The 2010 NIB/NAEPB Public Policy Forum agenda for Tuesday, March 9 features top political strategists who will provide insight into how to move your message, engage various constituent groups and build partnerships. RSA Commissioner Lynnae Ruttledge from the Department of Education is the featured luncheon speaker. Click here for the full agenda; speaker bios and more details.
The Public Policy Forum kicked-off with a pre-conference lesson on how to Amplify Your Message on Capitol Hill.
Paul Begala, former advisor to President Clinton and a CNN political commentator, delivered a politically insightful and humorous after-dinner speech to help prepare the Public Policy Forum attendees for the realities of politics in Washington.
We're looking forward to a successful event where we will Make a Difference!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Blind Industries uses grant to buy high-tech equipment
2/10/10: Blind Industries and Services of Maryland will utilize a $24,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation to purchase new adaptive technology, such as Braille displays, scanning software and Braille keyboards for blind and low-vision adults and seniors participating in BISM's rehabilitation programs.
"With this new technology, we can better teach real-world skills to blind adults, seniors and youth all while helping to build their self-confidence," said Christina Davis, senior director of the organization on 3345 Washington Blvd. in Lansdowne.
Blind Industries and Services of Maryland currently offers its Seniors Achieving Independent Living (SAIL) program in its Cumberland, Salisbury and Lansdowne locations.
The organization also offers CORE, an intensive eight-month residential training program for adults, at its Lansdowne location.
Both curriculums provide comprehensive instruction in Braille, adaptive computer technology, cane travel and independent home living.
Both programs area also are free of charge for Maryland residents.
Next year, Blind Industries and Services of Maryland's Youth services division will offer "Independence 2010," a summer residential program aimed at providing blind teens with the life skills to succeed in college, the workplace and at home.
For information, call 410-737-2600 or go to www.bism.org.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Let Freedom Ring: Braille Letters to President Obama Available to Read Online
In the fall of 2009, the National Federation of the Blind put out a call for Americans to write letters to President Barack Obama expressing the role that being able to read and write Braille plays in their lives. The NFB was flooded withresponses from a large variety of blind and sighted people¬from school children to working professionals to retired senior citizens. While there are great variances in the people who responded, one factor was the same: that Braille plays a vital role in their lives and is an important, and indeed necessary, tool for the blind.
We have compiled one hundred of these letters into a book intended to be presented to President Barack Obama. This morning, February 1, 2010, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan received the publication on behalf of the President at a ceremony at the United States Department of Education.
During the event, Secretary Duncan, other dignitaries from the Department of education, and leaders of the NFB heard from various speakers, including Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, two school children, and
a parent of a blind child. Fredric K. Schroeder, First Vice President of the NFB, presented the book and asked the Secretary to support the NFB's goal of doubling the number of school-age children reading Braille. Secretary Duncan left the event with the knowledge that Braille is vital to the independence of the blind. And he
left armed with the book that will give President Obama this knowledge as well.
Let Freedom Ring: Braille Letters to President Barack Obama is now available for you to read on the NFB Web site
Mark A. Riccobono
Executive Director, Jernigan Institute
National Federation of the Blind
Monday, February 1, 2010
San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind One of the Best Companies to Work for in Texas 2010, Only Non-Profit Selected
The San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind was recognized and honored at the Best Companies to Work for in Texas Awards Ceremony on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at the Texas Association of Business 2010 Annual Conference in Austin. The San Antonio Lighthouse ranked 17 in the large company category out of 30 and was the only non-profit in the State to be honored among the top 85.
This statewide survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Texas, benefiting the state's economy, its workforce and businesses. The Best Companies to Work for in Texas 2010 list was made up of 85 companies which included the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind.
Companies from across the state entered the two-part process to determine the Best Companies to Work for in Texas. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process in Texas and also analyzed the data and used their expertise to determine the final rankings.
San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind makes SKILCRAFT products and works with National Industries for the Blind and the AbilityOne Program to create and sustain jobs for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Media Contact: Nancy Lipton – Public Relations Director
Phone: 210 531-1533 Cell: 210 771- 5300
Email: nlipton@salighthouse.org
This statewide survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Texas, benefiting the state's economy, its workforce and businesses. The Best Companies to Work for in Texas 2010 list was made up of 85 companies which included the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind.
Companies from across the state entered the two-part process to determine the Best Companies to Work for in Texas. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process in Texas and also analyzed the data and used their expertise to determine the final rankings.
San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind makes SKILCRAFT products and works with National Industries for the Blind and the AbilityOne Program to create and sustain jobs for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Media Contact: Nancy Lipton – Public Relations Director
Phone: 210 531-1533 Cell: 210 771- 5300
Email: nlipton@salighthouse.org
Friday, January 29, 2010
Senators Dodd and McCain Introduce Blind Persons Return to Work Act
National Federation of the Blind Applauds a Common Sense Work Incentive for Blind Social Security Beneficiaries
WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today introduced the Blind Persons Return to Work Act of 2010 (S. 2962), which will allow blind Americans to more easily transition from Social Security beneficiaries to income-earning, productive members of the workforce.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), a program meant to provide disabled Americans with financial support, actually discourages blind people from seeking employment by placing a limit on how much money they can earn. This bipartisan bill replaces the monthly earnings limit with a gradual phase-out, allowing blind beneficiaries to systematically replace benefits with earned income.
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "The National Federation of the Blind applauds Senators Dodd and McCain, both longtime champions of the blind and other Americans with disabilities, for advancing this wise proposal to reform SSDI so it encourages blind beneficiaries to reach their full employment potential rather than discouraging them from becoming independent. Blind people want to work, and with the right training and opportunity, we can hold any job to which we aspire. Yet because of misconceptions about blindness and flawed work incentives in the SSDI program, 70 percent of working age blind people are unemployed or underemployed. We are confident that the Blind Persons Return to Work Act will reduce the fear of termination of benefits resulting from an earnings limit and encourage blind people to join the workforce."
"Blind Americans deserve the opportunity to enter or advance in the workplace without their financial security being threatened by some arbitrary limit," said Senator Dodd. "We can encourage blind people to take advantage of their independence without punishing them for working. This bipartisan legislation will protect millions of Americans from the risk of losing their benefits and will increase the productivity of our workforce."
"Blind Americans who want to work should not be discouraged from pursuing employment," added Senator McCain. "The current SSDI program creates government dependency and limits achievement among blind people. The proposed reform will enable blind Americans to fully reach their potential in the workforce and reduce the overall number of federal beneficiaries, saving tax dollars for every American."
This legislation joins its House companion bill, H.R. 886, introduced by John Lewis (D-GA) earlier this year.
About the National Federation of the Blind
With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.
SOURCE National Federation of the Blind
WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today introduced the Blind Persons Return to Work Act of 2010 (S. 2962), which will allow blind Americans to more easily transition from Social Security beneficiaries to income-earning, productive members of the workforce.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), a program meant to provide disabled Americans with financial support, actually discourages blind people from seeking employment by placing a limit on how much money they can earn. This bipartisan bill replaces the monthly earnings limit with a gradual phase-out, allowing blind beneficiaries to systematically replace benefits with earned income.
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "The National Federation of the Blind applauds Senators Dodd and McCain, both longtime champions of the blind and other Americans with disabilities, for advancing this wise proposal to reform SSDI so it encourages blind beneficiaries to reach their full employment potential rather than discouraging them from becoming independent. Blind people want to work, and with the right training and opportunity, we can hold any job to which we aspire. Yet because of misconceptions about blindness and flawed work incentives in the SSDI program, 70 percent of working age blind people are unemployed or underemployed. We are confident that the Blind Persons Return to Work Act will reduce the fear of termination of benefits resulting from an earnings limit and encourage blind people to join the workforce."
"Blind Americans deserve the opportunity to enter or advance in the workplace without their financial security being threatened by some arbitrary limit," said Senator Dodd. "We can encourage blind people to take advantage of their independence without punishing them for working. This bipartisan legislation will protect millions of Americans from the risk of losing their benefits and will increase the productivity of our workforce."
"Blind Americans who want to work should not be discouraged from pursuing employment," added Senator McCain. "The current SSDI program creates government dependency and limits achievement among blind people. The proposed reform will enable blind Americans to fully reach their potential in the workforce and reduce the overall number of federal beneficiaries, saving tax dollars for every American."
This legislation joins its House companion bill, H.R. 886, introduced by John Lewis (D-GA) earlier this year.
About the National Federation of the Blind
With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.
SOURCE National Federation of the Blind
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Binghamton Lions Club Supports Scholarships for People Who are Visually Impaired
“Binghamton Lions Club President Douglas Shaver presents A.V.R.E. CEO Robert Hanye with $500 check to support Charles V. Costello Memorial Scholarship”
Binghamton, NY, 27 January 2010 - The Binghamton Lions Club (We Serve) and the Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment, Inc (A.V.R.E.) jointly support scholarships for people who are visually impaired. The Lions recently made an additional donation of $500 to the scholarship fund at A.V.R.E. At least one Charles V. Costello memorial scholarship is given each year to a person who is visually impaired who attends an accredited post high school academic or technical institution. Since its inception, 11 scholarships have been awarded to legally blind individuals in programs ranging from business certifications through post graduate study.
The Scholarships are awarded in honor and memory of Mr. Charles Costello, a well known community leader, long time Lion and dedicated A.V.R.E. Board member who experienced sustained vision loss later in life. Applicants must have a severe vision impairment and either reside or attend school in the Twin Tiers service area of A.V.R.E.
For more information, contact Jenn Cubic at (607)724-2428.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Register Now for the Public Policy Forum March 8-10, 2010
Register for the NIB/NAEPB Public Policy Forum, “Make a Difference,” scheduled for March 8-10, 2010 at the Westin Arlington in Arlington, Virginia.
To make hotel reservations, click here. The discounted room rate of $199 expires on February 11, so don’t delay, reserve your room now. It’s your turn to Make a Difference and inform Congress about the AbilityOne program!
For more information, contact Jessica Carter at 703-310-0365 or jcarter@nib.org.
To make hotel reservations, click here. The discounted room rate of $199 expires on February 11, so don’t delay, reserve your room now. It’s your turn to Make a Difference and inform Congress about the AbilityOne program!
For more information, contact Jessica Carter at 703-310-0365 or jcarter@nib.org.
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