[IABS-Talk] President Riccobono's notebook for the week of April 18

Tue Apr 19 11:20:42 UTC 2022

News:

2022 National Convention Registration Is Open:

The 2022 National Federation of the Blind National Convention registration
is now open until May 31, 2022. Registration is $25 per person. Banquet
tickets for Sunday, July 10, are $70 per person. Please review our
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fget-involved%2Fnationa
l-convention%2F2022-national-convention-safety-protocols&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOv
Vaw3kot3B-yBJPP8MaziQERY9> 2022 National Convention Safety Protocols and the
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fabout-us%2Fhistory-and
-governance%2Fcode-conduct&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw05DvneTNYuMvamR8fMRzZq>
National Federation of the Blind Code of Conduct prior to registering.
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fcivicrm%2Fevent%2Fregi
ster%3Freset%3D1%26id%3D479&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw12jcc23g4jefxRh3e6yQNE>
Register online now! Details regarding convention can be found at
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fget-involved%2Fnationa
l-convention&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw1Q_FuEBA2-HBoRwCAjcpQK>
nfb.org/convention.

Upcoming April Presidential Release:

The next Presidential Release will take place Monday, May 2, 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/1717j3a60izqk/?&cs=wh&v=b&to=cdanielsen@
nfb.org> cdanielsen at nfb.org and put PR516 in the subject line, or call
410-659-9314, extension 2473. Zoom details coming soon.

State Advocacy on Ending Subminimum Wages:

On April 14, 2022, Governor Bill Lee (R-TN) signed the Tennessee Integrated
and Meaningful Employment Act, SB2042. Effective on July 1, 2022, this law
would eliminate the practice of paying subminimum wages to workers with
disabilities in Tennessee. This makes thirteen states that will no longer
permit Section 14(c) certificates, ensuring fair wages for workers with
disabilities. We would like to congratulate the efforts of our Tennessee
affiliate and hope this will help us to continue the momentum to keep
building cosponsors for the Transformation to Competitive Integrated
Employment Act, S. 3238/H.R. 2373.

NFB Comments on the AbilityOne Draft Strategic Plan:

Last week we submitted our
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fprograms-services%2Fad
vocacy%2Fpolicy-statements%2Fcomments-abilityone-draft-strategic-plan-fiscal
-years&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw0u3iAnuzudhhC8P4tEn2wQ> official comments on
the AbilityOne Draft Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2022-2026. While we
were generally pleased with the direction the strategic plan for the future
of the AbilityOne Program, there are still some areas that need improvement.
I encourage you to read about our specific concerns in the comments, and to
check out some of our other recent policy positions on the
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fprograms-services%2Fad
vocacy%2Fpolicy-statements&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw0EXlbeWMG6kvuG4KNGNuOl>
Policy Statements page of our website.

Furthermore, over the weekend the AbilityOne Commission announced that it
would be extending the comment period to April 30, so if you would like to
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.regulations.gov%2Fdocket%2FC
PPBSD-2022-0003%2Fdocument&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw0jbfA7bMuz5xUGxHcl2g6M>
read the Strategic Plan and
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.regulations.gov%2Fdocument%2
FCPPBSD-2022-0003-0002&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw0vyH3cr28_7DP_LsbPhf6w> submit
your own comments, we encourage you to do so.

Help Reach 100k for "We're With U!" Concert:

This past weekend featured a historic event: over one hundred blind
performers from across the world, more than twenty different radio streams,
and the global blind community came together to raise over $85,000 for the
blind of Ukraine. All done within twelve hours. Thank you to everyone who
contributed by sharing performances, donating dollars, and tuning into the
"We're With U!" concert. A special thanks to our host, Jonathan Mosen at
Mushroom FM. We are still taking contributions to help support the World
Blind Union's Ukrainian Unity Fund with a goal of $100,000. Your support is
greatly appreciated.
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fget-involved%2Fwe-are-
with-u-benefit-concert&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw2_IPVI4EiXpo75c0S0-zcv>
nfb.org/BlindWithU. #BlindWithU
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fmushroomfm.com%2FBlindWithU&sa=D
&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw1pxE_aZeDgwe8K8Rh4QXJS> The "We're With U" concert is now
available on demand.

Deadline Approaching for Blind Educator of the Year Award:

The Blind Educator of the Year Award is open for nominations. The award pays
tribute to a blind teacher whose exceptional classroom performance, notable
community service, and uncommon commitment to the NFB merits national
recognition. Deadline for nominations is May 1.
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fprograms-services%2Fsc
holarships-and-awards%2Fblind-educator-year-award&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw0Y-1
k5NNGYb4cy90ZZQjDm> Learn more about the Blind Educator of the Year Award.

Upcoming Event: Braille for Beginners on April 26:

Learn all about the basics of Braille, how it is produced, and tips and
tricks for beginners. Join the National Federation of the Blind on Tuesday,
April 26, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., eastern, to discuss Braille with
accessibility specialists. Take advantage of this free opportunity and
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fprograms-services%2Fce
nter-excellence-nonvisual-access%2Ftrainings%2Faccessibility-boutiques%2Facc
essibility-boutique-registration&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw18k3_3PHvkFgrp0tRxPgc
i> register for the accessibility boutique today!

Panel of Successfully Employed Blind Educators:

Join us as we celebrate the work and accomplishments of blind and low-vision
educators with a panel discussion on Wednesday, April 27, at 8:00 p.m.,
eastern. Register at
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fprograms-services%2Fem
ployment%2Fwhere-the-blind-work-webinars-registration&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw
2bLuhGBJLWvmllIMVc73kO>
https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/where-the-blind-work-webinars-r
egistration.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

*	April 26: Braille for Beginners Accessibility Boutique
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fprograms-services%2Fce
nter-excellence-nonvisual-access%2Ftrainings%2Faccessibility-boutiques%2Facc
essibility-boutique-registration&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw18k3_3PHvkFgrp0tRxPgc
i> 
*	April 27: Successfully Employed Blind Educator Panel
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fprograms-services%2Fem
ployment%2Fwhere-the-blind-work-webinars-registration&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw
2bLuhGBJLWvmllIMVc73kO> 
*	May 1: Deadline for Distinguished Educator of Blind Students award
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fprograms-services%2Fsc
holarships-and-awards%2Fdistinguished-educator-blind-students-award&sa=D&snt
z=1&usg=AOvVaw3lqoa162dbnSK8Zi-he_xJ> 
*	May 31: Convention registration
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fcivicrm%2Fevent%2Fregi
ster%3Freset%3D1%26id%3D479&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw12jcc23g4jefxRh3e6yQNE>
closes
*	July 5-10: National Convention
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fget-involved%2Fnationa
l-convention&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw1Q_FuEBA2-HBoRwCAjcpQK> , New Orleans

Marilyn Green, President

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois

312-343-8396

 <mailto:president at nfbofillinois.org> president at nfbofillinois.org

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

Live the life you want!

The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois is a community of members
and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every
day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.