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</style> </head> <body> <div id="header"> <h1 class="title">The Braille Monitor,
May 2025</h1> </div> <h1 id="braille-monitor">BRAILLE MONITOR</h1> <p>Vol. 68,
No. 5 May 2025</p> <p><em>Chris Danielsen, Editor</em></p> <p>Distributed by email,
in inkprint, in Braille, and on USB flash drive, by the</p> <p>NATIONAL FEDERATION
OF THE BLIND</p> <p>Mark Riccobono, President</p> <p>telephone: 410-659-9314</p>
<p>email address: <a href="mailto:nfb@nfb.org">nfb@nfb.org</a></p> <p>website
address: <a href="http://www.nfb.org">http://www.nfb.org</a></p> <p>NFBnet.org:
<a href="http://www.nfbnet.org">http://www.nfbnet.org</a></p> <p>NFB-NEWSLINE®
information: 866-504-7300</p> <p>Like us on Facebook: <a
href="http://Facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind">Facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind</a></p>
<p>Follow us on X: @NFB_Voice</p> <p>Follow us on Mastodon: @nationsblind@nfb.social</p>
<p>Watch and share our videos: <a
href="http://YouTube.com/NationsBlind">YouTube.com/NationsBlind</a></p> <p>Letters
to the President, address changes, subscription requests, and orders for NFB
literature should be sent to the national office. Articles for the <em>Monitor</em>
and letters to the editor may also be sent to the national office or may be emailed
to <a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a>.</p> <p><em>Monitor</em>
subscriptions cost the Federation about forty dollars per year. Members are invited,
and nonmembers are requested, to cover the subscription cost. Donations should be
made payable to <strong>National Federation of the Blind</strong> and sent to:</p>
<p>National Federation of the Blind</p> <p>200 East Wells Street <em>at Jernigan
Place</em><br /> Baltimore, Maryland 21230-4998</p> <p><strong>THE NATIONAL
FEDERATION OF THE BLIND KNOWS THAT BLINDNESS IS NOT THE CHARACTERISTIC THAT DEFINES
YOU OR YOUR FUTURE. EVERY DAY WE RAISE THE EXPECTATIONS OF BLIND PEOPLE, BECAUSE
LOW EXPECTATIONS CREATE OBSTACLES BETWEEN BLIND PEOPLE AND OUR DREAMS. YOU CAN
LIVE THE LIFE YOU WANT; BLINDNESS IS NOT WHAT HOLDS YOU BACK. THE NATIONAL FEDERATION
OF THE BLIND IS NOT AN ORGANIZATION SPEAKING FOR THE BLIND—IT IS THE BLIND
SPEAKING FOR OURSELVES.</strong></p> <p><em>ISSN 0006-8829</em></p> <p>© 2025
by the National Federation of the Blind</p> <p>Each issue is recorded on a thumb
drive (also called a memory stick or USB flash drive). You can read this audio
edition using a computer or a National Library Service digital player. The NLS
machine has two slots—the familiar book-cartridge slot just above the
retractable carrying handle and a second slot located on the right side near the
headphone jack. This smaller slot is used to play thumb drives. Remove the protective
rubber pad covering this slot and insert the thumb drive. It will insert only in
one position. If you encounter resistance, flip the drive over and try again.
(Note: If the cartridge slot is not empty when you insert the thumb drive, the
digital player will ignore the thumb drive.) Once the thumb drive is inserted,
the player buttons will function as usual for reading digital materials. If you
remove the thumb drive to use the player for cartridges, when you insert it again,
reading should resume at the point you stopped.</p> <p>You can transfer the
recording of each issue from the thumb drive to your computer or preserve it on
the thumb drive. However, because thumb drives can be used hundreds of times, we
would appreciate their return in order to stretch our funding. Please use the
return envelope enclosed with the drive when you return the device.</p> <p>Vol.
68, No. 5 May 2025</p> <h2 id="contents"> Contents</h2> <p>Convention Bulletin
2025</p> <p>New on the Agenda: The United States Access Board will be at National
Convention</p> <p>From Fear to Empowerment: Moms’ Stories of Raising Blind
Children</p> <p>by Z’Leah N. Liburd</p> <p>Crossing the Bay Bridge</p>
<p>by Cassie McKinney</p> <p>A Mother of Faith and Strength: Interview with
Mississippi's Linda Lankston Clay</p> <p>by LaShawna Fant</p> <p>Beyond the Chatbot:
Innovations in the Fast-Changing World of AI</p> <p>by Jonathan Mosen</p> <p>Blindness
in Current Political Discourse: Stemming a Toxic Tide</p> <p>by Chris Danielsen</p>
<p>From the President’s Desk</p> <p>National Federation of the Blind and
Blind Students Sue West Virginia University for Discrimination</p> <p>Resolution
Reminders</p> <p>by Donald Porterfield</p> <p>Lawsuit Alleges that New York Courts
Systemically Discriminate Against Blind Jurors in Grand Jury System</p> <p>Disability
Advocates Sue Social Security Administration and DOGE to Stop Unlawful Cuts to
Social Security Services</p> <p><em>Monitor</em> Miniatures</p> <h2
id="convention-bulletin-2025">Convention Bulletin 2025</h2> <p>The 2025 convention
of the National Federation of the Blind will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana,
this summer. Start planning your trip now.</p> <blockquote> <p>Tuesday, July 8
through Sunday, July 13</p> <p>The Marriott New Orleans and the Sheraton New
Orleans</p> </blockquote> <p>As our headquarters hotel, the Marriott will host
convention breakouts, general sessions, and the banquet. Right across Canal Street,
the Sheraton serves as our overflow hotel and will be home to the exhibit hall
and Independence Market.</p> <p>If this will be your first convention or if you
need a refresher, check out our First Timer’s Guide at <a
href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/first-timers-guide"><u>https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/first-timers-guide</u></a>.</p>
<h3 id="convention-season-schedule-and-deadlines">Convention Season Schedule and
Deadlines</h3> <p>The following are important dates to know as you prepare to
attend convention.</p> <ul> <li><p>January 1 Hotel Reservations Open</p></li>
<li><p>March 1 Registration Opens</p></li> <li><p>April 15 Agenda Submissions
Deadline for Session Coordinators</p></li> <li><p>April 15 Kenneth Jernigan
Convention Scholarship Deadline for First-Time Attendees</p></li> <li><p>May 31
Registration Closes for Convention Attendees</p></li> <li><p>May 31 Registration
Deadline for Exhibitors</p></li> <li><p>June 9 Resolutions Submission Deadline</p></li>
</ul> <p>Book Your Hotel</p> <p>Reserve your room by calling 888-236-2427 for the
Marriott or 855-516-1090 for the Sheraton New Orleans. Ask for the “National
Federation of the Blind 2025 Convention” block. Here are important things
to know about the rates and booking the room:</p> <h4 id="rates-and-taxes">Rates
and Taxes</h4> <p>The nightly rate for both the Marriott and the Sheraton is $119
for singles and doubles, while triples and quads can be booked for $129 per night.
You should also anticipate the combined sales tax and tourism support rate of 16.2
percent and note there is a hotel occupancy fee of $3.00 per night.</p> <h4
id="deposit-and-cancellation">Deposit and Cancellation</h4> <p>At the time you
make a reservation, a deposit of the first night’s stay is required for
each room reserved. If you use a credit card, the deposit will be charged against
your card immediately, just as would be the case with a check. If a reservation
is cancelled before Sunday, June 1, 2025, half of the deposit will be returned.
Otherwise, refunds will not be made.</p> <h3 id="registration">Registration</h3>
<p>Registration for convention will open March 1. Registration will be $25 per
person plus $80 per banquet ticket. Register early because prices go up if you
register onsite in New Orleans. Registration includes the biggest event of the
year, access to the event app, and communications on the latest news and events.
Register here: <a href="https://nfb.org/convention">https://nfb.org/convention</a>.</p>
<h3 id="division-committee-group-meetings">Division, Committee, Group Meetings</h3>
<p>Over 200 sessions and meetings happen during convention. If you are a leader
in a division, committee, or group that will meet at convention, please don’t
wait to organize. Start planning your agenda, goals, and connections now. Stay
tuned for details from the Convention Chair, John Berggren.</p> <h3
id="request-for-door-prizes">Request for Door Prizes</h3> <p>Remember that as
usual we need door prizes from state affiliates, local chapters, and individuals.
Prizes should be small in size but large in value. Cash, of course, is always
appropriate and welcome. We ask that prizes of all kinds have a value of at least
$25 and not include alcohol. Drawings will occur throughout the convention sessions,
and you can anticipate a grand prize of truly impressive proportions to be drawn
at the banquet.</p> <h3 id="volunteer">Volunteer</h3> <p>Thank you to the hundreds
of volunteers who help make national convention a big success. Please consider
signing up to be a Convention Ambassador to assist in making the national convention
a welcoming and empowering experience for all our attendees or for the Independence
Market to serve as a demonstrator, storekeeper, pay-station representative, or
line marshal during the days the market is open in the Exhibit Hall.</p> <p>More
details on shifts, schedules, and signups will be available soon. Register early
to get access to all volunteer opportunities.</p> <h3 id="countdown-to-new-orleans">Countdown
to New Orleans</h3> <p>The best collection of exhibits featuring new technology;
meetings of our special interest groups, committees, and divisions; the most
stimulating and provocative program items of any meeting of the blind in the world;
the chance to renew friendships in our Federation family; and the unparalleled
opportunity to be where the real action is and where decisions are being
made—all of these mean you will not want to miss being a part of the 2025
National Convention. To assure yourself a room in the headquarters hotel at
convention rates, make your reservations early. We plan to see you in New Orleans
in July.</p> <p>--------</p> <h2
id="new-on-the-agenda-the-united-states-access-board-will-be-at-national-convention">New
on the Agenda: The United States Access Board will be at National Convention</h2>
<p>The United States Access Board will hold a public town hall meeting on
<strong>Wednesday, July 9 from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. (CT)</strong> at the New
Orleans Marriott Hotel, 555 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana. Presidentially
appointed Access Board members and representatives from other federal member
agencies will be present to hear from the local community about the state of
accessibility in Louisiana. Representatives from the Office of Governor Jeff Landry
and the City of New Orleans will also be present.</p> <p>Following the public
comment period, members of the public will be able to meet and speak with
presidentially appointed board members and representatives from other federal
agencies.</p> <p>The town hall meeting is open to all members of the public. Please
register for in-person attendance by <strong>July 2, 2025</strong>. To register,
send an email to <a href="mailto:events@access-board.gov">events@access-board.gov</a>
with your name and organization (if applicable). The Access Board invites in-person
comments on accessibility. Registrants who wish to make in-person comments must
indicate their request to speak when emailing <a
href="mailto:events@access-board.gov">events@access-board.gov</a>. Public commenters
will be allotted two minutes to make their comments. Please note that participation
in this event is only available to in-person attendees, but the full town hall
will be livestreamed to the Access Board’s YouTube channel.</p> <p>American
Sign Language (ASL) interpreters and Communication Access Realtime Transcription
(CART) services will be provided. The Access Board has a fragrance-free environment
policy and requests that all attendees refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, and
other fragrances and use unscented personal care products. Requests for other
reasonable accommodations must be submitted by <strong>June 25, 2025,</strong> to
Rose Marie Bunales at <a href="mailto:events@access-board.gov">events@access-board.gov</a>.</p>
<p>Each year, the Access Board visits a city outside of Washington, DC, to learn
about the state of accessibility around the country. During the week of July 7,
2025, the Access Board will, in addition to the town hall, host and attend a series
of meetings to better understand the accessibility barriers and successes experienced
by people with disabilities in the New Orleans area. Details regarding these
meetings and their outcomes will be provided in a forthcoming news release.</p>
<p><strong>US Access Board Town Hall Meeting</strong><br /> July 9, 2025, 9:00
– 11:30 a.m. (CT)<br /> New Orleans Marriott</p> <p>Acadia and Bissonnet
Ballrooms (3<sup>rd</sup> floor)</p> <p>555 Canal Street</p> <p>New Orleans, LA
70130</p> <p>Registration: Provide full name and organization (if any) to <a
href="mailto:events@access-board.gov">events@access-board.gov</a></p> <h3
id="access-board-sessions-provided-at-the-2025-nfb-national-convention">Access
Board Sessions Provided at the 2025 NFB National Convention</h3> <p>At the upcoming
2025 National Federation of the Blind National Convention, the United States Access
Board will be providing three engaging breakout sessions on the following topics:</p>
<p><strong>Access Board Section 508 Activity and Information Updates:</strong>
Participants will be provided with current updates on the Board’s Section
508 activities.</p> <p><strong>Overview of the Access Board and the Architectural
Barriers Act (ABA)</strong>: Participants will gain a foundational understanding
of the Access Board’s key functions, including enforcement of the ABA which
requires all federal facilities to be accessible to people with disabilities.</p>
<p><strong>Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG)</strong>:
Participants will be provided with an overview of the Board’s Public
Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines with an emphasis on the guidelines for
pedestrian access routes, detectable warnings, accessible pedestrian signals,
roundabouts, and other components that are of particular interest to people who
are blind or who have low vision.</p> <p>In addition to the breakout sessions,
the Access Board will be hosting their annual town hall meeting in conjunction
with the National Convention at the New Orleans Marriott.</p> <h4
id="about-the-us-access-board">About the US Access Board</h4> <p>The US Access
Board is an independent federal agency that advances accessibility through leadership
in accessible design and the development of accessibility guidelines and standards.
Created in 1973 to ensure access to federally funded facilities, the Access Board
is now a leading source of information on accessible design. The Access Board
develops and maintains design criteria for the built environment, transit vehicles,
public right-of-way, information and communication technology, and medical diagnostic
equipment under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and other laws.
It also provides technical assistance and training on these requirements and
continues to enforce accessibility standards that apply to federally funded
facilities under the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (ABA).</p> <p>The Access
Board is structured to function as a coordinating body among federal agencies and
directly represent the public, particularly people with disabilities. Its Governing
Board is a twenty-five-member board. Twelve of its members are representatives
from most of the federal departments. Thirteen others, who are appointed by the
President, are members of the public, and most of them must have a disability.</p>
<p>Some key functions of the Access Board include:</p> <p><strong>Development of
Accessibility Guidelines and Standards</strong>: The Board establishes design
criteria under the ADA, ABA, and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, among
other federal laws. The Board is a leading source on accessible standards for the
United States and engages with international partners to support their own
accessibility standards and guidelines.</p> <p><strong>Enforcement of the
Architectural Barriers Act (ABA)</strong>: The Board ensures that facilities
designed, built, altered, or leased with federal funds comply with ABA standards
by investigating complaints and enforcing accessibility requirements.</p>
<p><strong>Technical Assistance and Training</strong>: The agency offers guidance
and training on its accessibility guidelines and standards to various stakeholders,
including federal agencies, architects, and the public, to facilitate compliance
and promote best practices in accessible design. The agency’s technical
assistance (TA) services are available to everyone, including international
partners. Contact the Board’s TA helpline at 1-202-272-0080, extension 3,
and by email at <a href="mailto:ta@access-board.gov"><u>ta@access-board.gov</u></a>
from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (ET) weekdays.</p> <p>Learn more about the US Access
Board on its website <a href="https://www.access-board.gov">https://www.access-board.gov</a>,
where you can also sign up for email updates to get notified of upcoming Board
meetings, webinars, trainings, and other events. General inquiries can be directed
to <a href="mailto:info@access-board.gov"><u>info@access-board.gov</u></a>.</p>
<p>----------</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Z'Leah Liburd sings during the national
convention talent show.]</p> <h2
id="from-fear-to-empowerment-moms-stories-of-raising-blind-children">From Fear to
Empowerment: Moms’ Stories of Raising Blind Children</h2> <p>by Z’Leah
N. Liburd</p> <p><strong>From the Editor: Z’Leah Liburd is the president
of the Statewide and Student Divisions of the National Federation of the Blind of
Florida and an MSW candidate at the University of South Florida. She is also a
participant in the 2025 Kenneth Jernigan Leadership in Service Program. In the
true spirit of Federationism, she works with other blind, low-vision, and sighted
people to understand and overcome their challenges. In honor of Mother’s
Day, here are her interviews with moms—some blind themselves—raising
blind and low-vision children. These women powerfully describe their experiences
and share their advice for parents like them. The listing of the resources they
share does not necessarily imply endorsement by the National Federation of the
Blind.</strong></p> <p>When people encounter others with blindness or low vision,
they often ask, <em>“How do you live like that?”</em> or say,
<em>“That must be so hard for you!”</em> But rarely do they consider
what it’s like for their parents. I’ve interviewed four mothers of
blind and low-vision children to share their perspectives and experiences during
a few short question-and-answer sessions. They include Jennifer Pascarella of St.
Augustine, Florida, a Residential Instructor at the Florida School for the Deaf
and Blind (FSDB); Sarah Stolarczyk of Punta Gorda, Florida, a stay-at-home mother
and homeschool teacher; Candice Miller from upstate New York, also a stay-at-home
mother; and Tamika James from Zephyrhills, FL, an elementary school teacher.
Readers on their own journeys of raising blind and low-vision children, or who
are simply interested in helpful resources, can refer to the end of the article
for their recommendations.</p> <p><em>Can you share a little about your
children—their ages and diagnoses?</em></p> <p><strong>Ms. Pascarella:</strong>
Both of my children are now adults, ages twenty-seven and eighteen. They are
diagnosed with ONH [optic nerve hypoplasia]. I also have a five-year-old granddaughter
from my son, Alec. She is also diagnosed with ONH, which we have found is genetic
because I also have ONH.</p> <p><strong>Ms. Stolarczyk:</strong> My son is fifteen
years old. At two and a half years old, he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa
(RP), which is a degenerative condition.</p> <p><strong>Ms. Miller:</strong> My
two oldest children have retinal colobomas in both eyes. After they were born, we
discovered that I was the carrier and my children had a 50 percent chance of having
the condition. They both have some usable vision in the right eye, and less so in
the left eye.</p> <p><strong>Ms. James:</strong> I have a twenty-two-year-old
daughter who is a very ambitious, vibrant individual who takes life by the horns.
She is always up for a good challenge and never lets any task hinder her from
succeeding in whatever she puts her mind to. She has been diagnosed with RP.
However, her ambition and strengths for living life to the fullest has served as
the best role model for everyone in our family. She is simply amazing!</p>
<p><em>What were your initial thoughts and emotions when you learned about your
child’s blindness or low vision?</em></p> <p><strong>Ms. Pascarella:</strong>
With my son, I was sad because as I held him for the first time, I looked at him,
saw his beautiful face, and knew looking at his eyes that he had my eye condition.
Within eight hours of having my son, I was advocating for him. His pediatrician
was not listening to me about his vision. So, I made an appointment at the
Children’s Hospital ophthalmology, started the referral process, and had
a new pediatrician shortly after leaving the hospital. Ten years later it was
like, “OK, I know what I am doing,” and almost had a feeling of
relief. By this time raising a sighted child scared me to death. I knew what I
was doing with blind kids. With my granddaughter I knew but her mom was in denial,
so I had to step back and let her learn. I am supportive in any way I can be.</p>
<p><strong>Ms. Stolarczyk:</strong> There was definitely a period of grief as we
processed what that might mean for [my son’s] life. It was especially hard
to think about the extra challenges he would encounter in his life. My perspective
has definitely changed over the years. Actually, my first change in perspective
happened very suddenly and unexpectedly when, just six months after his RP diagnosis,
he was diagnosed with leukemia. Having your child diagnosed with a potentially
life-threatening disease certainly puts blindness into perspective! Thankfully,
he has been cancer-free for more than ten years now. As I have had the opportunity
to meet and interact with many blind people over the years, my perspective has
further shifted. I now know that there are all kinds of tools and resources that
will help my son to thrive in life despite his lack of vision.</p> <p><strong>Ms.
Miller:</strong> I was surprised when I found out about my daughter’s
blindness. When my parents had genetic testing done in the 1980s, they were told
that my blindness was not congenital, but further research has been done since
then. I was sad, but also relieved because I knew how to fight for my children
being blind more so than another disability. I felt like I was more prepared than
I feel most parents might feel in a similar situation.</p> <p><strong>Ms.
James:</strong> My initial thoughts were how I am going to take care of her and
provide a safe stable environment for her. I grew up in a community where blindness
wasn’t common. I felt like she would be seen as the outcast. However, my
perspectives have changed over time because I loved her enough to make a drastic
change and relocate to the US mainland. As a parent with a low-vision child, my
emotions fluctuate just like with any other parent. But the understanding of her
disability enabled me to adapt to being a supportive mother who knew that just
because she is low-vision, that doesn’t mean that she cannot perform and
live in the same manner as a sighted individual. As a matter of fact, she has
completed way more activities in life than most average individuals.</p> <p><em>Has
your perspective changed over time as they’ve grown?</em></p> <p><strong>Ms.
Pascarella:</strong> I have learned over the years that there is not one set way
to do something. You can find a way to make your goals come true even if it is
not in the traditional sense. Our family stands by the mantra that “my
normal is not your normal, your normal is not their normal, and that is OK.”
Also, before becoming a parent all the things that I said I would <em>not</em> be
like changed. Just because of their vision does not mean that my children do not
have strong personalities.</p> <p><strong>Ms. Stolarczyk:</strong> My understanding
of blindness has definitely changed. Blindness may present some challenges in my
son’s life, but the obstacles are not insurmountable.</p> <p><strong>Ms.
Miller:</strong> I have been saddened at how much fighting it takes to raise a
low-vision child. With a sighted child or a blind child, there is a given about
whether to teach Braille or print. When a child has usable vision, the line gets
blurred. The school district generally wants to make things easier and cheaper,
and wants to push for the students to use large print. It makes more sense to
them, and makes it easier for the teacher. The student’s need for nonvisual
skills is not taken as seriously. While fighting for my children to be taught in
both mediums, I was given pushback from our special education department claiming
that I just wanted my kids to know Braille because I know Braille, and it would
not be an advantage to my children. Now, my kids are behind in reading, and are
still smart, but they only know some Braille, and the print has to be very enlarged
with my kids having their faces pressed right up to the screen or paper that they
want to read. I found as a blind parent my thoughts were very much dismissed in
meetings.</p> <p><strong>Ms. James:</strong> My experience raising a low-vision
child has had its pros and cons. There are times when I see the world as a selfish
environment where people have no remorse or respect for fellow human beings,
disabled or not. Raising a low-vision child has afforded me the opportunity to
see that having a visual impairment doesn’t completely disable a person.
Yes, there are challenges, but they can be overcome by preparedness and proper
training. I have learned that although my daughter doesn’t see the world
the same way as a sighted person, she still has her own view through which she
depends on her other senses to maneuver around and complete her daily routine.</p>
<p><em>What has been the most rewarding and the most challenging part of parenting
a child with blindness or low vision? How has this changed over time?</em></p>
<p><strong>Ms. Pascarella:</strong> The most rewarding thing about being a parent
is watching them reach their goals and surpassing the low expectations that society
places on the blind or anyone with a disability.</p> <p><strong>Ms. Stolarczyk:</strong>
It has been rewarding to watch my son find many opportunities to thrive. From
bowling to drama to music, he participates in many activities alongside his
fully-sighted peers. He has also had the opportunity to successfully participate
in competitions unique to the blindness community—particularly the Braille
Challenge and the Abacus Bee. The most challenging part has been accessing the
services that he needs in O&M, Braille, and assistive technology. As a homeschool
family, we cannot access those services through the public school. Fortunately,
now that he is old enough for the transitions program at DBS [Division of Blind
Services], he can get some of those services through them and the Lighthouse [for
the Blind organization]. Others we have had to pay for out of pocket and get
reimbursed through a scholarship available for homeschooled students with
disabilities.</p> <p><strong>Ms. Miller:</strong> The most rewarding part of having
children with a visual impairment has been that my kids are able to try to look
toward the outside for friendships and within for how they conceptualize the world.
The most challenging part has been helping them be OK with themselves and what
they can offer. I hate that they feel like they don’t belong in either
place.</p> <p><strong>Ms. James:</strong> The most rewarding part of parenting a
child with low vision is watching her grow to become who she is. She has never
been one to let anything get in her way and hinder her from excelling in the way
she is. She has used the skills taught to help her better her lifestyle. Because
of this, she is at the height of success in academic and social standing. She
serves on many committees such as her current role of being president of the
National Federation of the Blind of Florida (NFBF) Statewide Chapter. She was also
a member of the Dr. Lydia R. Daniel Honors program at Hillsborough Community
College, National Collegiate Scholars, as well as Phi Theta Kappa Honor Societies.</p>
<p><em>How do you navigate the balance between protecting your child and encouraging
their independence, especially at this stage in their lives?</em></p> <p><strong>Ms.
Pascarella:</strong> My thought process is, “Would they be doing this if
they had better vision? Is it normal behavior for the age?” I had to learn
not to let my fear deter their dreams.</p> <p><strong>Ms. Stolarczyk:</strong> We
have tried to encourage [my younger son] to be as independent as his older brother.
As he approaches driving age, that may become more difficult as he will not be
able to drive himself to different events.</p> <p><strong>Ms. Miller:</strong> I
feel like as a blind parent I am less likely to be as protective, and instead want
to encourage more independence, but I do find it harder to let go in places where
I am unfamiliar because I’m more concerned about where I am and then
stressing about what they might be into or what obstacles might be there.</p>
<p><strong>Ms. James:</strong> Navigating the balance between protecting my child
and encouraging her independence has been challenging, but her strong will to be
the best that she can be has made the challenge somewhat easier. She was afforded
the opportunity to attend FSDB [Florida School for the Deaf and Blind]. This
boarding school in St. Augustine, Florida, is an amazing institution. They not
only focused on academics, but they also taught the students independent life
skills necessary to become independent adults. Aside from FSDB, my love and urge
for my daughter to be the best that she can be has forced me to ease up on my role
as a “helicopter mom.” I am now confident and have a sense of security
as I realize that she has received all the necessary tools needed to live a
successful life as a low-vision individual.</p> <p><em>What is one thing you wish
society better understood about raising a blind or low-vision child, both at their
current life stages and in general?</em></p> <p><strong>Ms. Pascarella:</strong>
That they are more than capable. Sometimes more so than the “normal”
person.</p> <p><strong>Ms. Stolarczyk:</strong> I wish more people understood that
blindness is not as awful as many seem to think it is. Yes, it provides extra
challenges, but life can be fulfilling and wonderful even without sight.</p>
<p><strong>Ms. Miller:</strong> I wish people knew that blindness does not mean
we have a lack of interest in normal typical activities. I wish they were more
inclusive when it does come to programs such as Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts. Most
materials are not available in accessible options.</p> <p><strong>Ms. James:</strong>
I wish that society could better understand that individuals who live in a blind
and low-vision world should never be underestimated. I have seen too many times
where individuals have doubted [my daughter’s] and others’ ability
to perform daily tasks [like a] sighted person. Blind or low-vision individuals
are able to do the same things that everyone else can do. They just require
accommodation to ensure that the task that they are attempting can be successful.
Giving low-vision and blind people the opportunity to become active participants
across communities has proven that they are just as equal as anyone else.</p>
<p><em>Looking back, what advice would you give to yourself when your child was
younger? And what do you think the future version of you might say to you
now?</em></p> <p><strong>Ms. Pascarella:</strong> Relax and enjoy the moment I am
in. Also, to hell with what everyone else thinks. It’s my life and my
children’s lives, and it has no bearing on what other people think.</p>
<p><strong>Ms. Stolarczyk:</strong> I wish we had started assistive technology
training at a much earlier age. My future self may remind me that [my son] is
doing great in spite of anything I wish I had done differently.</p> <p><strong>Ms.
Miller:</strong> I would make myself fight harder before COVID. I wish I could go
back and get a lawyer and fight harder for more Braille. I let the school determine
a lot of what my kids’ needs would be because I knew my children did have
more vision than I ever had, and I was not confident enough in my knowledge to
push harder. I also was trying to work with the district because I didn’t
want the school to take out the frustration with me as a parent on my children as
students.</p> <p><strong>Ms. James:</strong> Looking back, I would trust more in
God to know that he had everything strategically planned out. As individuals, we
tend to want to move on our own judgment of what we feel is right, and while that
may be normal common sense, it also serves as a test to know that God doesn’t
give us more than we can handle. Because of all the trials that I have been through,
the “future me” can confidently say that putting everything in
God’s hands continues to build my faith in other areas that require the
same trust and confidence as that of which she and I have endured. <strong>Proverbs
3:5-7</strong> teaches this: <em>“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him and he will
make your paths straight.”</em></p> <p><em>What resources have you used or
would you recommend to other parents that are raising a blind or low-vision
child?</em></p> <p><strong>Ms. Pascarella:</strong> Other parents of blind children,
social media, MaxiAids, and just reaching out to community resources.</p> <p>Ms.
Stolarczyk: Hadley – classes for parents to learn Braille—it’s
not that hard!</p> <p>Lighthouse for the Blind – great programs for teens!</p>
<p>DBS – check into what services may be available.</p> <p>National Library
Service – get your child an account for access to audiobooks through
BARD.</p> <p>Bookshare – get your child an account for access to more
audiobooks.</p> <p>Attend at least one NFB national convention to meet many blind
adults and learn about more resources.</p> <p>If attending a private school or
homeschooling in Florida, check into the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students
with Unique Abilities.</p> <p><strong>Ms. James:</strong> There are so many
resources out there to assist parents with a blind or low-vision child. The Tampa
Lighthouse for the Blind has made a tremendous impact on helping my daughter gain
resources she would need, such as teaching independent living and providing
employment opportunities, which include computer and vocational training, direct
job placement, rehabilitation engineering, and supported employment. There are
tutoring sessions/homework assistance, early intervention programs, and a transition
program for teens transitioning into the adult world.</p> <p>The Florida Division
of Blind Services assists with life-goal setting, which aids independent lifestyles.
They were instrumental in assisting her with assistive technology, transportation,
and college/university financial assistance. DBS also has a Blind Babies and
Children’s Program as well as Vocational, Independent Living, Braille
Library and Talking Books Library, and Career Technology Training.</p> <p>[Supplemental]
Security Income also serves as a financial resource.</p> <p>Florida School for
the Deaf and the Blind was instrumental in helping to pave the path for a successful
life and became the best resource to ensure a great start to a wonderful and bright
future.</p> <p>National Federation of the Blind (NFB).</p> <p>National Library
Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. They offer Braille and audio books free
of charge.</p> <p>Florida Association of Blind Students, in which my daughter
serves as president.</p> <p>Florida Braille Challenge.</p> <p>Florida Cane Quest.</p>
<p>* * * *</p> <p>In the end, raising a low-vision or blind child is not about
limitations or fears, but about feeling empowered. These parents agree that the
journey does have its challenges, but is also filled with growth, joy, and many
rewards. It’s about advocating for their child fiercely, stepping back and
allowing them to navigate their world in their own way, all while trying to educate
the world that just because the child is low-vision or blind, and their parents
may be fully sighted, they can still live the lives they want.</p> <p>Many thanks
to Jennifer Pascarella, Sarah Stolarczyk, Candice Miller, and Tamika James for
sharing their journeys of raising blind and low-vision children.</p> <p>Resources:</p>
<ul> <li><p><strong>Bookshare</strong>: An online library providing accessible
e-books for individuals with print disabilities, offering a vast collection of
titles.</p></li> </ul> <blockquote> <p><a
href="https://www.bookshare.org/"><u>https://www.bookshare.org/</u></a></p>
</blockquote> <ul> <li><p><strong>Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with
Unique Abilities</strong>: A Florida scholarship program assisting families of
students with unique abilities, including those who are blind, to access educational
options.</p></li> </ul>
<p><u>https://www.stepupforstudents.org/for-parents/scholarship-details/unique-abilities/</u></p>
<ul> <li><p><strong>Florida Cane Quest</strong>: A competition designed to promote
independent travel skills among blind and low-vision students.</p></li> </ul>
<blockquote> <p><u>https://www.fsdbk12.org/cane-quest</u></p> </blockquote> <ul>
<li><p><strong>Florida Division of Blind Services (DBS)</strong>: Provides services
to assist individuals who are blind or have low vision in achieving independence
and employment goals.</p></li> </ul> <blockquote>
<p><u>https://dbs.fldoe.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com</u></p> </blockquote> <ul>
<li><p><strong>Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind</strong>: A state-supported
residential school offering educational programs for students who are deaf or
blind.</p></li> </ul> <blockquote> <p><a
href="https://www.fsdbk12.org">https://www.fsdbk12.org</a></p> </blockquote> <ul>
<li><p><strong>Hadley</strong>: Provides free distance education courses for blind
and low-vision individuals, their families, and professionals, including Braille
courses for parents.</p></li> </ul> <blockquote> <p><u>https://hadley.edu</u></p>
</blockquote> <ul> <li><p><strong>Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision</strong>:
A nonprofit organization offering programs and services at no charge to individuals
who are blind or have low vision, including great programs for teens.</p></li>
</ul> <p><u>https://lighthouseblv.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com</u></p> <ul>
<li><p><strong>MaxiAids</strong>: Offers products for independent living, catering
to individuals who are blind, have low vision, or other physical challenges.</p></li>
</ul> <p><u>https://www.maxiaids.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com</u></p> <ul>
<li><p><strong>National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled
(NLS)</strong>: Offers free Braille and audio books to eligible individuals.</p></li>
</ul> <blockquote> <p><u>https://www.loc.gov/nls/</u></p> </blockquote> <ul>
<li><p><strong>The National Federation of the Blind (NFB)</strong>: A national
organization advocating for the rights and providing resources for blind
individuals.</p></li> </ul> <blockquote> <p><a href="https://nfb.org"><u>https://nfb.org</u></a></p>
</blockquote> <ul> <li><p><strong>Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind and Low
Vision:</strong> Provides services to assist individuals who are blind in achieving
independence, including programs for teens.</p></li> </ul> <p><u>https://lighthouseblv.org/</u></p>
<p>----------</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Cassie McKinney]</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Anna
Adler, Courtney Kahlil, and Moe Kahlil get ready to start the Bay Bridge Run.]</p>
<p>[PHOTO CAPTION: NFB participants wear their medals at the end of the Bay Bridge
Run.]</p> <h2 id="crossing-the-bay-bridge">Crossing the Bay Bridge</h2> <p>by
Cassie McKinney</p> <p><strong>From the Editor: A version of the following article
originally appeared in the Winter 2025 issue of <em>Future Reflections</em>, our
sister publication for parents of blind children. Cassie McKinney is president of
the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children, a division of the National
Federation of the Blind. She writes about a fundraising activity that she and
other members of the division undertook: participating in a 10K walk/run that
crossed Maryland’s Bay Bridge as a finale to a meeting of its board of
directors. Here is what she says:</strong></p> <p>As Federationists we embark
daily on endeavors to change misconceptions about blindness. Frequently we cross
metaphorical bridges that have been created between blind people and our dreams.
On November 10, 2024, a group of Federationists joined more than eighteen thousand
others in the physical challenge of a 10K walk that included crossing the four-mile
Bay Bridge in Maryland. Our participation in this event was spearheaded by the
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) and expanded to include
other members of our Federation family. While its initial purpose was community
involvement, the walk soon blossomed into a fundraising activity that helped
support our organization.</p> <p>The dream of crossing the Bay Bridge started with
a few of the parents who planned to be in Baltimore for the NOPBC board meeting.
We wanted to take part in the event, which has become a wonderful way to showcase
the magnificent bridge and the community support that it brings to the area it
touches. Corrigan Sports is the company that has backed the walk/run since 2014.
Over time the event has grown, and more and more people take part every year. In
2024, the organizers anticipated that more than eighteen thousand people would be
involved, both in person and virtually.</p> <p>Our team, the NFB Dreamers, was
branded with our NFB mission statement in mind. Federationists walked to show the
community that blind people can take part in the event and can do so on the same
level as sighted participants. As parents we walked for our blind children, who
face challenges in everything from education to extracurricular activities. For
my part, I didn’t just walk as a blind person or as the mom of my son,
Robert, who is blind; I walked for those parents and blind people who haven’t
found us yet, the ones who don’t know that they can find a voice through
the support system of the National Federation of the Blind.</p> <p>Our team did
more than just walking; through our participation we raised money for the Federation.
Our efforts brought in several thousand dollars in pledges from our supporters,
which were matched through a generous donation from HumanWare. Our walking
didn’t just raise awareness for our Federation family; we were able to
bring in the revenue that we need to fuel our work.</p> <p>Many people have asked
me, “What was it like to cross the Bay Bridge?” For me, the journey
was full of emotion: a sense of triumph, self-awareness, accomplishment, endurance,
and adversity. Let me begin with the adversity.</p> <p>The overwhelming sense of
accomplishment was foremost in my mind as I completed a 10K for the first time in
my life. However, I also experienced the physical pain that came from a foot injury
that I did not know I had until the walk was completed. I have suffered from issues
with plantar fasciitis for several years. While I participated in the walk I
assumed this condition was causing the pain I experienced. Two days after the
walk, I learned that the pain was actually caused by a stress fracture!</p> <p>In
spite of the pain, I walked across the Bay Bridge with my white cane in my hand,
putting one foot in front of the other. The passion that is in my heart for the
work that we do in the Federation was the motivation and driving force that pushed
me on.</p> <p>From time to time along the journey I paused to stand by the railing
of the bridge. All that my limited vision allowed me to see was the vastness of
the Chesapeake Bay beneath us. My thoughts went to the endless numbers of people
the Federation has not yet reached. My heart and my spirit were uplifted by our
members who were supporting what we hoped to accomplish through this event. I knew
that what we were doing was far more than crossing a bridge.</p> <p>Stepping across
the finish line was one of the most emotional moments of this journey. Although
I had finished the task at hand, it was a metaphorical beginning, leading to the
next bridge that will come. What will I be asked to do next to change the life of
a parent in need, and how will I face that struggle with them? I know that this
work of changing lives does not rest solely on my shoulders. It rests in the hearts
of Federationists everywhere.</p> <p>The work we do will go on, and we will cross
many more bridges, both physical and metaphorical. (Indeed, members of the National
Organization of Parents of Blind Children will cross the Bay Bridge again in 2025.)
We will take one step at a time, joined by others who are dreamers, too. We will
make a difference in the world we live in, as blind people and as parents of blind
children.</p> <p>The National Organization of Parents of Blind Children is proud
to be a division of the National Federation of the Blind. We are devoted to finding
more opportunities like the Bay Bridge Run, either as a division or in collaboration
with our parent organization, through which we can bring in funds and be part of
our communities. Stay tuned for information about efforts that are already in the
works. When we take on challenges together, we share the love and philosophy at
the heart of our movement.</p> <p>No matter how you are able to be out in your
community, be active and push yourself in new ways. For many this may not mean
walking or running a 10K, and that is perfectly acceptable. Sometimes it is in
small ways that we have the greatest effect on changing the misconceptions about
blindness. Always remember that you can achieve anything you put your mind to.
You will do it by putting one foot in front of the other. Someday you will be able
to reflect on your accomplishment and see the bridges that you have crossed. Keep
on dreaming!</p> <p>----------</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: LaShawna Fant]</p> <p>[PHOTO
CAPTION: Linda Lankston Clay]</p> <h2
id="a-mother-of-faith-and-strength-interview-with-mississippis-linda-lankston-clay">A
Mother of Faith and Strength: Interview with Mississippi’s Linda Lankston
Clay</h2> <p>by LaShawna Fant</p> <p><strong>From the Editor: Dr. LaShawna Fant,
president of the National Federation of the Blind of Mississippi, has a knack for
identifying people whom we should come to know because they have interesting or
inspiring thoughts to share. Her Mother’s Day gift to <em>Monitor</em>
readers is this interview with a blind mom who has experienced more than her share
of trials but retained her capacity for faith, gratitude, love, and a willingness
to give to others. Here is her story as told to Dr. Fant:</strong></p>
<p><strong>LaShawna Fant:</strong> I am so grateful for this opportunity to
interview you. You are a very strong lady. Please introduce yourself to
members of our National Federation of the Blind family. </p> <p><strong>Linda
Clay:</strong> My name is Linda Lankston Clay. I was born in Silver City, Mississippi,
to the late Richard and Annie B. Williams. Out of four kids, I was the baby of
the bunch. In 1973, after my father died, I moved to Louise, Mississippi, with my
sister Emma Session, and she died in 1977. In 1979, I moved to Chicago, Illinois,
where I had my first son, Roderick. In January of 1980, the following year,
I married his father, Eddie, and two more kids were born named Tytes and
Nina. </p> <p><strong>LF:</strong> How long have you been a member of our
organization, and what motivated you to join? </p> <p><strong>LC:</strong>
In 2009, while at a funeral in Louise, Mississippi, I came in contact with the
late Katie and Charles Evans. I was then invited to attend a state convention
in Grenada, Mississippi. While at the convention, I saw a few people I already
knew, and a couple of them were Barbara Hadnott and Kendrick Kennedy. The
next month, Audrey Mays, the late Margaret Birrages, and I went to the Jackson
Chapter meeting and then joined. Since then, I have been a chapter board
member and vice president, and I am currently holding the position of the first
vice president of the Jackson Chapter. </p> <p><strong>LF:</strong> Please
let the readers know about your journey being a mother.</p> <p><strong>LC:</strong>
In September 1979, my first child, Roderick, was born. All I wanted was to count
all toes and fingers to make sure he had them. In August of 1981, our stubborn
son Tytes came into the world. In 1983, during the hot summer, our "attitude-giver"
made her entrance into the world. I was so blessed and happy to finally have a
baby girl. Throughout the years, my lowest point started in May 2001 when my son
Tytes died. That's when I really started leaning and depending on God. In July
2006, my husband Eddie died of a massive heart attack. I kept my faith in God. In
August of 2008, my son Roderick was killed. At that point, I knew God had made no
mistakes. Lord knows it was hard dealing with the fact that all the males in my
life were gone. Those were the lowest points in my life, but God made a way. In
2016, God saw fit for me to find love again, and I married my current husband,
Anthony Clay. </p> <p><strong>LF:</strong> What are a couple of memories as
a mother you will always hold close to your heart?</p> <p><strong>LC:</strong> My
memories as a mother are so priceless! I remember the day my three kids joined
the church and were baptized. My kids gave their life to Christ during that time,
and I was overjoyed! Having the memories of driving my kids and nephews up and
down the dirt road we stayed on just warms my heart. Even though they knew I could
barely see, they still let me drive them. I was also very proud to watch my kids
grow up and witness all three graduate from high school, which I never got to
do. One last precious memory is when my grandchildren were born. My late
husband Eddie got the opportunity to meet our grandson Lazarious, who he called
his "good fellow." Later came more grandchildren named Roderick Jr., Edwin,
Raniyah, and Frank. </p> <p><strong>LF:</strong> As a blind mother, how did
you juggle things with raising your children?</p> <p><strong>LC:</strong> The
challenge of being a mother and blind was hard and very challenging, especially
after my kids realized their mother couldn't see like everyone else around us. I
was born totally blind in one eye and with glaucoma in the other eye. In
later years, I had scar tissue and a detached retina. The little vision I had
faded away. When I helped the kids with schoolwork, I always used a black Sharpie
to help them learn their ABCs and 1-2-3s. Their dad would help match their clothes
so they wouldn't be teased at school. I always had things organized and put in
certain locations so I could cook and do everyday tasks, hobbies, and chores. My
mother-in-law, Mrs. Lille, was the best at helping and taking me to town. After
the kids got older, they began to take on the responsibility of helping and
assisting me. </p> <p><strong>LF:</strong> What activities do you enjoy doing
with your family?</p> <p><strong>LC:</strong> My family activities include attending
church, shopping, family kickbacks, card games, barbecues, casinos, and going to
the movies with my best friend Bonita. She would always explain everything that
was going on in full detail. </p> <p><strong>LF:</strong> You are a big
giver. What are some of your favorite things as we reflect on you?</p>
<p><strong>LC:</strong> My favorite colors are black and gold, and my favorite
food is seafood. I love crab legs the most. My favorite singers, to name a few,
are Betty Wright, Pokey Bear, Tucka, and the Canton Spirituals, which is a gospel
group. </p> <p><strong>LF:</strong> What would you like to say to encourage
a blind mother who may be reading this article?</p> <p><strong>LC:</strong> I
would say keep your faith in God. I would tell anyone to pray and lean on God's
unchanging hands. I would tell them never to say never and never to say can't.
Because you never know what you can do until you do it. </p> <p><strong>LF:</strong>
Do you have any final words to leave with the readers?</p> <p><strong>LC:</strong>
I would encourage anyone to never settle for the bare minimum. Always push yourself
to exceed expectations in life. Stay positive and always remember you are braver
than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more
than you know. I would encourage them never to give up. </p> <p>----------</p>
<p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Jonathan Mosen]</p> <h2
id="beyond-the-chatbot-innovations-in-the-fast-changing-world-of-ai">Beyond the
Chatbot: Innovations in the Fast-Changing World of AI</h2> <p>by Jonathan Mosen</p>
<p><strong>From the Editor: Jonathan Mosen is well known to <em>Monitor</em>
readers, but he now writes in his capacity as Executive Director for Accessibility
Excellence of the National Federation of the Blind. In this article he shares his
insights about the rapidly proliferating artificial intelligence (AI) tools that
help us manage our everyday lives, some of which are designed or have benefits
for blind people. Jonathan, sometimes with help from other staff of our Center
for Excellence in Nonvisual Accessibility (CENA), shares more insights, interviews,
and technology news on the Federation’s weekly <em>Access On</em> podcast,
and he and the CENA team are also primarily responsible for managing and developing
relationships with key players in the technology industry, including some of the
AI companies mentioned here, in order to share the expertise and lived experience
of blind Americans. Here is what Jonathan has to say about some of the latest AI
tools:</strong></p> <p>On November 30, 2022, a little-known San Francisco-based
company, Open AI, launched a free research preview of a tool called ChatGPT. Within
five days, it had attracted over one million users, an unprecedented rate of
adoption representing a significant shift in public engagement with artificial
intelligence. Users were struck by its ability to generate coherent, contextually-aware
responses across a wide range of topics, from composing essays to writing code
and engaging in thoughtful dialogue. For many, it represented a major leap
forward—an AI system that felt not only useful, but accessible and
intuitive.</p> <p>Since then, generative AI has advanced at a remarkable pace.
Models have become more capable, handling longer and more complex inputs, integrating
real-time web access, image generation, and even multimodal reasoning that combines
text, vision, and audio. This technology is still far from perfect. The abundance
of AI-generated content requires us to be savvy, vigilant consumers. AI can still
produce plausible-sounding but incorrect information—commonly known as
hallucinations.</p> <p>While AI has delivered tangible benefits to blind people,
there are also risks. In the National Federation of the Blind, we know the truth
about blindness. It is not blindness that holds us back, but rather outmoded
stereotypes that translate into lack of opportunity. Generative AI is like a giant
sponge, soaking up all the material on the internet. In that material, you will
find plenty of inaccurate information about blindness and blind people. It is
critical that we correct these models so they depict blindness accurately. AI is
now finding its way into all walks of life, from tools to help make job recruitment
selections to tools that help design public policy. So, while a chatbot dispensing
inaccurate stereotypes about blind people is bad enough, there are many other
far-reaching consequences of AI not being informed about blindness.</p> <p>We are
heartened by the commitment of all the major players in the AI industry to
responsible, ethical AI when it comes to the depiction of blind people. In my
personal use of AI, it has thankfully been some time since I have encountered an
expression of sympathy from a large language model when I told it I was a blind
person. Several AI companies are collaborating with services blind people use
every day to obtain quality data about what it is like to be blind. The National
Federation of the Blind is often at the table when these projects are being scoped,
and I am encouraged by some of the products blind people will be using soon because
of our direct involvement.</p> <p>Large language models possess a lot of information.
We extract that information by asking the AI a question or giving it some sort of
instruction. Designing these inputs is known as “prompt engineering.”
Giving the AI a clear, specific instruction can make all the difference to the
quality of the output it produces. If you are interested in this topic, the
Federation’s Center of Excellence in Nonvisual Accessibility recently
produced a webinar on prompt engineering. You can hear or read the transcript of
an abridged version of it in Episode 16 of the NFB’s technology podcast,
<em>Access On</em>.</p> <p>Many of us are already using blindness-specific AI
tools regularly, particularly for scene or image description, including Be My
AI® from Be My Eyes; Access AI from Aira, which offers the ability to obtain
free verification of AI’s findings via a professional agent; and PictureSmart,
which is built into JAWS. There are intriguing AI tools emerging all the time.
Here are a few that illustrate how AI is impacting every aspect of our lives. My
mentioning of these tools does not constitute an endorsement by the National
Federation of the Blind. I draw them to your attention in case you are curious to
try one of these services so you can determine if they prove useful to you.</p>
<p>First, let’s discuss AI’s ability to simplify complex research
tasks. Conducting research is time-consuming for everyone, but it may be more
frustrating for a blind person because some of the information we want might be
on an inaccessible website. New technology offered by generative AI called
“Deep Research” can circumvent those accessibility barriers.</p>
<p>The two most common Deep Research tools are from ChatGPT and Gemini. Simply
visit the websites or use the app for the service in question. If you have access
to the Deep Research tool, you will find a button near where you enter a query
labelled as such. Simply press the button to toggle Deep Research on, type your
query, and submit it in the usual way.</p> <p>When you use Deep Research, your AI
service of choice explores, synthesizes, and summarizes information from extensive,
complex sources beyond surface-level facts. Unlike traditional search engines or
basic AI tools, generative AI performing Deep Research can analyze large quantities
of data, interpret context, and identify nuanced insights—such as hidden
patterns, subtle trends, or meaningful relationships among topics. This process
involves the AI going beyond straightforward keyword searches, instead delving
into multiple layers of interconnected data, including academic papers, industry
reports, historical records, and diverse media. The AI can then output coherent,
insightful summaries or detailed explanations that previously would have required
extensive human effort and considerable time. Deep Research also provides detailed
citations, so you can consult the original sources if you wish.</p> <p>It is still
necessary to exercise caution, because sometimes the summarization process can
yield inaccurate results. Yet overall, I have had outstanding results from Deep
Research, particularly the one offered by ChatGPT. It is quite extraordinary, even
a little eerie, to watch it “thinking” about the task you have set
it: looking at sources, reasoning about whether that source is relevant to the
tasks it has been assigned and growing in understanding about what it is finding.
Sometimes, Deep Research takes a long time thinking about the task it has been
set, but it is usually worth the wait.</p> <p>Recently, I was in the market for
a new smart scale after the company producing my previous scale went out of
business. I gave the Deep Research functions of ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini
the same extensive prompt, telling them that I was seeking a smart scale that had
compatibility with Apple Health, an app accessible with VoiceOver on iOS, the
ability to collect data well beyond weight such as body fat percentage and hydration,
and if possible provided some sort of haptic or audible feedback when the weighing
process was complete. Both Deep Research tools went to work and produced comprehensive
reports, with slightly different recommendations. This process saved me considerable
time. I didn’t have to perform repeated searches and try to keep all the
information in my head or take copious notes.</p> <p>In another example, I asked
Gemini’s Deep Research to produce a guide on using the Ecobee thermostat
that my wife Bonnie and I have in our new Baltimore apartment, mindful that I use
VoiceOver on an iPhone. This can be a useful strategy for getting information
about new appliances, because many online or printed manuals use graphical symbols
when describing buttons to press or steps to take.</p> <p>ChatGPT’s Deep
Research feature is excellent, but there is no free tier available. If you subscribe
to ChatGPT Plus for $20 per month, you get ten Deep Research queries per month.
If you haven’t paid for Google Gemini, you have limited access to Deep
Research. Google appears not to have published the specifics of how many Deep
Research queries you are allowed on the free tier, but users suggest it is around
five per month. If you subscribe to Google One, which includes access to
Gemini’s advanced features for $19 per month, you seem to get many Deep
Research queries with your plan.</p> <p>Another useful research tool from Google
is called NotebookLM, available at <a
href="https://notebooklm.google.com"><u>https://notebooklm.google.com</u></a>.
NotebookLM allows users to organize, summarize, and interact with personal research
materials and documents, enhancing productivity and understanding. It has not
always been the most accessible of sites, and we would like to see accessibility
improve further, but the site has improved since its initial release.</p> <p>Users
begin by creating a digital notebook and uploading up to fifty sources—ranging
from PDFs and Google Docs to websites and YouTube videos—with a combined
limit of 25 million words. NotebookLM then uses artificial intelligence to summarize
documents, generate concise explanations, and respond to queries based on the
uploaded content. Let’s say, for example, that you are interested in
accessible televisions. You’ve watched some YouTube clips, read a few blog
posts, and looked at many product descriptions. Once you provide NotebookLM with
all this content, you can ask questions about it as if you were talking to a full
large language model. The answers it returns will be based solely on the material
you provided. As an experiment, I created a new notebook and uploaded every
Presidential Report delivered by President Riccobono. I was then able to ask
questions about the Federation during the Riccobono presidency and get accurate
results.</p> <p>One of the most intriguing features of NotebookLM is its ability
to generate podcast-style audio overviews. These take the form of two AI personas,
who sound quite humanlike, discussing the subject matter in question. It’s
easy to download this audio and copy it to a device such as a media player or
notetaker. It’s a fun way to distill complex topics. The summary it produced
of the work of the NFB was engaging and accurate. Google has also added the audio
overview feature of NotebookLM to Gemini, so you can upload content such as
documents and slides to Gemini, then press the “Generate Audio Overview”
button.</p> <p>Finally, let’s look at the impact AI is having on shopping,
and a product specifically designed for blind people. Featured in Episode 8 of
<em>Access On</em>, Innosearch is a platform designed to make shopping easier for
blind people. It aggregates over 500,000 retailers, from large players like Amazon
and Walmart to smaller niche stores. Simply enter what you want in the search
field, and Innosearch will come back with matches from a variety of stores. This
has accessibility benefits, because as we all know, some stores are more accessible
than others. Innosearch prioritizes results based on the best price.</p> <p>Another
powerful feature of Innosearch is the ability to query AI about the products it
finds. It will also describe pictures of the products, and you can ask questions
about those pictures. For example, when shopping for certain audio cables, it was
very important to me to know precisely what type of plug was on the cable. Innosearch
was clear about this and ensured I got the correct cable the first time.</p>
<p>There are some downsides at the moment. While Innosearch is an accessible,
efficient experience, you may not be able to leverage the benefit of store-specific
programs like Amazon Prime. Amazon features like Subscribe and Save are not
available. These are tradeoffs that you may be willing to make, at least in certain
circumstances, for an experience that is very easy to use.</p> <p>Customer service
is excellent and responsive. Recently, I ordered a specific MagSafe battery for
my iPhone that shipped from China. It took a long time to arrive. Innosearch was
monitoring the purchase, noticed it was taking a while, and followed up with the
retailer without me having to ask. That was exceptional service.</p> <p>On the
website, Innosearch uses its technology for two product categories—shopping
and flight search. The company is considering adding new categories in future.</p>
<p>The most exciting use of AI from Innosearch is a version of the service that
can be used over the phone. To use it, call toll-free 1-855-ShopGPT (855-746-7478).
Shopping hands-free with your voice is beneficial to everyone. But this is a
particularly compelling use of AI because most blind people become blind later in
life, and some don’t wish to learn to use a computer or smartphone
nonvisually.</p> <p>This is an excellent concept in early development, with a few
wrinkles at the time I am writing this article in April 2025. Sometimes, speaking
the name of a product you’re searching for yields relevant, clear results.
You can ask to hear more information about any of the choices offered, add one to
your cart, and check out.</p> <p>Other searches I tried were less successful. When
I searched for the Zoom H6essential Handy Recorder, Innosearch thought I was saying
“zoo” not “Zoom” no matter how clearly I enunciated.
It also stripped part of my search, so it came back with “searching for
Zoo h handy recorder,” which didn’t deliver the results I wanted.
Hopefully this will improve over time, as it’s great when it works, and
opens online shopping to a neglected market segment.</p> <p>We’ll have more
to say on new AI tools in a seminar at national convention in New Orleans. We hope
to see you there. The National Federation of the Blind is monitoring developments
and having input into much of this innovative new technology. For further information,
subscribe to <em>Access On</em> wherever you get podcasts.</p> <p>----------</p>
<h2 id="plan-for-the-future">Plan for the Future</h2> <p>“What if I was
never blind? In April 2013 I received a diagnosis of Stargardt Disease. I often
felt adrift, uncertain of how to chart a course towards a fulfilling life. At that
time, I was employed at McDonald's and had temporarily paused my undergraduate
studies. If I hadn't received that diagnosis, my life might have followed a
completely different trajectory. I would have continued working at McDonald's,
feeling stuck and uncertain about my future, but without the guidance and support
that I found through the National Federation of the Blind, I might have struggled
to navigate the challenges of vision loss. Instead, that diagnosis became a turning
point for me by forcing me to confront my circumstances and seek out resources
and communities that could help me thrive despite my blindness. The NFB helped
me realize that my vision loss didn't have to define me or limit my aspirations.
By believing in my abilities, by entrusting me with leadership positions, and
through intensive mentorship, the Federation changed my life. My community helped
me excel beyond where I would be if I were sighted.</p> <p>Mentorship is what has
brought me to this point in life thus far. Without my mentors I am not sure where
I would be right now. I just hope I can pay it forward someday.” - Dustin</p>
<p>Blind children and adults are making powerful strides to live the lives we want
every day across the United States, but we need to continue helping blind people
like Dustin. For more than eighty years, the National Federation of the Blind has
worked to transform the dreams of hundreds of thousands of blind people into
reality. With support from individuals like you, we can continue to provide powerful
programs and critical resources now and for decades to come. We hope you will plan
to be a part of our enduring movement by including the National Federation of the
Blind in your charitable giving and in your estate planning. It is easier than
you think.</p> <p>With your help, the NFB will continue to:</p> <ul> <li><p>Give
blind children the gift of literacy through Braille.</p></li> <li><p>Mentor
young people like Dustin.</p></li> <li><p>Promote independent travel by providing
free long white canes to blind people in need.</p></li> <li><p>Develop dynamic
educational projects and programs to show blind youth that science and math careers
are within their reach.</p></li> <li><p>Deliver hundreds of accessible newspapers
and magazines to provide blind people the essential information necessary to be
actively involved in their communities.</p></li> <li><p>Offer aids and appliances
that help seniors who are losing vision maintain their independence.</p></li>
</ul> <p>Below are just a few of the many tax-deductible ways you can show your
support of the National Federation of the Blind.</p> <p>LYFT Round Up</p> <p>By
visiting the menu, choosing Donate, and selecting the National Federation of the
Blind, you commit to giving to the National Federation of the Blind with each
ride.</p> <p>Vehicle Donation Program</p> <p>We accept donated vehicles, including
cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, or recreational vehicles. Just call 855-659-9314
toll-free, and a representative can make arrangements to pick up your donation.
We can also answer any questions you have.</p> <p>General Donation</p> <p>General
donations help support the ongoing programs of the NFB and the work to help blind
people live the lives they want. You can call 410-659-9314, extension 2430, to
give by phone. Give online with a credit card or through the mail with check or
money order. Visit our online contribution page at: <a
href="https://nfb.org/donate"><u>https://nfb.org/donate</u></a>.</p> <p>Pre-Authorized
Contribution</p> <p>Through the Pre-Authorized Contribution (PAC) program, supporters
sustain the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind by making recurring
monthly donations by direct withdrawal of funds from a checking account or a charge
to a credit card. To enroll, call 877-NFB-2PAC, or fill out our PAC Donation
Form (<a href="https://www.nfb.org/pac">https://www.nfb.org/pac</a><u>)</u>.</p>
<p>Plan to Leave a Legacy</p> <p>The National Federation of the Blind legacy
society, our Dream Makers Circle, honors and recognizes the generosity and
imagination of members and special friends who have chosen to leave a legacy
through a will or other planned giving option. You can join the Dream Makers Circle
in a myriad of ways.</p> <p>Percentage or Fixed Sum of Assets</p> <p>You can
specify that a percentage or a fixed sum of your assets or property goes to the
National Federation of the Blind in your will, trust, pension, IRA, life insurance
policy, brokerage account, or other accounts.</p> <p>Payable on Death (POD)
Account</p> <p>You can name the National Federation of the Blind as the beneficiary
on a Payable on Death (POD) account through your bank. You can turn any checking
or savings account into a POD account. This is one of the simplest ways to leave
a legacy. The account is totally in your control during your lifetime and you can
change the beneficiary or percentage at any time with ease.</p> <p>Will or Trust</p>
<p>If you do decide to create or revise your will, consider the National Federation
of the Blind as a partial beneficiary.</p> <p>Visit our Planned Giving webpage
(<a
href="https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/planned-giving"><u>https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/planned-giving</u></a>)
or call 410-659-9314, extension 2422, for more information.</p> <p>In 2024 our
supporters helped the NFB:</p> <ul> <li><p>Host three career fairs connecting
blind job seekers with potential employers.</p></li> <li><p>Send 261 Braille Santa
and Winter Celebration letters to blind children, encouraging excitement for
Braille literacy.</p></li> <li><p>Distribute over six thousand canes to blind
people across the United States, empowering them to travel safely and independently
throughout their communities.</p></li> <li><p>Deliver more than five hundred
newspapers and magazines to more than 130,000 subscribers with print disabilities
free of charge.</p></li> <li><p>Give over seven hundred fifty Braille-writing
slates and styluses free of charge to blind users.</p></li> <li><p>Mentor 222
blind youth during our NFB Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning®
Academy.</p></li> <li><p>Award thirty scholarships each in the amount of $8,000
to blind students.</p></li> </ul> <p>Just imagine what we will do this year and,
with your help, what can be accomplished for years to come. Together with love,
hope, determination, and your support, we will continue to transform dreams into
reality.</p> <p>----------</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Chris Danielsen]</p> <h2
id="blindness-in-current-political-discourse-stemming-a-toxic-tide">Blindness in
Current Political Discourse: Stemming a Toxic Tide</h2> <p>by Chris Danielsen</p>
<p>Because we encourage the use of the word “blind” and discourage
euphemisms for it, it is easy for many longtime Federationists to forget why people
might want to avoid it. But the National Federation of the Blind and its leaders
have always understood that part of the reason is that the way the word
“blind” is used often points to negative characteristics that have
nothing to do with lack of eyesight, and the associations created by these
characteristics increase the stigma attached to blindness. Indeed, part of our
determination to reclaim and redefine the word “blind” is intended
as a deliberate counterpoint to these many harmful usages.</p> <p>One needs only
to consult any dictionary, even today, to find that the so-called “b
word” is synonymous with willful ignorance, among other things. For example,
the WordNet® entry for the adjective “blind” provides three
senses for it. The first is “unsighted,” but the other two are
“unable or unwilling to perceive or understand” and “unreasoning.”
(An interesting and encouraging side note: Even though WordNet includes definitions
we abhor, its example sentence using blind in the sense of unsighted is an attributed
quote from Kenneth Jernigan that readers will recognize: “a person is blind
to the extent that he must devise alternative techniques to do efficiently those
things he would do with sight if he had normal vision.”) We have always
rejected the framing of blindness as anything other than a physical characteristic,
and yet this framing continues to permeate public discourse, even among people
who claim to be our allies.</p> <p>This is to be expected, if not accepted, given
the toxic nature of today’s political climate. But it does not follow that
we as blind Americans should stand for the characteristic of blindness being used
to define or demean us; after all, the belief that blindness does not in fact
define us is core to who we are and what we believe.</p> <p>This is why some recent
examples of political speech, from different points on the political spectrum,
are troubling. On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette, a Federation
member who works for the Project on Government Oversight, testified before a
hearing of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on
Delivering on Government Efficiency. Dylan had been invited by the subcommittee’s
Democratic members to testify about the actions of the Trump Administration’s
new DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) Service. Because his testimony was
solicited by the party out of power and perceived as critical of DOGE and the
administration, he became a target of their defenders. According to the <em>Washington
Post</em>, DOGE’s director, Elon Musk, “retweeted a post on X noting
that the ‘blind director of watchdog group funded by George Soros testifies
that he does not see widespread evidence of government waste’ and added
two laughing/crying emojis. The tweet garnered more than 21 million views, and
sparked dozens of hateful messages to Hedtler-Gaudette’s account.”
(George Soros is a philanthropist who contributes to many organizations and causes
that are associated with the political left.) The tweet was clearly meant to
undermine Dylan’s credibility because of his supposed incapacity and perhaps
to imply that he was “unable or unwilling to perceive or understand”
that widespread government waste exists. In response, the National Federation of
the Blind issued the following statement:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Baltimore,
Maryland (February 15, 2025):</strong> The National Federation of the Blind
strongly condemns the inappropriate and harmful stereotyping of blind people that
has been highlighted in the response to a recent Congressional hearing before
the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Delivering
on Government Efficiency. The online mockery and skepticism directed at a blind
witness reflect a broader aggressive and deeply troubling pattern in today’s
political discourse—one that wrongly assumes blind people, and people with
disabilities more generally, lack the capacity to participate fully in public
life, including in complex and technical fields. We specifically condemn all media
outlets that are actively perpetuating these horrible misconceptions and are
falsely validating low expectations that harm our society.</p> <p>Amplifying
misunderstanding about blind people is never appropriate and should never be
exploited as comic relief. The idea that blindness equates to incompetence is not
only false but profoundly damaging. Blind people serve as scientists, lawyers,
educators, engineers, and business owners. We navigate and contribute to society
with skill, knowledge, and independence, often despite systemic barriers and
outdated misconceptions about our abilities. The public ridicule and dismissive
attitudes being used to reject a blind expert witness in last week’s hearing
perpetuate the very discrimination that blind Americans continue to fight against
in employment, education, and civic participation. </p> <p>The use of disability
as a political tool—whether through outright mockery, insinuations of
unfitness, or performative outrage—dehumanizes people with disabilities
and reinforces harmful stereotypes. It will not be tolerated by blind people, who
vote and pay taxes, and it should be rejected by all Americans. We call on all
elected leaders, policymakers, and media outlets to engage in informed, respectful
discourse that recognizes the capabilities of blind individuals rather than
exploiting ignorance for political gain.</p> <p>The National Federation of the
Blind remains committed to challenging these misconceptions and advocating for a
society where blindness is understood not as a limitation, but as a characteristic
that does not define one’s ability to contribute meaningfully. We are
prepared to work closely with elected officials and media professionals to provide
accurate and meaningful information about the true lived experience of blind
Americans. </p> </blockquote> <p>Senator Bernie Sanders, a vocal independent
from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats and who has run for president, apparently
didn’t see our statement. As he began barnstorming the country to call
attention to what he claims is a takeover of our government by an oligarchy of
billionaires, he repeatedly said words to the effect that people have to be blind
not to see what is happening. Federation President Mark Riccobono sent him the
following letter:</p> <blockquote> <p>Dear Senator Sanders:</p> <p>On behalf of
the National Federation of the Blind, I strongly encourage you to stop using being
"blind" as a metaphor in your political statements as has been highlighted frequently
in media reports related to your Fighting Oligarchy Tour. While we share your
concerns about the fundamental dismantling of key programs and protections for
people with disabilities, your statement that people must be "blind" if they cannot
see what is going on contributes to the harmful notion that blindness is linked
to incapacity. We urge you to stop using our community to make your point.</p>
<p>This is not a new concern for us as politicians have used blindness as a means
to highlight problems for decades. However, it is at the forefront of consciousness
because of the current concern for the future of disability rights but also because
of the attack against an expert who testified in Congress who happened to be blind.
On February 15, 2025, we released a Statement on the Harmful Stereotyping of Blind
People in Political Discourse. That statement said in part, "The online mockery
and skepticism directed at a blind witness reflect a broader aggressive and deeply
troubling pattern in today’s political discourse—one that wrongly
assumes blind people, and people with disabilities more generally, lack the capacity
to participate fully in public life, including in complex and technical fields."
We are calling on you to recognize our concern and to actively work to not use
disability references to make your point.</p> <p>We appreciate your work to push
back on efforts to diminish programs and protections for people with disabilities.
We hope that you will match that commitment with one that supports the positive
framing of blind people and others with disabilities in society. We would be
pleased to be a resource to you on this or any other topic related to the full
participation of the blind in our nation.</p> <p>Sincerely,<br /> Mark A. Riccobono,
President<br /> National Federation of the Blind</p> </blockquote> <p>We protest
some harmful usages of the word “blind” and stereotypes of blind
people because they stymie our efforts to integrate with the wider society, but
also because they filter into blind people’s perceptions of themselves.
Terry Sutherland, a blind man in Indiana, wanted to demonstrate his belief that
his state needs more restrictions on permits to carry concealed firearms. To do
that, he went to his local sheriff’s office to apply for such a permit,
which he was able to acquire with no trouble. He uses a white cane, so his blindness
was not in question. His argument to the media outlets that eagerly picked up the
story was that if Indiana is giving such permits to blind people, its gun laws
and policies are clearly nonsensical. A popular syndicated radio program called
<em>The Breakfast Club</em> praised Mr. Sutherland for his common sense, while at
the same time demonstrating its hosts’ ignorance about how blind people
live our lives. They wondered how Mr. Sutherland would read a letter containing
his permit or declining to issue one, or even be aware that he had received it in
the first place, and were mystified as to how he might write a letter of his own.
Many Federationists will remember that this same program questioned the ability
of a blind teenager to take babysitting jobs a few years ago, calling into question
the capacity of blind people to be parents by implication.</p> <p>The tragedy of
the situation is not that Mr. Sutherland got a permit to carry a weapon, but that
he expected that he would or should be denied one based on blindness alone. He
has absorbed the low expectations of blind people that are held by much of society,
at least in certain respects. It is highly doubtful that he has ever met a blind
person like Jim Marks, president of our Montana affiliate and member of the national
board of directors, who owns roughly ten firearms, uses them when he goes hunting,
and has taught hunting safety. It also stands to reason that the hosts of <em>The
Breakfast Club</em> have never met such a person either, which is why we featured
Jim in a video responding to their segment on the topic, along with other blind
people reading their mail and using their computers. You can view it on our YouTube
channel. Whatever one believes about firearms policy, it is encouraging that Mr.
Sutherland was treated no differently than any other Indiana citizen seeking a
permit. Laws should be applied equally, without respect to blindness, whether they
restrict gun rights or grant them more freely.</p> <p>Why should all of this matter
to us? Don’t we, as individuals and as a movement, have bigger things to
worry about? Perhaps, but one of those things at the present moment is whether
and to what extent the policies and programs that allow us to live the lives we
want remain in full effect and whether our rights are rigorously enforced. We
cannot and will not give politicians of any party or ideology or anyone else
seeking to score political points permission to belittle us and refuse to take
our expertise and lived experience seriously. We can never afford to do so, but
certainly not when our value as citizens and human beings is being openly questioned.
If we are not respected, we will not be heard when we speak about our lives and
the effects that shortsighted funding decisions or bad public policy have on us.
We should not lash out, but neither should we tolerate disrespect, even or perhaps
especially when it is dressed up as humor. Those who say that we must “lighten
up” should perhaps instead consider more thoroughly what is at stake.</p>
<p>To be sure, we can tailor our reactions to the magnitude and style of the
provocation. Our video in response to the segment on <em>The Breakfast Club</em>
strikes a humorous tone, in recognition of the fact that the hosts were trying to
be funny and might respond better to a light touch than a heavy-handed one. Because
their boundary-pushing format relies in part on drawing reactions that they would
perhaps turn into new occasions for mocking or attacking us, a low-key approach
seemed like the best option. Public officials, on the other hand, are operating
in a realm where what they say is taken very seriously by their followers and the
media, and our responses should reflect that. Either way, however, staying silent
in the face of harmful discourse—whether it stems from misunderstanding,
misguided good intentions, or mockery—is not who we are or what we do.</p>
<p>It is also true that we need not protest every usage of the word “blind.”
I do not object to the window hangings in my apartment being referred to as
“blinds,” as their purpose is to occlude the light coming into my
living space. When we talk of “blind justice,” the characteristic
is intended as a positive trait of our judicial system meant to suggest that
justice does not focus on superficial characteristics of individuals, such as
wealth or race, but rather the lawfulness of their actions or inactions.</p>
<p>Ultimately, whether or how we proceed in the face of perceived provocation is
always a topic for intelligent and informed discussion within our movement, and
so I invite continuation of that discussion. Have we struck the right notes in
our recent statements or in our response to <em>The Breakfast Club</em>? How should
our approach be altered or improved? I look forward to hearing from the engaged,
thoughtful, and well-informed readership of the <em>Braille Monitor</em> so that
everyone in our community can consider all angles and nuances of this continuing
and crucial conversation.</p> <p>----------</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Mark Riccobono]</p>
<h2 id="from-the-presidents-desk">From the President’s Desk</h2> <p><strong>From
the Editor: Advocacy is always a full-time job for our President, and the past
few months have been no exception. Indeed, the rapid pace of activity from President
Donald J. Trump has perhaps necessitated more outreach to policymakers than usual
in the first months of a new administration. Below are two letters that Federation
President Mark Riccobono has written to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and
members of Congress. The purpose of the first letter was to express our concerns
about recent changes at the United States Department of Education (DOE) and plans
to shut it down entirely as they affect DOE programs that serve the blind. The
second letter addresses an imminent threat to library services for the blind (and
indeed many other library services) across the nation. Also included is a letter
to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) concerning recent action that agency took
against accessiBe, a company with whose activities many readers will be all too
familiar. Here are the letters:</strong></p> <p>March 25, 2025</p> <p>The Honorable
Linda McMahon<br /> Secretary <br /> United States Department of Education<br
/> 400 Maryland Avenue, SW<br /> Washington, DC 20202</p> <p>Dear Secretary
McMahon:</p> <p>The National Federation of the Blind, the transformative membership
and advocacy organization of blind Americans, is deeply troubled by the recent
executive order regarding the directive to close the United States Department of
Education. The programs outlined below are essential to promote education,
independence, and economic opportunity for millions of American citizens. Without
clear plans for how these statutorily established programs will be maintained,
blind Americans and their families have no transparency into future plans, no
clear lines of advocacy for due process, and an abundance of uncertainty regarding
their current educational and rehabilitation services.</p> <p>Within the Department
of Education is the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services that
houses the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Rehabilitation
Services Administration (RSA) providing essential resources for blind people to
obtain education and employment. These divisions are responsible for the enforcement
and oversight of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (20 U.S.C.
§ 1400 et seq.), the American Printing House for the Blind’s (APH)
federal quota program (20 U.S.C. § 101 et seq.), vocational rehabilitation
services (29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.), the Randolph-Sheppard program (20 U.S.C.
§ 107 et seq.), and the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals
who are Blind (OIB) program (29 U.S.C. 796j-796l). Additionally, the loss of the
Office for Civil Rights, including its Digital Accessibility Team, will mean
schools can discriminate against blind and other disabled students without recourse.
We are gravely concerned that the drastic reduction in workforce, and the ultimate
closure of the Department of Education, will result in diminished service for
millions of students, employees, entrepreneurs, and older Americans with disabilities
across the country who utilize the above programs. </p> <p>According to the
OSEP webpage, it is “dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers,
children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership
and financial support to assist states and local districts.” This office
ensures that blind students have the right to a Free Appropriate Public Education
(FAPE) in the least restrictive environment available outlined under the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act. The IDEA provides federal funding to states to
provide required “special education” services for public school
students with disabilities. While states provide most of the special education
funding, the federal government provides about 15 billion dollars. This serves
some 7.5 million students. Special education services for the blind include Braille
instruction, access technologies, and specialized teachers of the blind. This
instruction is important for blind people to learn so we may be able to use the
skills to find employment in our chosen fields. Any reduction in services and
funding to enforce these laws will leave blind and disabled students vulnerable
to civil rights violations and loss of services. </p> <p>The OSEP also plays
an essential role in supporting the APH’s Federal Quota Program, which was
established by Congress in 1879, nearly 150 years ago. According to the APH website,
the Federal Quota Program determines “the per-student funding allocation
for purchasing educational materials from the American Printing House ... Educators
and parents can use these funds to obtain specialized educational products and
materials for students who are blind or low vision.” Without this statutorily
required federal funding, blind and low-vision students will lose access to these
critical products and materials, which will in turn create a new barrier to our
education. </p> <p>The RSA oversees vocational rehabilitation services that
provide formula grants to State agencies assisting blind people in finding employment
opportunities after we have concluded our educational endeavors. Specifically,
these grants provide vocational rehabilitation programs to help people with
disabilities become employed. The federal government provides about 79 percent of
the funding, with states providing the rest. Vocational rehabilitation programs
serve over 800,000 individuals each year. A reduction in this funding will lead
to service cuts in these programs, leaving blind people who want to work, travel
independently, or learn Braille and technology unable to find the support they
need. </p> <p>In addition, the specialized employment program governed by
the Randolph-Sheppard Act, one of our nation’s oldest programs specifically
intended to promote the entrepreneurial spirit of blind business owners, receives
assistance from the RSA helping blind people be a productive driving force in the
American economy. The Randolph-Sheppard Act provides blind vendors a priority to
operate on federal properties like military bases, government buildings, and
highway rest stops. This priority has existed in federal law for nearly ninety
years and the program is currently administered by the Department of Education.
The closure of the Department may leave blind vendors vulnerable to being shut
out of these facilities.</p> <p>The Independent Living Services for Older Individuals
who are Blind program provides grants to states to support services for blind
individuals aged fifty-five and older in order to help these Americans adjust to
their blindness by increasing their ability to care for their individual needs.
This often comes in the form of specialized blindness mobility training and learning
how to use various pieces of access technology. The OIB program is currently under
the jurisdiction of the Department of Education, and the closure of the department
could lead to increased dependency upon other governmental programs for these
Americans who simply want to live a dignified and independent life. </p>
<p>While we are sympathetic and understanding of the need to reduce overall federal
spending, we also believe that these programs are essential to promote education,
independence, and economic opportunity for all American citizens, particularly
those who are blind or have other disabilities. We urge you to maintain the
personnel and capability to administer these four programs to their fullest and
most beneficial extent to serve blind and other disabled Americans.</p> <p>If you
have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.</p> <p>Sincerely,<br
/> Mark A. Riccobono, President<br /> National Federation of the Blind</p> <p>March
19, 2025</p> <p>The Honorable Robert Aderholt, Chair<br /> House Appropriations
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies<br
/> 272 Cannon House Office Building<br /> Washington, DC 20515</p> <p>The Honorable
Rosa DeLauro, Ranking Member<br /> House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor,
Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies<br /> 2413 Rayburn
House Office Building<br /> Washington, DC 20515</p> <p>The Honorable Shelly Moore
Capito, Chair<br /> Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human
Services, Education, and Related Agencies<br /> 170 Russell Senate Office Building<br
/> Washington, DC 20510</p> <p>The Honorable Tammy Baldwin, Ranking Member<br />
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education
and Related Agencies<br /> 141 Hart Senate Office Building<br /> Washington, DC
20510</p> <p>Dear Chairs Aderholt and Capito, and Ranking Members DeLauro and
Baldwin:</p> <p>The National Federation of the Blind, the transformative membership
and advocacy organization of blind Americans, is deeply troubled by the recent
executive order regarding the instruction to eliminate the Institute of Museum
and Library Services (IMLS). Specifically, IMLS funding is essential for many of
the state libraries for the blind and print disabled, which serve as a critical
source of Braille and other specialized audio books for blind and low-vision
Americans. Without this funding, the critical services provided by these libraries
will be dramatically reduced or eliminated altogether.</p> <p>We call upon the
House and Senate Appropriation Subcommittees on Labor, Health & Human Services,
Education, and Related Agencies to ensure the Library Services and Technology Act
(20 U.S.C. § 9121) and its supporting Grants to States program (20 U.S.C.
§ 9141) remain fully funded for the 2025 Fiscal Year and beyond, ensuring
the institutions it funds may remain open and operational for all communities
served.</p> <p>According to the 2023 American Community Survey conducted by the
United States Census Bureau, there are approximately 8.3 million blind or low-vision
Americans. That is about 2.5 percent of the overall population. According to the
most recent census, 66 million Americans live in rural areas. Even if only 1
percent of those living in rural areas are blind or low vision, that still amounts
to more than half a million people who are at risk of losing access to a vital
source of Braille and other specialized services provided by state libraries for
the blind in rural settings. </p> <p>However, it won’t only be the
blind who are affected by a decrease or elimination of funding. There are an
estimated 124,903 libraries across the United States. These locations serve as
important centers for community engagement, the furtherance of literacy, extended
research, and internet access for Americans in every locality. In rural communities
these libraries are doubly essential because they may be the sole source of free
available internet, allowing for people to study and research for school assignments,
search for employment, and engage with the wider world. </p> <p>It is of the
utmost importance that these critical institutions continue to be funded, and we
urge you to ensure the funding continues in the next fiscal year appropriation
authorization under consideration by your subcommittees. If you have any further
questions, or if the National Federation of the Blind can be of assistance in any
way, please do not hesitate to contact me.</p> <p>Sincerely, <br /> Mark A.
Riccobono, President<br /> National Federation of the Blind</p> <p>January 27,
2025</p> <p>Office of the Secretary<br /> Federal Trade Commission<br /> 600
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW<br /> Washington, DC 20580</p> <p>RE: accessiBe; File No.
222 3156</p> <p>Dear Secretary:</p> <p>The National Federation of the Blind
appreciates the opportunity to comment on the terms of the consent order regarding
accessiBe’s alleged deceptive practices. This is an issue that the National
Federation of the Blind has been aware of for several years, and we applaud the
Federal Trade Commission’s (the “Commission”) actions in this
area. </p> <p>We made our first public objection to accessiBe’s
practices in July 2021 with our national Resolution 2021-17 “Regarding
accessiBe’s Disrespectful and Misleading Business Practices.” In
this resolution we brought to light that accessiBe both “overstates the
effectiveness of automated testing” and “promotes the false claims
of attaining Web Content Accessibility Guidelines compliance through the integration
of one line of code.” The Commission’s consent order appears to
agree with our assertions through the prohibitions and requirements of Provisions
I, III, and V. These provisions are a tacit acknowledgement that accessiBe’s
representations of what its products are capable of were misleading and deceptive,
as the National Federation of the Blind had been stating for years. </p>
<p>True accessibility is essential for blind people to be able to live, work, and
participate in their communities. Rather than improving accessibility, misleading
and exaggerated claims about accessibility tools undermine and inhibit the full
participation of the blind. Unfortunately, such claims have gained tremendous
traction in the digital sphere, leading many businesses to contract with providers
like accessiBe. It is essential that such bad actors be held accountable for their
misrepresentations and that businesses be aware that their claims are untrue.</p>
<p>For the reasons above, the National Federation of the Blind fully support the
Commission’s proposed consent order as it is currently written. We hope
you will broadly disseminate the consent order to the business community and we
would be happy to help in that regard. If there are any questions or concerns,
please do not hesitate to reach out to me. </p> <p>Sincerely, <br />
Mark A. Riccobono, President<br /> National Federation of the Blind </p>
<p>----------</p> <h2
id="national-federation-of-the-blind-and-blind-students-sue-west-virginia-university-for-discrimination">National
Federation of the Blind and Blind Students Sue West Virginia University for
Discrimination</h2> <p><strong>From the Editor: The following press release was
issued on March 20, 2025. It recounts the struggles of two blind students at West
Virginia University who are filing a lawsuit with the Federation’s help in
order to make systemic change at that institution, where lack of equal educational
opportunity has set back not only their education but also their careers. Here is
the press release:</strong></p> <p><strong>Charleston, WV:</strong> Today, the
National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the National Federation of the Blind of
West Virginia (NFBWV), and two blind graduate students filed a federal lawsuit
against the West Virginia University (WVU) Board of Governors, alleging that the
university systematically denies blind students equal access to its educational
programs, services, and activities. </p> <p>The lawsuit, filed in the United
States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, alleges
that <strong>WVU violates Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973</strong> by failing
to provide blind students with accessible course materials, educational technology,
and field placement opportunities required to complete their degrees. </p>
<p>The university has also failed to provide required auxiliary aids and services
such as qualified human readers. Harold Thomas Rogers and Miranda Lacy, both
students in WVU’s online Master of Social Work program and members of the
National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia, allege that the university has
consistently failed to accommodate their needs. The lawsuit highlights several
discriminatory barriers they have faced, including: </p> <p><strong>Inaccessible
Course Materials</strong> – WVU has provided textbooks in improperly
formatted digital files such as PDFs that are improperly tagged for reading order
and do not have image descriptions, making them unreadable with screen readers.
This delays or denies access to assignments and forces blind students to rely on
family members to read course materials aloud, since the university does not
provide qualified readers. At one point, Ms. Lacy had to rely on her son, a minor
at the time, to help with her assignments. </p> <p><strong>Inaccessible Online
Learning Platforms</strong> – WVU’s use of inaccessible software,
such as Blackboard, VoiceThread, and Tevera, prevents blind students from navigating
their coursework and logging required internship hours independently. </p>
<p><strong>Barriers to Field Placement Participation</strong> – The
university has failed to ensure that internship placements, which it vets and
which are required for graduation, provide accessible technology and reasonable
accommodations. This has resulted in academic penalties for blind students stemming
from the university’s failure to follow the law rather than any inability
of the students to complete the requirements. As a result, Mr. Rogers in particular,
who was an honors undergraduate student and is one of only twenty-three rural
integrated behavioral health trainees in the country through a program funded by
the United States Health Resources and Services Administration, will graduate a
full two years after he originally expected to do so. </p> <p><strong>Deliberate
Indifference to Accessibility Concerns</strong> – Despite repeated
complaints and requests for reasonable accommodations, as well as ample notice of
its legal obligations, WVU has intentionally failed to take meaningful action to
ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. </p>
<p>“These students enrolled at WVU to pursue careers dedicated to helping
others, but instead they have been met with institutional barriers and unlawful
discrimination that threaten their futures,” said Mark Riccobono, President
of the National Federation of the Blind. “The university’s behavior
is inexcusable, as its legal obligations are not new and it could have followed
the lead of any number of other academic institutions with whom blind Americans
have collaborated to institute systemic accessibility solutions. The National
Federation of the Blind simply cannot and will not tolerate this deplorable conduct
at WVU or anywhere else.”</p> <p>“Upon completing my undergraduate
program at West Virginia State University, a historically black college that
provided me with the necessary accommodations to graduate with honors, I sought
to pursue my master’s degree in social work,” said Miranda Lacy.
“I chose West Virginia University because it is the largest in the state
and I thought it offered the best accommodations. Unfortunately, I have continued
to experience ongoing barriers and discrimination and have been unable to receive
the same educational opportunities as my sighted peers.” </p>
<p>“As the oldest land-grant institution in West Virginia and home to the
state’s oldest Master of Social Work program, established in 1941, I would
have expected West Virginia University to set the gold standard in providing
accommodations for students in field placements,” said Harold Thomas Rogers.
“Unfortunately, that has not been the case. I am grateful for the National
Federation of the Blind’s unwavering commitment to advocating not only for
blind students in West Virginia but for students nationwide.”</p> <p>The
plaintiffs seek a court order requiring WVU to implement accessibility reforms,
provide blind students with equal educational opportunities, and compensate them
for the harm they have suffered. </p> <p>The plaintiffs are represented by
Brown Goldstein & Levy, LLP, <a
href="https://browngold.com/"><u>https://browngold.com/</u></a>, and Disability
Rights West Virginia, <a href="https://www.drofwv.org/"><u>https://www.drofwv.org/</u></a>.</p>
<p>----------</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Donald Porterfield]</p> <h2
id="resolution-reminders">Resolution Reminders</h2> <p>by Donald Porterfield</p>
<p><strong>From the Editor: Donald Porterfield is a member of the board of directors
of the National Federation of the Blind and president of the Arizona affiliate.
He is also an attorney who works as a prosecutor in Pima County, Arizona, and his
legal skills no doubt serve him well in his role as chairperson of the National
Federation of the Blind Resolutions Committee. Here is what he has to say about
the writing and submitting of resolutions, which will very soon need to be composed
and sent to him:</strong></p> <p>Do you want to make a difference in the lives of
blind people today and in the future? Do you think we should change a government
policy, take a stand concerning an agency for the blind, or create new regulations?
If you do, consider writing a resolution. Here are a few reminders to help you,
as well as some questions to think about when writing a resolution. First, the
questions:</p> <ol style="list-style-type: decimal"> <li><p>Has a resolution
already been written on your subject? If so, are you really adding something
new?</p></li> <li><p>Is the resolution necessary, or would a letter from the
national President accomplish your goal? For example, a letter from the President
commending an organization might be a better alternative than a resolution.</p></li>
<li><p>Did you do your research to ensure the accuracy of the resolution?</p></li>
<li><p>If the subject of the resolution would be of interest to a division, did
you discuss your resolution with the division president?</p></li> </ol> <p>Please
be mindful of our deadlines. To ensure that your resolution will be considered by
the committee, please send it to President Riccobono or to me by June 9, 2025,
one month before the committee meeting. Since things are always busy leading up
to the convention, we appreciate you sending them earlier if you can. If you send
a resolution to me by email and do not receive a response acknowledging your email
in two or three days, please call me at 520-850-2180 or send it again. If you miss
the deadline, you must get three members of the committee to sponsor your resolution
and then get it to me before the meeting begins. I will be pleased to accept
resolutions by email at <a
href="mailto:resolutions@nfb.org"><u>resolutions@nfb.org</u></a>.</p> <p>All
resolutions will be placed on the NFB website shortly before the committee meets
at convention on the afternoon of July 9. This procedure will give the membership
a chance to look over the resolutions before the meeting and advocate with the
committee members to support or defeat the resolutions.</p> <p>Here are some
reminders, taken from the January 2014 edition of the <em>Braille Monitor</em>,
offered by Gary Wunder and Barbara Pierce and slightly adapted and updated. These
reminders are as applicable today as they were in 2014.</p> <h3
id="guidelines-for-resolution-writing">Guidelines for Resolution Writing</h3> <p>A
resolution is one very long sentence divided into two parts. In the first part,
a case is made that certain events have taken place or certain conditions exist
that require action. The events are described in short statements that begin with
the word WHEREAS. These statements should clearly set forth the reason a resolution
is being written, without being so detailed that they make the reader wish the
resolution had never happened. The second part of a resolution explains what will
or should be done based on the argument laid out in the first section. Resolves
are used to say what the NFB will try to persuade others to do. These, too, should
be brief and to the point: long enough that they are not ambiguous and concise
enough that they avoid repeating what has already been said.</p> <p>The most
efficient way to write a resolution is to make a simple outline or list of premises
which you will turn into the WHEREAS clauses and a similar simple list of phrases
for the RESOLVED clauses. In fact, you should begin by determining what your
RESOLVED clauses are, that is, how many there should be and what their basic thrust
is. You will know how many by the number of entities we need to address or the
number of problems we need to fix. After you decide specifically how you want the
problem fixed, determine the smallest number of concepts you need to explain to
a person unfamiliar with the problem to convince them that there is a problem.
The best resolutions can be picked up by a person unfamiliar with the issue and
hold that person's attention (in other words, they are as short as possible) while
still actually explaining the problem and the solution or solutions. This method,
deciding the ending first and then crafting the arguments to reach it, will result
in the simplest and clearest resolution. Then, when you actually write the formal
resolution, you can focus on the writing and the style, having already done the
planning part.</p> <p>Here are the punctuation and layout rules for writing
resolutions:</p> <ol style="list-style-type: decimal"> <li><p>Each argument begins
with the word WHEREAS, indented and all caps. BE IT RESOLVED and BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, which introduce the RESOLVED sections, are also indented and written in
all caps. Note that WHEREAS is followed by a comma, but the two versions of BE IT
RESOLVED are not.</p></li> <li><p>Each WHEREAS before the final one ends with a
semicolon and the word "and." This is true of the word "RESOLVED" as well.</p></li>
<li><p>The final WHEREAS ends with a colon, the words "Now, therefore," and a hard
return. Please note that “Now” is capitalized.</p></li> <li><p>The
final RESOLVED ends with a period. This reflects the fact that the entire resolution
is a single sentence. Sometimes one is taxed to refrain from writing sentences
within WHEREAS clauses, but inserting a complete sentence is not playing the game
fairly.</p></li> <li><p>A blank line separates the elements of the resolution.</p></li>
<li><p>In the beginning of the first RESOLVED, surround the year and the state
with commas. The formula looks like this: “BE IT RESOLVED that the National
Federation of the Blind in Convention assembled this eighth day of July, 2000, in
the city of Atlanta, Georgia,” Note also that the c in city is not
capitalized.</p></li> </ol> <p>Remember that the resolves are couched in the
subjunctive mood, which is rarely used in English. This means that the third person
verbs look singular instead of plural, with the s removed: the organization urge,
the NFB condemn and deplore, etc. This is because the subjunctive mood is invoked
by words like suggest, wish, demand, request. Compare the following two sentences:</p>
<p>She visits her cousin every week.</p> <p>I suggest that she visit her cousin
every week.</p> <p>The second sentence is in the subjunctive mood because of the
verb “suggest,” so the correct verb form is “visit”
instead of “visits.” It is the same with resolutions.</p> <p>The
rather strained form of the resolution makes it sound unnatural and formal. Do
not attempt to add to this effect by indulging in jargon and verbosity. Even though
resolutions are frequently long, brevity is a virtue. Each argument should be made
concisely but clearly. Jargon never helps this process. Substituting "utilize"
for the short, vigorous word "use" and referring to people as "persons" or
"individuals" are good examples of counterproductive inflation of the pomposity
quotient. On the other hand, because resolutions are formal statements of a policy
position, you should avoid slang or informal words like "exams" instead of
"examinations" or "quotes" for "quotations." Verb forms like "hunker down" or "get
going" are also a bit too casual for use in resolutions.</p> <p>You will remember
that the NFB is on record as opposing people-first language, except as it happens
for some reason to sound euphonious. We are also on record as opposing the use of
the terms “visually impaired” or “visual impairment”
in favor of “low vision” (hyphenated when used as an adjective) if
any distinction needs to be made between totally blind people and those with some
eyesight. In other words, “blind people” is perfectly acceptable,
or, if there is a good reason to make the distinction, “blind and low-vision
people.”</p> <p>Capitalization should be consistent. Do not capitalize
words for emphasis. Quotation marks should not be used for this purpose either.
"Federal" is not capitalized unless it is part of an actual title or is the first
word of a sentence. Since WHEREAS clauses begin with capital letters, federal is
almost never capitalized in resolutions. "Congress," on the other hand, is, as
are "House of Representatives" and "Senate." Names of departments and organizations
are capitalized, but terms like "departments of education" or "vocational
rehabilitation agencies" are generic and should not be.</p> <p>Resolutions often
pile up nouns as adjectives. When this happens, the terms should be hyphenated:
access-program producers.</p> <p>Congressional bill numbers are written H.R. 0000
or S. 0000.</p> <p>Resolutions are an important part of the work of the national
convention. The <em>Braille Monitor</em> is a good sounding board for
new ideas and new policies. Consider writing an article about your new idea or
policy so that the conversation can begin, and you will be ready to write your
resolution for 2026. However, the most immediate task is to start working on the
resolutions for 2025. Resolutions guide our organization. Put your thinking cap
on, and get your fingers typing. Let’s make sure we have a great set of
resolutions for the 2025 convention! The job of the membership is to make sure
the committee has resolutions to consider. I look forward to receiving yours!</p>
<p>----------</p> <h2
id="lawsuit-alleges-that-new-york-courts-systemically-discriminate-against-blind-jurors-in-grand-jury-system">Lawsuit
Alleges that New York Courts Systemically Discriminate Against Blind Jurors in
Grand Jury System</h2> <h3
id="brooklyn-resident-sues-for-illegal-exclusion-from-grand-jury-participation-due-to-blindness">Brooklyn
resident sues for illegal exclusion from grand jury participation due to blindness</h3>
<p><strong>From the Editor: Readers of this magazine are familiar with the struggles
that blind people sometimes experience when seeking to perform our civic duty as
jurors, and recently we had the opportunity to publish a more positive experience
reported by Marilyn Green, President of the National Federation of the Blind of
Illinois and member of our national board of directors. Sadly, we still have work
to do in the state of New York, and the following is a press release about a
lawsuit we have filed in our fight for systemic change in the Empire State:</strong></p>
<p><strong>March 25, 2025 (Brooklyn, New York):</strong> Today, Brooklyn
resident Albert Elia and the National Federation of the Blind – New York
filed a federal lawsuit against the New York State Unified Court System and the
Kings County Commissioner of Jurors challenging their systemic discrimination
against blind individuals who report for jury duty. Plaintiffs are represented by
Disability Rights Advocates and Brown, Goldstein & Levy, LLP.</p> <p>Mr. Elia,
an attorney and graduate from Northeastern University School of Law and Harvard
College, was sworn in as a grand juror in Kings County Supreme Court in fall 2024.
He met all the requirements to serve as a juror. But on his first day, the Court
excluded him from deliberating on cases that involved video or photo evidence,
under the incorrect and harmful assumption that Mr. Elia could not interpret that
evidence because he is blind, and he was ultimately dismissed altogether. The
Court refused to allow Mr. Elia to use assistive technology or receive verbal
descriptions of evidence, which would have allowed him to fulfill his civic duty
alongside his fellow grand jurors. The lawsuit alleges that the Brooklyn courts
fail to have appropriate policies and procedures in place to avoid these exclusionary
practices.</p> <p>“Juror service is one of the most important civic duties
in a democracy, and in New York, it is a civil right,” said Victoria Pilger
from Disability Rights Advocates. “Federal law requires courts to ensure
no person is excluded from jury service on the basis of their disability. And New
York stopped categorically excluding people with disabilities from serving on
juries in 1983. Yet, decades later, New York courts continue to deny blind
individuals their right to serve on a jury.”</p> <p>“This unlawful
exclusion not only deprived me of the honor and duty of jury service,” said
Plaintiff Albert Elia, “it also deprives those facing criminal charges a
grand jury composed of a fair cross-section of New Yorkers.”</p> <p>“The
National Federation of the Blind is committed to the full integration of blind
people into all aspects of society, including performing our civic duty as
jurors,” said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the
Blind. “The evaluation of evidence, including so-called visual evidence,
is possible with the proper accommodations required by law, and juror functions
like determining the credibility and value of testimony and weighing the evidence
presented by the parties do not require eyesight. Of all government entities, the
courts ought to be the most aware of their legal obligations and of the right of
blind people to participate in the judicial process, and blind Americans will not
tolerate anything less.” </p> <p>----------</p> <h2
id="disability-advocates-sue-social-security-administration-and-doge-to-stop-unlawful-cuts-to-social-security-services">Disability
Advocates Sue Social Security Administration and DOGE to Stop Unlawful Cuts to
Social Security Services</h2> <p><strong>From the Editor: The following press
release was issued on April 2, 2025, by the National Federation of the Blind and
other entities who are collaborating with us in taking legal action to protect
the interests of blind and disabled Americans in the face of rapid, and we believe
unlawful, changes at the Social Security Administration (SSA). Seven blind or
disabled individuals, many of whom are Federation members, are also part of the
lawsuit, which asks the court to issue emergency orders to stop the changes. This
magazine will keep our readers informed as the litigation proceeds. Here is the
press release:</strong></p> <p><strong>WASHINGTON, DC (APRIL 2, 2025):</strong>
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the American Association of People
with Disabilities (AAPD), Deaf Equality, the National Committee to Preserve Social
Security and Medicare, and Massachusetts Senior Action Council, along with individual
plaintiffs, filed a federal lawsuit today against the Social Security Administration
(SSA), Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek, DOGE Acting Administrator Amy Gleason,
and Elon Musk in his de facto role as head of DOGE. The lawsuit alleges that recent
mass staffing reductions, policies requiring individuals to seek services in person
at field offices, and the elimination of critical offices within the SSA unlawfully
harm Americans with disabilities and older adults who rely on Social Security
services. Justice in Aging and Brown Goldstein & Levy, LLP, join the lawsuit
as co-counsel.</p> <p>Filed in the United States District Court for the District
of Columbia, the complaint seeks emergency, declaratory, and injunctive relief to
halt the dismantling of the SSA’s infrastructure, including the abrupt
closures of the Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity (OCREO) and the Office
of Transformation (OT), and the termination of 7,000 SSA employees.</p> <p>“The
Social Security Administration is being gutted without regard to existing law,
without transparency, and without any obvious plan as to how services will be
provided to applicants and beneficiaries going forward,” said Mark Riccobono,
President of the National Federation of the Blind. “Many blind Americans
rely on Social Security benefits for their survival and for the support of their
families. Given the technology and transportation challenges many of us face, the
dramatic reduction in force and the new so-called anti-fraud requirements will
work significant hardship or deny access to benefits altogether. In the most severe
cases, these cuts could endanger people’s very lives. The National Federation
of the Blind supports greater government efficiency and recognizes that much can
be done to improve the SSA, but careful planning and collaboration with blind
Americans and other disability advocates are the right ways to handle reform.”</p>
<p>At the center of the lawsuit is the allegation that the federal government has
undertaken a campaign to “reform” the SSA by gutting the very
infrastructure designed to ensure fairness, accessibility, and timely delivery of
benefits.</p> <p>"Americans with disabilities deserve a functioning Social Security
system, not arbitrary shutdowns and inaccessible service,” said AAPD
President and CEO Maria Town. “We filed this lawsuit because disabled
Americans are already suffering—and without urgent court intervention, the
harm will only grow. Even before efforts by DOGE and the administration to weaken
SSA, approximately 30,000 disabled people died in 2023 while waiting for their
SSDI application to be approved. Working Americans pay into Social Security for
their entire career because they recognize the protections of SSI and SSDI are
part of our moral obligation to one another. These benefits have been funded by
working American taxpayers with the understanding the funds will protect their
futures and their communities. Making SSA harder to access is not only denying
disabled Americans their right to access that protection, it is theft.”</p>
<p>Howard Rosenblum, founder and chair of Deaf Equality, said “Our federal
government is abandoning people with disabilities, and this lawsuit seeks to hold
it accountable by asking the federal courts to restore the government’s
obligations to us. The SSA is a lifeline for millions of people with disabilities
including Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, and Late Deafened
Americans. By throwing out essential services, the federal government is disregarding
its legal responsibilities and failing to protect these American individuals who
rely on these programs. Many of these Americans have dedicated a lifetime of work
and service, only to be disrespected and disserved when they need support the
most.”</p> <p>“Social Security has been lifting seniors, people with
disabilities, and survivor children out of poverty for nearly 90 years. It is the
benefits we have earned and represents a contract between generations,”
stated Rosa Bentley, President of the Massachusetts Senior Action Council. “We
cannot look away as the Trump Administration, Elon Musk, and DOGE push forward
aggressive personnel cuts and operational changes that undermine access to our
earned benefits and demonstrate a complete disregard for the hard-working people
of this nation.”</p> <p>The plaintiffs argue that the mass restructuring
violates the Rehabilitation Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and multiple
Constitutional provisions, including due process and the First Amendment right to
petition the government for redress of grievances. With more than 1.1 million
disability claims already pending, and thousands dying or going bankrupt each year
awaiting decisions, the plaintiffs allege that the SSA’s recent actions
are both unlawful and life-threatening.</p> <p>Max Richtman, President and CEO of
the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, said, “Under
the influence of Trump, Musk, and DOGE, the leadership of the Social Security
Administration has been recklessly slashing services, offices, and staff. These
harmful policies have already hindered our members and supporters (mostly seniors,
people with disabilities, and their families) from collecting the benefits they
have paid for.”</p> <p>Plaintiffs are requesting that the Court reverse
the closures of OCREO and OT, halt all staffing reductions, reinstate employees
who were wrongfully terminated, and roll back the policies that require in-person
appointments.</p> <p>----------</p> <h2 id="monitor-miniatures"><em>Monitor</em>
Miniatures </h2> <h3 id="news-from-the-federation-family">News from the Federation
Family</h3> <h4 id="calling-all-parents-of-blind-children-bring-on-the-summer-fun">Calling
All Parents of Blind Children: Bring on the Summer Fun!</h4> <p>by Cassie McKinney</p>
<p>Summer will be here before we know it, and you all know what that means:
Convention! The National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) is
getting ready for our Annual Seminar during the National Federation of the Blind
National Convention, July 8 to 13 in New Orleans. While the biggest decision that
many face is how on earth they are going to fit all their stuff in their suitcase,
the NOPBC realizes that this time is when we are able to come together and work
on some of the most important challenges that our children face. It is one of the
only weeks during the year when blind people from all across our nation and other
parts of the world come together for one purpose, and that’s not just to
enjoy the jazz and beignets; it is to work for the future of our organization and
for the future of blind children everywhen, and to have a little fun. NOPBC welcomes
you to join us for our EDUCATE Seminar, where we will talk about everything from
how to help your child learn how to play, how to get the most from the IEP at
school, how blind children can help with chores, how technology can help blind
children, and so much more. We hope that you will be able to join us. Registration
is open on our website: nopbc.org.</p> <p>No summer is complete without taking
part in the convention of the National Federation of the Blind. If you have been
coming for years, you already know this. If you have never been to a convention,
come on in; make yourself at home; and know that our Federation family believes
in you, your children, and your future. We can’t wait to be with you in
NOLA.</p> <h3 id="monitor-mart"><em>Monitor</em> Mart</h3> <p><strong>The notices
in this section have been edited for clarity, but we can pass along only the
information we were given. We are not responsible for the accuracy of the statements
made or the quality of the products for sale.</strong></p> <p>FOR SALE: Perkins
Brailler in good condition. Asking $600 or best offer. For inquiries, please send
text or voicemail to Kim at (816) 806-8165, or send email to: <a
href="mailto:proofreaderkim@outlook.com"><u>proofreaderkim@outlook.com</u></a>.</p>
<p>---------</p> <h2 id="nfb-pledge">NFB Pledge</h2> <p>I pledge to participate
actively in the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality,
opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of
the Federation; and to abide by its constitution.</p> <p> </p> </body> </html>