[Massachusetts-NFB] IMPORTANT Please read entire email

Mon Nov 17 23:58:38 UTC 2025

Happy Day NFB Family,

I hope you are all well. First of all, I want to let each of you know that I
am grateful for each and every one of you! Our members are on the move and
making a difference in many areas! Our Transportation Director, Stephen, has
been working so hard and showing up for every meeting that has anything to
do with autonomous vehicles, guide dogs and the Ride and the T. Thank you
Stephen for all your hard work and thank you to everyone else who has shown
up for any of these events. Kyra has been working hard on getting meetings
with all of our U.S. Reps to discuss changes to the Department of Education
and how it is especially effecting people with disabilities in a significant
way. Thank you Kyra and to all of the others who have accompanied her in
these meetings.  Thank you to all of the Chapter presidents and division
presidents for having your meetings and planning lots of Holiday cheer in
December! This affiliate is what it is thanks to each and every one of you! 

Walking Alone and Marching Together:

The Walking Alone and Marching Together podcast launched on November 16, the
eighty-fifth Federation anniversary. This podcast shares the history of the
National Federation of the Blind's fight for equality and inclusion from
1940 to 1990. 

The first three episodes are now available. We will be releasing a new
episode every Sunday. You can listen, subscribe, or share on: 

*
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/walking-alone-and-marching
-together> Walking Alone and Marching Together webpage (includes episode
transcripts)
*
<https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/walking-alone-and-marching-together-p
odcast/id1849913820> Apple Podcasts
*	 <https://open.spotify.com/show/6TMfseujdBqtecMXyj3DSO> Spotify
*
<https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/702e141c-675d-4df5-b5e3-c7fda1a73414/walk
ing-alone-and-marching-together-podcast> Amazon Music
*	 <https://walkingaloneandmarchingtogether.podbean.com/> Podbean

Department of Education OSERS and OCR Update:

Since the announcement of reduction in force (RIF) notices in the Department
of Education, specifically in the Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), on
October 10, the members of the National Federation of the Blind have been
engaging with our members in Congress to let them know just how big of an
impact this action will have on us. We asked you to call or email your
senators and representatives, and you did. Then we asked some of you to come
to Washington, DC, in person to meet with your senators on the Senate
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and you did. I am happy to
report that in the most recent Continuing Resolution to fund the government,
Congress agreed that the RIF notices would be rescinded. However, that does
not mean that this battle is won. We need to keep advocating to ensure that
the government knows just how important the programs that are administered
by OSERS and OCR are to us. If you didn't get to meet with your members in
Congress, please still try to get those meetings so that we can make sure
our message is heard from one corner of the Capitol to the other.  

We, in Massachusetts, have meant with Senator Warren, Representative
Auchincloss, representative Keating and we will be meeting with Senator
Markey later this week. We also just heard from Representative Clark's
office and will meet with her after Thanksgiving. Our legislative director,
Kyra is trying to firm up appointments with the other seven reps, now.
Please let us know if you are able and willing to  meet your rep. 

Giggle Gala: 

Our first Annual Giggle Gala is coming on December 11!!! It promises to be
an evening full of laughter, food and good cheer! Please secure your seat by
purchasing  your tickets now. Seats are limited, so Hurry, don't miss out on
this evening of doing something great while having a fabulous time!  Thanks
to a generous donation, the next 20 people who purchase tickets will go in
to a drawing to win a crisp $100!!! So, don't delay purchase your ticket
now. If you buy more than one ticket, your name will go in more than one
time. So... think Christmas gifts for your loved ones. Most would love a
comedy show and pizza!  You must be in the room when this drawing takes
place to win! Good Luck! 

  Our silent auctions include a Wine party for 20, vacation packages to
seven different locations; including: Las Vegas, Nappa Valley, New York
City, and Nashville. This is not all, but just some of the items you can bid
on that this exciting event! 

Attached, you will find a flyer, that can be printed and shared in any way
you choose. Some ideas include texting it to your network, posting it on
social media or printing hard copies and hanging them on community bulletin
boards. Whatever you do, please share and get out the word about this
wonderful evening with the NFB of Massachusetts.

There is a QR code on the flyer for your convenience, which will bring you
directly to the place to order tickets. We can't wait to see you and laugh
with you at the Giggle Gala 2025!!!

Medicare Telehealth Benefits Extended:

With the passage of the most recent Continuing Resolution on November 13 to
fund the federal government, a provision was included to extend Medicare
telehealth benefits once again. However, this is again a temporary extension
and will expire on January 30, 2026. We need to continue our advocacy on
this effort to ensure that these benefits are made permanent. The most
effective way to do that is to call or email your members in Congress and
ask them to cosponsor the CONNECT for Health Act (H.R. 4206/S. 1261). For
more information on the bill, please refer to our
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-priorities/legislati
ve-alerts/pass-connect-health-act> legislative alert from September.

Independence Market Upcoming Holiday Schedule:

The Independence Market will be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday,
November 27, and Friday, November 28. The market will reopen for regular
business on Monday, December 1. Additionally, for best holiday gift results,
customers should order by Thursday, December 11, for delivery before
Christmas Day. Please be mindful that deliveries around the holiday may take
longer than usual. Customers are welcome to reach out to the market staff
for tracking information and updates. Keep in mind that the Independence
Market online store will remain open and will accept orders twenty-four
hours a day, seven days a week, at nfb.org/ecommerce. 

Career Quest Program at the Washington Seminar: 

Share this opportunity with blind students, early professionals, or emerging
leaders:

Blind students are invited to join us at the National Federation of the
Blind (NFB) Career Quest Program, held during the NFB Washington Seminar,
from January 25 to January 28. This program empowers blind and low-vision
students and early professionals to become confident advocates and future
leaders.

Participants will have the opportunity to advocate on Capitol Hill, learn
advocacy skills that will become valuable in college and in their careers,
connect with peers at the NABS Winter Meeting, meet employers at the NFB
Career Fair, and network with Federation mentors and professionals.

Participants must complete the
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/career-quest/application>
Career Quest Interest Application by December 12 to secure their spot.
Please direct all questions to Nikki Jackson at 410-659-9314, extension
2404. 

Dates to Keep in Mind:

*	December 11, 2025 Giggle Gala
*	December 17, 2025Affiliate Board meeting
*	January 26-29, 2026: Washington Seminar
*	July 3-8, 2026: National Convention; Austin, Texas

Chapter Presidents Calls

*	Thursday, December 11 and Sunday, December 14

Shara Winton

President, National federation of the Blind of Massachusetts

 <http://www.nfbma.org/> www.nfbma.org

 <mailto:sharawinton at gmail.com> sharawinton at gmail.com

617-304-0347

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