[4Alabama] NFB Announcements from NFBAL President

[Jennifer Reeves]

*Opportunity for First-Time National Convention Attendees: *

The Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship provides funding support to
National Federation of the Blind members who want to attend the national
convention in person for the first time. Applications close April 15. Learn
more about the Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship>
.





*Assist NFB-NEWSLINE® with Beta Testing:*

NFB-NEWSLINE would like to ask our subscribers to volunteer some time to
assist us with beta testing of two new and exciting projects that we have
been working on: the Android version of NFB-NEWSLINE Mobile and our new,
improved, touch-tone-telephone-access method.



Android phone users are invited to apply to test the new NFB-NEWSLINE app
for Android. Testers will access the NFB-NEWSLINE mobile phone application
and perform the various functions of downloading, navigating, and adding
content from the service. If you are interested in this opportunity, please
email Jack Mendez at jmendez at nfb.org for an application.



The second opportunity invites subscribers who access NFB-NEWSLINE via
touch-tone phone to apply to evaluate a new phone system we have been
working on to provide our subscribers with an improved call experience. You
will have an opportunity to try out the new voices of Sophie and Mark that
were added to the Amazon Alexa skill earlier this year. To apply, contact
Scott White at swhite at nfb.org.





*Letter to Protect the Funding for the Institute of Museum and Library
Services:*

On March 14, the White House issued an executive order to eliminate the
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). On March 19, we sent a letter
to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Appropriations
Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related
Agencies
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/letter-chairs-and-ranking-members-house-and-senate>
to urge them ensure the funding for certain programs administered through
the IMLS, most importantly, the state libraries for the blind and print
disabled. The full letter can be read on our Policy Statements page
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements>.





*Access Technology Affordability Act:*

Momentum for the Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 1529) in the
119th Congress continues to build. Just last week we gained three new
cosponsors: Representatives Linda Sánchez and Jimmy Panetta from
California, and Representative Marc Veasey from Texas. This brings our
total number of cosponsors up to ten. This is great progress for the first
month of the bill, but we need to keep pushing in order to build enough
support for the ATAA to be included in the upcoming tax package, so keep
calling and emailing your representatives in the House!





 *Mark Your Calendar: Presidential Release Live on April 1:*

The next Presidential Release Live will be Tuesday, April 1, at 8:00 p.m.,
Eastern. 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 to communications at nfb.org.



Note: The Presidential Release Chapter Recording
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases>
will be available on Friday, April 4, 2025.



Presidential Release Live Zoom:

https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/92050902984
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=38039&qid=11113012>

One Tap Mobile: +13017158592,,92050902984#

Zoom ID: 920 5090 2984



*Summer Programs for Blind Students:*

We are offering two exciting programs for blind and low-vision students
this summer: NFB STEM2U and NFB BELL® Academy. This year’s STEM2U, themed
"Excel, Explore, Experiment," helps students master the scientific method
through hands-on STEM activities. This year’s NFB BELL Academy celebrates
two hundred years of Braille by enhancing Braille literacy in an immersive,
fun environment. Both programs spark curiosity, foster independence, and
set students up for future success. Families can visit our website at
https://nfb.org/programs-services/education to register.





*PowerPoint for Windows Boutique:*

Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows is screen-reader accessible, but putting
together a compelling PowerPoint presentation may not seem intuitive. Join
CENA tomorrow, Tuesday, March 25, from 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m., Eastern, to
learn how to create a PowerPoint presentation as a blind person. Register
here
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/events/accessibility-boutique-reg>
.





*Thanks Jen, take care. *



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.”