The Vigilant Blog

How often have you had a question you felt too shy to ask? Sometimes you work up the courage and just ask. At other times, it’s better to read about someone else’s experience at your own speed and in the privacy of your own space.

Our blog is a collection of posts aimed at stimulating discussion about assistive technology, independent living, and blindness philosophy. Please comment freely to keep the discussion moving, and please share content you find thought-provoking with your social networks to help spread the discussion to people we might otherwise not reach.

And, please don’t forget to check out the publications from our parent organization. The Braille Monitor, our general magazine, and Future Reflections, our publication for parents, are just two examples of the excellent resources you’ll find in our NFB library.

Do you want to write a guest post? Send us a note, and tell us about your idea!

Minutes from the May 13 2023 NFB of Virginia Board of Directors meeting

Sandy Halverson agreed to take the notes from our May 13, 2023 Board of Directors meeting. Here are the notes from Sandy.

National Federation of the Blind of Virginia

Board of Directors Meeting

May 13, 2023


Call to order and introduction of guests: The board of directors meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia was called to order by President Soforenko at 1 p.m. and after introductions, it was determined that 16 voting delegates and several members and guests were present.


Launch of the 2023 NFB of Virginia Scholarship

To all my NFB family and Friends,

We are pleased to launch this year’s 2023-2024 NFB of Virginia Scholarship program. The scholarship committee would love to request your help in distributing the information below to everyone you know who is attending a college or university this upcoming year. Your participation and help are appreciated and are a huge part of our success. Please see all the details below. Thanks again for your help and support in making this a fantastic opportunity for our blind students across Virginia.


RESOLUTION 2022-3: REGARDING THE ACCESSIBILITY OF WEBSITES SPONSERED AND/OR OPERATED THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia offers a great deal of valuable information to the public
through internet websites; and


WHEREAS, persons who are blind, visually impaired, or have other disabilities should have the same
opportunity to benefit from contents of websites developed or operated by entities of the
Commonwealth of Virginia as persons who are not disabled; and


WHEREAS, for example, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) offers an extensive website containing

RESOLUTION 2022-2: REGARDING COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA COMPLIANCE WITH TITLE II OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

WHEREAS, all Commonwealth of Virginia entities such as departments and agencies are subject to title II
of the Americans with Disabilities Act; and


WHEREAS, Part II of the Americans with Disabilities Act§ 35.107, Designation of Responsible Employee
and Adoption of Grievance Procedures, states “(a) Designation of Responsible Employee. A public entity
that employs 50 or more persons shall designate at least one employee to coordinate its efforts to

RESOLUTION 2022-1: ACCESSIBLE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY

WHEREAS, technology has revolutionized access to information, textbooks,
course materials, testing, software, interaction with college administrations,
and other facets of student life in postsecondary education; and


WHEREAS, Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibit
colleges and universities from discriminating against persons with disabilities
and mandates equal access to educational opportunities; and


WHEREAS, many postsecondary institutions are failing to comply with these

Richmond and Washington seminar

Hello Virginia Federationists,
I hope you all had a wonderful 2022 NFB of Virginia Convention. Although it may seem like it’s still three months away, Washington Seminar is fast approaching, in person from Monday, January 30 through Thursday, February 2, 2023. I wanted to send out some info to help you begin thinking about reserving your room and making arrangements in your schedule to attend.

Proposed 2022 State Convention Principles of Engagement

Nothing in these rules of engagement is intended to change Article IV, Section 2 of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia’s (NFBV) constitution. The Convention remains “the supreme authority of the NFBV. It is the legislature of the NFBV . As such, it has final authority with respect to all issues of policy. Chapter board delegates and members in attendance may participate in all convention discussions as a matter of right.

How Silver BELLS Led Me From Fear To Freedom

By Debra Hill

I lost my sight completely over seven years ago due to complications from diabetes type 2. I have had many years, therefore, to adjust to the tremendous changes blindness has brought to my life. With the daily support of my husband and the helpful interventions of my family and friends, I thought I had settled into a safe, well-organized and secure life.

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Chapter Chatter Part 2: Intention, Prevention, and Intervention

Chapter Chatter Part 2: Intention, Prevention, and Intervention

Christine Faltz Grassman,

President, Potomac Chapter
10% of conflicts is due to difference in opinion and 90% is due to wrong tone of voice.
— Susan Wiertzema

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