National Federation of the Blind of California

May Bulletin

On May 8, 2012, In Chapters, Events, Grants and Scholarships, Monthly Bulletins, News & Updates, By nfbcal

To be read at chapter meetings:

Grants For The Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind 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 you 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 twenty grants in the amount of five hundred dollars to assist blind persons and their families to attend the convention inDallas,Texas. The convention will be held at the Hilton Anetole on June 30 to July 5, 2012. There are still a couple of grants available. Follow the link to

http://www.formstack.com/forms/?1067330-B0gaIvN28V

Join the Inland Empire for a Luau:

The NFB of California Inland Empire Chapter will hold a Luau on Saturday, June 23, 2012 from 12:00 P.M. until 4:30 P.M. The location is the Veteran Foreign War Post 2070,825 South Magnolia AvenueinMonrovia,California,91016. The cross street is Chestnut. Tickets are ten dollars per person and must be purchased in advance. Spend a little time inHawaiiwith us, dress in your Hawaiian attire and listen to some Hawaiian music and enjoy a great meal. Aloha!

For more information, contact Cheryl Thurston at (909) 829—2481. Please RSVP by June 16, 2012.

Dream of Opportunity, Believe in Equality, Achieve Security:

Join the National Federation of the Blind of California as we Catch Our Dreams for the future.

Catch Our Dreams is a fundraising campaign to benefit the California Chemistry Camp. Established in 2011, Chemistry Camp is a groundbreaking Science Camp where young high school age blind students can learn to tackle the very visual subject of organic chemistry. Founded by Henry Wedler, recipient of President Obama’s 2012 Champions for Change Award. Henry believes that if blind students are prepared ahead of time for chemistry class, they will be empowered to succeed in Science.

Catch Our Dreams is a funfilled day of entertainment, a delicious lunch and an auction of many wonderful items. Your support and participation will ensure that Chemistry Camp will continue.

Purchase your tickets for twenty five dollars a piece at
to complete your registration for the 2012 Catch Our Dreams Event

Catch Our Dreams will be held on Sunday, August 5, 2012 at the Marriott Courtyard located at 1350 Holiday Lane,Fairfield,California,94534from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

The entertainment will be performed by singer songwriter, Jamie Clark. Jamie is well known in the San Francisco Bay Area. To listen to a sample of Jamie’s music go to www.JamieClarkMusic.com

Mary Willows, President
39481 Gallaudet Drive Apt. 127
Fremont, CA 94538
(510) 248-0100
mwillows@sbcglobal.net

2012 NFBC National Convention Grant

On April 20, 2012, In Chapters, Events, Grants and Scholarships, News & Updates, By nfbcal

Grants to the 2012 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 twenty grants in the amount of five hundred dollars to assist blind persons and their families to attend the convention in Dallas, Texas. The convention will be held at the Hilton Anetole on June 30 to July 5, 2012. Follow the link to apply

To read the daily schedule of events and information about registration go to the national convention website.

$500 Scholarship to attend the 2012 National Convention in Dallas Texas

On February 17, 2012, In Chapters, Events, Grants and Scholarships, By nfbcal

The East Bay Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of
California is granting $500 to a lucky somebody to help get them to
their first national convention of the National federation of the
Blind, NFB. The convention will be held in Dallas, Texas, from June 30
to July 5, 2012. If you are blind, at least 18 years of age, a legal
resident of California and have never been to an NFB national
convention, then you may qualify to receive $500 to go to your first
one. (Minors will be considered only with the understanding that they
MUST be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and that there will
be no additional grant funds to supplement the additional individual.)

How to ApplyThe grantee will be selected by the board of the East Bay Chapter and
notified thereafter. Submissions must be received/postmarked by March
16th, 2012. Electronic submissions should be emailed to:
nfbceastbay@gmail.com. Please include “Grant for Dallas” in the
subject line. Print or braille submissions are welcomed too and should
be mailed to: Serena Olsen, President, NFBC East Bay, 34904
Herringbone Ct., Union City, CA 94587.

Please provide us with your name, address, phone number, and email. In
50 words or less, tell us something fun or interesting about yourself
and in 250 words or less, answer the following two questions:
• Why is attending national convention important to you?
• What kinds of things do you hope to learn from the national
convention experience?
If selected, preliminary expenses (airfare, registration, etc.) must
be covered by the grantee. Grant funds will be disbursed upon arrival
at the convention. By accepting the grant, you are committed to
attending the rookie Roundup, general session, banquet and a local
chapter meeting immediately following convention to share your
experience.

About ConventionEvery year, 3,000 people from around the country–and even from around
the world–attend national convention. The convention agenda is
action-packed and filled with workshops, seminars, division meetings,
and great speakers on just about any blindness-related topic you can
imagine. From sports and recreation to education, from lawyers to
guide dog users, from cane travel to braille, from assistive
technology to employment, you’ll find students, working blind
professionals and mentors and make lasting friendships and
connections. To learn more about the NFB national convention go to:

http://www.nfb.org/nfb/national_convention.asp.

October 2011 Bulletin

On October 3, 2011, In Chapters, Events, Grants and Scholarships, Monthly Bulletins, News & Updates, By nfbcal

The National Federation of the Blind of California Convention is Coming!

This year, our national representative is Mr. Joe Ruffalo, President, National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey and a member of the NFB Board of Directors. Joe is a blind veteran andfounder of “Thru Our Eyes”. An on-line radio program on which Joe interviews leaders of the NFB. Joe is a dynamic speaker and fundraiser. I know he will enrich and enhance our convention. You can hear his keynote address at the banquet on Saturday, October 15, at 7:00 P.M. For more information, read on.

Where? Hilton Newark/Fremont. Located at 39900 Balentine Drive, Newark, CA, 94560. At the corner of I 880 and Stevenson Blvd. Just three miles from the Fremont BART station.

For hotel Reservations, call: (510) 490-8390. Be sure to say that you are with the National Federation of the Blind of California to get the reduced rate.
You will need a hotel confirmation number to pre-register on line and take advantage of discounted hotel and registration prices.
Room Rates: $85.00 per night. Plus10% tax. Singles, Doubles, Triples and Quads Until October 6.

Convention Pre-registration: www.sixdots.org/events
$95.00 until October 6, 2011.

Pre-Registration Package includes: One ticket to a live improve comedy show called “Made Up Theatre” on Friday, October 14 at 8:00 P.M. If purchased separately it will cost $15.00.
One convention registration for $15.00.
One banquet. If purchased separately it will cost $40.00.
One Diabetes Action Network (DAN) lunch on Saturday, October 15. If purchased separately it will cost $25.00.
One Chapter Interaction breakfast on Sunday, October 16 at 7:30 A.M. If purchased separately it will cost $25.00.

If you wait until you get to the convention to register, all of these events and meals will cost you a total of $120.00. So pre-register now!

October 2011: Meet the Blind Month

Meet the Blind Month is our nationwide campaign to increase awareness of and support for the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). During the entire month of October, affiliates and chapters throughout the country will be joining forces to spread the message that the NFB is the voice of the nation’s blind and that blind people are the best resource for learning about vision loss, blindness, and rehabilitation. This year, as part of Meet the Blind Month, a challenge will be implemented: to organize innovative and creative events in local communities. We welcome all chapters and affiliates to join in the challenge to develop the most unique event.

White Cane Day Walk for Independence:

This year we will celebrate October 15, White Cane Day, with a public education Walk for Independence. Anyone interested in carrying signs announcing the freedom and independence which blind people enjoy thanks to the signing of the White Cane Law are welcome to join us. We will leave the hotel at 10:30 A.M. to walk two blocks up Balentine and return to the hotel by noon for the Diabetes Action Network luncheon. Signs will be available upon exiting the hotel. Bring your walking shoes and help us to celebrate independence. We will also have a few signs to inform the public of our opposition to the payment of subminimum wages to blind sheltered workshop workers.

Chapter Baskets for Auction:

This year, at our banquet, Saturday evening, several chapter baskets will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. This fundraising event will be lively and rewarding. Our Mistress of Ceremony, Ever Lee Hairston will call out the items in theme baskets which have been donated by chapter members from all over the state. So far, we have wine lovers basket; coffee lovers; tea lovers; technology; chocolate lovers; German; and SF bay area collections are just a few on the list. If your chapter is interested in putting together a basket, all you have to do is pick a theme and members will bring donated items for the basket. Chapter Presidents will present them at the banquet. Let’s see how creative your chapter can get.

iPhone 5 Drawing:

A statewide drawing will be held at the banquet for an iPhone 5. Tickets are available from chapter presidents for $5.00 each. Winner need not be present. If you need tickets, let me know.

California Association of Blind Students Bowl a thon:

Sponsor sheets will be available on our website for the November 5, 2011 Bowl a thon. Throughout the state CABS members will accept donations and sponsorship for this fundraising event. Support your local student and sponsor them while they rack up the bowling pins. Proceeds will benefit Chemistry Camps and Youth Slam participants.

Pathfinders Chapter Netbook drawing:

On Thursday, October 20, 2011, the members of the Pathfinders Chapter (Los Angeles) will draw a lucky ticket for the winner of a Toshiba Netbook. The drawing will be held at the chapter meeting. Tickets are available from members or call President Rochelle Houston at (323) 807-0300 or e-mail rhouston58@gmail.com. Tickets are $5.00 a piece or three for $10.00. The winner need not be present. Pathfinders Chapter meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month at the WLCAC Senior Center, 10957 South Central Avenue, Los Angeles. The drawing will be at their October meeting.

Guidinglights Chapter 20th Anniversary Celebration:

Save the Date. Come join the Guiding Lights chapter in celebration of our 20TH year
anniversary. The celebration will take place on December 10/2011 from
2:00PM-5:00PM at Truxton’s Restaurant, 8614 Truxton Ave. Stay tuned for more
information or call President Geraldine Croom at (323) 418-7211.

Quote: “The right of access to public accommodations and common carriers is a civil right. It is a basic right indispensable to participation in the community, a substantive right to which all are fully and equally entitled.” By Dr. Jacobus tenBroek

Mary Willows, President
39481 Gallaudet Drive Apt. 127
Fremont, CA 94538
(510) 248-0100
mwillows@sbcglobal.net

NFB National Convention Reflections, Part 1

On July 16, 2010, In Events, Grants and Scholarships, News & Updates, Stories, By nfbcal

The year 2010 and the National Convention was awesome! The California Affiliate honored me with a scholarship to attend the National Convention in Dallas, Texas this year and as a Rookie I can honestly say it was overwhelming, but many of you already knew this would happen. I was assisted by Angela Fowler, who was patient with me and who continues to answer all the questions I have about everything. I am truly thankful for her presence and patience. I am also thankful for the California Affiliate’s gatherings and encouragements.

There were many things to listen to and many more hands on displays of new technology as well as old. Much of it was truly amazing to me. I enjoyed all of it. The one thing that struck me as the most astonishing thing though was the people. There were so many blind, partially blind, sighted, or friends and family of the blind in attendance and everyone was cheerful. There were over 2400 people there. I discovered, that for me, the most impressive thing about this convention was that here, in this place, I was no different from anyone else. In this environment, I was normal. I didn’t have anyone telling me how odd I was or how different I was or even how strange it was that I was who I was. I was myself. One of many in a sea swelling with pride for the present and hope in for what the future would bring.

I was encouraged, supported, and included in whatever I wanted. My life has always revolved around reading. My parents encouraged me to use my sight to read and so it’s what I know. One of the biggest fears I’ve had is the thought that I would soon be unable to read regular written print. At National Convention I discovered that I need no longer be fearful of the loss of this skill. I met the author of the McDuffy Reader, who was patient and explained why I should start with basics to me. I am also truly thankful to a first grade girl who was reading at one of the booths and upon her recommendation; I bought my first Braille book. Reading now has a different feel for me and I have begun that process with encouragement and enthusiasm. Having been able to touch and explore such items as the new technology of note-takers I now know there are ways for me to be an active reader and participant without feeling left out or stupid. I have also discovered a passion for the use of Braille and will continue to explore and advocate for its continued use in the future.

Sincerely,

Launa George

« Previous Entries