NFB-NEWSLINE® Alexa Skill for Amazon Echo Speakers Now Available

The NFB-NEWSLINE® Alexa Skill for Amazon Echo speakers is now available!

You can now access NFB-NEWSLINE® content on Amazon Echo speakers with your voice by saying, “Alexa, open National Federation.” Read the over 500 publications available to NFB-NEWSLINE® subscribers on Alexa enabled devices with your own voice. Browse Texas newspapers, national papers, magazines and more with Alexa commands like:

In support Of The Effort To Bring Carla Home

Carla Valpeoz is a legally blind woman who recently disappeared while on a trip to Peru. During her college years, Carla lived in Texas and was an active member of the Texas Association of blind students. Although she has moved to Michigan, members of our affiliate still consider her to be a part of our Texas family.

NFBTX mourns the loss of Larry E. Temple

From NFBTX President Norma Crosby:

Blind Texans have lost a true friend and champion today. Larry Temple, executive director of the Texas Workforce Commission, died this morning.

Larry never met a blind person he didn't love. He understood our philosophy of blindness, and he wanted each of us to have the opportunity to live the lives we want to live.

Larry E. Temple Memorial Service Information

Earlier this week, we announced the loss of a great friend of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas, Larry E. Temple.

The Temples have passed along the information regarding Larry Temple's memorial service.

The Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 10:30 AM

St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church

26160 Ranch Rd 12

Dripping Springs, TX 78620

A Rosary service will be held at the same location the night before, Friday, January 18, 2019 at 7:00 PM.

Date change for 2020 NFB National Convention

The dates for the 2020 NFB National Convention in Houston have been changed. Convention will now be held from July 14-19, 2020. According to the national office:

2020 NFBTX Student Summit Planned

The National Federation of the Blind of Texas and the Texas Association of Blind Students is planning our annual Student Summit for April 3-5, in Houston. The theme of the conference is Engineer Your Future, and the planning team is working on the development of three different tracks in order to make sure we have content pertinent to every student group. One track will serve high school students who will be preparing for college soon.

National Federation of the Blind COVID-19 Policy Relating to Public Events

The National Federation of the Blind President and Board of Directors have directed that all meetings, events, or public gatherings that are currently planned by affiliates, chapters, and divisions to take place within thirty days from today, March 13, 2020, are to be canceled or postponed until sometime after April 12, 2020.

Click Here to read the full release: National Federation of the Blind COVID-19 Policy Relating to Public Events

Doki Doki, Inc. Announces Donation of $15,000 For the Stand with Austin Fund and the National Federation of the Blind of Texas

Doki Doki Inc., a voice communication platform development firm based in San Francisco, California and Tokyo, Japan, announced earlier this week that they have raised over $15,000 through their Raise Your Voice Campaign for the Stand with Austin Fund and the National Federation of the Blind of Texas.

Doki Doki issued the following press release:

Doki Doki, Inc. Announces Donation of $15,000 For the Stand with Austin Fund and the National Federation of the Blind of Texas
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2020

TWC Warning About Fraud

The Texas Workforce Commission has issued a warning about fraud to those applying for Unemployment Insurance benefits. The text of the warning is provided below, in English and in Spanish.

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) advises those applying for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits that individuals misrepresenting TWC may capitalize on the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and attempt to secure sensitive, personal information through deceit.  

Childrens' Essay Contest

In an effort to support blind children and their education during this trying time of uncertainty, NFBTX is offering an Essay contest. These essays are meant to be a way for children to explore what they are going through and process their feelings. Hopefully in writing things down, it will enable children to feel more in control of their surroundings and empowered in their situations.

Please contact Emily Gibbs at egibbs@nfbtx.org or 281-968-7347 with questions.