[Mn-at-large] Fwd: NFB President’s Notebook - week of 04/ 29/2019

Mon Apr 29 23:43:55 UTC 2019

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>President's Notebook
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>National Federation of the Blind
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>Mark A. Riccobono
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><mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org>officeofthepresident at nfb.org
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>410-659-9314
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>Dear Fellow Federationists,
>
>I want to begin by expressing appreciation for 
>our Federation leaders who have reached out with 
>offers of love and support to our members in 
>Louisiana. In case you missed it, we have 
>included the announcement below regarding our 
>Ruston relief efforts. We are blessed that none 
>of our Federation family were physically harmed 
>by the tornado that struck Ruston on Thursday morning.
>
>Many of you have been asking about how to get 
>new members into our database if they were not 
>submitted with the original membership list for 
>your affiliate. We have been adjusting our new 
>member form and it has taken much longer than 
>planned. Please know that the new member form is 
>coming soon, and we will provide clear 
>instructions for how to get our new members plugged in.
>
>I want to again call your attention to the code 
>of conduct update I sent last week. The question 
>came up about putting the code on an affiliate 
>website. Please note that it is not necessary 
>for you to post the code to the affiliate 
>website. You should reference the code and link 
>to it on the national website--it is on every 
>page of our website. This way, your affiliate 
>will always have a link to the latest version 
>and to the associated process for filing a report of violation of the code.
>
>
>
>Critical Actions This Week:
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>Ruston Recovery for Blind Residents
>On Thursday, April 25, 2019, a tornado touched 
>down in Ruston, Louisiana, doing significant 
>damage to the homes of many members of the 
>National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana. 
>Ruston is home to the Louisiana Center for the 
>Blind, one of the world's strongest programs for 
>instilling confidence and cultivating 
>independence in blind people. Fortunately, the 
>training facilities of the Louisiana Center for 
>the Blind were not directly impacted although 
>the homes of many staff and volunteers sustained 
>unbelievable damage. While no one was physically 
>hurt, considerable work and expense face these 
>families as they secure temporary housing and 
>begin the long process of repairing and 
>rebuilding their homes. The National Federation 
>of the Blind is coordinating donations to assist 
>impacted families who are part of Ruston's 
>exceptional training programs for the blind. 
>Working with blind leaders in Ruston we will be 
>identifying needs for assistance and directing 
>funds to where they are most needed.
>
>Donations can be made to the National Federation 
>of the Blind with a note that they are for 
>Ruston Recovery for Blind Residents. Please send 
>your donations to National Federation of the 
>Blind, 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, 
>Maryland, 21230, and put Ruston Recovery in the 
>memo field, or visit <https://www.nfb.org/donate>https://www.nfb.org/donate.
>
>
>
>News:
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>
>Blindness Experience Teaching Internship:
>Please distribute this opportunity to 
>professionals who are or will be working with blind individuals.
>Attend this 2019â€“2020 internship at one of our 
>training centers for the hands-on training and 
>experience necessary to jump-start a career in 
>the field of blindness. Lodging, travel, and a 
>stipend for food and incidentals are provided. 
>Applications are due May 31, 2019. Learn dynamic 
>nonvisual skills. Take core classes. Prepare to 
>raise expectations. To learn more and apply, 
>visit 
><https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/blindness-experience-teaching-internship>https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/blindness-experience-teaching-internship.
>
>Congress Back in Session:
>After a two-week period in the districts, 
>Congress is back in Washington. During the 
>break, four House cosponsors were added to H.R. 
>2086, the Access Technology Affordability Act: 
>Stephanie Murphy of Florida, Chris Stewart of 
>Utah, Jim Cooper of Tennessee, and Rashida Tlaib 
>of Michigan. We want to send our thanks to the 
>Florida, Utah, Tennessee, and Michigan 
>affiliates for all of your hard work in getting 
>these representatives on the bill. Keep up the 
>good work, and remember, Congress will be in 
>session for the next four weeks so keep making calls and sending emails!
>
>        Greyhound Secret Shopper Program:
>Congratulations to the affiliates that 
>participated in quarter three of the NFBâ€™s 
>Greyhound Secret Shopper Program: Montana, 
>Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New 
>York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, and 
>Oklahoma. The data we have gathered thus far has 
>been critical to monitoring whether Greyhound 
>call center operators are waiving call center 
>booking fees for blind customers who experience 
>difficulty booking tickets through Greyhoundâ€™s 
>website or mobile apps. For more information on 
>this important program, contact Valerie Yingling 
>at <mailto:vyingling at nfb.org>vyingling at nfb.org 
>or visit 
><https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/pdf/legal_program/settlements/addendum_c_to_greyhound_agreement.pdf>https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/pdf/legal_program/settlements/addendum_c_to_greyhound_agreement.pdf. 
>
>
>Upcoming Student Seminars:
>There are two upcoming student seminars. The 
>Southeast Student Seminar will be August 9-11, 
>and the Pacific Student Seminar will be August 
>16-18. Registration opens May 15 for each of 
>them. Contact Kathryn Webster 
>(<mailto:nabs.president at gmail.com>nabs.president at gmail.com) with questions.
>
>
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>Dates to Keep in Mind:
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>
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>    * May 1, 2019: 
> <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award>Distinguished 
> Educator Award nomination deadline
>    * May 15, 2019: Southeast Student Seminar 
> and Pacific Student Seminar registration deadline
>    * June 16-22, 2019: 
> <http://www.blindscience.org/nfbeq>NFB EQ, Baltimore, Maryland
>    * July 7-12, 2019: 
> <https://nfb.org/convention/2019>NFB National Convention, Las Vegas, Nevada
>    * February 10, 2020: Great Gathering-In; Washington Seminar begins
>
>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 | 
><mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org>officeofthepresident at nfb.org
>
>
><https://nfb.org/>
>National Federation of the Blind
>
>
> 
><http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind>
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>
>
>The National Federation of the Blind is a 
>community of members and friends who believe in 
>the hopes and dreams of the nationâ€™s blind. 
>Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.
>
>
>
>


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