Braille Spectator, Fall/Winter 2025

THE BRAILLE SPECTATOR, Fall/Winter 2025

A semi-annual publication of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland

Ronza Othman and Sharon Maneki, co-editors

Published on www.nfbmd.org and on NFB Newsline by The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland

Ronza Othman, President

Comments and questions should be sent to President@nfbmd.org.

In this issue:

 

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland 2026 Annual Convention – Pilots of Progress: 60 Years Strong, Soaring to New Horizons!

By Ronza Othman

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland (NFBMD) will be celebrating our diamond anniversary convention from February 12 – 15, 2026 in Ocean City at the Ashore Resort and Beach Club.  Our theme will be “Pilots of Progress: 60 Years Strong, Soaring to New Horizons!”  This is because we are coming together to celebrate our first 60 years and all we’ve accomplished, while simultaneously setting our sights on the horizon as we continue our work to advance the civil rights and self-determination of blind Marylanders. This convention theme will celebrate our resilience, creativity, and unrelenting commitment to equal access to information, education, jobs, civil rights, and all the aspects of life in which we participate and envision a future where we navigate the world free from discrimination.  Furthermore, this theme highlights and celebrates the way NFBMB is the preeminent leader in this work.  At the 2026 convention, we will highlight our efforts, celebrate our successes, and chart our way forward. 

We are delighted that Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) is our title sponsor once again.  Back by popular demand, we will hold BISM Bingo on Friday afternoon.

Our national representative will be Shawn Callaway. Shawn serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind, as well as president of the National Federation of the Blind of the District of Columbia.  Shawn is also the president of the NFB National Organization of Blind Black Leaders and co-chair of the NFB Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee.  Shawn works for the federal government, where he provides programmatic support and leadership for national disability initiatives.  Shawn is loving husband to Latonya and father to his daughter, who we all call “the Princess.”  You won’t want to miss this convention, because Shawn’s banquet address promises to be exceptional.

This year, we will follow a different format from previous years.  We will begin our programming on Thursday, February 12.  As a result, buses will leave Baltimore and New Carrollton at noon.  We will kick off meetings early in the evening with the Deaf-Blind and Guide Dog Users Committee meetings. 

On Thursday evening, we will hold a training for chapter and division presidents, membership coordinators, and those interested in membership.  We will discuss the NFB membership process, the NFB of Maryland protocols for bringing in new members and keeping track of existing members, and strategies for attracting, retaining, and engaging members.  Each chapter and division should plan to send their membership coordinator and their president, but all are welcome.

On Thursday evening, we will hold our NFB of Maryland board meeting from 7:30 – 9:30 PM.  We will introduce a constitutional amendment to the membership, so this is an important meeting to attend.

Friday will be a very busy day.  Our host chapter, the Eastern Shore Chapter, will offer morning hospitality. The Resolutions Committee will meet Friday morning as well.  Those interested in submitting resolutions for the 2026 convention should send them to Chair Chris Danielsen at Cdanielsen@nfb.org by January 15, 2026.

This year, all of our chapters will meet in person at the state convention. Every convention attendee should attend a chapter meeting.  The chapters are meeting in person both to have another in-person touchpoint and so that those who have found their homes as members of divisions but have not yet joined or become active members of chapters will have the opportunity to do so at the convention.

We will also have several engaging seminars.  Jonathan Mosen will lead a technology seminar.  We will also hold a seminar entitled “Pilots of Our Own Future: Legal Tools for Autonomy, Legacy, and Care,” which will focus on wills; trusts (including special needs trusts); health care and financial directives; and other life, estate, and health planning.  We will have folks on hand to help members write to their state representatives to advocate for our 2026 state legislative priorities.

We, once again, will hold an exhibit hall, where over 30 organizations will demonstrate services and goods specifically for the blind. 

Each of our divisions will hold a seminar on Friday as well.  The Student Division seminar will provide information about self-advocacy, techniques for academic and career exploration success, and a great deal more.  The Merchants Division seminar will provide information and networking opportunities for those who are part of the Randolph-Sheppard program and for other business owners and entrepreneurs.  The Seniors Division will share information for seniors and those of any age who are new to blindness, as well as for those ready to learn the techniques of blindness and embrace a positive philosophy on blindness.  The Parents of Blind Children Division seminar will highlight important advocacy, IEP, and training information for parents of blind children, teachers of the blind, and professionals in the blindness field.

Once again, Debbie Brown and the Braille is Beautiful Players will perform a play using Braille.  This will be coupled with a pizza buffet, hence our annual “Pizza and a Play.” 

We will kick off General Session Friday evening at 7:30 PM.  This too, is a change from previous years, so please plan accordingly.

The Eastern Shore Chapter, Parents of Blind Children Division, and Students Division will host Crab Idol, which is a talent competition that promises to be a lot of fun.

We will hold a Leadership Development Breakfast for the first time on Saturday.  This will be an opportunity for current and rising leaders, as well as those interested in leadership, to network, share best practices, and engage in leadership development exercises that will be useful in their NFB work.

We will gather for General Session Saturday morning, followed by workshops for blind parents, young people, crafters, and those interested in sports and recreation.  Attendees will then attend a luncheon seminar either for parents of blind children, seniors and those losing vision, or students. 

We will then move into an interactive philosophy seminar.  The goal of this seminar is to promote a positive attitude towards blindness.  Last year’s philosophy seminar was a favorite among the convention attendees.

On Saturday afternoon, we will resume General Session, where we will hear from others in the blindness field, those who provide us with programs and services, and those who are blind who have interesting or important lived experiences to share.

The banquet on Saturday evening will be a highlight of the 2026 convention. We’ll award scholarships to the 2025 – 2026 scholarship class, we’ll present other awards, and we’ll hear an inspirational keynote address from our national representative.

On Sunday, we’ll kick off the day with our training center networking and alumni breakfast.  If you have previously attended the Louisiana Center for the Blind, Colorado Center for the Blind, BLIND, Inc. (now the Minnesota Center for the Blind), or Blind Industries and Services of Maryland, this breakfast is for you.  If you’re thinking about adjustment to blindness training, this breakfast is for you.  If you believe in high-quality adjustment to blindness training, this breakfast is for you.

We’ll hold our final General Session of the convention on Sunday morning. We’ll close out the convention with our Business Session, which will include voting on resolutions and elections. We will adjourn at 1:00 PM.

The convention will be a time to have fun and grow, a time to meet new friends and renew old friendships, and a time of inspiration and enthusiasm.  We’ll come together to celebrate the last 60 years while moving forward with intention towards the next six decades of the blind of Maryland speaking for ourselves.  Join us for the 2026 NFBMD Convention to experience the love, hope, and determination we need to make our dreams a reality.  

 

 

The BELLs Ring Once Again in Maryland

By Ronza Othman

[Editor’s Note: Our NFB Braille Enrichment in Literacy and Learning (BELL) Academy programs are arguably the most important initiatives we offer.  In 2025, we once again held NFB BELL Academies in Baltimore, Salisbury, and Southern Maryland.  Below is our 2025 NFB BELL Academy roundup.]

In 2025, our students in Maryland were able to choose from attending one of our three NFB BELL Academies in person in Baltimore, Salisbury, or Southern Maryland.  We had 21 students combined attend our programs.  Approximately half of them were first-time attendees, and the kids’ ages ranged from 4 to 13.  The theme of the 2025 NFB BELL Academy was “Bicentennial of Independence: Celebrating the Brilliance of Braille.”  Our participants received plenty of exposure to leadership, as well as Braille instruction; cane travel and orientation and mobility instruction; independent living skills; and positive philosophy from blind role models.

Our NFB BELL Academy in-person program participants who attended the Baltimore-based BELL Academy participated in a two-week day program.  Our national NFB headquarters provided space, meals, and significant support.  We were delighted that our NFBMD lead teacher, Jackie Anderson, returned this year; Jackie taught our first-ever NFB BELL Academy nearly 20 years ago and was one of the original architects of this program. Additionally, Garret Mooney served as NFB of Maryland BELL State Coordinator.  We had 12 students register for this session, and several of them joined us from other states.

Our Southern Maryland NFB BELL Academy coordinator and lead teacher was Erin Zobell, a graduate of the NFB Narrowing the Gap Program.  NFB BELL Southern Maryland had three children register for the week-long academy.

Our NFB BELL Academy in Salisbury was conducted in partnership with Blind Industries and Services of Maryland.  The Salisbury BELL Academy coordinator was Matt Yannuzzi, with significant support from Heather Guy and Danielle Earl.  Our Teacher of Blind Students was once again Mindy Damaris.  NFB BELL Salisbury hosted six children for the week-long academy.  Half of them were first-timers, and most of them were very young.

The Maryland iterations of the NFB BELL Academy would not have been possible without the generous financial support of the Nora Roberts Foundation and individual donors.  We also appreciate the incredible efforts of Garret Mooney, Brittany Bomboy, Melissa Riccobono, Melissa Sheeder, Amy Crouse, Heather Guy, Danielle Earl, Matt Yannuzzi, Jackie Anderson, Michael Gosse, Andy McIver, Mindy Dumaris, Carley Mullin, and Erin Zobell.  Our incredible volunteers handle the thousands of tasks needed to keep the program running.  We would not have been able to operate this program without volunteers like Oriana Riccobono, Sarah McCubbin-Jones, Tiana Melis, Ellana Crew, and so many others.  We are also grateful to Tammi Helm and the NFB logistics staff for the delicious lunches and on-site support.  The Independence Market staff kept us in supplies and canes for all of our programs. Karen Anderson, Maya Katherine Taylor, Jen White, and the education team ensured that we had an outstanding curriculum and provided whatever other support we needed.

The Board of Directors of the NFB of Maryland has determined that the BELLs will toll in Maryland in 2026. We are working to prepare for in-person sessions in Baltimore, Salisbury, Southern Maryland, and Montgomery County.  We hope to expand our offerings to other places throughout the state and are eager to speak with families interested in attending, as well as individuals who are interested in volunteering.

 

 

 

Perspectives on Attending an NFB National Convention: Why We Go, What We Learn, and the Lasting Changes Convention Makes

By Judy Rasmussen

[Editor’s Note: Judy Rasmussen, secretary of the NFBMD, also serves as the co-chair of the NFBMD Ambassadors’ Committee.  This committee is charged with providing first-time convention attendees with mentorship and orientation to our numerous convention activities.  Following each NFB national convention, we catch up with some first-time attendees to learn about them and their convention experience.]

Each year, we wonder who will attend the convention for the first time.  Would the fact that the convention was held in New Orleans draw more people?  The Ambassadors’ Committee and all affiliate members want to make new people feel welcome.  What will they think?  What will make the biggest impression?  What part will new attendees play in future affiliate activities?  Because the NFB is such a diverse organization, we are thankful we get to meet people of all ages and backgrounds.  This year was no exception.  The first up-and-coming leader I want to introduce is Alexis Johnson.

Alexis, a resident of Prince George’s County, obtained her bachelor’s degree in computer information, but she did not work in this field after graduation.  Instead, she worked at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, where she was in charge of ensuring that patients had the correct medications when they were discharged.  She enjoyed this job but later moved on to serve as a pharmaceutical sales representative for Paxlovid, which is often given to patients who contract COVID.

Alexis was a diabetic but took care of herself since she knew the risks of not doing so.  In 2023, she contracted COVID and had to be intubated.  Alexis is not sure exactly what caused her blindness, but doctors thought it was likely due to the effects of COVID.

Alexis could no longer do her job efficiently since it involved so much driving.  She knew that retraining would be necessary to learn independent living skills.  Alexis took the initiative and learned to use the computer with screen reading software, which she understood was absolutely necessary if she were going to live independently and become employed. 

Learning to navigate her phone using voice commands opened a world of opportunities for Alexis. Traveling independently with the white cane made her realize that she did not have to stay at home and be dependent on others to get where she wanted to go.

Alexis wanted to help other blind people learn the skills that had made such a difference in her life. She is currently teaching blind people to use JAWS screen reading software and voice commands on the iPhone at the Martin Luther King Library in the District of Columbia.  She would like to become employed full-time and support herself. It will take courage and determination to continue learning new skills, but she is motivated to do so. 

Alexis heard about the NFB at the Martin Luther King Library and decided to check it out.  She began attending chapter meetings to get to know other blind people.  When she heard about the upcoming convention, she felt it would be a great opportunity to learn about more resources, network at the career fair, and find out what people from other states were doing.

Alexis said that one of the biggest benefits she experienced at the convention was forming some real friendships.  She said she talks with people from at least three states almost daily.

Giving back to the community is an integral part of the NFB.  Alexis participated in one of the Blind Black Leaders’ activities, which involved donating supplies and taking food to a homeless shelter.  As blind people, we don’t often have the chance to be part of such events.

Alexis said some of the things she enjoyed the most were attending the Rookie Roundup, the Maryland Caucus, the cooking demonstration taught by a blind person, and the session about Meta glasses.

Alexis left the convention with a better understanding of our philosophy and a desire to become active in the Maryland affiliate.  She was recently elected as the secretary of our newly reorganized Greater Prince George’s County Chapter.  She is looking forward to serving in this role and continuing to help others learn the skills needed to become successful and independent.  We may hear more from Alexis in future Spectator articles.

The next person I’d like to introduce is Iva Rakic.  Iva Rakic applied for and was chosen as one of the finalists for a 2025 – 2026 NFBMD scholarship.  She knew nothing about the Federation when she applied.  When asked how she found the NFBMD scholarship program, she said, “I Googled ‘scholarships for blind people.’”  Sometimes Google is your friend!

Iva is not only new to the Federation; she is also new to America.  She moved to Maryland from Bosnia when she was 15.  Imagine attending high school in a strange country with low vision, learning the American education system, and not knowing what to ask for in terms of accommodations. 

Iva said that she was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a juvenile form of macular degeneration, when she was seven.  She had no accommodations in Bosnia.  Iva was determined to keep up with her schoolwork despite her vision loss, and she definitely succeeded.  She is very grateful for the help and support she has received since moving to America.

While in high school, Iva started a poetry club, which is still running.  She became active in theatre productions, working behind the scenes. Iva tried operating the lights but found that difficult.  She then helped the cast with their make-up.

Iva took advanced placement classes during high school, so upon graduation, she had already earned 22 college credits.  She is now a freshman at the University of Maryland, majoring in environmental engineering.  Iva said that traveling on a big campus has been a little challenging, but she is starting to feel more comfortable.  Sitting in a lecture hall with 200 other students and making friends at college are certainly new experiences, but she is determined to succeed.

One of the benefits of being chosen as a scholarship finalist is the opportunity to attend the national convention.  Iva said that she really had no idea what to expect.  She was a little astonished at how big the hotel was and wondered how she would get from place to place.  Iva said that one of the things she enjoyed most about her convention experience was serving as a “talking sign.”  For those who have never attended a convention, a “talking sign” is the name given to people who provide directions to get from place to place.  The talking sign may say something like, “Walk past me and turn to your left.”  Iva said it was really cool that blind people were the ones giving directions.

Iva enjoyed meeting other students and learning about all the Federation’s activities.  She said her family is happy she has found other people who are blind. 

Iva has been attending Sligo Creek Chapter meetings, and we look forward to watching her progress through school and grow into a true Federation leader. 

 

 

Coffee with an NFB Staff Member: Gary Wunder

[Editor’s Note: NFBMD is a proud state affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind.  In Maryland, we’re particularly fortunate to be the home affiliate of our national organization’s headquarters, as well as the affiliate where many members of staff at our headquarters hold membership.  Our national staff work hard to offer national programming and implement operations for the NFB, and like all our sister affiliates, we benefit from that work.  But in Maryland, we share a unique relationship with the NFB national center due to our proximity and because the staff of the NFB are often among the affiliate’s volunteers.  We will spotlight a different member of the staff in each edition of this magazine, and so we bring you: Coffee with Gary Wunder, Blindness Narrative Curator.]

Q: What is your role on the NFB staff? 

A: I am the Blindness Narrative Curator, meaning I collect oral histories of people who have made significant contributions to the organized blind people’s movement.

Q: How long have you worked for NFB? 

A: I started in June of 2010, first as the editor of the Braille Monitor, and have been working as the Blindness Narrative Curator since January 1, 2025.

Q: Tell us about your educational and/or work background. 

A: I have a Bachelor of Science degree in electronics technology and supplemental coursework in computer programming.  I have worked in a sheltered shop, a university library, a retail electronics and computer chip store, at the Columbia Daily Tribune newspaper, and for thirty-one years as a computer programmer for the University of Missouri Hospitals and Clinics.  I worked for a brief period with the Cerner Corporation until I was offered a job by then-president Marc Maurer to edit our Braille Monitor magazine.

Q: Tell us about your family to the extent you are comfortable sharing. 

A: I am married to Debbie, and together we have four children from previous marriages.  I am also the grandfather of four – three boys and one girl.  I don’t think there has ever been anything more joyful in my life than being a parent and a grandparent.

Q: What is your favorite beverage? 

A: I have never given much thought to my favorite beverage, but I think I drink more coffee and water than anything else.  I would put water in the top position, but I must admit that coffee gets me going more quickly in the morning than does water.

Q: What is your favorite food? 

A: I like seafood very much.  A meal doesn’t seem complete without some kind of meat, but it also seems lacking without a good variety of vegetables.  Generally, I concentrate on lower-carbohydrate meals, so the ideal meal for me is something that features meat, green vegetables, and perhaps a small amount of bread or a potato.

Q: What is your favorite vacation destination? 

A: I have no favorite vacation destination. I go on vacation to be with people and to share experiences for a week that goes deeply into how we think, feel, and care.  By the time the vacation is wrapping up, I am already missing them and hoping there will be another year.

Q: What is your favorite quote?  

A: “Until one has found a cause greater than himself, no man is truly whole.”

Q: What is your favorite way to spend free time? 

A: I enjoy reading, exercising, and taking long walks when the weather permits.  I also enjoy corresponding with other people, though I often find it difficult to achieve the right balance, as I either write too much or too little.

Q: What motivates you? 

A: I think I have been given a tremendous amount by the world, and that motivates me to repay those who helped me live the life I want. I am also motivated to do what I can to see that others have the good life I have had.  There is a third and less glamorous answer to this question: I do not like to be bored and consider it a poor excuse for how to spend my life. So, perhaps what motivates me speaks less to what I want to do for other people and more to a sense of self-preservation.

Q: If you could pick which actor played you in the movie about your life, who would it be? 

A: Jimmy Stewart is one of my favorite actors, and I have always enjoyed his sincerity and the roles he plays that seem to care so much about other people.

Q: What is your favorite part about your job? 

A: I love conducting oral histories that allow me to hear the voices of people who have been important in our movement and to ask questions that reveal material they are unlikely to write.  It is a pleasure to get paid to talk with people I would love to talk with anyway and to have them feel flattered that someone cares enough to seek out their oral history.  I am not sure a job can get any better than that.

Q: What is your least favorite part about your job? 

A: There is a certain amount of coordination involved in figuring out where all of the interviews we have done are stored, getting them into a single comprehensive listing, and ensuring that what we think we have actually exists in terms of audio.  If funding permitted, I would gladly pay a secretary to do this part of my job.

Q: What is one really memorable experience you’ve had during your time with NFB? 

A: I had heard a great deal about how Dr. Kenneth Jernigan so dominated staff and members that I was struck, during a visit to the newly acquired building in 1978, by watching him confer with staff about how the space should be designed. He took a minute or two to suggest where walls should be constructed, where offices and storage spaces should go, and how the large room should be laid out.  I was impressed.  He had clearly given the matter a great deal of thought.

What impressed me even more, however, was what happened next.  A staff member named Mary Ellen Anderson said, “I think there is a better way to do this.  Let me show you.”  She went to a cane bin, withdrew a long cane, and began tapping in the areas he had indicated.  She explained why something should not go in one place and why it would work better somewhere else.  She continued for two or three minutes.  When she put the cane back in the bin, there were about ten seconds of silence, and I wondered how Dr. Jernigan would react to what was a polite but clear rejection of his architectural suggestions.

It did my heart good to hear him say, “I think those are wonderful ideas.  Now let me ask you some questions about them.” A cane came out of the bin again, he pointed and tapped in turn, and the same person who had made the revisions answered his questions to his satisfaction.

I realized then that part of the reason Kenneth Jernigan was considered a great man by staff and members alike was not just because he had good ideas and was willing to work hard for them.  He also understood that other people had good ideas, sought them out, and was willing to put his weight behind implementing them when they were better than his own. I learned more from that demonstration about the value of speaking out than I could ever have learned from a lecture.

I have often heard people say they have ideas they do not wish to share because they consider themselves too politically savvy to risk their future in the organization.  These are often the same people who say we are rigid and not open to suggestions.  I have said things with which the leadership has not agreed, but it has only ever been my ideas that were rejected, never me.

Sometimes, suggestions I have made have been adopted as policy, and sometimes, it has become clear to me that those which were not adopted would not have helped the organization and reflected a wisdom I did not yet have.

Q: If you could give the membership one piece of advice, what would it be? 

A: Spend part of each day thinking about what you can do to further the work of the Federation in both our present and our future.  We have a tremendous ability to do good and, therefore, a tremendous responsibility to do it.

What values do we cling to, and what changes do we accept, understanding that nothing living and vital ever stays the same?  I love this organization and the people in it, and though I hope I would recognize it in 2125, I hope even more that it is shaped by and meets the needs of people in that generation.  I do not want blind people to have to start from scratch to build what we have now, but I also do not want us to so revere what exists that we fail to tackle what can and must be if we are to remain relevant.

 

 

Leaving No Blind Person Behind: Advocating for Raising the Property Tax Exemption for Blind Homeowners

By Sharon Maneki

 [Editor’s Note: One of our legislative priorities in 2025 was to raise the Maryland Blind Homeowners’ Tax Exemption from $15,000 annually to $40,000 annually. Below is information on our efforts and how we succeeded through collective action.  Governor Moore signed the bill into law in May 2025, and it became effective July 1, 2025.]

One of the core values of the Federation is championing collective action. The NFB of Maryland demonstrated collective action through advocacy in our quest to get the property tax exemption for blind homeowners raised for the first time in 25 years.  We commend Ben Danforth for bringing this problem to our attention, and we salute Bernice Lowder, Ben Danforth, and Ed Jackson for helping to persuade the General Assembly to take action.  Here are the arguments they made before the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.

Bernice Lowder offered the following:

I am here to ask you to support SB911.  First, I want to thank you for giving blind people a property tax exemption.  I have been in my home since 1976, and the exemption has been a big help to me over these many years. 

I needed the tax exemption when I worked for Johns Hopkins Hospital as a medical transcriber in the pathology department.  Even though I had a job, I still needed the support of the blind exemption.  I stopped working to raise my three children.  This change in income made me more dependent on the tax exemption. Unfortunately, I am too old to work now. 

Last year I called Baltimore City to see if I had lost the exemption because the taxes were so high.  The department explained that I was still getting it.  Please vote in favor of SB911 so that I and other blind seniors can stay in our homes.

Ben Danforth explained the need this way:

Good afternoon, members of the Committee.  My name is Ben Danforth, and I am a resident of Rockville in Montgomery County and a member of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland.  I am here today to urge you to support HB910, which will increase the property tax exemption for blind homeowners for the first time in 25 years.  As a blind homeowner, I can attest that this modest exemption can help make the dream of home ownership – and all the benefits that come with home ownership – more attainable for blind Marylanders.

My wife and I bought our first and current home in 2019 because we wanted to settle down after years of renting and grow our family. However, my blindness made the home-buying process even more complex and expensive than it normally is because it added certain requirements.  For example, since I cannot drive, our home needed to be near public transit so that I could get to work, medical appointments, and stores.  Our home also needed to be near schools so that I could drop off and pick up our four children.  Having a home with access to good sidewalks and road crossings was also important so that I could travel around safely and take our children to places like a neighborhood park.  We were fortunate to find a home that met all these requirements, and the property tax exemption provided some extra help in making our home purchase a reality.

Now, some may ask why blind Marylanders need extra financial assistance with home ownership.  From my work as an economist, I can tell you that the median annual income of households with blind members is over 40 percent lower than that for other households.  Moreover, survey data for homeowners with disabilities suggests that over 60 percent of blind homeowners spend more than 30 percent of their monthly incomes on housing costs, and the rapid rise in home prices and related expenses in recent years have most likely made this financial strain worse.

To help blind Marylanders overcome these financial obstacles and become or remain homeowners, I ask you to support the property tax exemption increase contained in HB910.  Home ownership can provide blind Marylanders with more opportunities to live independently, form families, build wealth, and become full members of their communities.  Increasing the property tax exemption will put home ownership and all its benefits within reach for more blind Marylanders.  Please vote in favor of HB910.

Ed Jackson made the following statement:

Please support HB910, a bill that will raise the tax exemption for the blind to $40,000.  I am a veteran whose military career spans 22 years, active service U.S. army from 1973-77 and army reserves from 1977-95, encompassing Vietnam and Desert Storm.  I lost my vision in 2005.  I appreciate the veterans’ benefits that I have; in many instances, they don’t go far enough.  However, I believe that the blindness exemption is very necessary. 

I learned about the property exemption from other blind people. I have been using it since I went blind 20 years ago.  The exemption has not been raised since 2000, while my property taxes have gone up considerably over that period of time, as well as the increasing costs to maintain and upgrade my property.  In 2019, I needed a bigger home, a multigenerational home to accommodate taking care of my adult disabled son until his death in 2022, and my recently widowed daughter who needed a place to live with her three teenage children.  We needed a large home, and while this property tax exemption helped, the value of my home is $600,000.  As you can see, I could use a raise in the property tax exemption.

The way the government spends money reflects the values of society.  Blind people need a helping hand.  Please support HB910.

 

 

Adventure in Annapolis

By Shawn Jacobson

[Editor’s Note: Every year, the NFB of Maryland holds an advocacy day at the Maryland General Assembly in our state capital of Annapolis.  We hold this legislative advocacy day within the first eight days of the session so that we can start strong by having our members, who are constituents, educate their elected state officials on issues of importance to the blind. We can then use the rest of the 90-day legislative session to focus on following up, providing oral and written testimony on our priorities and to keep bad bills from moving forward, and generally doing the work of a good advocacy organization in making sure our elected representatives hear us.  Shawn Jacobson has served as a team lead for our Annual Day in Annapolis for many years. Below is a description from Shawn’s perspective on what took place at the 2025 NFBMD Day in Annapolis.]

We stood at the entrance to the Lowe office building, waiting for someone to open the door.  “Please let us in,” we said to a lady entering the building.

Yes, we had awakened early to assure that we were on time.  In my case, it was before 4:30 AM.  My wife and I got to the meeting place for our group at the New Carrollton Metro stop, the Amtrak lounge, just before 6:30 and the van soon arrived to take us to Annapolis for a day of talking to legislators about our issues.

For me, preparation began three days ago.  On Monday, we had two conference calls.  The first, for team leaders, covered team logistics such as when you take photographs with legislators, who to send them to, and what hashtag you should use.  We also discussed how the team report should be given.

 

The meeting for all team members covered the issues we planned to discuss, as well as things people needed for Annapolis, such as a photo ID to be admitted into the office building.  Business attire was also required since this was a business environment.  I made sure to find my sport coat, tie, tie clip, and a good shirt.  This required some effort since I am retired and do not go to an office on a daily basis.

 

One more act of preparation was needed.  I needed to bring a small bag of candy in case someone on my team had an insulin reaction.  My experience told me that such things were a possibility to guard against.  With these advanced preparations, I felt ready for the day.

 

Soon we were admitted and security agreed to process our early group of advocates.  Once we passed through security, we walked the short distance to the Judiciary Committee room.  Being early allowed us to pick out choice seats as we waited for the work of the day to begin.

 

On the way to Annapolis, those of us who were team leaders had gotten our team assignments.  I would have four team members to lead through the day, including one member who was our dedicated photo taker.  Now, I sought out my team as I waited for our bag with its folders. Each legislator gets one folder. On the right side of the folder is a miscellaneous collection of items we give people to understand blindness issues. This includes the courtesy rules of blindness, a form for our scholarship program, and one of our Kernel books.  The left side contains the fact sheet for our issues.

 

This year we had six issues.  One request was for an increase in the property tax exemption for blind people.  Another was to pass a bill that would allow the testing and use of autonomous vehicles; this will solve our issues with discrimination from rideshare drivers. We were also asking the legislature to keep our appropriation to our Center for Excellence in Nonvisual Access. Even though there was a deficit, I was hopeful that this would be supported, partially because legislators used this center in the past when they needed Braille business cards and other Braille materials.

 

The other three issues involved setting up a commission to study ways to make voting by mail both accessible and secure, setting up a grant program for service animal trainers, and providing Braille or tactile flags for veteran cemeteries.  While thinking of the issues, I heard my name called; my bag was ready.

 

I wondered what the schedule would be.  I wanted to prepare myself for our travels and find the best way to make it to our assigned offices with minimal walking. I looked through my bag to see what my schedule was, but I didn’t see one.

 

“Where is my schedule?” I asked.

 

“It’s coming,” said Ronza, our state president. Sure enough, I got a folder with a schedule of the offices I was supposed to visit.

 

In previous years, the hour between 9:00 and 10:00 AM was the busiest hour for meetings.  But now, the heaviest time for meetings was 11:00 AM to noon.  My schedule showed that our first meeting was at 9:30 and our second was at 10:00.  At the bottom of the list, I saw three senators with a “0” for our meeting time. These were legislators for whom we were not able to set up a time.  Since it would be a while before our first scheduled appointment, I decided to try to get some of these unscheduled appointments set up.  “Early and often” is my rule for visiting such offices.

 

In the next two hours, we were able to have four meetings, but none with the actual senator.  One aide in an office with a “0” appointment time barely listened to us; he seemed to want us out the door as soon as possible.  The other three aides we spoke to were pleasant enough, but it was hard to know if that meant that the legislator would be supportive.

 

Our third scheduled meeting took us from the James building, where most senators have offices, to the Miller building, where committee chairs and some other senators work.  “It’s Miller time!” I joked as we headed to our next appointment.

 

We were scheduled to have meetings with three senators and three delegates between 10:45 and 11:30, but we only got to speak to aides.  I prompted team members to speak about our requests because I didn’t want to talk all the time.  I also believe that a good leader involves the whole team if possible.  The presentation we shared resulted in polite responses from the aides, but again, it was hard to know just where their legislator would stand on our issues.

 

We saw our first and only senator when we returned to the James building for a noon meeting.  Senator Benson has always been one of our great friends, so we were glad to see her.  I judged it worth the wait for her to invite us into her office.

 

After we spoke, the senator perused our folder. Then she got excited. 

 

“I didn’t realize you had a scholarship program,” she exclaimed.  She asked us how we fund the program, and we discussed our fundraisers.

 

“Why haven’t you told us about these fundraisers before?” she asked.  “We should all know about them.”

 

After a lengthy meeting, we got her support on all our issues.  The next meeting was set for 12:30 in the Miller building.  By the time we got to the appointment, we were 30 minutes late and we missed the senator, who had to run to a committee meeting.  Oh well, we got to talk to her aide.  One more meeting with an aide and it was time for lunch.

 

We got to the cantina just before 2:00, expecting to have missed the lunch rush.  However, we found the place crowded with members of other teams who also had a lengthy break before their next meetings.  I settled in to get my lunch, grateful that we only had two meetings left, one scheduled for 4:00 PM and one that was yet to be scheduled.

 

After lunch and a rest, we got to our last meetings. The first of these was with one of the senators with whom we did not have a set time.  The senator was busy all day, so we settled for talking to an aide. Then, we reached the office where our final appointment was scheduled, only to find that the senator had gone to her daughter’s track meet.  And so, we ended our day of advocacy with one more cheerful but noncommittal aide.  I had our designated photographer text the rest of the teams that we were finished, and we headed to the NFB van that would take us to supper.

 

Buddy’s, the restaurant where we were having our evening meal, sits atop a jewelry store.  When we left the van, we were directed to the door and up the stairs to the dining area.  The restaurant provides a view of the harbor, but we didn’t stop to look.

 

After a good meal (I had the cheeseburger and cream of crab soup), we got down to the real purpose of our group meal, which was for each of the team leaders to report on their advocacy.  Our schedule this year was ambitious, as we don’t usually have six issues.  The team reports ran long.  We were supposed to rank each legislator on each of the issues from one to five, five being the most favorable rating.  We were also supposed to say who we thought would co-sponsor the bills that required co-sponsors.

My report felt weak, as we only met with one senator.  I also did not always get the names of the aides we spoke to.  I explained that I prioritized talking to people over getting the names of aides.  Leaders must prioritize things, though my prioritization is not always the best. Finally, with a great deal of relief, I ended my report and thanked my team members.  I called my wife to pick me up at the restaurant.  Finally, almost eighteen hours after I got out of bed, we returned home.  The Annapolis adventure was over for another year.

 

Looking back, I think that the day was worthwhile. We did not get to see as many legislators as I would have hoped, but in each office, we talked to someone about our issues.  What may be even more important is that we showed people in Annapolis how competent blind folk can work together to put together a highly complex program of information on blindness issues.  This may be the most lasting and most worthwhile thing we accomplished.

 

 

Student Spotlight: Akliesia Techome

[Editor’s Note: Akliesia Techome first met the NFB when she participated in the NFB Career Mentoring Program.  Akliesia was one of the 2025 National Federation of the Blind National Scholarship recipients.  She is a junior at Boston University, earning a degree in business administration with a minor in data sciences.  Below is Akliesia’s scholarship application essay, which will introduce Akliesia in her own words.]

 

The morning dew clung to the chilly air as I clutched my mother's hand tightly.  "It will be your turn soon to have your vision restored," my mother whispered before releasing my hand, letting the priests begin their prayers and baptism ritual.

The Orthodox Christian Church had long been the bedrock of my identity.  Much of my childhood was spent in candlelit chapels, where flames danced along ancient stone walls.  I used to believe I could catch those flickering lights.  But as I grew, that light dimmed.  What once lit my path became a shadow – a faith that no longer comforted but consumed.

Glaucoma was the diagnosis that changed everything.  The reality of blindness descended like an eclipse.  Yet, my mother, with unwavering resolve, gathered resources to prepare me for a future none of us had imagined.

On trips back to Ethiopia, I saw how blindness was misunderstood.  People were cast aside, begging on street corners, stripped of dignity. My blindness, seen as divine punishment, became a heavy source of shame.  Society prescribed limited roles, and I felt torn between the potential I sensed within myself and the constraints my culture assigned.  We clung to faith, hoping for healing.  When prayers went unanswered, my mother pivoted – finding Braille tutors, enrolling me in training programs, and introducing me to successful blind adults who shattered the stereotypes I had internalized.

Still, I lived between two worlds: one that believed I was broken and another that offered glimpses of who I could become.  My mother equipped me with nonvisual tools yet passed down echoes of sorrow.  She introduced me to the NFB, but every Sunday, we prayed for my sight to return.  Suspended between shame and hope, I internalized the belief that something in me needed fixing.  As my connection to faith flickered, so did my sense of self.

During my adolescence, I relied on friends to navigate my surroundings.  I chose classes I could manage with limited tech skills and withdrew from social spaces.

Everything changed when I moved away for university.  Without the familiar scaffolding of home, I crumbled.  My blindness, once a quiet part of me, suddenly felt all-consuming. On the brink of academic failure, I reached out to Ronza Othman, a childhood mentor.  Her advice was life-altering: take a semester off and attend the Louisiana Center for the Blind.

On November 12, 2023, I requested a leave of absence.  A few months later, I arrived in the charming town of Ruston, Louisiana.  That spring, I stepped into a world where blindness wasn't tragic or triumphant – just one part of me.  My instructors became architects of possibility.  I went from hesitating at dorm doors to confidently crossing chaotic intersections and preparing meals for forty.  When I graduated in October, I left not just with skills, but with a new spark.  I had found a community that didn't just accept me – they celebrated me.

My growing confidence led me deeper into the National Federation of the Blind and the National Association of Blind Students (NABS).  I took on leadership roles, co-chaired the content creation and fundraising committees, and was selected as the spotlight speaker for the 2024 NABS Business Seminar.  These experiences strengthened my voice and deepened my commitment to advocacy.

With renewed direction, I began pursuing my academic and professional goals with intention.  In the fall, I completed an internship at the City University of New York.  I worked with engineers, contributing to the development of virtual and augmented reality technology while consulting on accessibility improvements.

Now, as I resume my studies, I've chosen to major in business with a minor in data science.  My goal is to bridge accessibility, technology, and consulting.  I want to help organizations implement inclusive, sustainable solutions.  My growing expertise and leadership skills uniquely position me to drive meaningful change in how companies approach access and equity.

My journey from shame to pride taught me that our deepest challenges carry the embers of our greatest strengths.  I once believed church candles had to be lit for me.  But now I understand: the light was never gone.  It was always within me, waiting for me to see it, embrace it, and to let it shine.

 

 

Chapter Spotlight: Maryland Association of Blind Merchants

 

By Melba Taylor and Ronza Othman

 

[Editor’s Note: The Maryland affiliate has a rich and varied history that is not widely known.  As we move forward with our membership initiative, we will continue highlighting a particular chapter or division in each edition of this publication. After all, members are the lifeblood of our organization, and chapters and divisions help build the foundation for membership.  Since the Spring 2019 issue, we have been spotlighting a Maryland chapter or division in each issue to share how that chapter or division originated, what makes it unique, and other interesting information about it.  In this edition, we introduce you to the Maryland Association of Blind Merchants.]

 

The Maryland Association of Blind Merchants (MABM), also known as the Merchants Division, received its charter of affiliation as a division of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in May 2017. 

 

MABM is a membership organization of blind entrepreneurs and blind people who are self-employed under the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Program. MABM serves as an advocacy and support group that provides information regarding rehabilitation, resource referral services, networking and business development opportunities, and other issues which directly affect blind business owners.  MABM holds periodic meetings and events throughout the year.

The purpose of the MABM is: 1.) to serve as an active division of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland; 2.) to function as a mechanism through which blind entrepreneurs and interested sighted persons can come together in local and state meetings to plan and carry out programs to improve business opportunities and quality of life for the blind; 3.) to provide a means of collective action for blind business people; 4.) to promote the vocational, economic, business, cultural, and social advancement of the blind; 5.) to maximize opportunities under the Randolph-Sheppard Act; 6.) to strengthen and enhance the Maryland Business Enterprise Program for the Blind (MBEPB); and 7.) to take such other action as will improve the overall condition and standard of living of the blind.

MABM currently has a total of 47 members.  Officers are Melba Taylor, President; Earl Smith, Vice President; Tassie Thompson, Secretary; and Kehinde Dawodu, Treasurer.  Dr. Michael Gosse and Tyrone Bullock serve on the Board of Advisors.

MABM was the brainchild of Melba Taylor, who was instrumental in establishing the division.  She was supported for many years by Steve Brand, Michael Bullis, Michael Gosse, and Don Morris, who served on the MABM Board of Directors.

Melba has served as a mentor to many merchants.  She often contributes her time and talents to help new business owners with the operational aspects of being a blind vendor.  Melba is always available to help long-time vendors as well. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped numerous blind business owners from Maryland and other states rethink how to keep their businesses operating given all the challenges the pandemic brought. 

Steve Brand, who served as vice president for many years, offered support and ideas to the division.  He also had a strong blindness philosophy, which grew throughout his time on the NFB staff prior to becoming a Randolph-Sheppard vendor. 

Michael Bullis served in various roles on the board and was well known for his work in helping to connect blind business owners with movers and shakers in their local community.  Mike believed that the key to a strong business was cultivating and maintaining strong connections. 

Don Morris brought much expertise to the division.  Having served as a very successful Randolph-Sheppard vendor for many decades and through many seasons of change, he was the elder statesman of the group.  He was always happy to give a piece of advice or constructive feedback when other members asked for his advice.

Michael Gosse also provided quiet support and leadership for the division. He was always available to perform the nuts and bolts of the division’s work.  He mentored business owners and connected them to appropriate resources and support to ensure they succeeded.

Many others have been important in the establishment and development of this division.  Although they are not named here, their contributions were still critical to the work of the division.

MABN holds a fall conference, a winter meeting and networking event at the state convention, and a summer networking event each year.  As business owners, the members of MABN know that connection is critical to the success of their businesses; more importantly, they know that they can depend on the support and friendship of their fellow blind vendors to help them overcome challenges and celebrate their success.

 

 

Remembering John Cheadle

 [Editor’s Note: John Cheadle was a member of the NFB of Maryland for many decades.  He was a member of the Greater Baltimore Chapter since his arrival in Maryland and joining the NFB staff.  He then became one of the founding members of the Towson/Lutherville/Cockeysville (TLC) Chapter, where he remained engaged and involved until his passing in 2024. John also worked for the NFB staff as the Executive Director of Program Facilities, and he served as a reader / driver for the NFB of Maryland.  You can read more about John’s work to support the organized blind movement in the Summer 2025 edition of this magazine, as he was the recipient, posthumously, of the Rachel Olivero Accessibility Innovation Award. Nonetheless, here is part of John Cheadle’s obituary and excerpts of an article from the Vehicles for Change website.  John was a wonderful person, and his legacy is extremely meaningful.]

John’s Obituary: 

 

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of John Arthur Cheadle, age 79, beloved husband, father, neighbor, and friend on Friday, October 25th, 2024.  It is also with great joy that we celebrate the rich and singular life he shared with us, and the many profound ways that his presence influenced and forever changed those he loved, his local community, and the entire nation. 

John dedicated his life to advancing equality, opportunity, and security for the nation’s blind and to serving his community. John was a Renaissance man.  A skilled engineer, psychologist, counselor, woodworker, mechanic, manager of people, lover of Russian literature, project manager, antique car enthusiast, teacher, and builder, he dedicated his life, his heart, and his many skills and talents to advancing equality, opportunity, and security for the nation’s blind and to serving his community.

John started working at the age of 12 as a paperboy – and he never stopped.  During high school, he sometimes worked as many as three jobs at a time: gas station attendant, soda jerk at the PX, factory worker, and auctioneer’s assistant, among others.  As a child and adolescent, John was an avid boy scout.

In 1973, he took a position with the Nebraska Service for the Visually Impaired, working as a mobility teacher, woodshop instructor, abacus teacher, rehabilitation counselor, and eventually, supervisor of the Omaha Regional Office.

Through his work with the blind, John discovered the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and attended his first NFB National Convention in 1975.  It was through his involvement in the NFB that John met Barbara Arlene Roberts.  They married on June 26, 1976. 

John worked in state agencies for the blind and visually impaired in Nebraska, Missouri, and Idaho, where he was the Assistant Director of the Idaho Commission for the Blind.

John and Barbara’s first two children, John Earl and Charles “Chaz” joined the family while they were living in Nebraska.  Their third child, Anna, joined while they lived in Missouri.

In 1985, John accepted a position at the headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, MD.  Soon, John was named Executive Director of Program Facilities for the NFB headquarters.

John played a major role in ongoing renovations of the original facility, culminating with the construction of the 180,000 square foot addition of the Jernigan Institute.  Additionally, he gave tours of the facilities, assisted with woodshop and cane travel demonstrations, and was involved in several special projects, such as the Blind Driver Challenge, over the years.  John influenced the direction of the organization through his uncanny ability to connect pedagogy, building maintenance, and movement philosophy.

In addition to his work at the national headquarters, John was also active in his state affiliate, the NFB of Maryland, and in the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children, established in 1985 as a division of the NFB.  John served as volunteer driver, fundraising auctioneer, audit committee reader, banquet night logistician, and so much more.

In recognition of their lifetime of service and unique contributions to the movement, John and Barbara were presented with the Jacobus tenBroek Award at the 2009 NFB National Convention in Detroit, MI. 

John was also active in his local scouting Troop 456, serving as treasurer and in other leadership roles long after son Charles, “Chaz,” achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and aged out of scouting.

John had a lifelong love of trees.  He planted five “rescue” saplings in the yard around his home and grew them into full-size trees.  He was also heavily involved in a project planting trees in and around his home community of Catonsville, MD. 

John leaves a legacy both broad and deep, one of buildings constructed and maintained, minds educated, machines fixed, rights won, and lives transformed.  His family of origin and his found family within the organized blindness movement will miss him greatly.

Rest in power, John Arthur Cheadle.

 

A Heartfelt Legacy – Barbara’s Story (Excerpts from Vehicles for Change, March 28, 2025) 

 

As Vehicles for Change wraps up 25 Stories for 25 Years, one story stood out – one that touched the hearts of all who heard it. It was a story of love, dedication, and a beautiful legacy left behind. 

It all began in the lobby of Vehicles for Change. Barbara C. had just completed the donation of her Dodge Caravan when Lori, the Marketing Director, overheard the final moments of a conversation between Barbara and the Donations Coordinator.  After a brief exchange, Lori, sensing something special about Barbara, asked, “I would love five minutes to chat with you about why you donated your car today.” 

Barbara and her husband, John, had been married for 48 wonderful years.  Their love for one another was the kind you see in movies – a deep, lasting bond that carried them through a life filled with beautiful moments.  They met in Nebraska, where they built their life together, raising children, sharing dreams, and always having each other’s backs. 

John had a special gift for all things automotive. He went to school to study mechanics and soon became the go-to expert when it came to fixing cars.  Their family car was no exception – whenever something needed fixing, John was there with his tools, ready to get the job done. Even the parking brake was no match for his skillful hands. 

John’s passion for cars wasn’t just a hobby; it was his calling.  He worked tirelessly to give back, and in time, he became the Executive Director of Program Facilities at the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore.  But his commitment to helping others didn’t stop there.  Alongside Barbara, President Emerita of the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children, they worked in partnership with the blind toward the goals of equality and independence. 

One of John’s proudest accomplishments was his role in the Blind Driver Challenge.  As the instructor, he taught blind individuals how to drive.  John was there, guiding them, teaching them, and helping them realize that the road ahead was theirs to navigate, no matter the obstacles.

In 2016, after years of giving, Barbara and John made the decision to donate their beloved Ford to Vehicles for Change.  They wanted to give a family in need the same opportunity they had – to have reliable transportation and the freedom to move forward.  The organization’s mission, to train individuals in the automotive field, was something that resonated deeply with them, and they knew that their donation would make a difference. 

But in October 2024, Barbara’s world was shaken. John, the love of her life, passed away. The pain was unbearable, but Barbara knew that she wanted to honor John’s memory in a way that reflected the incredible man he was – a man who spent his life helping others, who believed in the power of giving back, and who always found a way to make a difference. 

So, Barbara made another decision.  She donated their Dodge Caravan to Vehicles for Change, following in John’s footsteps, continuing their shared commitment to making the world a better place. 

For Barbara, this was more than just a car donation.  It was a way to keep John’s spirit alive, a way to ensure that his legacy of service, love, and compassion would continue to make a difference for others. 

Barbara’s second donation wasn’t just a car.  It was a tribute – a tribute to a husband who gave so much, to a love that never wavered, and to a legacy that will continue to drive change for years to come. 

 

 

As a Prosecutor in Baltimore, Garret Mooney Tries Misdemeanor Cases.  He Also Happens to Be Blind. 

 

By Dylan Segelbaum

 

Published in The Baltimore Banner on April 21, 2025

Available at: https://www.thebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/garret-mooney-blind-baltimore-prosecutor-GO6X3R3DYFHIBAJGTTZZYODEZA/

[Editor’s note: Garret Mooney is a member of the NFB of Maryland Board of Directors.  He is also president of the Maryland Organization of Parents of Blind Children. By day, he works as a prosecutor for the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office.  The Baltimore Banner published the article below about Garret on April 21, 2025.]

Inside a courtroom in downtown Baltimore, Assistant State’s Attorney Garret Mooney approached the witness stand, retrieved the exhibit, and prepared to show the photo to the jury.

Mooney was prosecuting a 25-year-old man on charges stemming from a high-speed chase.

Last summer, the police helicopter, Foxtrot, trailed a stolen 2024 Acura Integra as it crisscrossed the city.

Baltimore Police arrested the man after they allege he ditched a gun in a pile of wood, took off his sweatshirt, and sat on the front steps of a home on Cliftview Avenue in Darley Park to blend into the crowd.

Mooney slowly walked from right to left down the length of the jury box, holding up a photo of the stolen car.

“If you don’t see it,” Mooney told jurors, “just let me know.”

But Mooney could not see the photo himself.

Since 2024, Mooney, 31, has served as an assistant state’s attorney in the Misdemeanor Jury Trial Unit. He handles cases in Baltimore Circuit Court ranging from assault to burglary to drug possession.  He started his career in the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office as a law clerk and views his role to achieve public safety while safeguarding the Constitution.

He also happens to be blind.

Though it’s unclear how many attorneys in the United States are blind or visually impaired because nobody tracks it, he’s likely not among a large number.

In Prince George’s County, there is one assistant state’s attorney who’s blind.  David S. Tatel served for almost 30 years as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and wrote a memoir called Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice.

“The biggest misconception is we can’t do the work, whether it’s in office or in the courtroom,” said Dave Adams, treasurer of the American Association of Visually Impaired Attorneys, an international nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. that has about 50 members.  “We are as capable as a sighted person to do whatever is necessary to provide the best for our clients or on the bench.”

Mooney grew up in Mesa, Arizona, and was born with cataracts, a cloudy area in the lens of the eye.  His blindness is hereditary.

At 3, Mooney developed glaucoma.  He experienced a retinal detachment at 5 or 6 and lost vision in his right eye.  Then he endured another one at 7 in his left eye.

At 14, Mooney underwent a cornea transplant at the Doheny Eye Institute, which greatly improved his vision.  But that would be short-lived.

One day, Mooney was leaving math class when he ran into a student who suddenly stopped in front of him. A blood vessel in his left eye burst. He experienced a retinal detachment and from various operations, developed scar tissue.

Now, although he has light perception, for all intents and purposes, he’s totally blind.

To Mooney, it was not a “big emotional thing.”  He accepted what happened.  Instead, he pivoted his interests, finding speech and debate and Model United Nations.

As a student at Mountain View High School, Mooney thought about various careers.  Lawyer.  Foreign affairs officer.  International relations professor.

Mooney decided to become an attorney, and he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science in 2017 from Arizona State University.

He found the law interesting.  It’s history and government wrapped into one, and it’s always complex.

But he took the Law School Admission Test, or LSAT, and did not score well.  So, he researched where he could get accepted.  The University of Baltimore School of Law was on the list.

“I gave my wife a list of schools and said, ‘I don’t care where we go.  I just want the degree,’” Mooney said.  “She picked the school.  She chose Baltimore.  And I was like, ‘Thank God she chose Baltimore.’”

His wife, Brittany Bomboy, who’s also blind, was a military child and wanted to be closer to family in Virginia and Pennsylvania.  He didn’t like the hot weather in Arizona, anyway.  They met in 2013 at the Colorado Center for the Blind.

In law school, Mooney said, he was one of two students who were blind in his class.  He participated in the Bronfein Family Law Clinic and completed internships at the Maryland Office of the Public Defender and with a solo practitioner in Baltimore, Phillip Corey Levin.

Levin recalled that he received a call from one of his former interns, Kate Anderson, who worked at the law school and was having trouble placing a student.

During the call, Levin asked Anderson to come clean.  That’s when she told him the student was blind.

“That’s it.  Send him my way,” Levin said he told Anderson.  “Not a problem.”

In the wrong hands, Levin thought, Mooney might not get off to a successful start in his legal career.

Levin learned that Mooney lived near his law office and had access to software to help him do the job. He uses a screen reader called Job Access with Speech, or JAWS, which allows him to read through text-to-speech or a refreshable Braille display that connects to his laptop.

During his internship, Mooney worked on a case in Harford County in which law enforcement had pulled over a woman for a wellness check and then arrested her on a charge of driving under the influence of narcotics.

“‘I don’t see a problem with the police pulling over someone from a wellness check,’” Levin remembers Mooney telling him.

“‘What side are you on?’” Levin said he replied.

He explained they were being paid to protect people against overzealous prosecution and needed to research the issue.  Their client had been experiencing a medical issue earlier outside a drugstore, but she was not impaired.

Mooney conducted research, he said, and came to a realization: law enforcement had performed an illegal traffic stop.

Prosecutors dropped the case.

Mooney, he said, helped him become a better explainer.  Levin said he now views people and the world in a different light.

“Garret may have been blind, but in a lot of ways, I think I was blinder,” Levin said.  “Garret taught me how to see in this process.  I think I’m a better lawyer because of this experience.”

When Mooney earned his law degree in 2021, Levin suggested he apply to the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office.

“It was more or less: I need a job.  You get great trial experience as a prosecutor.  Why not?” Mooney said.  “Then I can go do family law and be done with it.”

Instead, he found his calling.

In 2021, Mooney started as a law clerk in the Conviction Integrity Unit.  He reviewed trial transcripts and drafted responses for attorneys.

He later applied to work in the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City and started in 2022 as an assistant state’s attorney at the Edward F. Borgerding Court Building on Wabash Avenue in Northwest Baltimore.

Mooney said his first trial involved a man whom police had arrested after spotting a bulge, patting him down and finding a gun.  A judge gave him two years in jail.

“I remember sitting there, standing there as a prosecutor, and I’m like, ‘I just sent this man to jail for two years.  Holy s---,’” Mooney said.  “That’s a big deal.”

The outcome stuck with him all night.

To this day, Mooney still thinks about that case and the importance of ensuring that police follow the law.  He said he talks with new officers about their immense power and reminds them that, whenever they conduct a traffic stop, they’re “going on a date with the Constitution.”

“You need to be both respectful and nervous,” Mooney said, “because you want to ensure you don’t violate their rights.”

His most memorable trial, though, was “the cat one.”

A woman alleged that a neighbor violated a peace order by hissing at her cat named Trouble.  “That,” Mooney said, “was a fat not guilty.”

Assistant State’s Attorney Justin Dickman, chief of district court for the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office, served as Mooney’s direct supervisor at the time and recounted that his confidence level was “light-years ahead of some of his colleagues.”

So much so in the beginning that in court he almost came off as too aggressive.

At first, there were a lot of people who doubted him because of his blindness: judges, defense attorneys, and even other assistant state’s attorneys, Dickman said.

“He, very quickly, shut them all up with his skill, his acumen and, really, his hard work,” Dickman said.

Mooney, he said, is relentless and holds his own.

His passion and dedication to justice are infectious, said Assistant State’s Attorney Doug Vey, building chief of the Borgerding Court Building.

Vey said Mooney served as an “amazing role model for the new prosecutors.”

“Whether you were a brand-new prosecutor or someone like me who’s been doing this for 20-plus years, he inspired us all to do better,” Vey said.  “He really had that curiosity, kept that dedication, for justice.”

In 2024, Mooney moved to the Misdemeanor Jury Trial Unit, where he carries about 40 to 60 cases.

“He is a public servant at heart,” said Assistant State’s Attorney Michelle Battle, one of his supervisors.

Because he perceives the world differently than people who can see, Mooney said, he can tell a lot about what’s happening in body camera video from the sound alone.

He said he will call officers, ask them what they observed, and take notes.  Then he will confer with a paralegal, Stacey Small, to see if that matches up with the footage.

If a case is going to trial, Mooney arrives early on the first day to figure out where the jury box and witness stand are located.  He said he wants to smoothly present his case.

The jury commissioner provides him with a USB drive containing questionnaires potential jurors fill out online so he can read them.

Mooney said he does not view himself as an inspiration.

He said he tells his colleagues that, if they went blind, they’d figure it out.  How he lives is just different.

“If a blind person has the proper tools and techniques,” he said, “blindness is reduced to a mere nuisance.”

Defense attorneys who’ve had cases with Mooney describe him as a diligent, accessible, and open-minded prosecutor.

Shimon Kafka, a defense attorney in Baltimore, said Mooney consistently reaches out weeks ahead of trial.

Though Mooney certainly is not an “easy prosecutor,” Kafka described him as a reasonable assistant state’s attorney who takes the time to listen.

Kafka said he represented a man who worked at Coca-Cola and faced a charge of driving on a suspended license.  He was driving to work because he’d fallen behind on child support.

Mooney asked for pay stubs to verify that account, he said, and dropped the case.

“He talks to me about my clients with a human edge to it,” Kafka said.  “He cared about my client.  It wasn’t just, ‘He shouldn’t have been driving without a license.’”

William Buie III said he’s had only one case with Mooney, and it involved a woman accused of committing a stabbing on the Block.

Buie said he thought law enforcement overcharged his client.  Three or four people attacked her, he claimed, and she used a pocketknife in self-defense.

Mooney was thoughtful and took all information into consideration.  He changed the plea offer from jail to probation, Buie said.

“We need more prosecutors like that, in my opinion, that are able to look at both sides of the case and come up with a fair resolution,” Buie said.  “We can’t throw away everyone in a city that’s already broken.”

Sometimes, assistant state’s attorneys “can’t see the forest through the trees,” said Michael Tomko, a defense attorney in Baltimore.

Mooney, he said, is “incredibly conscientious” and “overwhelmingly fair.”

“He’s not looking at just, ‘Can I win this case?’ but the greater good,” Tomko said.  “He seems to be inherently understanding of the role of a prosecutor: it’s not just to put everyone in jail.”

Mooney is a married father of two.  His daughter, Braylee, is 10 and son, Matthew, is 1.

Today, Mooney no longer wants to go into family law.

He wants to be a career prosecutor.

 

 

Remembering Treva Olivero

By Ronza Othman 

[Editor’s Note: Treva Olivero was an active member of the NFB of Maryland from 2007 to 2012, but she returned to serve as the lead teacher for the NFB BELL Academy in Baltimore for several years.  Treva’s passion was education and working with youth.  Ronza Othman shared the information below with the members of the NFB of Maryland concerning Treva’s passing and legacy.]

I'm very sorry to share that Treva Olivero passed away at the age of 47 after an illness on May 25, 2025.  Treva was surrounded by her family and best friend, Bre Brown.

 

Treva was an active member and leader in the Maryland affiliate when she lived here from 2007 to 2012.  She was an active member of the Greater Baltimore Chapter, as well as a leader in our affiliate's youth programming.  Treva also served as the lead teacher at our NFB BELL Academy in Baltimore for several years, most recently in 2019.  She was on staff at our National Center from 2007 to 2012, where she served as an education specialist.  Treva’s favorite programs were the Braille Reading Pals and the NFB LAW programs.

 

Treva graduated from the Louisiana Center for the Blind in 2012, and she then earned her master’s in Teaching Blind Students from Louisiana Tech in 2014.  Treva became active in the Louisiana affiliate, including serving as president of the North Central Chapter and first vice president of the NFB of Louisiana at the time of her passing.  Prior to moving to Maryland, Treva was a chapter president and affiliate board member in the Indiana affiliate.

 

Here is Treva’s obituary:

 

Treva Elaine (Chupp) Olivero, age 47, entered the presence of her Lord and Savior on Sunday, May 25th, 2025, at 5:01 p.m., peacefully at home and surrounded by her loving family. Treva courageously battled a severe case of lymphedema in her final months, showing the same strength and grace that marked her entire life.

 

Born on July 15th, 1977, to Olen and Sharon (Christner) Chupp, Treva lived a life of deep faith, resilience, and unconditional love.

 

Treva is deeply mourned by her parents, Olen and Sharon Chupp of Goshen, IN; her sister Ellen (Leon) Bontrager of Middlebury, IN, with whom she lived for the past six months; and her brothers Christy (Martha) Chupp of Goshen, IN, and Lamar (Brandy) Chupp of Bristol, IN.  She is also remembered with love by cherished friends, Heidi Stoffel and Bre Brown.

 

Treva was a devoted and beloved aunt to 17 nieces and nephews: Lowell (Brenda), Lucas (Mindy), Leland (Dorcas), LaWayne, Lance, and Logan Bontrager; Duane (Roseann) Chupp, Sharon (Arlyn) Lambright, Michael (Bethany) Chupp, Joan (Jeremy) Slabach, Glenda (Special Friend Anthony), Mary, and Nicole Chupp; Deonna (Alejandro) Minix-Prieto, Madison Bond, Dacia Chupp, and Madison Chupp.  She also leaves behind six precious great-nieces and nephews: Heidi, Elisha, Natalie, Kayden, Jenna, Ozius, and many friends throughout many states.

 

Despite significant physical challenges, Treva never let them define her.  Her radiant spirit, sharp mind, and deep love for Jesus touched everyone she met.  She lived with purpose, joy, and unwavering faith – an inspiration to all who knew her.

 

Treva built lasting friendships within her community and far beyond.  Her life was a testimony of God's grace, and her unwavering faith left a lasting impact on all who knew her.

 

Treva was a lifelong advocate for education and empowerment within the blind community.  She earned her degree in elementary education from Ball State University and later completed her master's in Teaching Blind Students at Louisiana Tech University in 2014. From 2012 to 2024, she served as a dedicated para educator of blind students in Lincoln Parish, Ruston, Louisiana. She also taught technology to blind students around the country virtually.  In addition to her professional work, Treva held leadership roles in the National Federation of the Blind, including over five years as president of the North Central Chapter in Louisiana and serving as first vice president of the Louisiana affiliate since 2021.  Her greatest passion was working with children – guiding, mentoring, and inspiring them to believe that with determination, anything is possible.

 

 

Remembering Steve Brand

By Ronza Othman 

[Editor’s Note: Steve Brand was an active member of the NFB of Maryland for several decades.  He was a member of the Greater Baltimore Chapter and the Maryland Association of Blind Merchants.  Steve passed away unexpectedly at the age of 51 in September 2025.  The NFB of Maryland held a tribute to Steve at the 2025 Crab Feast on September 19, 2025.  Below are the remarks Ronza Othman, NFBMD President, shared to honor Steve.]

Many of you know Steve Brand, or rather, knew Steve Brand – that’s hard to say – and many of you are only hearing about him for the first time tonight.

Steve worked for the National Federation of the Blind for a number of years.  Many of his colleagues are here tonight.

Steve joined the Randolph-Sheppard program and had his own vending stand in downtown Baltimore.  He used to stock white chocolate Kit-Kat for me, which is very hard to find, just in case I came by.  And that was just the sort of thing that he did.  So, I would go by more often than I ordinarily would because he thought of it, and that was just the kind of person he was.

Steve was a blind guy who thought anything was possible.  He loved to cook.  He loved running a kitchen.  Many of you remember the years and years of the NFB Greater Baltimore Chapter Monument Lighting event where we sold hot chocolate and wassail – Steve ran that. Some of you probably remember the chapter holiday parties that he would cater.

There was a lot of food when Steve was involved.  I’m just realizing that now.  But there was also a lot of care, consideration, kindness, and humor.

Steve liked to laugh.  Steve loved people who could talk to him about sports, business, food.  You could talk to Steve about just about anything. He knew a little bit about everything.

Unfortunately, the last couple years, Steve hasn't been super well, so we haven't gotten to see him as much as we did previously.

And, of course, his business was adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and there weren't a lot of people going to government buildings.  But he was still always very positive.  He had a positive attitude.  “We'll figure it out.”  “How are you doing, Steve?”  “I’m alright,” he would always say.

Steve was the architect of so much of this Crab Feast for many, many years, and so, it is appropriate that his family is here with us tonight at the first Crab Feast where he couldn't be. 

We have with us his father, two of his brothers, and his bonus mom.  Steve was our family, and so you're [his family] our family too, whether you like it or not [laughs]. 

Alright, so tonight, we come together, and we rebrand [laughs] one of our raffles that he was so known for in honor of Steve, but this won't be the only time that we remember and think of Steve. 

[From earlier in the night: Steve was known for the arm-length 50/50 raffle, where you could buy an arm’s length of raffle tickets for $5.  Steve had extraordinarily long arms, so people flocked to him to buy tickets because his long arms meant that they would get more chances to win.  Tonight, we’re naming the arm-length raffle the “Steve Brand Raffle.”]

And so, I ask you all to raise your glass in memory of our beloved brother in the movement, leader, friend, vendor who stocked us with what he knew we loved, long-armed raffle ticket seller, Crab Feast organizer extraordinaire, but most importantly, just a wonderful, wonderful person. 

To Steve Brand!

 

 

Spectator Specs

Deaths:

We are sorry to share the passing of the following individuals:

Lou Smith passed away in June after a short illness.  Lou started out as a counselor, became a technology expert, and promoted access to information for the blind.  In addition to working for DORS, he worked for the Department of Information Technology. He helped many blind state employees get the technology they needed to do their jobs.  Lou will also be remembered for his musical abilities, playing for churches, weddings, and community events.  He accompanied many of the student programs at the Maryland School for the Blind over the years, including an opera.  He was very active in the MSB Alumni Association.  His kindness and willingness to help others was legendary. 

 

Debbie Williamson died in July after a series of strokes.  She started as a counselor and became a supervisor in the Office of Field Services in Baltimore County.  She also served as a supervisor in the Office of Blindness and Visual Services in Western Maryland.  After Debbie retired from DORS in 2017, she returned to DORS to be a rehabilitation teacher for several years and was always willing to help blind people. Over the years, Debbie came to several state conventions.  She and her husband, Roger, were avid enthusiasts of bluegrass music.  We enjoyed their music, and they won several of our talent shows. 

 

On September 2, 2025, Steve Brand passed away unexpectedly at the age of 51.  Steve was a long-time member of the NFB of Maryland Greater Baltimore Chapter as well as the Maryland Association of Blind Merchants.  In fact, he served as the Merchants Division vice president for several years and on the Board of Directors of the Greater Baltimore Chapter for many years.  More information about Steve and his legacy can be found elsewhere in this magazine.

 

On October 27, 2025, Frances Walls passed away at the age of 91 after a long illness.  She was a member of the Eastern Shore Chapter for over 40 years.  

 

On November 23, 2025, Sharon McBride passed away at the age of 74.  Sharon was an early member of the NFBMD National Harbor Chapter, now the NFBMD Greater Prince George’s County Chapter.  She is survived by her daughter and many friends and loved ones.

 

Please keep them and those who love them in your thoughts and prayers.  They will all be deeply missed!

 

Wedding Bells:

 

Heather Guy and Lindsey Davis got married on October 25, 2025.  Heather serves as the president of the NFBMD Eastern Shore Chapter.  Lindsey is fairly new to the Federation, but he is looking forward to getting involved as well.  Mr. and Mrs. Davis will be spending their first Valentine’s Day as a married couple hosting 500 or so of their closest blind friends at the NFB of Maryland 2026 State Convention.  We wish them a lifetime filled with love!

 

Baby News:

 

Emily and Shawn Wilt welcomed their first child on September 30, 2025.  Lucian Wilt weighed in at 8 pounds, one ounce, and 18.5 inches. Emily and Shawn are both active members of the NFBMD Western Maryland Chapter, and Lucian has already become a member too.  Mom, Dad, Gramma Cindy Holden (Western Maryland Chapter Treasurer), and Baby Lucian are all doing great and looking forward to Lucian’s first state convention.

 

Graduations:

 

Derrick Day earned his associate’s degree from Carroll County Community College within only one year. Derrick will be working towards his BS in artificial intelligence at the University of Maryland.  Congratulations!

 

Have You Applied for the Property Tax Exemption for Blind Homeowners Yet?

 

If you are a blind homeowner, you may apply for the property tax exemption.  The exemption means that the state will deduct $40,000 from the appraised value of the house.  For example, if your house is valued at $100,000, it will be valued at $60,000, which includes the property tax exemption.  If you were getting the previous exemption of $15,000, you do not need to take any action to receive the new deduction.  If you believe that you are entitled to the new $40,000 exemption, you should fill out the application located at the Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation website:

https://dat.maryland.gov/SDAT%20Forms/3-2025_rp_form_revisions/Blind%20Persons%20Exemption%20Application%203-25.pdf

Remember, you must send the completed form to the office in the county that your home is in.  Do not forget to include proof of residence and the certified statement from an ophthalmologist.  Many thanks to everyone who worked on getting this exemption raised for blind people in Maryland.  This is a great example of what collective action can do!

 

 

 

 

ABLE Eligibility is Expanding Soon: More People, More Possibility

 

Starting January 1, 2026, even more people will qualify for an Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account.  Thanks to the ABLE Age Adjustment Act, the age of onset for a qualifying disability is increasing from 26 to 46.  This change will open the door for:

  • Adults who developed a disability later in life and may have previously been ineligible
  • Veterans with service-connected disabilities
  • Guardians and authorized legal representatives (ALRs) supporting adults with disabilities

Get ready to take advantage of this valuable way to save money and keep your benefits!

 

National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
Ronza Othman, President 
15 Charles Plaza
Apartment 3002
Baltimore, MD 21201
(443) 426-4110
president@nfbmd.org

© Copyright. 2025 National Federation of the Blind of Maryland