[IABS-Talk] President Riccobono's notebook for the week of May 11

Tue May 12 16:39:29 UTC 2026

Critical

Share Your Story: Access to Healthcare and Section 504:

Have you faced barriers accessing healthcare or health information? A recent delay in enforcing Section 504 accessibility requirements will impact how blind people access patient portals, forms, appointments, and other essential services. We’re collecting short, first-person stories to show the real impact of these barriers. Your experience can help strengthen our advocacy and push for equal access. Email your story to  <mailto:story at nfb.org> story at nfb.org or leave a voicemail at 410-659-9314, extension 2444.

News:

Presidential Release Recording for Chapters and Full, Live Version Available:

 <https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases> Access the May Presidential Release and catch up on the latest priorities of the National Federation of the Blind.

Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Website Rule Comments:

Last month, the Department of Justice released an Interim Final Rule delaying the implementation of the ADA Title II website rule for one year. As many of you know, we have been very vocal about our displeasure with this delay and have filed  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/comments-response-interim-final-rule-regarding-ada> our official response to the Title II delay with the Department of Justice. Our government affairs group is planning a larger initiative and will be sending out a legislative alert next week with further instructions, so please stay tuned!

Department of Health and Human Services – Section 504 Letter:

Following the delay of the ADA Title II website rule, we learned that the Department of Health and Human Services had also sent in an Interim Final Rule to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs regarding the website rule portion of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Title II and Section 504 website rules have been very closely linked throughout the regulatory process, so we suspected that this was also an effort to delay the implementation of the Section 504 rule. In that effort, we sent a  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/letter-secretary-department-health-and-human-services> letter to the secretary of Health and Human Services last week noting our opposition to any delay, rescission, or undermining of the rule. The full letter can be read on our  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements> Policy Statements page. 

Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind – Legislative Alert and Fly-in:

Earlier today, a legislative alert was sent out regarding the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind program. This program has been significantly underfunded for more than a decade, and we are asking Congress to increase the funding so that blind Americans over the age of fifty-five can receive the independent living supports and training they need to remain active in their golden years. To help bolster this initiative, we have a delegation of members from our Seniors Division in Washington this week to advocate for this issue. We urge you to call or email your member of Congress this week as well. 

Kenneth Jernigan Leadership-In-Service Program:

If you are interested in embarking on a transformative journey that will shape you into a powerful advocate for blind individuals, foster your personal growth, and contribute to the continued building of the organized blind movement, we invite you to apply for the next cohort of our Kenneth Jernigan Leadership-In-Service Program (KJLSP). For more information and to apply, visit  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/kenneth-jernigan-leadership-service-program> https://nfb.org/programs-services/kenneth-jernigan-leadership-service-program. 

Dare to Be Remarkable 2026:

The Dare to Be Remarkable Conference is a specialized, multi-day, professional development experience designed for an audience of education and rehabilitation professionals who work with blind and low‑vision adults and transition‑aged youth. This conference brings together a balanced mix of practitioners, administrators, and emerging professionals who are committed to raising expectations and strengthening outcomes. The conference will take place from November 18-20, 2026, at the NFB Jernigan Institute. For more information visit  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/dare-be-remarkable> https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/dare-be-remarkable.

Access On Seminar – Creating Websites as a Blind Person:

The next Access On seminar, “Creating Websites as a Blind Person,” will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 1:00–5:00 p.m., Eastern. This seminar will include an overview of tools, techniques, and tips for setting up and maintaining a website and writing for the web.  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/events/accessibility-boutique-reg> Register here.

Braille Monitor May Issue and Early Access Articles:

The Braille Monitor is our flagship publication and the magazine for the organized blind movement. Early access articles are made available for relevant and urgent information and updates and will be featured in future full issues as needed and determined by the President and editor. Access the latest issue and articles:

*	 <https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm26/bm2605/bm2605tc.htm> Braille Monitor Vol 69 No 5 May 2026
*	“ <https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor/early-access-articles/death-blind-refugee-buffalo> Death of Blind Refugee in Buffalo Ruled Homicide”
*	“ <https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor/early-access-articles/justice-department-delays> Justice Department Delays Web Accessibility Requirements; Federation Calls for Immediate Reversal”

Meta Glasses Are Now Available in the Independence Market:

The second-generation Meta Glasses are available for purchase from the Independence Market! Currently, orders can only be placed by phone. Online purchasing through our eCommerce website will be available soon. The retail price is $369.00, excluding shipping costs. For additional information, or to place an order, please contact the Independence Market directly.

Fresh New NFB Shirts Are Here: 

Get ready for the national convention in style with our brand-new stock of NFB shirts! Choose from comfortable cotton polos or sporty Sport-Tek-styles perfect for showing your NFB pride wherever you go. Available colors are black, white, and blue. Any of these options can be yours today for just $30 each! Don’t wait! Grab your gear now and be convention-ready! Call the Independence Market today to place your order. Online ordering will be available soon, making it even easier to get your favorite shirts.

Podcast Episodes:

All National Federation of the Blind podcast audio and transcripts are available at nfb.org/publications, or you can subscribe to them all on your favorite podcast client.

*	Listen to "Our Stories, Our Mission: The People Behind the Organized Blind Movement (Part One)." In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Melissa and Anil are joined by Gary Wunder. They dive into the story of Adelmo Vigil, president of the NFB of New Mexico. They discuss how he overcame obstacles such as being prevented from learning Braille, being told that he couldn’t teach in a mainstream public school, and his advocacy in the organized blind movement:  <https://buff.ly/SHMQYLA> https://buff.ly/SHMQYLA
*	Tune into Episode 74 of Access On. We bring you highlights of a recent Access On webinar looking at some of the AI-based visual interpretation apps. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Seeing AI, Be My AI, Gemini, ChatGPT ScribeMe, Ally, and AI services from Aira, including a rare public demonstration of the work Aira is doing with Project Astra. Listen to this week’s episode:  <https://buff.ly/8UaLwry> https://buff.ly/8UaLwry
*	Listen to episode twenty-eight of our Walking Alone and Marching Together podcast titled, "Episode 28: Chapter 8 - The Third Generation and the Maurer Presidency, Part 1:" Listen at  <https://buff.ly/G7q9wfm> https://buff.ly/G7q9wfm

Keep NFB Advancing: Give $25 Campaign: 

We recently launched the Keep NFB Advancing: Give $25 Campaign. This year’s theme—Keep NFB Advancing: Connections, Community, and Opportunity—reflects what we build together as a Federation. Through strong relationships, an engaged and growing community, and a shared commitment to expanding opportunity, we continue to raise expectations and transform what is possible for blind people.

The campaign will run from May 15 through July 7, 2026. Each contribution of $25 provides one entry into our drawing, with the winner to be announced at the national convention banquet. Participants will have the opportunity to win roundtrip transportation to the 2027 National Convention, hotel accommodations, registration, banquet tickets, and $1,000 in spending money—or a $2,000 cash prize.

A key part of this effort is the role of Federation Connectors—members who help grow our movement through personal outreach. We are asking members to invite others to participate in the campaign. When a member brings in four donors who each contribute $25 or more and credit that member for their gift, the member will be entered into a special drawing for a BrailleNote Evolve, generously provided by HumanWare. This is an opportunity not only to raise funds, but to deepen engagement and expand our network of supporters.

Contributions to the campaign support four important funds that sustain and strengthen our work. The Kenneth Jernigan Fund helps bring individuals to their first national convention, supports leadership development, and more. The SUN Fund serves as our rainy-day reserve, protecting the Federation in times of need. The White Cane Fund provides flexible, unrestricted support for our programs and priorities. The Jacobus tenBroek Memorial Fund supports the property and infrastructure that makes our work possible.

Leaders are encouraged to share the campaign widely. Learn more at nfb.org/give25. Contributions may be made at  <https://nfb.org/donate> https://nfb.org/donate, and by phone at 410-659-9314, extension 2430, or by mailing a check. Donors should indicate which fund they wish to support; when in doubt, gifts to the White Cane Fund provide the greatest flexibility to advance our mission.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

*	May 13: Access On seminar: Creating Websites as a Blind Person
*	May 18: Information session for Coast-to-Coast Movement Challenge
*	July 3-8, 2026: National Convention; Austin, Texas
*	November 18-20: Dare to be Remarkable; Baltimore, Maryland
*	July 2-7, 2027: National Convention; Austin, Texas
*	July 3-8, 2028: National Convention; Chicago, Illinois
*	July 2-7, 2029: National Convention; Chicago, Illinois

Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement Calls

*	Wednesday, August 5
*	Wednesday, November 4

Chapter Presidents Calls

*	Thursday, June 11 and Sunday, June 14
*	Thursday, September 10 and Sunday, September 13 

Thursday, December 10 and Sunday, December 13

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 advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. We know that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.