[IABS-Talk] President Riccobono's notebook for the week of May 8

Tue May 9 19:18:05 UTC 2023

National Convention:

2023 National Convention Resolutions:
It seems like we just left New Orleans yesterday, but it’s already
that time of year again. As we really kick into high gear with our
convention preparations, we are asking you, the members of the
National Federation of the Blind, to submit your completed resolutions
by emailing them to resolutions at nfb.org. The deadline for resolution
submissions is Thursday, June 1, 2023, so make sure you start writing
as soon as possible.

Give $20 and AIRA Matching Gift:
Each year, thousands of Federation members contribute during national
convention to various funds that support blind people. In 2023, your
generosity is still needed to fund our great programs. When you give
$20 or more between May 1 and July 6 (closing deadline 3:00 p.m.,
central time), you will be entered into the Give $20 Convention
Drawing to win the following:
•	Round-trip transportation for two for the 2024 NFB National Convention
•	Hotel at the convention
•	Registration and banquet tickets for two
•	$1,000 in walking-around cash
This drawing will be to support the following funds:
•	Kenneth Jernigan Fund: Funds donated to the Kenneth Jernigan Fund
are designated by our board of directors for special projects such as
getting first-timers to our national convention. The fund is named for
Dr. Jernigan whose contributions to our movement are incalculable.
•	SUN Fund: These funds are being set aside in the event that they are
needed to support the Federation during difficult times.
•	White Cane Fund: These dollars go directly to the general treasury
of the Federation.
•	tenBroek Fund: These dollars go to the tenBroek Memorial Fund, which
owns the property at 200 East Wells in Baltimore for the benefit of
blind people.
Each $20 donation is a chance to win. Your name will be placed in the
drawing for each increment of $20 you give. Give $100 and you will be
entered into the drawing five times.
You must specify a fund in order to be entered into the drawing..
Choose one of the following funds: Kenneth Jernigan Fund, SUN Fund,
White Cane Fund, or the tenBroek Fund. Your contribution will be
counted for the drawing regardless of which fund you designate.
•	Give online now
•	Give via phone by calling our donation line at 410-659-9314, extension 2430
•	Send a check to National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute,
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230. Be sure to have #Give20
and the fund you are giving to in the memo. If you are not sure please
choose the White Cane Fund as it affords the greatest flexibility.
The winner of the drawing will be announced July 6 at the banquet.
Note: The drawing is for individuals and is not intended for
contributions by divisions, state affiliates, or chapters.
Aira has generously issued a challenge grant. Aira will match up to
$25,000 during our Give $20 campaign.
•       Aira has generously offered to double your dollars by matching
up to $25,000.
•       We look for synergies with our partners and the National
Federation of the Blind and AIRA, the leading provider of visual
interpreting, are both focused on access to information.

News:

Traveling by Air with Guide Dogs:
Lizzie Schoen, a member of the National Federation of the Blind, was
recently denied flying on JetBlue because she was traveling with a
guide dog.  We know that other blind travelers have experienced
similar discrimination. Recently, Al Elia and Lizzie Schoen, along
with members of our government affairs group, met with senior
officials at the US Department of Transportation to brief them on
these issues. If you have experienced discrimination on airlines while
traveling with guide dogs, please contact Al Elia at aelia at nagdu.org,
and be sure to immediately file a complaint with the Department of
Transportation by visiting
transportation.gov/airconsumer/file-consumer-complaint.

Access Technology Affordability Act:
The Access Technology Affordability Act was reintroduced in the Senate
on Thursday, May 4, by Senator Ben Cardin (Maryland), with Senators
John Boozman (Arkansas), Ron Wyden (Oregon), and Todd Young (Indiana)
as cosponsors. As a reminder, the bill will create a $2,000 refundable
tax credit to help cover the cost of qualified access technology. We
anticipate that the House version of the bill will also be introduced
very soon, but in the meantime please be sure to call your Senators to
ask them to cosponsor the Access Technology Affordability Act (S.
1467).

May Presidential Release Chapter Version Available:
The National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release #527 chapter
version is available. Additional formats coming soon. Please mark your
calendars for the next Presidential Release scheduled for May 31,
2023, at 8 p.m., eastern.

Save the Date: 2023 Global Accessibility Awareness Day Is May 18:
Join the National Federation of the Blind and the US Access Board on
Global Accessibility Awareness Day for a one-hour seminar about
Section 508 for government employees with disabilities, their
supervisors, human resource professionals, and anyone else interested.
Learn about what it is supposed to do and how people with disabilities
can work together to leverage the new ruling. Register for the #GAAD
Section 508 Webinar Zoom details.

Encourage Non-Members to Attend the Introduction to the Organized
Blind Movement:
Share the following opportunity for non-members to attend the upcoming
Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement, formerly known as our
Open House Gathering calls, scheduled for May 10 at 8:00 p.m.,
eastern, to learn about what it means to become a member of the
National Federation of the Blind. During the one-hour-long open house,
hear from active members and leaders on the myths and uncertainties of
the Federation. We will discuss membership, philosophy, and purpose.
Non-members can contact us at membership at nfb.org, or call
410-659-9314, extension 2401. Introduction to the Organized Blind
Movement Zoom ID: 954 045 8112

USA Hire:
We are gathering feedback on the Federal government’s use of an
assessment tool called USA Hire. This tool consists of a series of
timed assessments that are administered as part of the Federal
government’s employment application process. It is similar to the
civil service exam (prior to its discontinuation due to discrimination
in 1981) in that it attempts to measure reasoning and analytical
skills. USA Hire assessments are applied to some but not all job
applications posted on USAJobs. The purpose of the assessments is to
evaluate an applicant’s “general competencies and soft skills.”
We are seeking information from those who have experienced challenges
with USA Hire in the following areas:
•	accessibility of the platform using assistive technology
•	insufficient amount of time for the timed assessments
•	difficulty with logic games and vision-centered questions
•	difficulty requesting and receiving reasonable accommodations
•	obstacles related to the requirement to produce medical
documentation for a reasonable accommodation within the OPM-prescribed
deadline (three calendar days)
•	obstacles related to the requirement to produce medical
documentation from only OPM-approved sources (ophthalmologist, etc.)
•	other areas of difficulty

We are asking those who have experienced any of the challenges
referenced to contact our advocacy and legal group at Legal at nfb.org or
by calling 410-659-9314, extension 2440.

Share Braille:
The first portion of our Share Braille project is complete. The
contemporary Olivero theme has been launched, the website has a new
look, and the layout is easy to follow. We will be adding new elements
throughout the year.
Share Braille is a great place to get Braille and Braille/print books
that you may be looking for, have had in the past and would like to
have again, or if you are learning Braille and would like to have some
books to help you do that. There are books in every genre, age range,
and reading level. Why not give it a try today? Just go to
www.sharebraille.org and create your account. All of the books are
free and yours to keep.

Dates to Keep in Mind:
(all times eastern)
•	May 10: Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement, 8:00 p.m.
•	May 18: Global Accessibility Awareness Day
•	June 1 and 4: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Member Engagement
and National Convention)
•	July 1-6, 2023: National Convention; Houston, Texas
•	August 9: Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement, 8:00 p.m.
•	September 7 and 10: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (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)

-- 
Marilyn Green, President
National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
312-343-8396
president at 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.