NABS Notes | August 2021

“Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.” -Anne Sullivan

Welcome to the August edition of our NABS Notes! We in NABS are beyond excited to begin a new year with you, and there’s no better place to start than by catching up on the latest NABS news. So, take some time to read up on all things new and exciting in our student movement, and reach out to anyone in NABS leadership with questions. Read on to learn more about our upcoming events and updates from committees. In this edition you will find:

>A Message from the Board
August Blog Post
August Episode of the NABS Now Podcast
Committee Updates
Stay Connected | NABS Social Media

Navigating a New Normal with NABS

As August quickly turns into September, the NABS Board is driven by all that fall has in store for our members as well as our organization. For many of us, we have returned to in-person or hybrid learning settings and are navigating the many unknowns that such a transition brings. Please know that your NABS community is here for you, cheering you on every step of the way! Whatever is on your mind, whether you are posing questions or answering them, we would love to hear from you via our listserv, Facebook group, or by reaching out directly to one of our board members. After our successful Back-to-School membership call this month, you can also count on continued programming to share tips, tricks, and resources for a great school year.
As a division, we are also thrilled to be entering the fall state convention season with NABS representatives joining both in-person and virtual events across the country. We invite affiliate and student presidents to reach out to NABS President Trisha Kulkarni at [email protected] with any requests to have a student leader join an upcoming event. We also invite you to learn more about our state student liaison program, which launched this month.

August Blog Post | The Back-to-School Basics

Whether you’re venturing into either familiar or unfamiliar territory this fall, this month’s blog post has something for you. Writer Elizabeth Rouse offers some useful strategies to keep in mind while preparing for, entering, and succeeding throughout your academic term. Read up on communication, collaboration, confidence, and calm before you enter the classroom again this fall.

August Episode of the NABS Now Podcast | A Conversation About Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

In this episode, we examine diversity, equity, and inclusion. While we understand that this may be a sensitive or uncomfortable topic for some, DEI is an important factor in creating an inclusive, positive world. We will discuss how those in the DEI space have found their passion for the work that they do. We will also discuss how anyone can contribute to accessibility and inclusivity. Whether you have experience in this space or whether you are brand new, we highly encourage everyone to listen and reflect on the points discussed here.
Thank you to special guests Monica Wegner, Qualik Ford, Sara Luna, and Ellen Bartelt.
Created and produced by Nina Marranca, Seyoon Choi, and Kinshuk Tella.
Are you interested in assisting with the planning and production of the NABS Now Podcast? Email Nina at: [email protected] for more information.
Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or see our Anchor page for more ways to listen!

Committee Updates

Starting the Year Strong

The NABS Outreach Committee is excited to begin another year filled with passion and creativity, fueled by our members. We kicked the year off right with our first committee call, where we spent time brainstorming ideas for the coming year and reflecting on all the work we have accomplished thus far. During this call, we also discussed the core values of outreach--community, connection, and collective resources. We aim to embody these elements in the year to come.
Please join us for our next committee call, taking place on Sunday, September 12 at 8 PM EST, and reach out to committee chair Nina Marranca with questions on how to get further involved.

Fall & Fundraising are Here!

The NABS Fundraising Committee is beyond excited for the kickoff of the NFL regular season, which is just around the corner, and our NABS Fantasy Football fundraiser is undoubtedly well underway! Massive shoutouts to our splendid league commissioners for the 2021-2022 season--Isabel Rosario, Qualik Ford, Robert Parsons, and Logan Stenzel--for organizing and filling up all of our leagues! Good luck and thank you to all of our participants this year. May you emerge both glorious and victorious this season!
NABS Fantasy Football isn’t the only game in town this fall though, and it’s not the only thing that has the Fundraising Committee excited. Be on the lookout for what’s coming up in October, during Meet the Blind Month. Get ready to root on your home affiliate in our virtual event!
Please join us for our next committee call, taking place on Sunday, September 12 at 9 PM EST, and reach out to committee chair Logan Stenzel with questions on how to get further involved.

Advocate for Yourself and Others

The NABS Legislative and Self-Advocacy Committee is gearing up for another exciting year, filled with discussions and activities that will enhance both the knowledge and skillsets of our members. While our August call was dedicated to reviewing goals and expectations for the coming year, as well as brainstorming topics for future committee work, we plan to take a deep dive into self-advocacy in classroom settings during the month of September.
We also challenge students from across the nation to reach out to their Congressional Representatives to encourage them to support the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act, which was introduced to the House of Representatives earlier this month. For more information, contact LSAC Co-Chair Lizzy Schoen.
Please join us for our next committee call, taking place on Sunday, September 19 at 8 PM EST, and reach out to committee chair Elizabeth Rouse with questions on how to get further involved.

Diversifying Dialogue & Encouraging Empathy

The NABS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is so excited to be back in action after a wonderful National Convention. In August, our committee met to discuss self-care practices and unique preparatory strategies for the new academic year.
Are you a blind student interested in learning how our membership, made up of students with countless identities and experiences, collaborates to continue to raise expectations for blind students nationwide? If so, we’ve got room on our committee for you! Get involved, and make your unique voice heard.
Please join us for our next committee call, taking place on Sunday, September 19 at 9 PM EST, and reach out to committee chair Robert Parsons with questions on how to get further involved.

And don’t forget our monthly membership call, taking place on Sunday, September 26 at 9 PM EST!