[IABS-Talk] President Riccobono's notebook for the week of June 7

Tue Jun 8 11:16:32 UTC 2021

News:

June Presidential Release:

The audio and streaming versions of the June Presidential Release are
available now at
nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases. The
English and Spanish transcripts will be posted at the same link as
soon as they are ready.

The June Braille Monitor Is Available:

The latest issue of the National Federation of the Blind flagship
publication is now available. Read about national convention, stories
from members, raising expectations, and more. Access the Braille
Monitor now.

National Convention Registration Still Available:

The 2021 National Federation of the Blind National Convention
registration is still open. Early registration prior to May 31 was
required for member voting access and door prizes. Register to get
access to convention information as it becomes available at
nfb.org/registration.

Also check nfb.org/convention for fun information from our affiliate
host, first time convention concierge to share, and more!

Host a Banquet Party #NFB21:

The National Federation of the Blind National Convention banquet is a
highlight of coming together. Following local guidance, host a banquet
party on Saturday, July 10. Fancy clothes and gourmet food are
optional. During the event, we will drop into banquet parties across
the country for a chance to say hello to the whole convention.
Complete the Banquet Party Form by June 30.

Promote Special Offerings at #NFB21:

State affiliates and national divisions have the opportunity to
promote fundraising items and resources during the 2021 NFB National
Convention on the Affiliate & Division Online Exhibit Hall. The
information you submit will be published on our website and included
in information sent to convention registrants and promoted during the
convention as part of the virtual exhibit hall.

Please submit your exhibit information using the online form. Once
your material is submitted, it will be final. Keep in mind that we
cannot post any items related to raffles and drawings. Please contact
Anna Adler at aadler at nfb.org or 410-659-9314, extension 2282, if you
have any questions.

Pre-Convention Activity: Zoom Training on June 13:

Attend a Zoom training on Sunday, June 13, at 6:00 p.m. eastern with
drop-in hours for anyone interested in learning about Zoom and how to
interact with it. Hosted by the NFB Muslims group, the training will
be geared toward preparing participants for the national convention.
Everyone is welcome—all ages and from any state and division. Please
send questions to our group at nfb-m at nfbnet.org or email the chair,
Tasnim Alshuli, at tasnim.shuli at gmail.com. Zoom details:
https://arizona.zoom.us/j/84819687811; Zoom Meeting ID: 848 1968 7811;
one tap mobile: +16027530140,,84819687811#

Access Technology Affordability Act:

Last week we issued a legislative alert for the Access Technology
Affordability Act (H.R. 431 and S. 212). If your representative or
senators have not yet cosponsored this legislation, please urge them
to do so. We are working to increase the number of House cosponsors
from 86 to 109 and the number of Senate cosponsors from 20 to 25
within the next two weeks. This would represent 25 percent of the
membership of both the House and the Senate.

Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act
Fulfillment Comments:

Last Thursday, we submitted comments to the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) regarding their fulfillment of the Twenty-First
Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA). These
comments were regarding the rules established by the FCC after the
passage of the CVAA in 2010 and what specific updates needed to be
made to those rules. I encourage you to read our comments, as well as
the other content on the Policy Statements section of our website.

A Blind Parent’s Essential Guide to Effective Communication from
Public and Private Schools:

The National Federation of the Blind’s resource, A Blind Parent’s
Essential Guide to Effective Communication from Public and Private
Schools, is now available in English and Spanish.

June Open House Gathering Call for Non-Members

The National Federation of the Blind invites blind people to learn
more about being a member and the benefits on June 30, 2021, at 8:00
p.m. eastern via Zoom. Take advantage of this opportunity to hear from
active members and leaders on the myths and uncertainties of the
Federation. Register for the June Open House Gathering Call.

Recent Blog: “Light in Darkness: My Journey through Depression”:

If you are dealing with mental illness, whether it be circumstantial
or biological, you are not alone. Read Rachel Grider’s story in our
recent Voice of the Nation’s Blind Blog.

New NFB-NEWSLINE® Magazines:

Six new magazines added to NFB-NEWSLINE:

Ability Magazine, launched as the first newsstand magazine focused on
issues of health and disability.
Animal Tales is a children's magazine of its kind to focus entirely on
animals, engages young readers with heartwarming, educational animal.
Fast Company is the world's leading progressive business media brand,
with a unique editorial focus on innovation in technology, leadership,
and design.
Forbes is an American business magazine.
J-14, abbreviated from the original title "just for teens,” the number
one teen celebrity magazine.
Toastmasters is dedicated to helping people from diverse backgrounds
become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders.

Independence Market Product of the Month—Athletic Balls with Bells:

These standard-sized rubber balls have bells inside that jingle when
the ball is in motion.

Basketball (orange) - AIG08B - $15.00

Football (brown) - AIG09B - $15.00

Soccer ball - AIG79B - $23.00

Upcoming Event—Android Application Development Seminar:

On Wednesday, June 9, from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. eastern, the National
Federation of the Blind, in collaboration with Google, is hosting an
app development seminar focused on accessibility. Anyone who develops
or is considering developing apps is encouraged to register for this
Zoom event. There are also limited opportunities to meet directly with
Google engineers to discuss your app and have your accessibility
questions answered. Take advantage of this free opportunity. Register
at: https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/android-app-dev-seminar-reg

Upcoming Event—Getting the Most Out of Microsoft Office with a Screen
Reader Accessibility Seminar:

On Wednesday, June 16, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. eastern, the National
Federation of the Blind’s CENA team is hosting an accessibility
seminar based on using Microsoft Office products with a screen reader.
Anyone who wants to learn how to use Office products more efficiently
is encouraged to attend. Take advantage of this free opportunity.
Register at: https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/accessibility-boutiques/accessibility-boutique-registration.

Upcoming Event—Gaming for Everyone:

On Tuesday, June 29, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. eastern, the National
Federation of the Blind, in collaboration with the Maryland Department
of Disabilities, is hosting a boutique discussing the many games
accessible to the Blind. Whether for PC, mobile phones, or gaming
consoles, there are many games that the blind can play. Register today
at https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/accessibility-boutiques/accessibility-boutique-registration

Thanks to NFB of New Jersey and NFB of Mississippi

Thanks for recent contributions go to the NFB of New Jersey and the
NFB of Mississippi. Support from our affiliates and chapters is
essential for our continued building of the National Federation of the
Blind.

Reminders

Door Prizes:

We are continuing the long-standing fun tradition of door prizes at
the 2021 NFB National Convention. Please help us share the excitement
of winners’ names being announced and attendees anticipating their
coveted prize.

We request cash donations so that we can distribute gift cards and
gift certificates as prizes. Please make your checks payable to
National Federation of the Blind and write Door Prizes in the memo.
Mail the check to National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells
Street, Baltimore, MD 21230, Attention: Fiscal Services - DP. By
addressing the check this way, we will easily identify it as a door
prize and process it accordingly. You should also send an email to
prize at nfb.org to let us know you are sending a contribution for the
door prizes and the full name of the organization that the
contribution is from. We want to make sure we recognize your
organization in our thank-you list. You can contact Bridgid Burke
(bburke at nfb.org or extension 2271) or Belinda Hooks (bhooks at nfb.org or
extension 2508) with any questions. We discourage everyone from making
door prize donations through the nfb.org/donate page; however, if a
door prize donation is received through this page, we will reduce the
donation by 3 percent to help us offset the credit card transaction
fees. We are looking forward to another informative, fun, and
prize-filled convention.

PAC Prizes:

Every year the Pre-Authorized Contribution program holds various
contests during the national convention for which NFB affiliates and
individual members contribute prizes. We are again asking NFB
affiliates and national divisions to support our fun PAC contests by
contributing cash donations to the contest prizes. Please make checks
payable to National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells Street,
Baltimore, MD 21230, Attention: Fiscal Services - PAC. You should also
send an email to PAC at nfb.org to let us know you are sending a
contribution for the contest prizes and the full name of the
organization that the contribution is from. We want to make sure we
recognize your organization in our thank-you list. You can contact
Scott LaBarre (slabarre at nfb.org) or Bridgid Burke (bburke at nfb.org or
extension 2271) if you have any questions. We are looking forward to
another fun-PACked convention!

Dates to Keep in Mind

(all times eastern)

June 9: App Development Seminar, www.nfb.org/cena
June 16: Screen Reader Accessibility Seminar
June 29: Gaming Seminar
June 29: Rookie Roundup, 8:30 p.m.
July 6-10: NFB National Convention, anywhere and everywhere

-- 
Marilyn Green, President
National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
312-343-8396
www.nfbofillinois.org