[IL-Talk] President Riccobono's notebook for the week of April 5

Thu Apr 8 00:20:53 UTC 2021

News:

Honor Roll Call:

Each year affiliates and national divisions make donations to the
funds that help sustain our movement: Kenneth Jernigan Fund, Jacobus
tenBroek Memorial
Fund, SUN Fund, and White Cane Fund. Starting in 2021 and for future
years, all affiliates and divisions are asked to make contributions or
pledges starting
May 1. Affiliates and divisions should send an email to
rollcall at nfb.org
 to let us know the name of the organization, how much it is
contributing to each fund, and when the check is expected to be
mailed. We will collect and
track this information as contributions are received. We ask that all
pledges be fulfilled by August 1, 2021. You should make donations to
the Kenneth
Jernigan Fund, SUN Fund, and White Cane Fund payable to National
Federation of the Blind, and donations to the Jacobus tenBroek
Memorial Fund payable to
that fund. Make sure to put Honor Roll Call in the memo of any check
sent for this purpose, and mail it to
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230,
Attention: Fiscal Services – Roll Call.

Door Prizes:

We are accepting door prizes for the 2021 National Convention. We
request cash donations so that we can distribute gift cards and gift
certificates as
prizes. Cash donations make it easier to create prize groups and to
distribute prizes from one location. Please make your checks payable
to National Federation
of the Blind and write Door Prizes in the memo. You should mail the
check to National Federation of the Blind,
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230,
Attention: Fiscal Services - DP. By addressing the check this way, we
will easily identify it as a door prize and process it accordingly.
You can also
send an email to
prize at nfb.org
 to let us know you are sending a contribution for the door prizes and
the full name of the organization that the contribution is from. We
want to make
sure we recognize your organization in our thank-you list. You can
contact Bridgid Burke (
bburke at nfb.org
 or extension 2271) or Belinda Hooks (
bhooks at nfb.org
 or extension 2508) with any questions. We are looking forward to
another informative, fun, and prize-filled convention.

Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (H.R. 2373):

Yesterday Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, Bobby
Scott (VA-3) reintroduced the Transformation to Competitive Integrated
Employment
Act (H.R. 2373). This bill would discontinue the use of special wage
certificates and phase out subminimum wages for people with
disabilities over a four-year
period. Please contact your representatives and ask them to cosponsor
this legislation.

Comments to Rehabilitation Services Administration Regarding
Competitive Integrated Employment:

On March 31, the National Federation of the Blind submitted
comments to the Rehabilitation Services Administration
 regarding an FAQ the agency released pertaining to the definition of
competitive integrated employment. Our comprehensive comments can be
found on the

Policy Statements
 page of
nfb.org.

Independence Market April “Products of the Month” and Sale Items:

This month the Independence Market has two products of the month. The
first is a Micro-Speak Talking Digital Voice Recorder (8 gig) that is
priced at $60.
The second is a Wilson Digital Voice Recorder (Version 8) priced at
$42. Either (or both) of these items can be purchased by contacting
the Independence
Market at 410-659-9314, extension 2216, or by email at
Independencemarket at nfb.org.

The sale items for the month of April are:

Plastic Envelope Writing Guide - $1

Plastic Letter Writing Guide - $1

2x Illuminated Magnifier with 6X Insert and Folding Handle - $5

Supplies are limited, so for more information or to purchase any of
the items listed above, contact the Independence Market at
410-659-9314, extension
2216, or by email at
Independencemarket at nfb.org.

Collections Advisory Council:

The Jacobus tenBroek Library is looking to put together an advisory
council of people who are aligned with the missions of the National
Federation of the
Blind and possess an interest in history, research, literature,
museums, archives, and other related subjects. If you are interested
or would like more
information, please contact Nichole Chrissis at
nchrissis at nfb.org.

Blind Driver Challenge Update: Partnering with Cruise:

The National Federation of the Blind and the San Francisco-based,
zero-emission, self-driving company Cruise are sponsoring racecar
driver Dan Parker in
his fall 2021 attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the
“Fastest Speed for a Car Driven Blindfolded” as part of the Blind
Driver Challenge. It’s
more than a race—we are accelerating the challenge in 2021 because the
need for urgency in the development and implementation of
accessibility in emerging
technology is even greater. Read the
full partnership announcement from April 5
 and check out
the video teaser.

Upcoming Nonvisual Access Events: Testing and Google Workplace:

Accessibility boutiques and seminars are National Federation of the
Blind workshops presented by our access technology experts that
provide introductions
to accessibility best practices and the latest trends in access tech.
Below are two upcoming accessibility events to share.

list of 2 items
• April 14: A Deep Dive into Accessibility Testing
• April 27: Accessibility of Google Workplace
list end

Learn more and register at
nfb.org/boutiques.

Latest Blog Post: “Surviving Domestic Violence: I Found My Way Out”:

The Voice of the Nation's Blind Blog highlights personal experiences
and stories of blind people. In the recent article, Cheryl Fields
shares about the
pathway of healing and journey to peace. Read the blog, "
Surviving Domestic Violence: I Found My Way Out."
If you are interested in sharing a story, please email
CommunicationsTeam at nfb.org.

The April Braille Monitor Is Available:

The latest issue of the National Federation of the Blind flagship
publication is now available. Read about national convention, stories
from members, raising
expectations, and more.
Access the Braille Monitor now.

Affiliate Mentoring Program:

Affiliate leaders interested in learning more about developing an NFB
affiliate mentoring program in your state are cordially invited to
join us on Wednesday,
April 14, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. eastern, to hear from a dynamic panel
discussion on the topic of “All You Wanted to Know About Developing an
NFB Affiliate
Mentoring Program” followed by Q&A.

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/8451905685

Meeting ID: 845 190 5685

One tap mobile: +13017158592,,8451905685# US (Washington DC)
16468769923,,8451905685# US +(New York)

Dial by your location

+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

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+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

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+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

+1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)

Meeting ID: 845 190 5685

Thanks Go Out to Our Kansas Affiliate:

Special thanks go to the NFB of Kansas for their generous
contribution. Your work is much appreciated.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

list of 9 items
•
April 15:
Bolotin Awards
 nominations deadline
•
April 15: Survivor Task Force Open Call
• April 18: Survivor Task Force Open Call
• May 1:
Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award
  nominations deadline
• May 3: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.
•
May 7:
NFB BELL® Academy application
 deadline (for session one)
• May 10:
NFB EQ application
 deadline
• June 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.
• July 6-10: NFB National Convention, anywhere and everywhere

-- 
Marilyn Green, President
National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
312-343-8396
www.nfbofillinois.org