[IL-Talk] President Riccobono's notebook for the week of June 30

Tue Jul 1 13:48:36 UTC 2025

Convention: Know Before You Go:

ICYMI: Here are the convention communications with reminders and information
on access to the NFB25 mobile app. Please share information with members who
do not receive emails. 

*	 <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/view?id=4066&reset=1> NFB25 Know
Before You Go Email 1
*	 <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/view?id=4089&reset=1> NFB25 Know
Before You Go Email 2
*	 <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/view?id=4104&reset=1> NFB25 Know
Before You Go Email 3

Air Travel Tips to Help You Get to New Orleans:

Our Advocacy and Policy Department has created the list below that contains
the current airline regulations for passengers using white canes or guide
dogs. We wanted to distribute it to everyone as you prepare to travel to New
Orleans for the National Convention next week.

<https://www.tsa.gov/travel/tsa-cares/disabilities-and-medical-conditions#ui
-id-15> TSA Regulations for Canes during Security Screening

<https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-II/subchapter-D/part-382/subp
art-I/section-382.121> Regulations for Cane Storage in the Cabin of a
Passenger Aircraft

<https://www.transportation.gov/resources/individuals/aviation-consumer-prot
ection/service-animals> Regulations for Guide Dogs on Airlines

Movement Challenge at Convention:

Get ready to move! Join our Coast-to-Coast Movement Challenge during
convention week-whether you're attending in person or from home. Walk the
distance of a half or full marathon and help power our coast-to-coast
momentum. Track your steps or movement throughout the convention week. Stay
tuned for more details in the convention communications on how to share your
success. 

Volunteers Still Needed:

Volunteer a few hours at our Independence Market or Federation Free Reads
table during convention. Help attendees explore our literature or
demonstrate products.
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/market-volunteer> Sign up
now and make a meaningful impact. 

Coast-to-Coast Campaign at Convention:

Chapter and affiliate leaders are invited to a session on the Coast-to-Coast
campaign. Join us at national convention in Studio 8 on Thursday, July 10,
at 6 p.m. Learn how your chapter or affiliate can get involved in the Bay
Bridge Run and the California International Marathon fundraising and
membership-building opportunities. Look for "Learn More: Bay Bridge Run for
Chapters" in the convention agenda. Leaders are encouraged to send a
delegate in their place if they cannot attend.

Lead and Drive: Give $25 in '25 Social Media Toolkit for Affiliates:

Please share the attached toolkit with your social media coordinators to
promote our "Lead and Drive: Give $25 in '25" campaign between May 15 and
July 11. Please help this be our biggest drive ever and post to as many of
our NFB affiliate channels as possible. Visit  <https://nfb.org/give25>
nfb.org/give25 to learn more and see our contribution form at
<https://nfb.org/give25donate> nfb.org/give25donate.

News:

NFBnet Email Update:

We're actively addressing technical issues with NFBnet, especially email
delivery problems affecting Microsoft addresses like Outlook, Hotmail, MSN,
and Live Mail. If you or someone you know uses one of these, please know
we're working hard to resolve it. Other issues mentioned earlier this month
have been mostly fixed, and not related to the email delivery. The system
remains functional. Thank you for your patience and support as we restore
full service.

Name Update: Federation Free Reads:

Free Literature has a new name! The Federation Free Reads tables, formerly
known as the Free Literature tables, are a place for convention attendees to
learn about the National Federation of the Blind and the lived experiences
of blind people by browsing and choosing from a sample of our literature.

2025 NABS Mid-Atlantic Student Seminar:

Join us for the National Federation of the Blind Mid-Atlantic Student
Seminar: "Charting the Course: Finding Your Fit as a Student," hosted by the
National Association of Blind Students. This weekend-long seminar will focus
on building your confidence as you navigate new experiences outside of your
comfort zone. During this event, you will engage in interactive activities
and presentations while making meaningful connections and discovering new
interests. 

Registration is $100. Complete the
<https://nabslink.org/civicrm/event/register?id=6&reset=1> NABS Mid-Atlantic
Seminar Form to reserve your spot. Reserve your room at the Hampton Inn
Center City Philadelphia for $129, plus taxes/fees, per night, by calling
888-245-3531 and reference the National Federation of the Blind NABS Student
Seminar; or you can reserve online by using the
<https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___https:/www.hilton.com/en/book/rese
rvation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=PHLCVHX&groupCode=CHH90Q&arrivaldate=2025-08-01&de
parturedate=2025-08-03&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKD
IRECT___.YzJ1OmhobWhvdGVsczpjOmc6MThhMzBkYmRmN2QwYmUyZjdjM2NkMTg2MTRlMzU0NGU
6Nzo2MTRlOjUwMTk5OGU1N2M3NTdmNjZmMWNjMjhkMmEwZDE4M2Q5NGI2OWMxMzZjMTQwMzY1NmF
mNmZlMmI5YjM3OWVhNzI6dDpUOk4> NABS Seminar Booking Link. 

The registration and hotel deadline are July 18, 2025. For all questions,
contact NABS Board Member Zachary Ledford at
<mailto:ledford.zachary38 at gmail.com> ledford.zachary38 at gmail.com.

Catch up on Content and Share on Social Media:

Highlights, news, and stories are available in our most recent publications.
Access and share articles and episodes with Federationists on affiliate and
division social media to create discussions on various topics. 

*	 <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/view?id=4103&reset=1> July Braille
Monitor
*
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast>
Nation's Blind Podcast episodes with transcripts available
*
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/access-on-podcast> Access
On podcast episodes with transcripts available

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

*	July 8-13: National Convention; New Orleans, Louisiana
*	January 26-29, 2026: Washington Seminar

Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement

*	Wednesday, August 6
*	Wednesday, November 5

Chapter Presidents Calls

*	Thursday, September 11 and Sunday, September 14

Thursday, December 11 and Sunday, December 14

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 advances the lives of its
members and all blind people in Illinois. We know that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
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.