[Akron-Talk] Feb. 2022 President Remarks

Fri Feb 4 00:59:47 UTC 2022

Dear Ohio Members and Friends,

Please stay warm and safe during the winter storm. It is very frigid, and we
still are also fully within this pandemic. If anyone need any assistance
with anything, please reach out to me or your Chapter President.

	We have a Call for Historians: 
The affiliate and national division presidents were asked to submit their
selection for a historian by February 1 I am still looking for this person.
If you are able and willing reach out to me off list.  The primary purpose
of this position is to serve as a point-person and ensure that
affiliate/division-produced meeting minutes, activities, reports,
publications, resolutions, etc. are submitted to the national headquarters
for best preservation and future research. The historian can be any member
from the affiliate/division and no formal training or experience is
necessary. 

Next week will begin the Washington Seminar starting on Monday, February 7th
through Thursday, February 10th 2022. As you are aware, we are moving
forward with in a virtual environment. I want to take this opportunity to
thank members for joining the Ohio Legislative Committee training calls to
learn about our NFB four factsheets that will be presented to Ohio's
Senators and Congress representatives. Eric and the team are ready to
advocate for the blind on these important issues. The trainings that our
team facilitated has been appreciated and outstanding. Here are the issues
for 2022,
1: ACCESS TECHNOLOGY AFFORDABILITY ACT
(H.R. 431/S. 212)
Issue-The cost of critically needed access technology is out of reach for
most blind Americans.
2: MEDICAL DEVICE NONVISUAL ACCESSIBILITY ACT 
(H.R. 4853) Issue-Inaccessible digital interfaces prevent blind individuals
from independently and safely operating medical devices that are essential
to their daily healthcare needs. Medical devices with a digital interface
are becoming more prevalent and less accessible for blind Americans.
  3: Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act 
(H.R. 2373/S. 3238)
Promote competitive, integrated employment for people with disabilities.
Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act allows employers to
discriminate against people with disabilities. Passed in 1938, Section 14(c)
authorizes employers to pay workers with disabilities subminimum wages while
they perform mundane tasks that do not transfer into skills necessary to
transition to other employment options. This law only reinforces stigmatic
misconceptions of people with disabilities and creates an artificial barrier
to future employment opportunities. 
 4: TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY WEBSITES & APPLICATIONS ACCESSIBILITY ACT
Issue-Websites are required by law to be accessible, but without
implementing regulations, most businesses and retailers have little
understanding of what accessible means. Websites and mobile applications are
an essential part of modern living. The need to access websites and mobile
applications doesn't stop when it reaches Americans with disabilities. 

During last week's Affiliate Board Meeting the question was asked about the
2022 State Convention. At this time, I have asked the proposed location to
edit the current proposal to accommodate the health crisis. But, as soon as
I have something to report, everyone will be the first to know. However, the
National Convention assistance will be greater this year and so please
consider attending in New Orleans. The Ohio National Assistance form will be
distributed soon. Chapters, please equally assist members to attend this
empowering event that offer members an opportunity to network with others,
participate in educational seminars and attend the general session where
important decisions are made and voted on. You can read more about the
National Convention on the web at: WWW.NFB.ORG <http://WWW.NFB.ORG> .

This Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, at 1:00 PM, the Ohio DAN meeting will be held
on zoom. Come and learn about living with diabetes and more. There also is a
fun activity that was distributed that offers to provide even more
excitement during the meeting.

The Ohio Senior Division will hold their first business meeting of 2022 on
the Ohio Zoom Platform on Sunday, February 6, 2022, at 7:00 PM. If you are
fifty years of age or older come and be a part of this lively Division.
Barbara Pierce is the President and dues are $5 to join.

 National News:
Critical Actions:

	2022 Washington Seminar:
	With the start of the 2022 Washington Seminar just a few days away,
we are putting the finishing touches on all of our preparations. Even though
this year's event will be virtual, we still want to make sure you have the
best tools available when you meet with your member of Congress. This is why
we plan to post an audio-recorded, issues-training session and mock meeting
on the Washington Seminar Page
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar> , which is
where you can find plenty of other helpful information regarding the 2022
Washington Seminar.

	Take Your At-Home COVID-19 Test with Aira, Sponsored by the National
Federation of the Blind: 
	The National Federation of the Blind is committed to providing
at-home COVID testing solutions and holding the government accountable for
making these tests accessible. As part of that commitment, we are sponsoring
the use of Aira for any blind person in the United States taking an at-home
COVID-19 test. If you are not already an Aira Explorer, you can set up a
free account and then use the visual interpreter service to complete
COVID-19 at-home tests. As part of the promotion, you'll be asked a few
questions that will help provide important data for our at-home test
accessibility efforts. For more information on this promotion and our
overall at-home testing efforts, visit http://nfb.org/covidtests. We will
continue to update this page so check back often.

News:

	Civil Rights Museum Planning:
	The National Federation of the Blind has begun the initial planning
of a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to the civil rights struggle of blind
Americans, including the history of our organization as the leader in the
blind civil rights movement. Our museum will highlight the struggles,
triumphs, and challenges blind people have experienced and the contributions
we have made as we continue to secure our place in the world as fully
participating citizens. 
	You can help with the planning of our museum by completing our
online or telephone survey. The online survey can be accessed by from our
website
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1byRFNrP1741YzcukC0pcG3s4_1ufxpRuPTGXAM_q-J
E/viewform?edit_requested=true> , or by calling 229-632-7878 or toll-free
833-632-7878. The survey closes on February 11, so please provide us your
thoughts and suggestions as soon as possible.

	Apply for 2022 Bolotin Awards:
	The National Federation of the Blind is accepting nominations of
individuals or organizations who are a positive force in the lives of blind
people and help us transform dreams into reality. Each application must
include a letter of recommendation. Learn more and submit a nomination for
the 2022 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolo
tin-awards/application-information> .

	February Braille Monitor Available:
	The latest issue of the National Federation of the Blind flagship
publication is now available. Read about raising expectations every day, our
Code of Conduct, determination to achieve excellence, history of the KNFB
Reader, a call for change, and many stories from members. Access the Braille
Monitor now.
<https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm22/bm2202/bm2202tc.htm> 

	February Presidential Release Available:
	The February Presidential Release is available
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases>
and additional formats will be added by Friday, February 4, to be used at
chapter meetings. 

	Lyft Denials Due to Service Animals:
	The NFB and NAGDU continue to gather stories in video format from
individuals who were denied rides because of their service animals by Lyft
drivers between January 24-30. If you travel with a service animal and were
denied a ride by Lyft during those dates, please visit NAGDU's webform
<https://forms.gle/jLY8NiL7G6GgbrHS6> . If you have experienced
discrimination by Lyft drivers anytime other than last week, or for any
reason other than traveling with a service animal, or if you have
experienced discrimination by Uber drivers, please take a moment to complete
NFB's rideshare discrimination survey
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/rideshare-discrimination-su
rvey> .

Dates to Keep in Mind:
(all times eastern)
*	February 6: Affiliate and Division Presidents Meeting, 1:00 p.m.
*	February 7: Great Gathering-In, 5:00 p.m.
*	February 7-10: Washington Seminar
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/> 
*	March 1: Presidential Release, 8:00 p.m.
*	March 31: Deadline to submit scholarship application
<https://nfb.org/scholarships> 
*	April 15: Deadline for the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award nominations
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolo
tin-awards/application-information> 
*	July 5-10: National Convention, New Orleans

Richard Payne,  President
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
937/829/3368
Rchpay7 at gmail.com <mailto:Rchpay7 at gmail.com> 
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

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