[4Alabama] NFB Announcements and Reminds from NFBAL Affiliate President

Tue Apr 29 17:16:51 UTC 2025

*Federal Employees with Disabilities:*

We know that federal employees with disabilities have been
disproportionally affected by recent reductions in the federal employment
workforce, and we are doing all we can to help our blind colleagues. If you
are aware of blind federal workers impacted by the government layoffs,
please encourage them to submit the Employment Interest Form
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/general-interest-form> to
receive announcements about career opportunities. Thanks to our partners at
the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults, these individuals
can also apply for support
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/federal-workers/convention-support-application>
to participate in career activities at the national convention in New
Orleans.

National Convention: *Convention Resolutions:*

The national convention is coming soon! Our Resolutions Committee, chaired
by Donald Porterfield, is currently accepting proposed resolutions for the
convention to consider. Proposed resolutions should be emailed to the
committee at resolutions at nfb.org. Don’t forget, the deadline for submitting
a resolution is Sunday, June 8, at midnight, eastern. Donald published a blog
post on the topic of writing resolutions
<https://nfb.org/blog/resolutions-101-way-drive-external-change>, so be
sure to check it out as you prepare to submit yours.
  *Reminder: Register and Book Hotel for National Convention:*

Promote registration for the 2025 National Federation of the Blind National
Convention <https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention>, July 8-13,
in New Orleans. Let members know to register early because prices go up if
you register on site in New Orleans. Registration includes the biggest
event of the year, access to the event app, and communications on the
latest news and events. Reserve your room by calling 888-236-2427 for the
Marriott or 855-516-1090 for the Sheraton New Orleans. Ask for the
“National Federation of the Blind 2025 Convention” block.

*National Federation of the Blind National Convention Career Fair:*

Join us for the National Federation of the Blind National Convention Career
Fair on July 9, 1:00–4:00 p.m., Central. Hosted by the National Employment
Committee, this event is an opportunity for blind and low-vision people
seeking jobs to connect with employers and is an opportunity for employers
;to seek more talent for their teams.

National Convention Jobseeker Registration
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/career-fair-jobseeker-registration>

National Convention Employer Registration
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&action=preview&id=621>

To prepare jobseekers and employers, the Employment Committee will be
hosting “Getting Career-Fair Ready: For Jobseekers and Employers,” virtual
seminars designed to provide strategies for creating the most positive
experience while attending the fair. Individuals will automatically be
registered for these events once they have registered for the career fair.
For more information on the career fair or virtual seminars, please contact
Charles Bennett, jobseeker liaison, at cbennett at cocenter.org, or Kris
Colcock, employer liaison, at Kris at colcok.com.

*Career Quest at National Convention:*

Join us for the National Federation of the Blind Career Quest Program, an
exclusive weeklong program held during the NFB National Convention. This
dynamic program is designed for blind and low-vision students eager to
explore career opportunities, gain hands-on experience with access
technology, and develop valuable professional connections.

If you're ready to take charge of your future, connect with mentors, and
expand your career horizons, this program is for you! Learn more about Career
Quest
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/career-quest/application> and
complete the Career Quest Interest Application
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=38142&qid=11127342> to learn more
and secure your spot today.

Please direct all questions to Employment Program Coordinator, Nikki
Jackson at njackson at nfb.org
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=38143&qid=11127342>, or
410-659-9314, extension 2404.

News:

*Federal Government Discontinuing Processing of Paper Checks:*

In an executive order dated March 25, 2025, entitled “Modernizing Payments
to and from America’s Bank Account,” the Trump administration has directed
the federal government to stop distributing payments, including benefit
payments, by paper check. The executive order also directed the federal
government to stop accepting payment by paper check. This order goes into
effect on September 30, 2025, and it is unclear to what degree this will
affect SSDI, SSI, and Social Security retirement recipients, as the
executive order does contain the option for exemptions in limited
circumstances and current policies with the Social Security Administration
are changing. Please watch for further communications and please reach out
to Jesse Shirek at jshirek at nfb.org with questions and concerns.

*Give $25 in ’25 Campaign:*

Let’s keep pushing forward together. The Give $25 in ’25 campaign is about
making an impact—one gift, one story, one act of leadership at a time.
Every $25 donation helps power the programs and advocacy that move us
closer to equality and opportunity for all blind people. Here’s how it
works:

   - Every $25 you give enters you into a drawing for a chance to win a
   trip to our next national convention or a cash prize.
   - We’re encouraging some friendly competition through the Federation
   Challenger opportunity:
      - Ask others to give and tell them to list you as their challenger on
      the donation form.
      - The challenger with the most named donors will get to announce the
      drawing winner at our national banquet.
   - The first one hundred people who give $100 or more will receive a pair
   of AfterShokz headphones.

Whether you give, encourage others to give, or both—this is a chance to
lead by example. Share your story. When people understand why this matters
to you, they’ll want to be part of it, too.

Three ways to give:

   - Call 410-659-9314, extension 2430
   - Mail a check to: 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
   - Donate online at nfb.org/give25donate

*Congress Is Back in Session:*

After a brief recess, both the House and the Senate are back in session,
starting this week and remaining in session until the Memorial Day holiday
on Monday, May 26. If your representative in the House has not cosponsored
either the Blind Americans Return to Work Act (H.R. 1175) or the Access
Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 1529), now is the perfect time to call
or email them and urge them to do so. It is more important than ever before
that we gain cosponsor support on the Access Technology Affordability Act
to give it the best possible chance of being included in a larger upcoming
tax package.

*Help the National Federation of the Blind in Three Easy Ways—Everyday
Giving Just Got Better:*

You already make a difference by supporting the National Federation of the
Blind. But did you know there are simple, everyday ways to give that can
help power our movement even further? Whether these options are new to you
or worth another look, they’re easy, effective, and impactful.

• *Shop with purpose using iGive, visit* *-*
https://igive.com/nationalfederationoftheblind.
Over two thousand online retailers will donate a percentage of your
purchase to the NFB—at no extra cost to you. Just sign up once and start
shopping with impact. The iGive app makes it even easier to give while on
the go.

• *Round up with Walmart and Lyft*
Small change creates big possibilities. When you support us with Walmart
Spark Good <https://www.walmart.com/sparkgood> or ride with Lyft, you can
round your total to the nearest dollar and donate the difference to the NFB
automatically. It’s a simple way to support our work with every purchase or
ride.

• *Give with cryptocurrency through* Crypto for Charity
<https://www.cryptoforcharity.io/nfb>
Crypto donations are fast, secure, and may offer tax benefits. Support our
mission with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more through a platform built for
charitable giving.

Learn more about these opportunities and explore other giving options on
our Ways to Give Page
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/gift-acceptance-and-recognition-policies>.
Please share these opportunities. Promote them in your chapter, throughout
your affiliate, and with your family, friends, and wider networks. Everyday
giving, shared widely, helps us raise more support and build a stronger
future.

*Catch up on Content and Share on Social Media:*

Highlights, news, and stories are available in our most recent
publications. Access and share articles and episodes with Federationists on
affiliate and division social media to create discussions on various
topics.

   - May *Braille Monitor*
   <https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm25/bm2505/bm2505tc.htm>
   - *Access On* podcast
   <https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/access-on-podcast>
   episodes with transcripts available
   - *Nation’s Blind Podcast*
   <https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast>
episodes
   with transcripts available

Reminders: *Mark Your Calendar: Presidential Release Live on May 15:*

The next Presidential Release Live will be Thursday, May 15, at 8:00 p.m.,
Eastern, in honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day. Zoom details are
below. Attend to get the latest updates on the movement, ask questions, and
hear important perspectives on the organized blind movement. Submit
questions or suggestions to communications at nfb.org.

Presidential Release Live Zoom: https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/96380567586

One Tap Mobile: +13017158592,,96380567586# US

Zoom ID: 96380567586

Thanks,

Barbara Manuel, President

National Federation of the Blind

Alabama Affiliate

251.656.5165

NFBAL.org

NFB.org

“Blindness is not what holds you back. It’s the misconception of what
blindness is that holds you back.”