February 2019 Minute Message

ederationists:

 

As we move through winter, the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland has kept very busy raising expectations about what it means to be blind. 

 

Raising Expectations in Annapolis

On February 28 and March 8, we will be attending hearings on two of our Annapolis issues: desegregation in voting and regulating e-scooters.  If you are available to attend the hearings, please contact Sharon Maneki at NFBMD@earthlink.net.  If you recall, this year, our legislative priorities include: ending segregation in voting and restoring the secret ballot to disabled voters by ensuring a single voting system for all; establishing regulations for electronic/Dockless scooters; and protecting the $250,000 appropriation in the Governor’s budget for the Center of Excellence in Nonvisual Access (CENA) to Education, Public Information, and Commerce. You may read the fact sheets about each issue by visiting https://nfbmd.org/legislative/2019 or on the Information Channel on Newsline.  We also are asking you to write letters to your state senators and delegates.  For specific information about to whom to write and how to contact them, please visit http://www.nfbmd.org/node/297.

 

Raising Expectations in Washington

We had a very successful Washington Seminar where we raised expectations about blindness.  On January 29, Maryland joined Federationists from throughout the country on Capitol Hill to let Congress know about the priorities for blind Americans. The three issues that we discussed are: cosponsoring the Access Technology Affordability Act; cosponsoring the Greater Accessibility and Independence through Nonvisual Access Technology Act; and cosponsoring the Disability Employment Act.   You may read the Washington Seminar fact sheets by visiting r or on Newsline.  Maryland’s Congressional delegation highlighted your efforts when both Senator Van Hollen and Congressman Sarbanes praised the NFB of Maryland for advocating for issues of importance to the blind this and every year.  NFBMD will continue working to ensure that the entire Maryland Congressional delegation cosponsors all of our bills.  If you have questions about the status of any Federal legislation, please contact me at President@nfbmd.org.

 

Basket & Bag Bingo – Raising Funds to Raise Expectations

Would you like to win over $4,000 in prizes? Would you like to play 23 games of BINGO? Snacks and raffles will also be available. Buy your tickets early because we always sell out.

We are busy arranging and filling baskets and procuring bags (purses). We need financial contributions to help with these purchases. Please let us know whether you would like to sponsor a basket or bag for $100. All contributions of any amount are welcome.  You may also purchase your ticket for $25.  Please contact Sharon Maneki at NFBMD@earthlink.net for more information or visit http://www.nfbmd.org/node/293 to purchase your tickets.

 

Smashing Expectations Through Reading – Winter Reading Challenge

In January, hundreds of Marylanders, including many members of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, supported our Maryland Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped by participating in the Winter Reading Challenge.  Many of our chapters also helped financially support this initiative by donating prizes and monetary contributions.  Patrons read 240,758 minutes, which exceeded the original goal of 50,000 minutes by nearly five times.  As a top performing library in this contest, MDLBPH will receive a share of the $35,000 total prize that Mark Cuban donated.  Though we are not certain how much our library will receive in terms of a monetary award, the volume of enthusiasm for reading in Maryland will well eclipse any financial incentive.

 

Smashing Expectations Through Reading – Braille Readers Are Leaders

Maryland was one of 26 states to participate in the annual Braille Readers Are Leaders competition for k-12 students, sponsored by the American Action Fund in concert with the National Federation of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois.  Participants compete for prizes by reading and tracking the number of Braille pages read; an adult then verifies the reading log.  The contest took place between December 1, 2018 and January 19, 2019.  Of the 74 students who participated nationwide, Maryland had five participants – and every single Maryland participant won! 

• Aisha Safi: First Place - Category Grade 2 and 3 – 1995 pages
• Zanyiah Bell: Third Place – Category Grade 2 and 3 – 1099 pages
• Jonah Rao: Third Place – Grade 4 and 5 – 721 pages
• Isaiah Rao: Honorable Mention – Grade 4 and 5 – 690 pages
• Mercy Rao: Third place – Grade 6, 7, and 8 – 850 pages

Mercy Rao was also selected as the Most Improved Reader. 

Congratulations to all of the winners!

 

NFB RideShare Testing Program

We still need your help.  If you use a service animal or are accompanying someone who does, please fill out a short form about your experience each time you use Uber or Lyft. In Maryland, we have to complete a certain number of surveys each year.  You can submit a survey for every trip you took, so please look back at your ride history and do this if you haven’t already done so.  Please go to https://nfb.org/rideshare-test or use the NFB Connect app (instructions below) to complete the survey. Please give us information about both good and bad experiences. Spread the word, we need information from every blind person whether they are a member of NFB or not. Ashley Alvey is the Maryland coordinator for this program. If you have questions email her at ashleyalvey1994@gmail.com.

 

NFB Connect App instructions for Rideshare Survey

1. On the top left corner of the screen, you will find a button that says, Menu button. Double tap Menu.
2. After double tapping on menu, at the top left corner of the screen, you will see Home.
3. Swipe to the right once and you will see Fast Facts. Double tap Fast Facts.
4. You will swipe right until you see, Rideshare Survey. Double tap Rideshare Survey.
5. Lastly, swipe to the right. When you see First Name, this is where the form begins and this is where you put in the information for the survey.

 

NFB and NFBMD Scholarship Programs

The National Federation of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland each administer a separate scholarship program for post-secondary students.  The deadline to apply for an NFB scholarship is March 31, 2019, and the deadline to apply for an NFBMD Scholarship is April 15, 2019.

 

National Scholarship Program: Each year, the NFB awards 30 merit-based scholarships totaling at least $120,000. 

• Scholarships range in amount from $3,000 to $12,000.
• Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, leadership, and community service.
• The 30 scholarship finalists are announced in the spring and attend the National Convention, where they are awarded a specific scholarship.
• Application materials must be submitted (online or postmarked) by 11:59PM on March 31, 2019.
• To be eligible, applicants must:
  
  • Be legally blind in both eyes;
  • Reside in the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico;
  • Be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of study in a degree program at a U.S. institution in the Fall of 2019 (one scholarship may be awarded to an individual who works full-time and attends school part-time); and
  • Attend the entire National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind (and all scholarship activities) in Las Vegas, Nevada from July 7 through 12, 2019 (scholarship finalists will receive convention assistance).
• To apply:
  
  • Submit an application using the online application system at https://nfb.org/civicrm/scholarships/login; or
  • Download, complete, and email or mail in a hard copy application form by visiting: https://nfb.org/programs/scholarship-program.

 

State Scholarship Program: Each year, the NFB of Maryland awards the John T. McCraw Scholarship to two students in the amounts of $2,000 and $1,500 each.  NFBMD may award a third scholarship to a former McCraw scholarship recipient. 

• Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement and community involvement.
• Application materials must be submitted (online or postmarked) by 11:59PM on April 15, 2019.
• To be eligible, applicants must:
  
  • Be legally blind in both eyes;
  • Be a legal resident of Maryland or be pursuing post-secondary studies at a school in Maryland;
  • Be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of study in a degree program in the Fall of 2019; and
  • Attend the entire National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in Las Vegas, Nevada from July 7 through 12, 2019 and the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Baltimore, Maryland from November 8 – 10, 2019 (scholarship finalists will receive convention assistance).
• To apply:
  
  • Submit an application using the online application system at http://nfbmd.org/scholarship/apply; or
  • Download, complete, and email or mail in a hard copy application form by visiting: http://nfbmd.org/scholarship.

 

Do you feel lucky?

The NFBMD spring raffle is underway. During the month of May, you have the opportunity to win $50 Sunday through Friday, or $100 on Saturday. Purchase a 3-digit number raffle ticket for $5. You will be the only one who has this number.  If you want to buy or sell tickets, please contact Melissa Riccobono at MelissaARiccobono@gmail.com.

 

Raising Expectations Through Food and Auction

Get ready for a nice evening out. Join us on April 6 from 5 to 9 pm for our Bid-for-Opportunity dinner and auction to benefit the John T. McCraw Scholarship Program and NFBMD youth activities. The event will take place at the VFW Post 9619, 6527 Suitland Rd, Morningside, MD 20746. For more information email Debbie Brown at deborahb14@verizon.net or Michelle Clark at mcikeyc@aol.com. 

 

Sad News

I am very sorry to share that Rachel Olivero and Larry Richardson both passed away quite suddenly in early February.  Rachel chaired our Web and Technology Committee and co-chaired our Convention Logistics and Planning Committee.  She also gave tirelessly of her time, knowledge, and love to this organization.  Larry was active in a myriad of ways before falling ill several years ago.  He too gave of his time, energy, and love to this organization.  Though we are devastated to lose two integral members of our Federation family, we are better to have known and loved them.  Their legacies live on in the work of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland. 

 

Important Dates for 2019

• March 8th – Basket Bingo at The Lodge 2832 9 Mile Cir. Catonsville, MD.
• March 30 – Board of Directors Meeting; Location TBD
• March 31st – Deadline for National Scholarship Applications.
• April 6 – Bid for Opportunity at VFW Post 9619, 6527 Suitland Rd, Morningside, MD
• April 15th – Deadline for NFBMD Scholarship Applications.
• May 5 - Recital and Sing-A-Long, benefiting NFB BELL Academy, Jernigan Institute, 200 East Wells St., Baltimore, MD
• June 1 – Board of Directors Meeting; location TBD
• June 16 – 22 – NFB EQ, Baltimore, MD
• July 7-12th – NFB National Convention Las Vegas, NV.
• July 22 – August 2 – NFB BELL Academy, Salisbury, MD
• July 29 – August 9 – NFB BELL Academy, Baltimore and Glendale, MD
• August 17th – Annual Crab Feast - Tall Cedars, 2501 Putty Hill Ave., Parkville, MD 21234
• November 8-10 – Annual State Convention – Crown Plaza Baltimore Downtown