[IABS-Talk] President Riccobono's notebook for the week of March 15

Tue Mar 16 13:46:17 UTC 2021

News:

Mark Your Calendar for the Presidential Release on April 5—Captioning and
Spanish Available:

The April Presidential Release of the National Federation of the Blind will
be delivered on Monday, April 5, at 8:00 p.m. eastern. After the remarks
there is an opportunity for questions. Submit questions in advance to
<https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/h/1dblmvqa84l61/?&cs=wh&v=b&to=cdanielsen@
nfb.org> cdanielsen at nfb.org and put PR504 in the subject line, or call
410-659-9314, extension 2473. Closed captions and Spanish interpretation
will be available. Mark your calendars. Zoom details will be available soon.
Learn about the many
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfb.org%2Findex.php%2Fresour
ces%2Fpublications-and-media%2Fpresidential-releases&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH
DBB6Z8C0tO38KpH9EObL3oOUUJA> ways to participate.

Code of Conduct: Frequently Asked Questions Now Available:

The NFB Code of Conduct Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) are now available
at
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfb.org%2Fabout-us%2Fhistory
-and-governance%2Fcode-conduct%2Fcode-conduct-frequently-asked-questions&sa=
D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHJNQw1Ntn60XpO0cc3n08CXt1Ljg> nfb.org/codeofconduct, and
they address the process that is in place as of March 2021. As the code of
conduct and complaint process are reviewed and changed, these questions and
answers will be updated as quickly as possible to reflect any revisions that
are made.
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfb.org%2Fabout-us%2Fhistory
-and-governance%2Fcode-conduct%2Fcode-conduct-frequently-asked-questions&sa=
D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHJNQw1Ntn60XpO0cc3n08CXt1Ljg> Access the frequently asked
questions now. Thank you for your commitment to ensuring a safe, healthy,
and welcoming environment.

Survivor Taskforce Open Calls:

The survivor-led taskforce invites Federationists and members of the blind
community to attend one of two planned open calls related to the Code of
Conduct. Calls are scheduled on Thursday, April 15, and Sunday, April 18,
from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. eastern. We will review the Code of Conduct
FAQs during the first hour. Attendees may provide feedback on the present
Code of Conduct during the second hour. These comments will assist with the
current code review. Zoom details are forthcoming.

Final Day to Complete and Share the Diversity and Inclusion Survey:

The National Federation of the Blind is gathering information on diversity
and inclusion from members and leaders in the organization. Please take
approximately fifteen minutes to complete this important survey. The survey
includes a short optional and confidential questionnaire about you. Your
perspective and experiences are needed to develop diversity and inclusion
initiatives for our movement.

*
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surveymonkey.com%2Fr%2FNFB-D
iversity-Inclusion&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGyduGzLR3u6U-d8pFqEJH37NdDYg> 2021
Diversity and Inclusion Survey (English)

*
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surveymonkey.com%2Fr%2FNFB-D
iversidad-Inclusion&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF3OJ9dJMR5MtBynrBrK5i5D0F_SQ> En
Español: 2021 Encuesta sobre Diversidad e Inclusión

Access Technology Affordability Act:

We are doing a great job building cosponsor support for the Access
Technology Affordability Act in both the House and the Senate. The bill
gained fourteen new cosponsors in the House and one in the Senate. That
means the House bill is up to sixty-two cosponsors and the Senate bill is up
to twelve! Special thanks to Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Illinois,
Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and
Washington for getting members of Congress from your state to cosponsor the
bill. Please continue to contact your House and Senate members who are not
yet on the bill and urge them to cosponsor.

Latest Blog Post: “Inclusion in the Theater: Embracing Your Passion for
Performance”:

The Voice of the Nation's Blind Blog highlights personal experiences and
stories of blind people. In the recent article, Elizabeth Rouse shares her
experience getting on stage. Read the blog,
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfb.org%2Findex.php%2Fblog%2
Finclusion-theater-embracing-your-passion-performance&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCN
GCgbNhBTkvJnkjhBM7zqSymSSFKA> "Inclusion in the Theater: Embracing Your
Passion for Performance.”

NFB-NEWSLINE® Marketing and Outreach:

NFB-NEWSLINE is currently planning the marketing and outreach activities for
the remainder of the year. Scott White would like to ask all affiliate
presidents to send him the contact information for the current NFB-NEWSLINE
coordinator for your respective state. Marketing items are currently being
developed to assist state coordinators with the promotion of NFB-NEWSLINE.
Please send this information to Scott at
<https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/h/1dblmvqa84l61/?&cs=wh&v=b&to=swhite@nfb.
org> swhite at nfb.org.

Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award

Nominations are open through May 1, 2021. More information about the award
can be found on the
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfb.org%2Fprograms-services%
2Fscholarships-and-awards%2Fdistinguished-educator-blind-students-award&sa=D
&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGJ90Ah1rEMyRKXiGLPk73fyTR8NQ> Distinguished Educator of
Blind Students Award webpage.

Reminders:

Share Your Experience Accessing COVID-19 Vaccines and Testing:

The National Federation of the Blind is gathering data to monitor and
challenge access barriers for blind people to COVID-19 vaccines and tests.
It is vital that blind and low-vision Americans receive the same
opportunities and tools to participate in ending this public health threat
as others do. Please complete a five- to fifteen-minute survey regarding
your experience with COVID-19 vaccines and testing.

<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfb.org%2Fprograms-services%
2Flegal-program%2Faccess-covid-19-vaccine-and-testing-survey&sa=D&sntz=1&usg
=AFQjCNGhCH-ANbtQzEPp-hgXLjTxoMO01g> Take the survey on accessing COVID-19
vaccines and testing.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

*	March 15: Scholarship Meeting, 8:00 p.m.
*	March 24-26: Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium
*	March 31:
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfb.org%2Fprograms-services%
2Fscholarships-and-awards%2Fscholarship-program%2Fscholarship-program-applic
ation-checklist&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEgNcIh8vXJDA5uLzTWXRDfS2bpYQ>
Scholarship application deadline
*	April 5: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.
*	April 15:
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfb.org%2Fbolotin&sa=D&sntz=
1&usg=AFQjCNGMFBB6SG5E7O-kpFYyEuMITz9Vsw> Bolotin Awards nominations
deadline
*	May 1:
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfb.org%2Fprograms-services%
2Fscholarships-and-awards%2Fdistinguished-educator-blind-students-award&sa=D
&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGJ90Ah1rEMyRKXiGLPk73fyTR8NQ> Distinguished Educator of
Blind Children Award  nominations deadline
*	May 3: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.
*	June 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 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 <http://www.nfbofillinois.org> 