Fellow Federationists,
Great National Convention
The 76th Convention of the National Federation of the Blind was interesting,
informative, and inspiring. If you were unable to attend this event, be sure
to read the Presidential report at
<https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/convent/presidential-report-2016.ht
ml>
https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/convent/presidential-report-2016.htm
l and the President's banquet speech at
<https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/convent/banquet-speech-2016.html>
https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/convent/banquet-speech-2016.html. If
you did attend, I am sure that you will agree with me that both documents
are worth reading again. Once again, Maryland was the top state in
attendance at the convention. Many thanks to Judy Rasmussen and her
committee, who reached out to Maryland convention newcomers and made them
feel welcome. Many thanks to everyone who volunteered at the Maryland table.
A special thanks to our two table coordinators, Terri Hall and Amber Woods.
Be sure to look at the 16 resolutions passed by the Convention to see the
policies and issues that we will be working on during the coming year. Go to
<https://nfb.org/2016-resolutions> https://nfb.org/2016-resolutions to read
the resolutions.
Crabbing for Scholars and More
The news reports that this is a good season for crabs
because they are big and plentiful. Check it out for yourself by attending
our annual Crab Feast on August 5th. Enjoy an evening of good food, music,
dancing, and prizes while helping the NFBMD John T McCraw Scholarship
Program, and our Youth Empowerment Stipend program. Go to
<http://www.nfbmd.org/crabs> http://www.nfbmd.org/crabs for more information
or to purchase tickets.
Plan for the State Convention
Everyone is cordially invited to attend the NFBMD Board of Directors meeting
on Saturday, August 27th, at 10 am. We will be meeting at the Baltimore
Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards, 110 S Eutaw St, Baltimore, MD 21201,
the site of our 2016 Convention. Most of the agenda for this meeting will be
devoted to State Convention happenings. We will also have lunch at the
hotel. Save the dates October 28-30 and join us for this special convention
as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the NFBMD. Be watching for more
information in August.
Sad News
I am sorry to report the death of Harold Hayes on Wednesday,
July 13. Harold was a charter member of the National Harbor Chapter. He
was kind to all, and always willing to provide a helping hand. May he rest
in peace.
The BELLS are Ringing for Blind Children in Maryland
In Maryland, July means it is time for the NFB BELL Academy. Six students
are attending the BELL Academy in Salisbury, which began on July 18th. Six
students will attend the Glendale Academy, and 14 students will attend the
Baltimore BELL Academy. These two programs begin on July 25th. Many thanks
to the teachers and volunteers that make these three programs possible. We
look forward to hearing about all of the progress that these children will
make as they gain literacy skills, self-confidence, and greater
independence.
Parent's Back-to-School Picnic
The Maryland Parents of Blind Children are sponsoring a
back-to-school picnic for families.
Date: August 14.
Time: 2 PM.
Location: High Ridge Park, 10100 Superior Ave, Laurel, MD 20723.
Join us for food, fun, games, fellowship and more.
Maryland Department of Disability Events of Interest
To celebrate the 26th Anniversary of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, the Maryland Department of Disabilities will host a
technology Resource Fair and a light lunch. This event will be held on July
26th, 2016, at the Jernigan Institute, 200 East Wells St. Baltimore MD 21230
from 10 am to 2 pm. The featured luncheon speaker will be a civil rights
lawyer who advocates for accessibility. Haben Girma, a member of the
National Federation of the Blind, is the first Deafblind person to graduate
from Harvard Law School.
The Maryland Technology Assistance Program will host a demonstration of
CrowdViz on Monday August 1st, from 12-1pm at the Workforce and Technology
Center, Room T-130
2301 Argonne Drive Baltimore, MD 21218. To register for this free event, go
to
<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/crowdviz-mobile-assistant-for-the-blind-live-d
emonstration-tickets-26380591058>
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/crowdviz-mobile-assistant-for-the-blind-live-de
monstration-tickets-26380591058. CrowdViz describes itself as "an innovative
mobile application for both Android and IOS that gives individuals who are
blind or visually impaired the ability to immediately connect with a trusted
sighted helper through a live video connection. Through remote visual
support, CrowdViz empowers people to live as independently as they choose."
Dates to Keep in Mind.
July 18-29. Excluding weekends. Salisbury NFB BELL Academy.
July 25-Aug 5. Excluding weekends. NFB BELL Academy's in Baltimore and Glenn
Dale.
August 4. Diabetes Conference Call, 7 pm. Call 641-715-3272. The access code
is 720125#.
August 5. Annual Crab Feast, Columbus Gardens, Baltimore, Maryland.
August 14. Maryland Parents of Blind Children Back-to-School Picnic, 2 PM.
For further information contact Melissa Riccobono, at
<mailto:mdpobc@nfbmd.org> mdpobc@nfbmd.org.
August 18. Possibilities Fair for Seniors Losing Vision at BISM.
August 27. NFBMD Board of Directors Meeting, time, 10 am; place, the
Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards.
October 1-31. Meet the Blind Month.
October 1. Bid for opportunity dinner and auction to benefit John T. McCraw
scholarship fund. For more information, contact Debbie Brown at
deborahb14@verizon.net or Michelle Clarke at mcikeyc@aol.com.
October 15. National White Cane Safety Day.
October 28-30. NFBMD 50th State Convention, Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor
at Camden Yards Hotel, Baltimore, Maryland.
Sharon Maneki, President
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
410-715-9596