[IABS-Talk] President Riccobono's notebook for the week of August 2

Wed Aug 2 19:47:01 UTC 2023

Calling Visionary Leaders-Kenneth Jernigan Leadership-in-Service Program:

Are you passionate about empowering the blind community? Do you have a
burning desire to make a difference and lead with conviction? The National
Federation of the Blind invites you to be part of our pilot cohort that will
develop the Kenneth Jernigan Leadership-in-Service Program. Prepare to
embark on a transformative journey that will shape you into a powerful
advocate for blind individuals, foster your personal growth, and
simultaneously develop a program to build future leaders and a stronger
community.

This is a leadership training opportunity that should not be taken lightly.
Interested individuals should meet the following criteria: 

*       Have a fundamental understanding of the NFB

*       Have attended at least one national convention

*       Have attended at least one affiliate convention

*       Ideally serve, or have served, in an elected position in a chapter,
affiliate, or division

*       Commit to participate in three in-person sessions (travel and
lodging provided)

*       Commit to participate in nine virtual monthly sessions (computer and
internet access required)

In order to apply, interested individuals should contact and secure the
support of two NFB affiliate presidents who agree to serve as
sponsors/mentors for the program, providing them with a written essay or
audio/video recording explaining the merits of your participation and your
leadership goals. Affiliate presidents are only allowed to sponsor two
candidates, and they must make their submissions to the Office of the
President by August 25, 2023.

We will hold a Zoom call to answer questions about this program on
Wednesday, August 16, at 8:00 p.m. Those interested in participating in the
call should RSVP via email to
<https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/h/1hjemlcplxk1d/?&cs=wh&v=b&to=officeofthe
president at nfb.org> officeofthepresident at nfb.org. We will send the Zoom link
that day to those who RSVP. We will finish by 8:29 so that those who want to
join the Uber call can jump over to that call.

Convention Survey and Highlights:

Thank you for a great #NFB23 convention. Please share feedback in the
National Federation of the Blind survey available at
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fconvention&sa=D&sntz=1
&usg=AOvVaw2OHETX8FePuV4BH7znKQ8g> nfb.org/convention in English and Spanish
or by phone. To complete the survey by phone, call 229-632-7878 or toll-free
833-632-7878. Please note that the phone number above provides the survey in
an automated system and will require the survey to be completed in one
session. There is an option to pause the survey for five minutes and the
pause can be extended as needed. Push the pound key for help. The #NFB23
convention highlights are also available at
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fconvention&sa=D&sntz=1
&usg=AOvVaw2OHETX8FePuV4BH7znKQ8g> nfb.org/convention. Save the date: NFB24
is scheduled for July 3 through 8 in Orlando, Florida.

News:

Route 66 Ride for Literacy Update:

The National Federation of the Blind Route 66 Ride for Literacy with Dan
O'Rourke has officially kicked off. Starting in Santa Monica, California, on
July 27, Dan has biked across the first state and is heading through Arizona
as of August 1. Please share this ride with your friends and family to raise
awareness on the importance of Braille literacy and connecting with our
community. Follow the Ride for Literacy at
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Froute66&sa=D&sntz=1&us
g=AOvVaw1h0rDbdkoPCJcvxIP1Y9OQ> nfb.org/route66.

United States Access Board Meeting:

On Tuesday, July 25, the United States Access Board conducted its quarterly
meeting at our headquarters right here in Baltimore. The public portion of
the meeting is available on the
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUgAv8c_HzY> Access Board's YouTube
channel.

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Hearing on Autonomous Vehicles:

On Wednesday, July 26, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce conducted a legislative
hearing titled "Self-Driving Vehicle Legislative Framework: Enhancing
Safety, Improving Lives and Mobility, and Beating China." I was asked to
testify at this hearing regarding the impact of autonomous vehicles on
people with disabilities.
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fsites%2Fnfb.org%2Ffile
s%2F2023-07%2FIDC_Mark%2520Riccobono%2520Testimony-Self%2520Driving%2520Vehi
cles-AV%2520Hearing_7.26.2023.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw294Rf1HpeutV-a85-ily
nG> My written testimony is available on our Policy Statements page, and the
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-um7LWAEUTY> full video of the hearing,
including  <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-um7LWAEUTY&t=2805s> my verbal
testimony, is available on the Energy and Commerce Committee's YouTube
channel.

Uber Town Hall Meeting:

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Uber Town Hall meeting last
Thursday, July 27. We had approximately three hundred people on the call.
Uber will be conducting a second town hall meeting regarding service animals
on Wednesday, August 16, at 8:30 p.m., eastern, in case you missed the first
call and want to have an opportunity to participate. Please stay tuned for
Zoom information, which will be available in the coming weeks.

Rideshare Denials:

The National Federation of the Blind encourages individuals who are denied
access to an Uber or Lyft vehicle due to the presence of a service animal or
otherwise on the basis of blindness to file complaints with the Civil Rights
division of the US Department of Justice. Complaints of each incident can be
filed using the following online form:
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fcivilrights.justice.gov%2Freport
%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw2oSoH33yaxYV4ecVk0DWfu>
civilrights.justice.gov/report/.

Individuals who file complaints through this multi-step online form should
download or print a copy of the confirmation screen, which contains the text
of the complaint and the record number (example 123987-ABC). The text of a
submitted complaint is not currently included in the confirmation email or
easily available after you leave the submission screen.

We are asking members to forward the email confirmation of the complaints or
send their record numbers to
<https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/h/1hjemlcplxk1d/?&cs=wh&v=b&to=legal@nfb.o
rg> legal at nfb.org so that our legal team may follow up in further advocacy.
Submitting an online complaint through the above website should generate a
confirmation email from
<https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/h/1hjemlcplxk1d/?&cs=wh&v=b&to=civilrights
donotreply at mail.civilrights.usdoj.gov>
civilrightsdonotreply at mail.civilrights.usdoj.gov. Note that the Department
of Justice has significant enforcement power under the Americans with
Disabilities Act. Several of our members participated in a recent
multi-million-dollar settlement involving discriminatory wait-time fees.
Individuals can learn more about that case at the following website:
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.justice.gov%2Fcrt%2Fcase%2Fu
nited-states-v-uber-technologies-inc&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw3J-IQiNZk4HO0g9UT
7yJgO> justice.gov/crt/case/united-states-v-uber-technologies-inc.

Please help us advocate for change in the rideshare space by submitting your
complaints to the US DOJ and forwarding the confirmation emails so we can
follow up.

Blind Equality Achievement Month Planning:

Remember history. Advance equality. Celebrate accomplishments. The National
Federation of the Blind celebrates the organized blind movement during
October each year. Chapters across the country organize local outreach
events. Submit your events, activities, celebrations to
<https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/h/1hjemlcplxk1d/?&cs=wh&v=b&to=web@nfb.org
> web at nfb.org, so they can be posted on
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fblind-month&sa=D&sntz=
1&usg=AOvVaw257js1ofQzvwJmEk-A4Y4K> nfb.org/blind-month. If you need items
or ideas, check out
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fcivicrm%2Fmailing%2Fvi
ew%3Fid%3D2378%26reset%3D1&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw0cWssHlu326yPIt5QPEra3> the
free literature resources and White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation.

Braille Calendars:

Are you ready for a 2024 Braille calendar? The American Action Fund for
Blind Children and Adults produces over eight thousand Braille calendars
each year, and they are given free to any blind or deafblind persons in the
United States. These pocket calendars are great for the office, home, or
your travel bag.

You can order up to three Braille calendars via our online form at
<http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Factionfund.org%2Fresources%2Fbrail
le-calendars&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw3SH9-c-bFGWaQTZ3cBcWf5>
actionfund.org/resources/braille-calendars, by sending an email to
<https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/h/1hjemlcplxk1d/?&cs=wh&v=b&to=actionfund@
actionfund.org> actionfund at actionfund.org, or by leaving a telephone message
at 410-659-9315.

As in past years, the Action Fund offers each NFB affiliate an opportunity
to order up to fifty Braille calendars for the members of their affiliate.
Just send us an email by August 31, 2023, and we will make sure your request
is completed.

Dream Makers Circle:

You can help build a future of opportunity for the blind by becoming a
member of our Dream Makers Circle. It is easier than you think. You can
visit your bank and convert an account to a P.O.D. (payable on death) bank
account, which is payable after your passing to the National Federation of
the Blind or one of our affiliates. Your legacy gift to the National
Federation of the Blind or the National Federation of the Blind of {insert
state} can be made in the form of a will or living trust, an
income-generating gift, or by naming us as the beneficiary of a retirement
plan, IRA, pension, or a life insurance policy. You can designate a specific
amount, a percentage, or list the NFB as one of several beneficiaries. For
additional information, please contact Patti Chang at 410-659-9314,
extension 2422, or at
<https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/h/1hjemlcplxk1d/?&cs=wh&v=b&to=pchang@nfb.
org> pchang at nfb.org.

Vehicle Donations:

The National Federation of the Blind uses car donations to improve the
education of blind children, distribute free white canes, help veterans, and
so much more. We have partnered with Vehicles for Charity to process donated
vehicles. Please call toll-free 855-659-9314, and a representative can make
arrangements. Or you can donate online by visiting
<http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfb.org%2Fvehicledonations&sa=
D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw3dFcaxB5eNeOODYFkO2xnZ> nfb.org/vehicledonations.

Preauthorized Contributions (PAC):

Can you help the National Federation of the Blind on a regular basis? Please
consider joining our preauthorized contribution plan. Starting at $5 per
month, you can help us turn dreams into reality and raise expectations for
blind people. Visit
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.formstack.com%2Fforms%2Fpac&
sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw39s70vUTJBbkxMpD5sIKEy> nfb.org/pac to fill out the
online form or email
<https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/h/1hjemlcplxk1d/?&cs=wh&v=b&to=pac@nfb.org
> pac at nfb.org for additional information.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

*	August 9: Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement, 8:00 p.m.
*	August 16: Call to answer questions about the Kenneth Jernigan
Leadership-in-Service Program, 8:00 p.m.
*	August 16: Uber Town Hall #2, 8:30 p.m.
*	August 25: Deadline for submissions for the Kenneth Jernigan
Leadership-in-Service Program
*	August 31: Deadline for affiliates
<https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/h/1hjemlcplxk1d/?&cs=wh&v=b&to=actionfund@
actionfund.org> to request calendars
*	September 7 and 10: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Blind
Equality Achievement Month)
*	October: Blind Equality Achievement Month
*	November 8: Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement, 8:00 p.m.
*	December 7 and 10: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Planning the
Year Ahead)
*	July 3-8, 2024: National Convention; Orlando, Florida

Marilyn Green, President

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois

312-343-8396

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

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