low-vision children who aren’t receiving as much Braille instruction during the school year as needed
• children who have recently lost their vision
• children who have been blind since birth
• children who need to practice, maintain, and increase their Braille skills over the summer
• children who need to meet other blind children and blind role models

Why the NFB BELL Program?
The most unique and meaningful aspect of the NFB BELL program is that blind role models facilitate the majority of the lessons. Your child will learn that blind people can lead successful lives by meeting blind people who lead such lives every day. The NFB BELL program uses time-tested lessons and proven techniques to build self-confidence, positive attitudes, and skills in blind children.

Program Dates: Monday, July 15th – Friday, July 26th

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Please go to www.nfb.org/bell-program to apply! Application deadline is June 1st!
For further information, contact:
Kia Vaca at (818) 253-4955 or chuyandkia@gmail.com

Chemistry Camp is Coming Soon!
The 2013 weekend for nerds is coming in May. If you think that you might know a Junior High School age or High School age student who will be taking Chemistry at some point in their academic career, please tell them about Chemistry Camp.

This three day hands-on Science Camp will focus on the basics of concepts and equipment used in a Chemistry lab. The purpose is to introduce students to the idea that they too can participate fully in a lab class at school. No longer will they have to sit on the sidelines and be told what is happening. Now they can mix chemicals safely and titrate with their peers.

If you want more information, call Mr. Henry Wedler at (707) 338-3692.

Mary Willows, President
3934 Kern Court
Pleasanton, CA 94588
(925) 462-8575
mwillows@sbcglobal.net

March 5, 2013

Greetings Fellow Federationists!
I am happy to report that we are one step closer to securing minimum wages for disabled workers. We have a bill number and now the work will begin. We are looking for co-sponsors for the Fair Wages for Workers with Disabilities Act of 2013 (H.R. 831). The bill is sponsored by Representative Gregg Harper (Republican- Mississippi). Please discuss this landmark legislation at your next chapter meeting. We need every member to call your congressman and ask them to co-sponsor HR 831. It is appalling that in this day and age that anyone in this country can get away with paying sub-minimum wages to workers just because they’re disabled. Read more about the bill and the work of the National Federation of the Blind at www.nfb.org/fair-wages.

Social Security Workshop
The San Fernando Valley Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of California will host a Social Security Information Workshop.
When: Saturday March 16 2013 from 10am to 12pm.
Please try to arrive early (between 9 and 9:30).

Where: Tarzana Medical Center –
Women’s Pavilion building entrance
(Meeting will be held in the auditorium)
18321 Clark St. Tarzana CA (Cross Street is Reseda Blvd)

For more information and to RSVP please log on to www.nfbcsfv.com and click on the Social Security event page or call the NFB San Fernando Valley Chapter at
818-457-9449.

Join the San Francisco Chapter at Chevy’s
On Saturday, March 16 the San Francisco Chapter will meet at 1 p.m. to hold elections and discuss current events. News about national legislation, scholarships, and convention arrangements will be shared. Following the meeting, interested parties will walk over to Chevy’s restaurant to continue the camaraderie. For information, about donating a portion of your meal to the chapter, go here or contact Chapter President, Darian
Smith at 415) 215-9809 or email Darian.

Chemistry Camp
Please help spread the word to high school aged students who would benefit from a weekend of confidence and skill building. The California Chemistry Camp is designed to develop the techniques which will be necessary for a blind student to participate in a science lab class. The program is free to eligible students. It will be held in Napa from Friday, May 3, 2013 through Sunday, May 5, 2013.
If you would like an application and/ or have any questions, contact:
Angela Fowler
Director of planning, Accessible Science
Email: fowlers@syix.com
Phone: 530-902-0987

National Scholarships Deadline is March 31
If you know a blind or visually impaired full time college student, let them know that there are thirty scholarships available through the National Federation of the Blind. The deadline for applications is March 31. Go to www.nfb.org/scholarships to apply.

Mary Willows, President
3934 Kern Court
Pleasanton, CA 94588
(925) 462-8575
mwillows@sbcglobal.net