Welcome to our June 2023 monthly Digest: a monthly newsletter of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania!
During the first few days of the month, we will start sending out our calendar of events. These events will be within the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania as well as any pertinent information from the National Federation of the Blind and the Pennsylvania blind community.
If you or anyone you know have any upcoming events or information that can pertain to the blind community in Pennsylvania, please send them to Stacie Leap at stacie.leap@gmail.com by the 29th of the month so it can be added to our calendar for the following month.
Special Note: There will be no July 2023 monthly digest as a lot of us will be in Houston, Texas for the 2023 National Convention!
1. A Message from our State Affiliate President
Hello everyone!
We are now in the month of June and things are really happening! We are continuing our conversation with BBVS, so if there are any concerns, please let me know! On June 8th, the next OVR Board meeting will be held via Zoom. Contact information will be available shortly.
Registration for the National Convention is closed and we are waiting impatiently for the 2023 Agenda!
I hope to see many of you in Houston!
Lynn Heitz
President, National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania
president@nfbp.org
Google Calendar Links
The National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania also has a Google Calendar that can be viewed either through the web or subscribed to your calendar apps.
You can view the calendar without subscribing to it and view it on your web browser by clicking the link in the show notes.
However, if you wish to subscribe to the calendar and get the events on your calendar apps, please click Subscribe in the show notes and go through the steps to subscribe:
Member Spotlight” Harriet Go
Each month, we will highlight someone within our affiliate. The goal is to allow other members to learn about other members within the affiliate. We hope you enjoy this little spotlight!
Harriet Go serves our state affiliate as our secretary. She is also the President of the Keystone Chapter. Considered quite hilarious, she shows off her comedic styles at our meetings and social functions. She is proclaimed to be the number 1 best seller of M&M’s. Make sure you do not leave any lying around because she will start selling them! Full of energy, she is taking on the role of Kids Camp Director at our 2023 National Convention in Houston, Texas. This definitely requires bouts of energy and patience that she learned at her current job as an elementary school teacher for the School District of Philadelphia. She is always willing to have a conversation so if you get a chance to meet her in-person, introduce yourself and say “Hello!”
Calendar of Events
The following events are also on our Google calendar with the Zoom information. If anyone within a chapter, division, or group see any errors or misinformation, please contact Stacie Leap at stacie.leap@gmail.com
The below information is correct as of the first week of the month. The information is most up-to-date on the Google Calendar so please check back periodically to ensure the right information.
Jigsaw Chapter monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for those who do not have a local chapter in their geographical area. This is our at-large chapter. Meetings
Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 10:00 AM
Keystone Chapter Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for those who live in the Philadelphia area. This is one of two local chapters in the Philadelphia area. The other chapter is the Greater Philadelphia Chapter.
Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 10:15 AM
Coffee with the State President and Board
This monthly discussion meeting brings everybody together to get to know the state affiliate board members and the happenings within the state’s divisions, chapters, and advocacy efforts.
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 7 PM
Greater Berks Chapter Monthly Meeting
A monthly meeting for those who live in the Greater Berks County of Pennsylvania
Friday, June 9, 2023 at 10 AM
Greater Lehigh Valley Chapter Monthly Meeting
A monthly meeting for those who live in the Greater Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. This includes Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and the surrounding areas.
Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 10 AM
Deaf Blind Division Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for those who consider themselves to be Deaf Blind and their supporters.
Monday, June 12, 2023 at 6 PM
Pennsylvania Association of Blind Merchants (PABM) Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for those who are or wish to be involved with the Business Enterprise Program, entrepreneurship and their supporters.
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 6 PM
Capital Area Chapter Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for those who live in the Greater Harrisburg area.
Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 10 AM
Erie County Chapter Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for those who live in Erie County Pennsylvania.
Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 2 PM
Blind Parents Group Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for blind parents, grandparents, and their supporters
Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 7 PM
Pennsylvania Organization of Parents of Blind Children (PAOPBC) Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for parents of blind children and their supporters
Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 11 AM
Pittsburgh Chapter Monthly Meeting
A monthly meeting for those who live in the Greater Pittsburgh area.
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 6 PM
Greater Philadelphia Chapter Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for those who live in the Philadelphia area. This is one of two local chapters in the Philadelphia area. The other chapter is the Keystone Chapter.
Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 10 AM
Brandywine Valley Chapter Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for those who live in the Brandywine Valley.
Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 10 AM
Pennsylvania Association of Guide Dog Users (PAGDU) Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for those who have or are considering getting a guide dog as well as their supporters.
Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 4 PM
Pennsylvania Association of Blind Students (PABS) Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for blind students of all ages and their supporters.
Monday, June 26, 2023 at 7 PM
Blind Seniors Group Monthly Meeting
a monthly meeting for those who are seniors or almost seniors as well as their supporters.
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at 7:30 PM
White Canes Connect Podcast
Did you know that the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania has a podcast? It is hosted by members David Goldstein and Lisa Bryant. It features interviews with our PA members as well as interviews and resources for the blind community. You can listen to it wherever you listen to podcasts.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, IHeartRadio, and on YouTube @PABlindPodcast. Contact White Canes Connect at whitecanesconnect@gmail.com if you have any show ideas or wish to be on the podcast.
National Convention 2023
Our national convention will take place from July first through sixth in Houston, Texas.
Online registration for the 2023 National Convention is closed. Do not worry, you can still register for convention when you are there in-person; however, prices will be $5 higher and will cost $30 per person. Banquet tickets will still be $70. More information on the convention including hotel reservations, agenda, and registration to the Career Fair, Kid Camp Day Care, and the NOPBC Conference can be found at www.nfb.org/convention
There are also different tours and a baseball game that you can purchase tickets for.
1. Tours to Space Center Houston will cost $35.00 per person, regardless of age. There are three tour opportunities. The price includes both the tour ticket(s) and roundtrip transportation.
2. The tour of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, which includes an exhibit by 3-D Photo Works of King Tut's sarcophagus. This touchable piece will provide visitors with all kinds of information about the boy king. Tours of all exhibits will be led by docents. The museum would like feedback regarding ways to make the museum more accessible, and we will send everyone who attends a brief survey following the tour so you can offer comments. The tour price for this event is $37.00, regardless of age. Like the Space Center Houston tour, the price includes both the tour ticket(s) and roundtrip transportation.
3. On July 7, the Houston Astros will play the Seattle Mariners, at Minute Maid Park A.K.A the Juice Box. The game will begin at 7:10 PM, and there is a plan to take a group of Federationists to that game.
All tour information and game information can be found at the NFB of Texas’s website. See the show note for the link
Special Shout-Outs!
Birthday Wishes
The National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania would like to wish all those who were born in June a very happy birthday!
Thank you, Dad!
The NFB of Pennsylvania would also like to extend our gratitude to all fathers and father figures! Thank you for all your hard work, perseverance. Love, and support! Happy Father’s Day!
Speedy Recovery to Lyvette Byrd!
Greater Philadelphia Chapter Board Member Lyvette Bird had a series of surgeries and have been in the hospital since May 15th. We wish her to get well soon and have a complete and speedy recovery!
Well wishes to Gloria Nathan-Cherry
Greater Philadelphia Chapter Board Member Gloria Nathan-Cherry had surgery in late May and is recuperating at home. We would like to extend our well wishes and also wish her a speedy and complete recovery!
Get Better Joseph Powell!
We would also like to extend our well wishes and a complete and speedy recovery to Greater Philadelphia Chapter member Joseph Powell as he recuperates at home from the surgery he had in May!
Congratulations to Lily Asadullina!
We want to congratulate Keystone Chapter member Lily on the birth of her first-born Aria Eva! Welcome to the world Aria and we wish you nothing but wonderful and amazing things as you grow and bond with your family members and friends!
Fundraisers
Blind Parents Group T-Shirts Fundraiser
The t-shirts come in either black with white letterings or white with black letterings. Both shirts say “I Support #BlindParents” with the NFB of PA Logo and “Blind Parents Group” at the bottom. Funds raised will start a scholarship fund to assist blind or visually impaired parents and their family through financial life hardships. To purchase a t-shirt, please contact Stacie Leap at stacie.leap@gmail.com . Stacie will also have some t-shirts available at the 2023 national Convention to those wish to purchase it there!
Other External Events
These events are not hosted or sponsored by the NFB or the NFB of PA. However, we think these might be good resources for those living in Pennsylvania. If you have any events that you wish to be in our monthly digest, please email Stacie Leap at stacie.leap@gmail.com
OVR State Board of Vocational Rehabilitation Quarterly Meeting
Thursday, June 8, 2023
10 AM to 2:30 PM
Break: noon to 12:30 PM
This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. The public is invited to call in to this meeting using the
following information:
Webinar ID: 822 3300 7808
Passcode: 787610
Or One tap mobile:
US: +16469313860,,82233007808#,,,,*787610# or
+19292056099,,82233007808#,,,,*787610#
Additional Zoom information can be found in the show notes.
Disability Pride Week 2023
The week of June 5-10, 2023, there will be a lot of events in honor of Disability Pride Week. You Can register via the Google Form registration page . Our own Keystone Chapter’s member Esther Gillyard will be performing on June 10, 2023 at 3pm ET.
Events are as follows:
June 5: Disability Pride Kick Off at City Hall: flag raising, live music by Johnny Crescendo, Ben & Jerry's ice cream giveaway, and guest speakers include Deputy Secretary of ODP Kristin Ahrens, Disability Pride PA's Board Chairperson Chuck Horton, and Director of LGBT Affairs Celena Morrison, City Rep Sheila Hess, and more
June 6: Karaoke Block Party at Inglis Innovation Center from 2-6 PM
June 7: Microaggressions Workshop with Artist Wendy Elliott-Vandivier at 2 PM
June 8: Exploring Nature on the Trail 11-1 PM on the Delaware River Trail
June 8: Meet & Mingle with Liberty Resources from 5-8 PM
June 9: A Laughing Lunch (more details to follow)
June 10: Parade kick off at City Hall's North Apron at 11 AM (approcimately4 blocks) Festival begins at 1600 Ben Franklin Parkway at 11 AM with live music on the hour at 12, 1, 2, and 3 PM; and resource tables, fun activities for all ages, food trucks, and community!
Disability Pride PA encourages all people to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions, please call them at (267)621-1480 or email them at info@DisabilityPridePA.org at least 10 days in advance of your participation.
John Jon Awareness Walk
Our member Lyvette Byrd is putting on her 2nd Annual John Jon Awareness Walk on Saturday, July 15, 2023 from 8AM to 10AM ET at the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge Park in Philadelphia, PA. It is to raise awareness about people with different abilities and to honor their advocates. More information and registration can be found at the For the Byrds Consulting website.!
Liberty Resources’ Blind/Low Vision Support Group
Our members Karen Rose and Simone Cooper partner up with Liberty Resources to hold a weekly virtual support group at Liberty Resources. The aim is to share resources and provide support to those experiencing blindness or low vision. Meetings are weekly on Tuesdays from 1pm to 2pm ET via Zoom. You do not need to live in Philadelphia to attend these meetings, this is open to all in Pennsylvania! For more information or to sign-up, please email Latoya Maddox at LatoyaMaddox@libertyresources.org
Vision Thru Art
Vision Thru Art is a weekly sculpture class for blind and visually-impaired artists that has been running at Allens Lane Art Center for more than 30 years. Our dedicated faculty, staff and volunteers help the students express their inner vision through a variety of media including clay, wood, mosaic, stone and other mixed materials. The students are encouraged to work at their own pace while enjoying the easy-going social atmosphere of the class. In 2014, Allens Lane Art Center made the class completely free for all the students including free art supplies each year.
Location: The Fluhr Studio - (downstairs back studio accessible by rear entrance). Many of the students use Para-transit to get to the class. Service dogs are of course welcome.
Day/Time: Wednesday, 10:30 am – 12:30pm and Friday 10:30 am – 12:30pm.
Fees: There are no fees for this class.
Registration: Contact by phone (215-248-0546) or by https://allenslane.org/vision-thru-art/
Women Healed For a Purpose 2023 Conference!
Our member Lyvette Bird is hosting her 2nd Annual Women Healed For a Purpose Conference under her business, For the Birds Consulting, LLC. The mission of the conference is to equip and restore the community through a faith-based initiative that we hope will strengthen women holistically; mind, body, and spirit.
We are women Living Interdependently in support of Family, Friends, and our Fellow neighbors to Educate and Empower our community. The event will be on Saturday, October 28, 2023. There will be guest speakers, and live entertainment. There will be an in-person option as well as a Zoom option. For more information or to register, please visit the For The Birds Consulting website.
NFB Pledge
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.
NFB Message
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.
Many thanks to everybody for all they do within the Federation!
Thanks!
the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania team
www.nfbp.org