NABS Notes | December 2021

“Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create.” -Roy T. Bennett
Welcome to the December edition of our NABS Notes! We know that 2021 has been a year jam packed with online events, hybrid adjustments, and shifting realities, and the month of December has been no less eventful. Just in case you missed something in and amongst the busyness of finals, we invite you to utilize this collection of resources in order to catch 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
Announcing the 2022 NABS Midwest Student Seminar
December Blog Post
December Episode of the NABS Now Podcast
Committee Updates
Special Washington Seminar Preparations
Stay Connected | NABS Social Media

2022, Here We Come!

As this year quickly draws to a close, we in NABS are swelling with pride over all that our members have accomplished throughout 2021. From navigating the ever-changing landscape of education to making the most of virtual programming through the National Federation of the Blind, we want to congratulate you on your determination during such a unique time. We hope that with the holiday season comes the time and space necessary to relax, reflect, and rejuvenate.
Our NABS leadership can promise that you will need your energy as we enter 2022 with many exciting opportunities on the horizon. Aside from a hybrid Washington Seminar and the prospect of an in-person National Convention, NABS will be starting the year strong with a wide array of calls and the return of multiple regional seminars. Particularly, please note the following items:

We will be returning to an in-person NABS Winter Seminar, taking place on the morning of Monday, February 7, 2022, for those in attendance of the 2022 Washington Seminar. We are hoping to also live stream the event or otherwise have a way to participate virtually.
After the great success of our 2021 virtual auction, we have decided to keep this fundraiser online to reach as many people as possible. Get ready to start bidding in just a few short weeks!

Announcing the 2022 NABS Midwest Student Seminar

We in NABS are thrilled to inform you that you can now register for the 2022 Midwest Student Seminar, taking place in the great state of Illinois at the Holiday Inn Chicago O’Hare Area, from March 18-20, 2022.
As many of you know, this will be one of our first National Association of Blind Students in-person events since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are ecstatic to gather with some of our NABS family once again. The ever-changing state of our world over the last two years has been an immensely difficult time for many, and we hope that this year’s seminar, fittingly entitled “Back in Action,” provides attendees with the opportunity to learn and grow alongside many students from across the region who find themselves in similar situations.
The registration link for our event is below, and we invite you to get registered anytime between now and the closing of our registration window on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at 11:59 PM CST; however, we would like to point out just a few things before you let excitement get the best of you.

Each attendee is responsible for a $100 registration fee, payable to NABS, which will cover meals throughout the weekend as well as administrative expenses necessary to support this event. We encourage you to proactively reach out to your vocational rehabilitation agency and/or National Federation of the Blind state affiliate to help offset this expense. This fee is due by the time registration closes on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at 11:59 PM CST. Until we receive both your registration form response and this fee, your spot is not guaranteed.
Please note that all attendees will need to submit proof of a negative COVID test within 60 hours of our event’s start, regardless of vaccination status. This proof will need to be submitted to a designated party no later than noon on Friday, March 18, 2022. Additionally, masks will be required during any/all 2022 Midwest Student Seminar activities.
Finally, we will not be assigning roommates for this event. We are more than happy to support you in finding a roommate if you require assistance, which you can indicate on the registration form linked below; however, if you do not either take the initiative to procure a roommate or reach out for assistance, you will be responsible for the hotel expense of $109 + applicable taxes and fees for each night of the event.

Please take the time to get registered for the 2022 Midwest Student Seminar, and let the excitement begin!

December Blog Post | Accessibility Barriers in Digital Forensics

If you’ve ever felt discouraged by inaccessibility, you’ll be able to empathize with this month’s blog post, written by Emily Kiehl. Read on to better understand how we as students can both gain experience and collect information on our chosen fields of study that could carry a great impact on future blind students.

December Episode of the NABS Now Podcast | Setting Yourself Apart – Building Soft Skills

This episode is all about soft skills. Building on our previous conversations about careers, we discuss why soft skills are important and how to gain them. We also offer tips for marketing your soft skills to schools and employers. It’s a must listen for anyone who wants to stand out in an application pool since soft skills are what can set you apart.
Thank you to special guest Anthony Goettl.
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

The Start of 2022 = Outreach & You!

Please join us for our next committee call, taking place on Sunday, January 9 at 8 PM EST, and reach out to committee chair Nina Marranca with questions on how to get further involved.

The Most Wonderful time of the Year

Happy holiday wishes from the NABS Fundraising Committee! We in fundraising are celebrating by working to procure donation items for our annual NABS auction, taking place in concurrence with the 2022 Washington Seminar. If you, your affiliate, a generous business/organization in your community, or a friend or family member is interested in donating an item, please reach out!
A huge thank you to all those who have donated already; we greatly appreciate all the support and generosity. We also encourage you to remember that if you don’t get all you want this holiday season, you can always drop in on the 2022 NABS auction, where, odds are, you can bid on the item of your dreams.
Please join us for our next committee call, taking place on Sunday, January 9 at 9 PM EST, and reach out to committee chair Logan Stenzel with questions on how to get further involved.

Reflections Geared Toward Growth

The NABS Legislative and Self-Advocacy Committee had a wonderful time reflecting on members’ successes of 2021 and voicing some goals/intentions for 2022 on our December committee call. While we understand the prospect of making progress on self-improvement can be intimidating, we hope to support all committee members in this effort in 2022. Together, we as a community can not only improve ourselves, but also continue our efforts of changing what it means to be blind each and every day.
Please join us for our next committee call, taking place on Sunday, January 16 at 8 PM EST, and reach out to committee chair Elizabeth Rouse with questions on how to get further involved.

New Year, New Opportunities

Please join the NABS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for our next committee call, taking place on Sunday, January 16 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 NABS Sound Board, taking place on Sunday, January 23 at 9 PM EST!

Special Washington Seminar Preparations

The NABS Legislative and Self-Advocacy Committee invites you to prepare for the 2022 Washington Seminar with us on Sunday, January 30 at 8 PM EST. A member of our national office’s Governmental Affairs team will be joining us so that we can learn about this year’s legislative priorities and practice speaking to the importance of these entities from a resident expert. Join us if you plan to participate in the 2022 Washington Seminar in-person or virtually, and come with questions, charisma, and curiosity. Please also note that this call is an addition to our regularly scheduled NABS committee call, taking place two weeks prior.