[Mn-at-large] Fwd: NFB President’s Notebook - week of 09/05/2017

David B Andrews dandrews at visi.com
Wed Sep 6 02:49:11 UTC 2017 

  President’s Notebook


  National Federation of the Blind


  Mark A. Riccobono


  officeofthepresident at nfb.org<mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org>


  (410) 659-9314

Dear Fellow Federationists,

The Federation fall convention season is now in full swing. Starting 
with this past weekend, our affiliates are having conventions every 
weekend through the weekend before Thanksgiving. This is always a great 
period of energy and growth due to the heavy level of events. I am 
anticipating the reports of the great activities happening across the 
country.

We have just completed the Breaking Blind (85th) Leadership Seminar. 
Remember that I am always accepting recommendations from Federation 
leaders regarding potential people that I should consider inviting to 
the seminar. There will be another next spring, so keep those 
recommendations coming.

Today I am pleased to say that we finally have the rules related to the 
Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act. Congratulations and thank you to each 
of you who have put energy into this over the past decade. You can read 
the full blurb below. We will continue our relationship with the 
Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers to advance this and other issues in 
the vehicle space.


    Critical Item:

New Cardtronics Testing Incentive:
As you know, the Cardtronics testing started on September 1. The first 
ten affiliates that successfully complete their tests will be given a 
redemption code for one copy of KNFB Reader for Windows that they can 
use as a door prize at an upcoming convention. Thank you for mobilizing 
the members to action for this important work.


    News:

National Federation of the Blind Hurricane Harvey Relief Project:
During the past week, many members of the National Federation of the 
Blind have reached out with offers of support for blind individuals 
impacted by Hurricane Harvey. We have been asking that you hold those 
offers of support until we could coordinate with our Texas affiliate, 
determine what needs exist, and develop a plan that most effectively 
marshals resources to meet the needs of blind people in impacted 
communities. We are now prepared to mobilize the National Federation of 
the Blind’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Project. Below are the things you 
need to know and ways that you can best help.

·The National Federation of the Blind Hurricane Harvey Relief Project 
will be managed by Norma Crosby, president of the National Federation of 
the Blind of Texas. Norma will be assisted by our national staff as needed.

·How you can help:

oDonate to our Harvey Relief Fund which we commit to only using for 
Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. We will accept:

§Gift cards to major retailers, because they are easier to share than 
supplies. We encourage gift cards from Target, Walmart, Academy Sports 
and Outdoors, Amazon, and Bed Bath and Beyond.

§Transportation credits/gift cards for Uber and Lyft to provide 
transportation assistance.

§Financial contributions either 
online<http://www.nfbtx.org/donate.php>(be sure to write “Harvey Relief 
Fund” in the note field) or write a check to the National Federation of 
the Blind of Texas with “Harvey Relief Fund” in the memo line.

oAdopt a family: If you would like us to match your affiliate/chapter 
with a specific family that you can help, please reach out to Norma Crosby.

oHelp us find families that include blind individuals by sharing the 
following information via email or on social media:

§The National Federation of the Blind wants to help! If you, or a blind 
person you know, has been impacted by Hurricane Harvey, please reach out 
to the National Federation of the Blind for support from our Hurricane 
Harvey Relief Project. Call (281) 968-7733, email 
ncrosby at nfbtx.org<mailto:ncrosby at nfbtx.org>, or send us a message on our 
Facebook page.

§Here is a sample tweet you can cut and paste into Twitter:

If a blind person you know has been impacted by Hurricane Harvey, email 
the NFB Hurricane Harvey Relief Project 
ncrosby at nfbtx.org<mailto:ncrosby at nfbtx.org>or DM @NFB_Voice.

Send all donations to the NFB Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund to National 
Federation of the Blind of Texas, 1600 E. Highway 6, Ste. 215, Alvin, TX 
77511-2595.

We appreciate the tremendous concern and offers of support being offered 
by members and friends of the National Federation of the Blind. We thank 
you for being patient as we determine where the needs exist and work to 
match resources with the people that need help. Together with love, 
hope, and determination, we will rebuild and transform our dreams into 
reality.

Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act:
The final regulation for the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act went into 
effect today. The National Federation of the Blind identified this 
problem, created a partnership with the Alliance of Automobile 
Manufacturers, got the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to 
study the issue, wrote the legislation, persuaded the US Congress to 
pass it, and the president to sign it into law. The final regulation was 
issued on December 14, 2016, with an effective date of February 13, 
2017. The effective date was then delayed to March 21, then to May 22, 
then to June 5, and then to today, September 5, 2017. At each step of 
the way, the National Federation of the Blind remained steadfast, 
resolute, determined, and passionate. It is a result of our collective 
efforts that we have made the roads safer for all Americans, especially 
blind Americans. The final regulation covers all four-wheeled 
hybrid-electric passenger vehicles under ten thousand pounds. The 
regulation prohibits a pause switch, manufacturer supplied selectable 
sounds, and any tampering with the device. In general, the vehicle must 
emit a sound of at least 44 decibels when stationary (and when the 
shifter is not in "Park"), 48 decibels when moving in reverse, and 
between 51 and 62 decibels dependent upon forward driving speed. The 
rule requires all hybrid-electric vehicles produced on or after 
September 1, 2019 to be compliant. To read the regulation in its 
entirety 
<https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/12/14/2016-28804/federal-motor-vehicle-safety-standards-minimum-sound-requirements-for-hybrid-and-electric-vehicles>, 
please visit the Federal Register.

Social Security Administration Lawsuit:
Last week the National Federation of the Blind and two blind individuals 
who receive Social Security benefits filed a federal lawsuit against the 
Social Security Administration (SSA) for its failure to make its Visitor 
Intake Processing touchscreen kiosks accessible to its blind visitors. 
As a result, blind patrons are unable to check in independently at their 
local SSA field offices, and are forced to divulge private information, 
such as their social security numbers, to SSA staff or other sighted 
third parties to assist them. In addition, they cannot read the printed 
ticket generated by the kiosks, which contains their check-in number, so 
they must ask someone else to read the number or risk losing their 
appointment.


    Reminders:

Conference Call Tonight:
There is a conference call scheduled tonight for all affiliate 
presidents to discuss hosting screenings of /Do You Dream in Color/ 
during Meet the Blind Month. The call-in information is 877-394-5901 and 
the access code is 4582115.

NFB.org Homepage:
We are updating the nfb.org homepage on a regular basis and adding 
important events such as state conventions and training opportunities. I 
encourage everyone to bookmark nfb.org<http://www.nfb.org>and check it 
often. Even better, make it the default homepage on your web browser. If 
you need assistance, please email 
communicationsteam at nfb.org<mailto:communicationsteam at nfb.org>.


    Did You Know?

Opportunities to Fundraise and Give through Thrivent:
Are you a member of Thrivent Financial<https://www.thrivent.com/>? There 
are multiple ways for members to give back to the National Federation of 
the Blind.
Thrivent’s Choice Dollars donations can help NFB - Are you a member of 
Thrivent Financial and eligible to direct Choice Dollars? With Thrivent 
Choice, you can recommend where some of Thrivent Financial's charitable 
outreach funds go. Choice Dollars funds can make a world of difference 
to the NFB. Directing Choice Dollars is easy. Simply go to Thrivent 
Choice<https://www.thrivent.com/making-a-difference/living-generously/thrivent-choice/>to 
learn more and find program terms and conditions, or contact Nathan 
Beattie, Financial Associate, at (515) 276-1527, extension 228, or 
nathan.beattie at thrivent.com<mailto:nathan.beattie at thrivent.com>.

Thrivent’s Action Team Program - Thrivent’s Action Team program is a 
volunteer program for Thrivent members to lead a one-time fundraiser, 
service activity, or educational event with the help of their family and 
friends. Thrivent will provide resources to help promote the event, 
promotional items (including Thrivent t-shirts) and a Community Impact 
Card with $250 of seed money. To learn more and apply, visit Thrivent 
Action 
Team<https://www.thrivent.com/making-a-difference/living-generously/thrivent-action-teams/>, 
or contact Nathan Beattie, Financial Associate, at (515) 276-1527, 
extension 228, or 
nathan.beattie at thrivent.com<mailto:nathan.beattie at thrivent.com>.


    Dates to Keep in Mind:

  * Fall Conventions <https://nfb.org/state-conventions>
  * September 12-17, 2017: BLAST
    <http://blindmerchants.org/blast-2017/>, Nashville, Tennessee
  * November 1, 2017: 2018 Scholarship Application
    <http://nfb.org/scholarships> period begins
  * November 6-8, 2017: Dare to Be Remarkable Conference
    <https://nfb.org/dare-be-remarkable-call-presentations>, Baltimore,
    Maryland
  * January 29, 2018: Great Gathering In, Washington, District of Columbia

The National Federation of the Blind knows 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. You can live the life you want; 
blindness is not what holds you back.

Mark A. Riccobono

President

200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

(410) 659-9314 | officeofthepresident at nfb.org 
<mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org>

National Federation of the Blind <https://nfb.org/>

Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind> Twitter 
<https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice> Youtube 
<https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind>

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and 
friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every 
day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.

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