The purpose of the National Federation of the Blind is two-fold — to help blind persons achieve self-confidence and self-respect and to act as a vehicle for collective self-expression by the blind.  By providing public education about blindness, information and referral services, scholarships, literature and publications about blindness, aids and appliances and other adaptive equipment for the blind, advocacy services and protection of civil rights, development and evaluation of technology, and support for blind persons and their families, members of the NFB strive to educate the publi

Central Minnesota Chapter — St. Cloud area; meets at 12:30 on the second Saturday of every month at the American Legion in Waite Park

Metro Chapter — Twin Cities area; meets at 10:00 a.m. on the third Saturday of every month at NFB of MN Headquarters, 100 East 22nd Street in Minneapolis

Riverbend Chapter — New Ulm area; meets at 9:00 a.m. on the third Saturday of every month in New Ulm; contact Monica Buboltz at 507-354-5680 for meeting location

Exciting times are coming in NFB conventions.  Keep these in mind as you plan your activities throughout the coming year.

The Semiannual NFB of Minnesota Convention is May 17 2014 at the NFB of Minnesota building in Minneapolis.  Members have received a letter with details, and the letter is on our website at www.nfbmn.org.

Courtesy of the Seniors Division of the NFB of Minnesota

As I was lying in bed pondering the problems of the world, I rapidly realized that I don't really give a rat's hiney.  It's the tortoise life for me!  And here is why.

By Emily Zitek

I have been a blind vendor in the Business and Enterprises Program (BEP) of State Services for the Blind for almost seven years.  Because of the misconceptions that still exist regarding this program, I have been asked, more times than I could count if being a vendor is a real career.

By Carol Braithwaite

(Editor’s Note:  This article is reprinted from the Winter 2014 issue of The Focus, the newsletter of the NFB of Alabama.)          

By Catherine A.  Durivage, Library Program Director

(Editor’s Note:  Ms. Durivage presented this item at the NFB of Minnesota Annual Convention on October 26, 2013.)

Hello, my name is Catherine Durivage.  I am the Library Director at the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library.  Thank you for extending an invitation to me to speak at your annual conference again this year. 

By Richard Strong, Director, Minnesota State Services for the Blind

(Editor’s Note:  Mr. Strong presented this item at the NFB of Minnesota Annual Convention on October 26, 2013.)

Thank you Ms. President. 

Once again I have to say how very much I appreciate the opportunity to be here and speak with the membership of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota--the largest organization of blind people in the state.

The National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota is an organization focused on consumer advocacy for blind people and promoting a positive philosophy of blindness.  We are also a family.

By Jennifer Dunnam

I cannot resist starting out this column with a shout out to spring in Minnesota!  Many of us thought it might never arrive, but it is finally, finally here, and with it plenty of news and activities in the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota.