By Judy Sanders, Secretary

"Success is born of hopes achieved and dreams realized" was the theme of the 2007 convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota (NFBM) held on November 2-4, 2007. The Holiday Inn, Bloomington, was the site for the convention, ably hosted by our Metro Chapter. This convention once again demonstrated the power of the Federation; through concerted action blind people hope, achieve, and realize their dreams.

Friday, November 2

One activity followed another starting Friday afternoon. If one participated in everything there was no time for a dinner break; it was a good thing that the food was plentiful during the Metro Chapter hospitality on Friday evening. Convention registration and exhibits shared an area outside the meeting rooms. People had the chance to see the latest in assistive technology and ask questions of experts. Steve Zent, blindness products specialist with Freedom of Speech and Greg Stilson, who provides technical support through HumanWare, were on hand to answer all questions. They had the latest products for hands-on examination.

One of the things that the Federation does best is act as advocates for those experiencing difficulties because of their blindness. Whether it is in obtaining rehabilitation services, trying to receive Social Security benefits or dealing with a difficult employment situation, we can all encounter barriers. Advocacy involves being assertive on our own behalf and knowing when to ask for help from the NFB. Scott LaBarre, our national representative, attorney, and president of the NFB of Colorado, conducted a seminar to show us how to be stronger advocates for others and ourselves.

Braille literacy retains its importance to the NFB as demonstrated at the meeting of the National Association to Promote the Use of Braille (NAPUB). Creative games and sharing stories of success with braille made for an interesting meeting. NAPUB officers for the coming year are president, Melody Wartenbee; vice president, Tim Aune; secretary, Trudy Barrett; and treasurer, RoseAnn Faber.

Resolutions are the bedrock of Federation policy. The first step in the process of considering resolutions consists of interested members writing them and submitting them to the resolutions committee. Jennifer Dunnam chaired this year’s committee, with Jeff Thompson, Sharon Monthei and Steve Jacobson. The committee held an open meeting where it discussed several resolutions and recommended them to the convention.

If one is looking for energy and enthusiasm, it could be found in the meeting of the Minnesota Association of Blind Students. They elected the following officers: Amanda Swanson, president; Tonia Rabb, first vice president; David Starnes, second vice president; and Ellen Bielawski, treasurer. The secretary's position has yet to be filled.

Our parents are busy as well. At their meeting, they talked about their children's education and how to get the most effective IEP (Individual Education Plan). Their Saturday School for elementary age children and Teen Night is extremely successful and growing.

The Friday night hospitality, hosted by our Metro Chapter, was a place to find lots of food, chatter, and fun. People from throughout the state had a chance to catch up on happenings from their respective areas, and even with all the food, people were promoting their particular baked goods for the next day’s auction. Some hearty souls lasted long past the food and the cash bar.

Saturday, November 3

Members and friends arrived early for the first general session of the convention carrying their donations of door prizes and items for our annual baked goods auction. Amy Baron and her crew organized our door prizes so that we had plenty throughout the convention. Al Spooner and his cadre of auctioneers did such a good job of getting us to open up our wallets and checkbooks that it is certain they could have futures as sales people.

After calling the 2007 annual convention to order, President Joyce Scanlan turned the microphone over to Kathy McGillivray for an invocation. Pat Barrett, as president of the host Metro Chapter, gave us a unique welcome with the Metro Chapter choir. Their musical career will match those of our sales people.

We were pleased to welcome Scott LaBarre, our national representative, for his report from our national office. Scott urged us to make plans to attend our Washington seminar beginning on Monday, January 28th, 2008. This seminar is a testimony to the strength of the NFB. He also urged us to make plans for our national convention in Dallas beginning on June 29. See the December Braille Monitor for details.

During our next national convention, we will have our second annual March for Independence to raise money for our Imagination Fund that supports the Jernigan Institute and sends money back to our state affiliates. We have a goal to raise $1 million after raising $600,000 last year. Those agreeing to raise money for the Imagination Fund register at our national website. We were asked to find thirteen people to add to the thirteen Minnesotans who were already registered. (It was later announced that we met that goal plus one.) The Jernigan Institute sponsors such events as Youth Slam where several hundred blind youth and their mentors participated in a science and math academy. Next year we will have a junior science academy. It will involve smaller children with adults accompanying them.

We have introduced H.R. 3834 in Congress to raise the earned income limit for receiving Social Security. Congressman John Lewis of Georgia, who spoke at our March for Independence in Atlanta, has introduced this bill. We must get our members of Congress to cosponsor this legislation. We want to pass legislation modeled after the Instructional Materials Accessibility Act (IMAA) for college students. This Act requires publishers to provide electronic files of textbooks so students can have their books on time. Other legislative issues will emerge closer to our seminar.

Our next speaker was Richard Strong, Director of the Communication Center and the Senior Services Unit for Minnesota State Services for the Blind (SSB). His report is earlier in this issue. Dick attended the NFB national convention and marched for our Independence along with other Minnesotans. Dick acknowledged Jennifer Dunnam as past Rehabilitation Council for the Blind chair. Jennifer's term on the Council has expired and Tom Scanlan, as the NFB’s representative, has replaced her. Steve Jacobson and Judy Sanders also serve on that council. Dick mentioned that as he was driving to this convention and listening to Minnesota Public Radio he heard Joyce Scanlan as the lead story on the news talking about the convention, quiet cars and accessible pedestrian signals. Dick expressed the view that our positive outlook can only bode well for the future of blind people.

SSB and the NFBM are jointly sponsoring the "Possibilities Fair" for seniors in May. We received a grant from the Imagination Fund of $4,000 toward this effort.

Shawn Mayo asked about the problem of finding qualified rehabilitation counselors. The standards are so strict that few people qualify; Dick mentioned that Nebraska has developed its own standards which involve training their own counselors. This is becoming a critical problem with many counselors reaching retirement age and no one to take their place. Kathy McGillivray, an experienced professional in working with people with disabilities, was disqualified because she had not taken a particular course that is irrelevant to her success as a counselor.

Dick said that we are not only customers or consumers of their agency; we are partners. We have come a long way in our relationship with this agency.

"From The Ukraine To The U.S.: I'm Glad I Found You" was a presentation given by Bogdan Onyschenko who is here as an exchange student staying with the Richardson/Gilmer family. Bogdan says that in his country, braille is uncontracted and they write with a slate and stylus. They can get a scanner with a Russian program for about twenty dollars. Teachers do not always have high expectations for their students and, if you are one of their favorites, they pass you without earning your grades and then you have trouble in college. Bogdan hopes to move to the U.S. because he thinks that job opportunities are more plentiful. If he is still here in July, he hopes to attend our national convention.

Joyce introduced the president of the NFB of North Dakota, Jennelle Bichler and North Dakota's vice president, Maria Vasquez. We were pleased to have them with us at our convention.

Catherine Durivage, director of the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library, was our next speaker. Note the library's new name. Catherine gave special thanks to the NFB for our efforts in the last legislative session to help them come to a full staff. They are heading in the right direction with two new staff members. See Catherine Durivage's remarks earlier in this issue.

Scott updated us on the status of funding for the new digital program for the National Library Service. They are seeking $19 million; they were first given $7 million and, through the work of the NFB and others, their funding is now at $12.5 million. We are still working in the Senate to try to get the full funding.

Jane Larsen, director of Disability Services at MCTC (Metropolitan Community and Technical College), told us that her office serves over 500 students with disabilities within a year. Over 25 students are blind or visually impaired. Besides helping students with access to material in their classes, they are administering a grant that helps students go beyond their academic training. They can get to know their community and learn more about the real world. This project is called service learning. She reminded high school students to do advance preparation for their college career; it will raise their chance of success.

Jean Martin, Director of the Minnesota Resource Center for the Blind, is a welcome fixture at our conventions. Her topic was “Greater Expectations for Minnesota's Students Who Are Blind.” Her remarks appear in full earlier in this issue.

Jean stated that standardized tests for science are computerized this year and that they are not accessible to blind students. Jean negotiated with the appropriate people to allow blind students to take the test using hard copy. Jennifer expressed the view that this should be a temporary solution and that we should not allow blind students to be left behind in this computer age. Jean agreed and asked for that position in writing.

To lead off our afternoon session we heard from Melody Wartenbee, the longtime braille instructor at Blindness: Learning in New Dimensions (BLIND). Braille is a relatively easy system to memorize but when adults learn braille they quickly discover that it takes a great deal of practice to become proficient. To help in their endeavor, Melody started the Braille Club. One not need be a student at BLIND. It is a place where you can read along with others and check your reading speed. It provides the incentive that we need to work hard toward becoming literate in braille. Trudy Barrett, a member of the Braille Club and a braille reader since 1975, appreciates her improvement in speed. She has gone from 35 words a minute to around 70 words a minute. She wants to read 100 words per minute. John Horna, a new member of the Federation, has read braille his whole life. He uses the Braille Club mostly for practice. He has never used a slate and stylus until he came here, even though his braille reading speed is quite high.

Morgan Budreau is in the seventh grade and is an avid braille reader. She understands that braille puts her on an equal playing field with her sighted peers. She participates in the Braille Readers are Leaders contest and the Braille Challenge sponsored by the Braille Institute of America. To qualify for this challenge she must pass a test given at her school. She did so well that she had the chance to go to Los Angeles and participate with kids from all over the country. See the October 2007 issue of the Braille Monitor for a more detailed explanation of the Braille Challenge in Monitor Miniatures.

Dick Davis moderated a panel entitled “New Jobs: This is How They Came About.” Deanna Langton works at Project for Pride in Living where she helps to facilitate a professional program for those in the healthcare field. These people are looking for promotions in their field. Tom teBockhorst works at Apogee Retail where he seeks donations for a thrift store. He is one of those dreaded telemarketers, but he is a polite one. Charlotte Czarnecki is an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigator. She learned about this position from the NFB's jobs list. She does everything from intake to conciliation. All the panelists credited the NFB for helping them in one way or another; one credited SSB and her teachers; and one gave special thanks to Dick Davis and his work at BLIND, Inc.

“English Language Learners: What Can Be Done to Help” was a topic presented to us by Sharon Monthei. Sharon works at SSB to, among other things, coordinate services to SSB customers who were learning English as an additional language. Most instruction involves pictures and teachers are not equipped to teach blind students. Sharon traveled to Seattle along with Emily Zitek to receive special training in how to teach blind students to succeed in these classes. Sharon's sharing her newfound knowledge with teachers in this community.

"The Federation in the World Today: Meeting the Challenge" was a dynamic and thought-provoking presentation given by Jennifer Dunnam. She discussed how different our challenges are today compared to 1990 when she heard Dr. Kenneth Jernigan talk about our first fifty years. Many of the problems are the same—but who would have thought that we would be suing Target for access to their website? We must expand our tools to succeed today while remembering our roots and our objectives.

"Silent Zones and Quiet Cars: Problems We need to Face" is one of those topics that we did not face in 1990. Bunny Tabbat, a member from Little Falls, presented this issue to us as it affects her. A silent zone is an area where trains are not allowed to blow their whistles. This often happens at night because citizens complain that they cannot sleep. Bunny pointed out that as we travel throughout our community we may not have enough warning that a train is coming. Scott LaBarre suggested that we must find a compromise between the silence that society is demanding and the sound that we need for our safety.

Shawn Mayo introduced two students to present "Looking Forward to a Fulfilling and Challenging Life." Ellen Bielawski spoke about her experiences in travel class. It meant a great deal to her to have a blind instructor. She is the only student to have been stopped by the police while on travel. A kindly citizen called and reported that there was a woman wandering aimlessly wearing a blindfold. She explained what she was doing and they let her go on her way. Ellen came here from Indiana. Bill Henson is from California. He was told that he could not take his GED (General Education Diploma) because he is blind; he is now studying for his GED and wants to become an advocate for others when he returns to California. He described his experiences in home management.

Accessible pedestrian signals (APS) are a current issue with which we must deal in our local communities. Jennifer Dunnam gave the history of what is happening in the metro area with respect to these signals. We must concern ourselves with these signals on a statewide basis because MnDOT may start putting them on all new construction without criteria to determine whether they are needed. We are working diligently to develop reasonable criteria. A discussion followed with recommendations as to how to make these decisions. Jennifer read a letter which we all signed explaining our position. This letter was forwarded to the Minneapolis City Council to help them in making their decision about how to deal with these things.

"Changes at the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind and Plans for the Future" allowed us to meet Dr. Robert R. Duncan, the interim director at the Academy in Faribault. Dr. Hunter has served as superintendent for several rural school districts and served for six years on the Academy's Board of Governors. The Academy has about fifty students. Dr. Hunter wants to revitalize their transition program for students between the ages of 18 and 21. He wants to make sure that they not only have a good academic education in the subjects learned by all students but that they get a good background in their blindness skills. They have a new assistive technology instructor on campus. Currently a student can only attend the Academy if referred by their school district. While parents can choose a public school, a charter school or a private school they cannot choose the Academy. Dr. Duncan would like to see a rules change so that the parents and children have the Academy as an option. He would like to do more marketing and public relations for the school. Dr. Duncan joked that he would have to be careful about what he said at our convention because Nadine Jacobson was in the audience and she serves on the Board of Governors.

The highlight of all NFB conventions is our banquet. As special as they all are, this year's banquet will long be remembered as historic.

We began our evening with an invocation by Reverend Michael Brands, one of our members from St. Paul. Pat Barrett, our emcee, kept the banquet going at a lively pace with door prizes and baked sale items interspersed throughout the evening.

Another of our members, Maureen Pranghofer, who sings professionally, entertained us and brought CD's to sell.

Joyce Scanlan has been president of the NFB of Minnesota for 34 years; she had announced before the convention that she would not be seeking reelection. With this in mind, Federationists wanted to say thank you for her many years of dedication and service to all of us. Jennifer Dunnam, Steve Jacobson and others put together an audible presentation cataloguing the history of Joyce's accomplishments over the years. Beginning in the early '70's with her election to the presidency and ending with the ringing of several Freedom Bells at the grand opening of our BLIND, Incorporated headquarters, which jointly houses our NFB offices; we have a record of growth, positive change and a spirit of self-determination that Joyce led. After we listened to the audio presentation Jennifer presented Joyce with an engraved crystal gavel sitting on a glass base to show appreciation for her dedication, friendship and leadership. The engraving reads:

"Joyce Scanlan

President 1973-2007

You have changed What It Means to be Blind."

Several other awards were presented at the banquet. Each year the Metro Chapter sponsors a writing contest. This year's winner was Sharon Monthei. Her winning essay appeared in the Fall 2007 issue of the Minnesota Bulletin. Jeff Thompson presented a recognition award given by the Minnesota Association of Blind Students (MABS) to Amanda Swanson for her leadership and work in the NFB. She received $500.

Sheila Koenig, chair of this year’s scholarship committee, presented a $2,000 scholarship to Mohamed Abdel-Magid. Mohamed is a student at Winona State University majoring in management information systems.

This banquet had so many highlights that it was amazing to watch and listen to Scott LaBarre give his banquet address and hold our attention after a rather long banquet. His entire address was printed in the Fall 2007 issue of the Minnesota Bulletin.

The banquet closed with a raffle drawing sponsored by MABS. They awarded $35 to Ellen Bielawski from their 50/50 drawing. The energy of the convention continued with hospitality and karaoke late into the night.

Sunday, November 4

Early Sunday morning Federationists gathered for the traditional Blindness: Learning in New Dimensions (BLIND) breakfast where we received an update on its activities and were introduced to all the students and staff.

Our general session began with a memorial service for those Federationists we have lost in the past year. Fern Aune, Tim Aune's mother, was a longtime Federationist. She was an avid braille reader who read approximately six books per week. When poor health prohibited her participation in our activities, she still took an interest in our successes.

Many of us knew another Federationist whom we lost this year. Marie Whitteker was 93 years old and still living independently. She still came to meetings and conventions. At our annual conventions, she was known for her divinity that raised lots of money at our baked sale auctions. She was a Federationist since the 1940's and was one of the best we had.

Carrie Gilmer, president of our parents’ organization, began her remarks with a memorial to her brother-in-law, Sam. He loved his nephew, Jordan, and had the highest expectations for him. Carrie talked about growth; we cannot stop growing and would not want to do so. Our Saturday School is growing partly due to the publicity given to it by its own participants. Teachers are talking about it because their students are. We also have a teen night that the teens greatly enjoy. Carrie ended her remarks by introducing her son, Jordan, who would be installed into the National Honor Society the following evening. He had the opportunity to recognize one teacher who helped him along the way and he chose Emily Zitek, his life skills instructor from BLIND.

Jordan told us about his experience in participating in ILab created by Carey Sapalo designed to teach blind students how they could function in a chemistry lab. He also joined in the activities of Youth Slam and was the emcee for the banquet at its end. He said that he learned to get around limitations put on him by teachers by saying, "Slam that!" and then asking the teacher to work with him to creatively find a way to involve him in overcoming the supposed limitation. Jordan closed by quoting himself, "If you take away taste, sound, smell and independence it is like taking the BLT out of your sandwich; all you have left is the bread and it does not taste good."

The minutes from the last convention as printed in the Minnesota Bulletin were approved.

We dealt with three resolutions. The first objected to requiring a valid Minnesota driver’s license for jobs that do not require driving. This is discriminatory and we will work to rid ourselves of such requirements. The resolution passed unanimously.

The second resolution dealt with quiet zones discussed previously in this report. There was some question as to whether we had enough information to know what direction to take. The resolution was tabled and it was made clear that it should be revived later after further study.

The last resolution dealt with the lack of accessibility to many documents produced by the state of Minnesota. We will join efforts to fix this problem. This resolution passed unanimously.

The two resolutions adopted by the convention are at the end of this report.

Our elections brought the following results: President, Jennifer Dunnam; Vice President, Steve Jacobson (filling out the term of Jennifer Dunnam); Secretary, Judy Sanders; board members, Jan Bailey, Charlene Childrey, Jeff Thompson, and Joyce Scanlan (filling out the term of Steve Jacobson). Those not up for election were Treasurer Tom Scanlan and board member Pat Barrett.

Scott LaBarre gave us thanks for an enriching weekend before he left for the airport and reminded us to fill out our PAC (Pre-authorized Check Plan) cards so that we can contribute to the NFB. Joyce added her encouragement to signing up for the PAC plan. Several members started new plans and some increased what they were already giving.

Shawn Mayo, as executive director of Blindness: Learning in New Dimensions (BLIND) expressed her eagerness to continue hard work in the Federation and told us to look forward to a big party for BLIND's twentieth anniversary.

Closing announcements and thanks from the Metro Chapter president ended the convention with one final announcement. The bake auction netted us $2,946.01.

The last act of the convention closed an era and transitioned into a new one with Joyce handing the gavel over to Jennifer who adjourned the convention.

Resolution A07-01

WHEREAS, for generations blind employees have worked effectively in jobs that required travel, using mass transit, taxis, paid drivers, or a combination of these; and

WHEREAS, using these transportation modes makes it possible for blind employees to read, write, make telephone calls, and do other tasks that sighted employees, who must pay attention to their driving, cannot do; and

WHEREAS, this increased productivity can more than compensate for any increased transportation cost that may occur; and

WHEREAS, employers in the state are increasingly requiring a valid Class D Minnesota driver’s license as a condition of employment where the position is not a transportation job such as bus or truck driving; and

WHEREAS, this requirement discriminates against blind people as a class because blindness makes a person ineligible to receive a valid Minnesota driver's license; and

WHEREAS, this requirement also discriminates against blind people as a class by excluding them from jobs that they otherwise could perform using mass transit, taxis, or paid drivers; and

WHEREAS, requiring a driver’s license for jobs in which driving is not an essential function is a violation of Minnesota statute 363A.08 (Subd. 2), the Minnesota Human Rights Act; now therefore

BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota in convention assembled this fourth day of November, 2007, in the city of Bloomington, Minnesota that it is the position of this organization that requiring a valid Minnesota driver's license in non-transportation jobs constitutes illegal discrimination against blind people as a class; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization do everything in its power to insure that such discriminatory language is stricken from job descriptions and replaced by non-discriminatory language such as "must be able to travel", "must be able to provide transportation to residents", or "must possess a valid Minnesota ID"; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in furtherance of this goal, this organization contact employers, employment agencies, the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employee Relations, the Attorney General of the State of Minnesota, the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, counties, municipalities, other governmental and private bodies, and news organizations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if necessary, this organization engage in any legal action necessary to end this discriminatory job requirement in Minnesota.

Resolution A07-03

WHEREAS, the movement from paper documents and forms and the introduction of computer software to handle many tasks has resulted in blind persons having better access to documents than ever before; and

WHEREAS, the use of computer software has, in many cases, allowed blind persons to perform many aspects of our jobs more independently than was previously possible; and

WHEREAS, the ability for us to directly access and convert documents and use software does not require that document writers and software developers have specific knowledge of blindness but rather that they simply follow some guidelines and rules; and

WHEREAS, we are receiving reports and complaints of documents from the state of Minnesota, such as PDF documents containing images of pages rather than text, that cannot be read using technology that we commonly use to read documents; and

WHEREAS, the provision of accessible documents is required by various federal laws and regulations; and

WHEREAS, the state of Minnesota is required to purchase accessible software by Minnesota statute 16C.145 "NONVISUAL TECHNOLOGY ACCESS STANDARDS", which we were instrumental in getting passed in 1998; and

WHEREAS, some communication has begun between Minnesota State Services for the blind, the Technology Task Force of the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind, the Department of Administration, and the Office of Enterprise Technology on these issues: Now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota assembled this fourth day of November, 2007, in the city of Bloomington, Minnesota, that this organization call upon Minnesota's Office of Enterprise Technology and the Department of Administration to review how accessibility is considered in the purchase of current software and in the creation of documents and to publish their findings; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we urge the Office of Enterprise Technology and the Department of Administration to implement changes in existing processes to guarantee that purchased software and documents are accessible in accordance with statute 16C.145.