[4Alabama] NFB National Convention and Announcements

[Jennifer Reeves]

*Congratulations to the 2025 Scholarship Finalists:*

The National Federation of the Blind announced the finalists for its annual
scholarship program, which provides financial assistance and connects
students with blind mentors and other resources. Congratulations to the
thirty outstanding finalists.
<https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/celebrating-outstanding-blind-students>



*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.



*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. The hotel blocks are filling up—there is now
limited space at the Marriott. Reserve your room at the Sheraton New
Orleans by calling 855-516-1090. Ask for the “National Federation of the
Blind 2025 Convention” block. Registration will be closing on May 31.
Attendees can still register on site at an increased cost. Promote
registration now!



*Legislative News: The Website and Software Applications Accessibility Act:*

The National Federation of the Blind applauds the introduction of the
Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act, H.R. 3417, into the
House of Representatives by Representative Pete Sessions (Texas) and lead
cosponsor Representative Steny Hoyer (Maryland). This legislation seeks to
eliminate persistent digital accessibility barriers faced by blind and
disabled Americans. Read the full joint press release
<https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/disability-advocates-commend-introduction-websites-and-software-applications>.




*Two Recent Legislation Introductions:*

The month of May has been great for our legislative advocacy. In the last
two weeks, we have gotten two of our legislative priorities reintroduced in
the 119th Congress. On May 14, Representative Pete Sessions (TX-17)
sponsored our Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act in the
House. He was joined by Representative Steny Hoyer (MD-05) as the lead
cosponsor. And on May 22, Senator John Boozman (AR) reintroduced our Access
Technology Affordability Act in the Senate with Senator Ben Ray Lujan (NM)
as the lead cosponsor. We want to ensure the Congress knows how important
both of these bills are to the blind of America, so please call or email
your members in the House and Senate today and urge them to cosponsor!







Thanks, hope you are doing well, 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.”