NABS Notes | December 2020

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, / Whispering ‘it will be happier’.” -Alfred Lord Tennyson

Welcome to the December edition of our NABS Notes! As 2020 reaches its conclusion, we find ourselves both reflecting back on the successful year we’ve had and looking forward to all that we have yet to accomplish together. We hope that 2021 brings you and yours an abundance of joy, health, and safety. Read on to learn more about our upcoming events and updates from committees. In this edition you will find:

A Message from the Board
December Blog Post
December Episode of the NABS Now Podcast
Committee Updates
Stay Connected—NABS Social Media

That’s a Wrap 2020: Reflecting Back and Looking Forward

As the calendar year draws to a close, we find ourselves taking the opportunity to reflect on all that 2020 brought about. From difficult transitions to virtual learning to the imposed limitations for in-person gatherings, the past twelve months have covered a vast amount of uncharted territory for blind students across the country; however, it has been amazing to see both the determination and support of our community. We hope that you take the time this holiday season to celebrate all that you have been able to accomplish and experience this year in spite of every obstacle thrown your way. Looking forward, we need your help in making 2021 the best year yet! In addition to continuing our committee work and membership calls, we are excited to kick off the year with some exciting events. After our At Large Seminar in January, we hope to see everyone virtually at Washington Seminar. Now more than ever, student voices can make a difference. Stay Tuned for more details coming soon. More than anything, if you have ideas for the months ahead, we encourage you to reach out to anyone on the NABS Board. We would love to hear from you and continue finding ways of better supporting our members.

December Blog Post | Conquering the Kitchen: Cooking Tips and Favorite Student Recipes

Tired of visiting the campus cafeteria for every meal? Take some time this winter break to equip yourself with knowledge about some other options you may never have considered. Maybe investigating ways to cook for yourself is more possible and appetizing than you ever imagined. Start with this month’s blog post, written by two students with a passion for the kitchen, and remember that a pinch of creativity and enough hunger can lead to a world of possibilities.

December Episode of the NABS Now Podcast | Handling Holiday Hazards & Hiccups

Holiday gatherings and interactions can bring on both unexpected challenges and stress alongside the joy and delicious food typical of a family gathering, and no one understands the potential struggles better than fellow blind students. Join us for a conversation dedicated to navigating the ups and downs of traveling home, spending time with family, defining boundaries, and serving in roles, ranging from disability educator to tree decorator. Each year brings about changes in ourselves and our families, so before you head home for a month-long break from classes, stop to reflect with the NABS Now team on how best to navigate whatever’s coming your way. We hope these humorous stories, proactive pointers, and thoughtful encouragements help you have a wonderful holiday season! Thank you to our special guests: Mausam Mehta, Ally Mendez, and Qualik Ford. Created and produced by: Nina Marranca, Elizabeth Rouse, and Seyoon Choi. Are you interested in assisting with the planning and production of the NABS Now Podcast? Email Nina at: ninam0814@gmail.com for more information. Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or see our Anchor page for more ways to listen!

Committee Updates

Ringing in the New Year Right!

Happy New Year, NABSters! If you haven’t yet visited and subscribed to The Student Slate, the official blog of the National Association of Blind Students, we invite you to do so in order to set yourself up for optimal success in the coming year. Each month features a new post covering an exciting topic; we’d love to share whatever tips and tricks our students reveal with you, and don’t forget to join us for our next NABS Outreach Committee meeting, taking place on Sunday, January 10 at 8:00 PM EST. For questions on how to get involved, email Nina Marranca at ninam0814@gmail.com.

Crushing and Recreating Funding Goals

The NABS Fundraising Committee is grateful for the support that made our initiatives so successful this fall. Looking forward, we have received generous donations in the forms of both auction items and monetary gifts. We are now hard at work promoting our two newest initiatives, Super Bowl Roulette and NABS Unmuted, happening February 8. For more information about these events, join us for our next NABS Fundraising Committee meeting, taking place on Sunday, January 10 at 9:00 PM EST. For questions on how to get involved, email Robert Parsons at Robert.E.Parsons@wmich.edu.

An Avalanche of Inaccessibility

The NABS Legislative and Self-Advocacy Committee continues running our #StudentAccessMoments campaign. Students and recent graduates have been recording 60-second videos of themselves telling their stories about accessibility barriers in higher education. Share your unique story today instead of dismissing the experience as not noteworthy. Record live in a well-known location on your campus or download a virtual background to spice things up, and don’t forget to include the #StudentAccessMoments to be entered into the competition! We hope that our social media networks gain a better understanding of the inaccessibility blind students encounter every day. Interested in advocating for more change? Join our next NABS LSAC Committee meeting, happening on Sunday, January 17 at 8:00 PM EST. For questions on how to get involved, email Justin Salisbury at president@alumni.ecu.edu.

Bringing Diversity into the Next Decade

The NABS Diversity and Inclusion Committee invites you to partake in the fun we’ve been having in recent months, learning something new and assisting us in the planning/facilitation of the upcoming January membership call. As always, you are wanted and welcome to join us for our next NABS D & I Committee meeting on Sunday, January 17 at 9:00 PM EST. For questions on how to get involved, email Monica Wegner at monica.wegner@outlook.com or join the committee GroupMe, where members coordinate our activities.

And don’t forget our monthly membership call, taking place on Sunday, January 24 at 9:00 PM EST!