[Massachusetts-NFB] Critical Actions and more

Fri Sep 26 13:09:01 UTC 2025

Hi Shara,

I am glad you are recovering and doing better.

I will be attending the annual David Tickey Walk and will need a sighted
guide.

Adam

From: Massachusetts-NFB <massachusetts-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of
Shara Winton via Massachusetts-NFB
Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2025 3:31 PM
To: 'NFB of Massachusetts E-mail List' <massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org>
Cc: sharawinton at gmail.com
Subject: [Massachusetts-NFB] Critical Actions and more

Hello Federation Family,

I hope you are all doing well. I am still in recovery mode, but doing much
better. I am, not so patiently, taking one day at a time. But I hope to see
all of you next weekend on October 5th, at the Annual David Ticchi Walk in
Cambridge. Please let me know if you would like to attend and whether or
not, you plan toned a guide for walking.  

In my time of recovery I have had a lot of time to reflect and I would like
for all of you to know, just how much I appreciate you and our Federation. I
try to never take our network of blind people for granted as you are all  so
important to me and a   true blessing in my life.

 There are a lot of strong emotions in our nation right now, especially as
it relates to freedom of speech and public discourse. Our movement has
always valued, and attempted to advance, honest dialogue that is delivered
in a respectful manner. I have always appreciated the ethic in our
organization. We treat our guests and each other with respect even when we
deeply disagree. I want to use this moment in history to encourage us to
lean into those values. Our movement has always been driven by hope for our
own future rather than by conflict with opposing views. Do not
misunderstand, we have often had to stand firm in the face of very difficult
views about blindness or policies that hold us back. However, our motivation
has always been hope for a better tomorrow. We should continue to focus our
hearts and minds on the hopeful future we seek and use that as our
inspiration for today's actions.

We can make a real difference by bringing this positive viewpoint to the
public during Blind Equality Achievement Month. As we struggle with the
overwhelming feelings that might exist due to the polarization in our
nation, I hope that you, like me, find great hope, strength, and energy in
the positive work of the National Federation of the Blind. Thank you for
continuing to refill my hopes on a regular basis.

Here are some important items for your information:

Presidential Release Live on October 9:

The next Presidential Release Live will be Thursday, October 9, at 8:00
p.m., Eastern. Zoom details are coming soon. Attend to get the latest
updates on the movement, ask questions, and hear important perspectives on
the organized blind movement. Submit questions or suggestions to
<mailto:communications at nfb.org> communications at nfb.org.

Note: The
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases>
Presidential Release chapter recordings are available by the first Friday of
each month. Please share the chapter recording as part of your chapter
meeting agenda and discuss among members.

 As of October 1, 2025, white canes in the Independence Market will have new
prices. Those prices are as follows:

National Federation of the Blind  canes will cost $35.

National Federation of the Blind straight fiberglass canes will cost $35.

National Federation of the Blind telescoping carbon fiber canes will cost
$45.

National Federation of the Blind folding carbon fiber canes will cost $50.

Mini telescoping carbon fiber canes will cost $50.

Advocacy and Policy Legislative Alerts:

Over the past four weeks, our advocacy and policy group has sent out a
series of legislative alerts to spur advocacy for our priorities in
Congress. So far, these alerts have focused on appropriations, Medicare
telehealth benefits, Department of Education funding, and the Access
Technology Affordability Act. There will be two more coming: one this week
and one next week. Be sure to check your inboxes toward the end of the week.

Accessibility Boutique:

The next accessibility boutique will be held Tuesday, September 30, at 2:00
p.m., Eastern, on what is new in iOS 26, the operating system powering
iPhone. There are plenty of new accessibility features this year including a
new Braille Access Mode. To join the boutique, please register at: 

<https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/events
/accessibility-boutique-reg>
https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/events/
accessibility-boutique-reg

NFB Coast-to-Coast Movement Challenge:

As part of our end-of-year campaign, we issued the NFB Coast-to-Coast
Movement Challenge. We are participating in the Bay Bridge Run on November 9
and the California International Marathon on December 7.

Bay Bridge Run

November 9 in Maryland
Virtual or on site
 <https://nfb.org/contribute/BayBridge> Contribute to the Bay Bridge Run

Lace up and join the NFB National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
for a 10k walk/run across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. This is your chance to
forge connections with your community, empower others to get active, and
support education, independence, and opportunities for blind people.

If you cannot attend on site, you can still participate virtually. Our
chapters, divisions, and affiliates can even complete the challenge as a
White Cane Awareness Day activity during Blind Equality Achievement Month. 

Registration:

*	On site: Complete the
<https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/?raceId=113571&multi_use_reservation_co
de=XBOvlZWuXOORbx4Nn6RtuwhnCLAZIsrk> On-Site Coast-to-Coast Movement
Challenge form. A RunSignUp account is required; select the National
Federation of the Blind Dreamers as your social team and use the team
password DREAMERS25 (all caps).
*	Virtual: Complete the
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=625> Virtual
Coast-to-Coast Movement Challenge form. 

There are multiple goals for your participation. In addition to raising
public perception of blind people, you will be raising much-needed funds.

*	On-site participants: Raise at least $500. We will waive the
registration fee for the Bay Bridge Run.
*	Virtual participants: Raise at least $250.
*	To help you reach this goal, use the
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/run-and-walk-events/bay-bridge-run/b
ay-bridge-run-participant-toolkit> Bay Bridge Participant Toolkit, which
includes sample emails, social media posts, and scripts.

 <https://nfb.org/contribute/BayBridge> Contribute to the Bay Bridge Run. To
support a specific runner, write their name in the "In Honor Of" field.

If you missed our rally for chapters and affiliates, check back on
<https://nfb.org/movers> https://nfb.org/movers for the recording or reach
out to Rachel Held at extension 2423 or  <mailto:rheld at nfb.org>
rheld at nfb.org. 

Dates to Keep in Mind:

*	October: Blind Equality Achievement Month
*	October 3 Mass Presidents call 

*         October 5 David Ticchi Walk Cambridge

*	October 16 Giggle Gala Saugus
*	October 21 Mass Executive Board Meeting
*	November 5 Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement 
*	January 26-29, 2026: Washington Seminar
*	July 3-8, 2026: National Convention; Austin, Texas

You are appreciated. 

Shara Winton

President, National federation of the Blind of Massachusetts

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

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

617-304-0347

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