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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><h3><b>Independence Market Holiday Hours:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Please note that the Independence Market will be closed for calls on the days of December 24, 25, and 26. The market will also be closed starting at 12:00 noon, Eastern, on Wednesday, December 31 and all day on January 1 and 2. Our Independence Market ecommerce site will still be open during these times, but orders may take a little longer to process, so please be patient. </span><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b> <o:p></o:p></b></h3><h3><b><o:p> </o:p></b></h3><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts is pleased to announce the availability of scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year. Please spread the word widely!<span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Up to four scholarships will be awarded: one in the amount of $3,000.00, 2 in the amount of $1,500.00, and one in the amount of $1,000.00. Up to three of these scholarships will be awarded to students pursuing an academic degree at a college or university. One of the scholarships will be awarded to a student pursuing a trade through a vocational training program —for example, in cosmetology, massage therapy, information technology, culinary arts, or another trade.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Scholarship application deadline: February 15, 2026.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>More details and instructions can be found at the link below.<o:p></o:p></p><h3><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfnnPuVIutta_h38GnT7t-TqdUuAoPWoqfTZN7Ja2Ijdg226Q/viewform?usp=sf_link">NFBMA Scholarship Application Form</a><o:p></o:p></h3><h3><o:p> </o:p></h3><h3><b>Update on Recurring National Donation Processing:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><h3>Several weeks ago, we announced a change to how we are processing recurring monthly donations. Though we thought we would be processing at this point, we are still working with our vendors to make sure there are no issues. As soon as we can, hopefully this week, we will start processing December contributions and then catch up on November PAC contributions. If you do not want us to process your November contribution, please send an email to <a href="mailto:PAC@nfb.org">PAC@nfb.org</a> with your name and direction to not process November's PAC transaction. We appreciate your patience as we work through unforeseen challenges. Please contact Bridgid Burke at <a href="mailto:bburke@nfb.org">bburke@nfb.org</a> or 410-659-9314, extension 2271, with any questions or concerns. <o:p></o:p></h3><h3><b><o:p> </o:p></b></h3><h3><b>2026 Washington Seminar Hotel and Registration:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The 2026 Washington Seminar is six weeks away! However, the deadline to secure a hotel room as part of our room block is just over two weeks away. Please be sure to call the hotel or use the booking link on our </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Washington Seminar page</span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> before the deadline of December 31, 2025, to secure your room. While you’re on the Washington Seminar page, don’t forget to register for the event. Registration is completely free, and it helps us communicate important details about the Washington Seminar to attendees. The registration form is also where you can make an official accommodations request if needed. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b>2026 Washington Seminar Issues:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>We have chosen our three issues for the 2026 Washington Seminar. They are: Protecting Education, Employment, and Independent Living Programs for Blind Americans; the Access Technology Affordability Act; and the Blind Americans Return to Work Act. The fact sheets for our three issues are nearly complete and we expect to have them posted on our </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Washington Seminar page</span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> in the coming days. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b>2026 Washington Seminar Zoom Training Calls:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The government affairs group will be conducting our first 2026 Washington Seminar training call via Zoom this coming Thursday, December 18, at 8:00 p.m., Eastern. This call will serve as our kickoff call and as a more in-depth discussion of the issues. This training is intended for all who plan to attend Washington Seminar. The Zoom link for the call is:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Join Zoom Meeting <br></span><a href="https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/7567531013?omn=91085753050"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/7567531013?omn=91085753050</span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Meeting ID: 756 753 1013 </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>One tap mobile <br>+13017158592,,7567531013# US (Washington DC) <br>+13126266799,,7567531013# US (Chicago)</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b><o:p> </o:p></b></h3><h3><b> </b><o:p></o:p></h3><h3><b>From the President Riccobono’s Desk: The Federation Shares Pressing Concerns with Vispero’s CEO:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>In </span><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor/early-access-articles/presidents-desk-federation"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>an article in the upcoming <i>Braille Monitor</i></span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>, I released my recent correspondence with Vispero’s new CEO regarding urgent member concerns about changes to the company’s access technology products and policies.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> Massachusetts State Convention<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Our Hotel, which is the Garden Plaza Hotel—Boston/Woburn located at 15 Middlesex Canal Drive in Woburn is now ready to begin taking our hotel reservations at our discounted price of $119 per night. Our Convention will be held from March 27-29, 2026. This price includes breakfast at the hotel restaurant. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Below, please find your link to make your reservations at the discounted rate:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'><a href="https://www.ihg.com/redirect?path=asearch&brandCode=CP&localeCode=en&regionCode=1&hotelCode=bosms&checkInDate=27&checkInMonthYear=022026&checkOutDate=29&checkOutMonthYear=022026&rateCode=6CBARC&_PMID=99801505&GPC=nfb&cn=no&adjustMonth=false&showApp=true&monthIndex=00">https://www.ihg.com/redirect?path=asearch&brandCode=CP&localeCode=en&regionCode=1&hotelCode=bosms&checkInDate=27&checkInMonthYear=022026&checkOutDate=29&checkOutMonthYear=022026&rateCode=6CBARC&_PMID=99801505&GPC=nfb&cn=no&adjustMonth=false&showApp=true&monthIndex=00</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>you may also choose to call into the hotel directly, at 781-935-8760 to make your reservations. If you choose to call be sure to refer to the NFB of Massachusetts convention.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>The deadline for making hotel reservations at this price is March 2, 2026. Don’t delay though, we might sell out again! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><o:p> </o:p></p><h3><b>National Museum of the Blind People’s Movement Legislative Alert:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Just this past Sunday, December 14, we sent out a </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-priorities/legislative-alerts/pass-national-museum-blind"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>legislative alert regarding the National Museum of the Blind People’s Movement Act</span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> (H.R. 6467/S. 3371). The purpose of this legislative alert is to create a surge in cosponsor support for the bill so that it can ultimately be passed and signed into law and our museum will have the national recognition that it deserves. Please be sure to contact your senators and representative and ask them to cosponsor the National Museum of the Blind People’s Movement Act (H.R. 6467/S. 3371)!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b>Latest Podcast Episodes:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Tune into our </span><a href="https://podcasts7m.podbean.com/e/communicating-with-blind-people-what-sighted-people-should-know/"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>new episode of the <i>Nation’s Blind Podcast</i></span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> where Melissa and Anil are joined by board members Marilyn Green and Tracy Soforenko. They share interesting and sometimes surprising social interactions that they’ve had with sighted people while traveling, hanging out with friends, and even while spending time with family members, especially during the holidays. They also discuss the best ways that sighted people should communicate with blind people. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Listen to episode seven of our <i>Walking Alone and Marching Together</i> podcast entitled “</span><a href="https://walkingaloneandmarchingtogether.podbean.com/e/episode-7-chapter-4-democracy-in-transition-the-second-generation-part-1/"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Episode 7: Chapter 4 - Democracy in Transition: The Second Generation, Part 1</span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>.”</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><a href="https://buff.ly/DnyeSos"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Episode 55 of <i>Access On</i></span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> is now available. Jonathan discusses Zoom’s accessibility journey with Samuel Greene, product manager for Zoom North America. He also talks to our new accessibility excellence advocate for home and independent living, Ron Miller. Ron outlines his history in access technology and discusses the difference we can all make together to improve accessibility.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h2>Reminders:<o:p></o:p></h2><h3><span class=Heading3Char><b>Braille Readers Are Leaders:</b></span><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoListParagraph style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Registration for the Braille Readers Are Leaders contest will last through the end of the contest on January 16. This year, we will have the youth, adult, and teachers of blind students contests. You will want to complete the first activity, as that will give us your address so that we can send any prizes you win along the way. Completing other activities will earn you badges of honor. Use the </span><a href="file:///C:/Users/LamkinSeth/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/PXN5EKPU/actionfund.beanstack.org"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Beanstack website</span></a><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>or the Beanstack app to log your reading minutes each day. Have fun and challenge your friends, family members, and colleagues who read Braille to join you. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h2><a name="_Hlk183426075">Dates to Keep in Mind:<o:p></o:p></a></h2><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk183426075'></span><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraph style='color:black;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>January 26-29, 2026: Washington Seminar</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Wednesday, February 4, 2026 Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>February 15, 2026: Deadline for Mass Scholarship Application </span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='color:black;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>February 17, 2026: Massachusetts Board Meeting</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='color:black;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>March 2, 2026: Deadline for making room reservations for state convention</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Thursday March 12 and Sunday March 15, 2026 Chapter President Call </span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='color:black;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>March 27-29, 2026: Massachusetts Convention</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='color:black;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>March 31, 2026: Deadline for National Scholarship Application</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Wednesday, May 6, </span>2026: Introduction to the organized Blind movement<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='color:black;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>July 3-8, 2026: National Convention; Austin, Texas</span><o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>At your Service, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Shara Winton<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>President, National federation of the Blind of Massachusetts<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="http://www.nfbma.org/"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.nfbma.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="mailto:sharawinton@gmail.com"><span style='color:#0563C1'>sharawinton@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>617-304-0347<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>