January 7, 2011

To be read at chapter meetings:

“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” Henry Ford

Happy New Year to all.  May this year start off with enthusiasm and continue to build team work and lasting friendships throughout the future.

The Blind Driver Challenge
The time has come when all of the blind people in America will witness a fantasy dream come true.  On January 29, 2011, the whole world will be watching as the unthinkable will come to fruision.  In Daytona, Florida, a blind person will actually get behind the wheel of a car and drive it independently prior to the Rolex 24 race.  California will be well represented by sixteen lucky people who were able to get tickets and hotel rooms.

The car will be controlled by a series of interactive computerized tactual signals.  The driver will where a helmit and gloves which will feed information to the driver as the car progresses through an obstacle course of cones.  Left – right directions will come from the seat, as well as, distance and speed wich will come from gloves and helmet.

This event is the result of years of research and development through a partnership between the University of Virginia, Engineering Department and the National Federation of the Blind.  Watch for television coverage and be sure to keep up with “Newsline for the Blind” to see who the surprise driver will be andjust how fast and far they can take the novel car.

Washington Seminar, 2011
Once again, a delegation of blind citizens from California will travel to Washington D.C. to educate Senators and Congressional representatives about issues concerning the blind.  Recently, we saw positive results of our collective action when Congress passed the “Pedestrians Safety Enhancement Act”.  This legislation will ensure that silent cars must emit an audible indicator to pedestrians that a vehicle is approaching.  We, the organized blind, brought the issue to the attention of Congress and worked tirelessly to educate representatives until the bill was passed.  Now, blind pedestrians will be safer when navigating streets and intersections in America. 

On February 1, 2, and 3 committed Californians will walk the halls of our nations capitol and ask for the support of fifty two Congressional representatives and our two Senators to help improve the lives of the blind in California.  Be sure to read the “Braille Monitor” to learn about the issues for this year.

Youth Programs
Applications are now being accepted for three programs geared toward youth between the ages of twelve (12) and twenty (20) years old.  They are the “Law and Advocacy in Washington” Program, deadline- February 1;  The
Junior Science Academy for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math= ages fourteen (14) to eighteen (18); and the biennial, “Youth Slam”- ages sixteen (16) to young adult.  Please get the word out about these innovative and life changing programs.  For more information go to www.nfb.org

National Scholarships
Don’t forget to spread the word about 30 scholarships which are now available to blind and visually impaired college students.  The National Federation of the Blind awards $122,000.00 in cash and equipment to qualified high school seniors who are accepted into college for the fall and matriculating college students.  Spread the wordto students, parents and educators.  For more information go to www.nfb.org/scholarships 

California Leadership Seminar
On April 1, 2, and 3, 2011 current and future leaders in the National Federation of the Blind of California will meet in person in conjunction with our semi-annual meeting of the Board of Directors.  Chapter Presidents should plan on attending or sending a chapter representative who has an interest in chapter development and recruitment of members.  This will be an intense working weekend where a strategic plan of action will be developed and initiated.  As Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”.
I sincerely hope that all of you have a happy and healthy 2011.

Mary Willows, President
National Federation of the Blind of California
mwillows@sbcglobal.net

December 4, 2010

To be read at all chapter meetings:

I begin this monthly bulletin with a quote:

“May peace be your gift this holiday season and your blessing all year through”.

e-Bay/Entrepreneurs Project:

NFB and e-Bay have joined together for an innovative pilot program. We are
looking for blind people who are serious entrepreneurs with a burning desire to
expand existing businesses to include e-Bay selling. We will be offering
successful applicants intensive eBay training and connect them with successful
blind business people and other experts who will provide assistance in specific areas, such as business planning, development and working with accessible accounting software. Phase one will train blind business owners to be trainers of future blind
entrepreneurs. To learn more about becoming an eBay Certified Education Specialist,
go to entrepreneurs@nfb.org. or to receive an information packet, phone (410)878-2660 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (410)878-2660      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Scholarships for California’s legally blind students

Applications are being accepted for the National Federation of the Blind 2011
Scholarship Program. A total of thirty eligible college-bound students will be awarded
gifts ranging from $3000.00 to $12,000.00 at the annual convention of the NFB in Orlando, Florida in July, 2011. The application form and full details are available
online at www.nfb.org/scholarships. Questions may be emailed to scholarships@nfb.org.

Seeking participants for 2011 Youth Slam:

One hundred and fifty high school age students from across the country will be
selected to attend this five day adventure in Baltimore, Maryland. Spread the word to all Californians either entering, attending, or graduating from high school in 2011. This life altering experience uses science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to ncourage and develop leadership skills. If you are interested in attending the NFBYouth Slam, either as a student participant, or as an adult volunteer, visit www.blindscience.org to complete an online application. Applications are due by March 1, 2011. Our California Youth Slam coordinator is Serena Olsen. She can be reached at 831-917-5335.

Blindness 411 on Facebook:

Teenagers looking for yet another Facebook group, may be interested in joining “Bindness 411” on Facebook. The California Association of Blind Students (CABS) also has a Facebook page. Blind high school and college students can share their experiences navigating through school, social situations , the Department of Rehabilitation and anything else which only another blind student can understand.
The CABS Facebook page can be found at: www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=23442031813 or for more information, call CABS president , Angela Fowler at 530-902-0987.

Calling All Poets:

Please send your short original poetry to mwillows@sbcglobal.net. Artist will choose a poem as a theme on which to base an art piece, which will then be auctioned off as a fund raiser for our California Affiliate. The artist are looking for illustrative poetry.

To all Imaginators:

“He who has imagination without learning, has wings but no feet” – Joseph Joubert

Mary Willows, President
National Federation of the Blind of California
mwillows@sbcglobal.net

November 1, 2010

To be read at chapter meetings:

Thank you for all that you do!

Well, we have wrapped up another successful state convention. Last weekend, Federationists came together in Irvine to enrich and support each other in our quest to change what it means to be blind. By all accounts, it was a very harmonious and uplifting gathering. An event such as that would not be possible without the cooperative spirit of many, many people. So thank you to everyone who sold the tickets, passed out the agendas and assisted the new people to get from place to place.

Our national representative, Dr. Fred Schroeder gave astirring banquet speech. Many people who were present told me that he moved them to tears. He reassured all of us that the NFB has changed lives and will continue to do so if we come together, work together and stay together.

Scholarships:

This year, the scholarship committee decided to award five scholarships to worthy college students. The awards were presented at the banquet in front of an enthusiastic crowd. The “Julie Landucci Scholarship” was awarded to two students who are not clients of the Department of REHABILITATION. They are Nancy Angwin of Fresno and Marsh Smith of Los Angeles. The other three recipients were Marvin Jones, Los Angeles; Chuy Vaca, Burbank; and Henry (Hoby) Wedler of Davis. Congratulations to them all.

New Charters:

California is growing. This year we organized six new chapters. They are: East Bay Chapter, President, Jason Holloway; Southwest Riverside County Chapter, President, Jeri Siquiros; Riverside San Bernnardino Chapter, President, Pam Chase; Inland Empire, President Cheryl Thirston; and the West LA Chapter of Angels, President, Tina Thomas. We have also started an “At Large Chapter: for those who are not living in areas where the NFB of California already has a chapter. Go to our website www.sixdots.org/chapters to see when and where all the chapters meet.

Elections:

This year all of the officer positions were up for elections. The President is Mary Willows; First Vice-president, Robert Stigile; Second Vice-president, Ever Lee Hairston; Secretary, Shannon Dillon and Treasurer, Mellisa Haney.

The Board of Directors are Kia Vaca, Michael Hingson and Tiffany Manosh.

Thank you to the people whose service we will always appreciate. Gail Paulson and Lisamaria Martinez. We wish them much love and good luck in their busy lives.

Mary Willows, President
National Federation of the Blind of California
mwillows@sbcglobal.net

Student Seminar in Riverside on September 18, 2010.

The “Call To Action” seminar will be held at the California Baptist University from 9:00 to 5:00 on September 18.  Speakers will motivate and inspire attendees to take control of their career decisions.  Successful blind professionals will address what you need to know about college services and how to find the people who will help you.

For more information call the President of the California Association of Blind Students, Angela Fowler at (530) 902-0987.  To register go to www.sixdots.org.

Greetings all you funtastic Federationist! Just a quick reminder that CABS is still open fopr some great spirited fellows that want to share a song with others that can get a rally going. Again we are holding a contest for any and all Californians. CABS is looking for a jingle or rhyme that we can all sing loud and proud together at events. Email any interests to Jeri Siqueiros at jsiqueiros111@gmail.com. There is that great prize of $25. We are hoping to have ths done by yep, you guessed it, our Annual State Convention.

Shasta Cascade Chapter lunch on September 25, 2010.

Join President Karen Steele for lunch and philosophy at the California Bible College in Redding on the 25^th at noon.  People who are interested in learning more about the National Federation of the Blind of California will be on hand to answer questions and inform the public about the programs and services of the NFB.  For more information call Karen at (530) 474-3885.

Meet the Blind Month

It’s time to plan for the October “Meet the Blind Month Public Education Campaign” in your area. This year, Whozit hopes to meet one million people. You can help by contacting a local school and ask to make a presentation to raise awareness about the need for Braille. The second grade curriculum addresses diversity and disability awareness. This is the perfect grade level for introduction to Braille.

Here’s the fun part—participants will be asked to photograph folks meeting Whozit and receiving their alphabet cards.  They can then e-mail their pictures to the national office to be posted on the NFB Web site. Order packets by September 10, by contacting Karen Zakhnini at kzakhnini@nfb.org or call 410-659-9314 To coordinate local affiliate and chapter activities with the national office, or to order materials and have your local activities posted on the NFB Web site, go to www.nfb.org, and then click on Meet the Blind Month.

Meet the Blind in the San Fernando Valley.

The NFBC San Fernando Valley chapter is hosting a Job Readiness Workshop on Saturday, October 16, 2010. Are you job ready? Would you like to be?

• Learn about how the State Department of Rehabilitation can assist you in your job search and the services they provide to help you become employed;.
• Learn from a Social Security representative about how your benefits may be affected by your employment and learn more about work incentives available such as the “Ticket to Work program.”
• Hear advice from career counselors on how to  prepare yourself to become job ready.
• Hear from blind and low-vision professionals who have worked about how they became employed and their strategies for remaining marketable and competitive.

This four-hour presentation is on October 16, 2010, from 10 am to 2 pm. It will be held at 7901 Lindley Ave., Reseda, CA 91335. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Racquel Decipeda (SFV chapter Secretary) at 818-457-1482. Or email at nfbevents@gmail.com.

Let’s see if we can schedule a Meet the Blind event for each chapter in California.

NFB of the Bay Area hosts October Fest with Whozit.

On October 16, Whozit will appear in person at the El Cirito Plaza.  The Bay Area Chapter will celebrate October Fest at a German restaurant with music and Braille awareness.  Join the fun and get your picture taken with Whozit for the NFB website.  For more information call President Shannon Dillon at (510) 524-6016.

Don’t Forget to Register for the NFB of California annual convention.

There is still time to go to the www.sixdots.org website and click on the Pre-register button to make sure you are at the annual state convention.  Our national representative will be Dr.  Fred Schroeder, noted rehabilitation and education expert.  This is a convention you will not want to miss.  There will be a game tournament on Thursday evening after the board meeting and a play on Friday evening made up of  all blind actors.  Speakers will include representatives from the Department of Rehabilitation, Department of Education, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and many, many more.

While you are on the website read about the Washington Seminar.  Applications are still being accepted.

NFBC Scholarships.

At the banquet on Saturday evening, qualified students will be presented with scholarships for the 2010-2011 academic school year.  If you know any qualified college students, please contact me for more information.