[IABS-Talk] President Riccobono's notebook for the week of December 13

Wed Dec 15 13:12:32 UTC 2021

News:

2022 Washington Seminar Update:

The 2022 Washington Seminar will take place from Monday, February 7, through
Thursday, February 10, 2022, at the Holiday Inn Washington Capitol-National
Mall. This is the same, familiar location at
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/550+C+St.,+SW+Washington,+DC?entry=gmail
&source=g> 550 C St., SW Washington, DC, that we've been going to for
decades. As is tradition, the Great Gathering-In will take place that
Monday, February 7, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., eastern, and meetings with your
members of Congress will take place the following Tuesday, Wednesday, and
for the states with more representatives, Thursday. Due to social-distancing
requirements, we are allotting only a limited number of participants from
each state affiliate, so we are referring members back to affiliate
presidents to discuss participation in this year's seminar activities.

For the 2022 Washington Seminar, we are taking four issues to Capitol Hill:

1.     Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 431/S. 212)

2.     Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R. 4853)

3.     Twenty-First Century Website and Application Accessibility Act

4.     Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (H.R. 2373/S.
3238)

Scholarship Applications Open-Share with Students Now:

The National Federation of the Blind's annual scholarship program is the
largest of its kind in the nation. Every year we award thousands of dollars
to blind scholars across the country and provide them with a trip to
national convention (and more!). The full application is due by March 31,
2022. Learn more and share this opportunity with students and families:
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fscholarships&sa=D&sntz
=1&usg=AFQjCNFp6SXre0bQl8dnbvErJijyxbtp9Q> https://nfb.org/scholarships.

Mark Your Calendar for the January Presidential Release:

The January Presidential Release will take place January 4, 2021, at 8:00
p.m., eastern. The monthly Presidential Release provides important updates
and perspectives of the organized blind movement, and the live event
includes a Q&A session. Submit questions in advance to
<https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/h/6nhvpjbt0y7x/?&cs=wh&v=b&to=cdanielsen@n
fb.org> cdanielsen at nfb.org and put PR512 in the subject line, or call
410-659-9314, extension 2473. Zoom details coming soon.

December Braille Monitor Available:

The latest issue of the National Federation of the Blind flagship
publication is now available. Read about the 2022 National Convention;
diversity, equity, and inclusion; Blind Equality Achievement Month; and more
stories from members.
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fimages%2Fnfb%2Fpublica
tions%2Fbm%2Fbm21%2Fbm2111%2Fbm2111tc.htm&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF0H1WJuVIfDN
iWKAShd-kPXPweAw> Access the Braille Monitor now.

Final Week to Request Santa or Winter Letter:

The National Federation of the Blind works to get more Braille into the
hands of blind and low-vision children. We are excited to provide the option
for a Santa or Winter Celebration Braille letter, both in either English or
Spanish. Each letter comes with a fun activity packet and a print version
for the whole family to enjoy. Deadline for requests is December 17.
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fprograms-services%2Fea
rly-childhood-initiatives%2Fsanta-letters%2Fenglish-form&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQ
jCNF3mqGABZrs8i8HvXF_yYNoW6ahQw> Request a Santa or a Winter Celebration
letter today.

More Braille Books from Our Partners, the American Action Fund:

The American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults Braille Book Program
provides blind children with a free Braille book every month from a popular
children's reading series. Sign up for the program by December 15 to start
getting the 2022 selection in January.
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.actionfund.org%2Fprograms%2F
braille-books-program&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFYu7UVuSJKdwS1_Xg2fjEnJtI-NQ>
Learn about the 2022 Braille Books Program and how to sign up.

December 15 Seminar: A Guide to Accessible Devices:

Join the National Federation of the Blind Center for Excellence in Nonvisual
Accessibility and the Maryland Department of Disabilities on Wednesday,
December 15, from 1:00-5:00 p.m., eastern, to learn about accessible smart
speakers, Braille displays, smart-home devices, and accessible entertainment
technology.
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fprograms-services%2Fce
nter-excellence-nonvisual-access%2Fevents&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHT9hdlflPiaR
_UuG0FF7KUW_6cNg> Register for the December seminar today.

Independence Market - Products of the Month and Sale Items:

Products of the Month:

*      Kenneth Jernigan Map of the United States - large, take-apart,
topographical puzzle map for learning about various geographical features of
the United States - $250

*      Magnetic Checkers - portable magnetic checkers' board; easy to play
on-the-go - $22

*      Phase 10T Cards (Braille) - popular Phase 10 game with
Braille-labeled cards and play instructions - $15

*      UNOR Cards (NFB Braille Edition) - the classic UNO game with Braille
labeled cards - $10

Sale and Close-out Items:

*      Shut the Box Math game - $10

*      Nine Men Morris game - $10

*      Solitaire and Fox and Geese game - $10

*      Cube clock - $5

*      Camera bag - $1

*      Egg separator - $1

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

*	December 17: Deadline to request
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fprograms-services%2Fea
rly-childhood-initiatives%2Fsanta-letters%2Fenglish-form&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQ
jCNF3mqGABZrs8i8HvXF_yYNoW6ahQw> Santa or a Winter Celebration Letter
*	January 4: Presidential Release, 8:00 p.m.
*	February 1: Presidential Release, 8:00 p.m.
*	February 7: Great Gathering-In, 5:00 p.m.
*	February 7-10: Washington Seminar
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fprograms-services%2Fad
vocacy%2Fwashington-seminar%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFAxg4uHmqGcbVLphwCdk-cJ
S2o4g> 
*	March 1: Presidential Release, 8:00 p.m.
*	March 31: Deadline to submit scholarship application
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fscholarships&sa=D&sntz
=1&usg=AFQjCNFp6SXre0bQl8dnbvErJijyxbtp9Q> 
*	July 5-10: National Convention, New Orleans

Marilyn Green, President

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois

312-343-8396

www.nfbofillinois.org <http://www.nfbofillinois.org> 