[IABS-Talk] President Riccobono's notebook for the week of February 19

Fri Feb 23 14:53:58 UTC 2024

Critical Actions:

March Presidential Release:

The National Federation of the Blind
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fresources%2Fpublicatio
ns-and-media%2Fpresidential-releases&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw070-a89QjTh-TJrWS
JM5Zl> March Presidential Release is scheduled for February 29, 2024, at
8:00 p.m., eastern. Each presidential release live includes a
question-and-answer session. Please submit questions early to
<https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/h/1l4vtdq6wmrak/?&cs=wh&v=b&to=cdanielsen@
nfb.org> cdanielsen at nfb.org.
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb-org.zoom.us%2Fj%2F9815392568
1&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw3SZ7P_O0vyglK4TRohrTVp> Zoom ID 981 5392 5681.

News:

Legislative Update:

Since the 2024 Washington Seminar, we have gained forty-nine new cosponsors
on our legislation between the House and the Senate. In the House, the
Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act gained twenty-two new
cosponsors to bring the total number up to twenty-six. The Medical Device
Nonvisual Accessibility Act in the House gained nineteen new cosponsors to
bring the total number up to seventy-two. The House version of the Access
Technology Affordability Act gained seven new cosponsors, bringing the total
number up to eighty-one. In the Senate, the Access Technology Affordability
Act gained one new cosponsor to bring the total number up to eighteen. This
is fantastic progress! Please continue to follow up with your members of
Congress and urge them to cosponsor our legislation.

Black History Month Events:

In honor of Black History Month, the National Organization of Blind Black
Leaders (NOBBL) is hosting several meetings and events on Zoom. There are
two more: February 21 and February 27.
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fnational-organization-
blind-black-leaders-black-history-month-events&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw074cWXl
NqiJ2eu3oTphL0e> Learn more about the upcoming NOBBL events.

2024 Federation Song Contest:

Calling all dreamers, melody makers, and lyrical wizards! Craft your sonic
masterpiece for the 2024 Performing Arts Division Federation Song Contest.
You could win a spot at a special songwriting retreat at the prestigious
home to the nation's oldest blindness movement. Don't let your sound dim;
tune in to your muse and hit that
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb-pad.org%2Fsongwriting&sa=D&s
ntz=1&usg=AOvVaw0TXjAKR58TjXrWnBRFcaGr> submit button!

Submit Nominations for Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award:

The education of blind children is one of the National Federation of the
Blind's highest priorities. Please help us recognize dedicated and
innovative teachers who provide quality education and meaningful experiences
and opportunities for their blind students. Nominate a teacher, counselor,
or administrator of programs for blind students.
<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> Learn more about the Distinguished
Educator of Blind Students Award.

Submit Nominations for Blind Educator of the Year Award:

The
<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> Blind Educator of the Year Award pays tribute to a blind
teacher whose exceptional classroom performance, notable community service,
and commitment to the organized blind movement merit national recognition.
Submit nominations to the committee chairperson, Robin House, via email at
<https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/h/1l4vtdq6wmrak/?&cs=wh&v=b&to=robin@minds
realm.net> robin at mindsrealm.net. Letters of nomination must be accompanied
by a copy of the nominee’s current résumé and supporting documentation of
community and Federation activity.

Save the Date:

The National Federation of the Blind Diabetes Action Network Seminar will be
held on Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27, 2024, in St. Louis,
Missouri, at the Hilton St. Louis Airport. The cost of a room is $111 a
night, and, when you book be sure to request the room block under the name
National Federation of the Blind. To reach the hotel call 314-426-5500.
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fabout-us%2Fdivisions-c
ommittees-and-groups%2Fdivisions%2Fdiabetes-action-network&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=A
OvVaw0SB18ehTR15FQECk0TpNY9> More details on the seminar coming soon!

NFB BELL® Academy:

Ring your bells for a great summer opportunity for blind and low-vision
children! The NFB BELL® Academy program gives children exposure to Braille
in fun and engaging ways like creating crafts, playing Braille games, and
fun field trip experiences. Children also gain confidence, learn independent
living skills, and have the opportunity to connect with blind mentors.
Encourage the families in your community to register. Visit
<http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfb.org%2Fbell&sa=D&sntz=1&usg
=AOvVaw3J8dv1Xe4Fn-kvIWJkEljy> http://www.nfb.org/bell for more information.

NFB STEM2U:

Scope out space with us this year at a local NFB STEM2U program!
Registration is now open for Louisiana and Maryland. Other affiliates are
coming soon! In collaboration with the Center of Science and Industry
(COSI), we will become astronomers through the study of astrophysics and
engineering. We’ll build models of the James Webb Space Telescope, learn
about the Earth’s atmosphere, discover why the Webb was sent to space, and
explore how it studies space. STEM can be accessible; let’s show the blind
youth in your community how! To learn more and to register visit
<http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfb.org%2Fstem2u&sa=D&sntz=1&u
sg=AOvVaw1x0SwlugfCBmFrtBxrcjGF> http://www.nfb.org/stem2u.   

National Federation of the Blind IEP Advocacy Academy:

We are seeking blind adults and parents of blind or low-vision children
willing to gain knowledge of Individual Education Programs (IEPs) to assist
families with the future education of blind or low-vision students.

Parents can easily feel overwhelmed by the IEP process that is required to
establish special education services for their child. Currently, there is a
limited number of people that have the necessary knowledge to assist these
families.

To address the extreme shortage of knowledgeable parent advocates for blind
and low-vision students across the nation, the National Federation of the
Blind (NFB), with support from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, is offering
an intensive IEP training opportunity. We invite interested parents and
blind adults from every state to apply.

Participants will learn to serve as volunteer advocates in preparation for
and/or attendance at IEP meetings for blind or low-vision students.
Participants will gain an understanding of education law, learn how to
develop a thorough and robust IEP, acquire advocacy strategies in order to
empower parents to advocate for students and families, assist in and create
the strongest possible IEPs for blind students, and learn to train other
advocates in their perspective state.

For more information or to apply visit
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fform%2Fapplication-for
-iep-advocacy-tra&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw3OqbTLjdHEArtr5zRwwVnP>
https://nfb.org/form/application-for-iep-advocacy-tra.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

*       April 15: Deadline for
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fprograms-services%2Fsc
holarships-and-awards%2Fdr-jacob-bolotin-awards%2Fapplication-information&sa
=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw33OTCrsq2843D2Kf0s4SnV> Bolotin Award nominations

*       May 1: Deadline for
<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> Blind Educator of the Year Award nominations

*       May 1: Deadline for
<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> Distinguished Educator of Blind
Students Award nominations

*       July 3-8, 2024: National Convention; Orlando, Florida

Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement

*       Wednesday, May 8, 8:00 p.m.

*       Wednesday, August 7, 8:00 p.m.

*       Wednesday, November 6, 8:00 p.m.

Chapter Presidents Calls

*       Thursday, March 14, and Sunday, March 17, at 8:00 p.m.

*       Thursday, June 13, and Sunday, June 16, at 8:00 p.m.

*       Thursday, September 12, and Sunday, September 15, at 8:00 p.m.

*       Thursday, December 19, and Sunday, December 22, at 8:00 p.m.

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.