[MN-at-Large] Fwd: NFB President’s Notebook - week of 12/ 09/2019

Tue Dec 10 22:31:22 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,
>Last week we opened our Barney Street wing, 
>which was remodeled during the past nine months. 
>You can read about the new space in an upcoming 
>issue of the Braille Monitor, and you will get 
>to stay in it during our presidents gathering. 
>Our opening event was a great success and there 
>is no doubt that the new space reflects the 
>strength, warmth, and community we find in our movement.
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>The December Presidential Release is available 
>now. It includes critical information about 
>rooms for our Washington Seminar so please make 
>sure it gets to all of those who need it for their chapter meetings.
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>Our partners at the American Action Fund for 
>Blind Children and Adults want affiliates and 
>chapters of the National Federation of the Blind 
>to know that there are still Braille calendars 
>for 2020 available for free. To request 
>calendars, email 
><mailto:actionfund at actionfund.org>actionfund at actionfund.org, 
>or call 410-659-9315.
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>News:
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>This Sunday: Open-House Gathering for Prospective Members:
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>The National Federation of the Blind hosts an 
>open-house-gathering call to discuss membership 
>with those who are interested or unsure of 
>becoming a member. It is an opportunity to hear 
>from active members and leaders on the myths and 
>uncertainties of the Federation. The next call 
>is scheduled for December 15 at 4:00 p.m. 
>eastern. Sign up by emailing 
><mailto:membership at nfb.org>membership at nfb.org or 
>calling 410-659-9314, extension 2509.
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>Voting Letter to Secretaries of State:
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>Currently, the majority of states do not provide 
>blind and low-vision voters with an accessible 
>way to mark an absentee ballot. As an activity 
>under our Help America Vote Act (HAVA) grant 
>from the US Department of Health and Human 
>Services, we recently sent a letter to the 
>secretary of state for these states to remind 
>them of their obligation to provide accessible 
>absentee voting as required by Title II of the 
>Americans with Disabilities Act and recent court 
>decisions in cases brought by the NFB in 
>Maryland and Ohio. The letter is attached for 
>your information. If you receive any feedback 
>from your secretary of state or state elections 
>officials in response to this letter, or if you 
>have questions about accessible absentee voting, 
>please contact Lou Ann Blake, deputy director of 
>Blindness Initiatives at 
><mailto:lblake at nfb.org>lblake at nfb.org or 410-659-9314, extension 2221.
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>Braille Monitor: Convention Bulletin 2020 and More:
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>Whether you plan to eat more green vegetables or 
>to visit the gym beyond the month of January, 
>there is one goal that must be on your New Year 
>list: resolve to be in Houston this July for the 
>National Federation of the Blindâ€™s 2020 
>National Convention. Check out the latest issue 
>of the Braille Monitor that includes many 
>details for the 2020 National Convention, 
>Washington Seminar, open enrollment for various 
>scholarships and awards, stories for the holiday 
>season, and more. 
><https://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm19/bm1911/bm1911tc.htm>Read 
>the December 
><https://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm19/bm1911/bm1911tc.htm>Braille 
>Monitor.
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>AIM High Legislation Dropped:
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>Last week, Congressman Phil Roe (R-TN) and 
>Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT) introduced the 
>Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher 
>Education Act, also known as the AIM HIGH Act 
>(H.R. 5312). More information is available in 
>our press release 
><https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-applauds-introduction-aim-high-act-0>found 
>on our website.
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>Tips and Tools for an Accessible Smart Home:
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>The idea of a "smart home" is becoming less 
>science fiction and more of a reality. On 
>December 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. the 
>National Federation of the Blind is hosting an 
>accessibility boutique via Zoom teleconference 
>that will cover security systems, appliances, 
>in-home applications, and entertainment systems. 
><https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/accessibility-boutiques>Register 
>today!
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>Reminders:
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>Last Week to Request Santa Letters:
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>The National Federation of the Blind provides 
>Braille Santa letters to young children across 
>America. Along with the Braille letter, Santa 
>includes a print letter so that parents who 
>might not read Braille can follow along. He also 
>includes other fun holiday activities. Deadline 
>to submit request is December 16. 
><https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/early-childhood-initiatives/santa-letters>Submit 
>your Santa letter request today!
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>Dates to Keep in Mind:
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>    * December 16, 2019: Deadline for 
> <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/early-childhood-initiatives/santa-letters>Santa 
> letters
>    * January 9-11, 2020: NFB BELLÂ® Academy Training Seminar
>    * February 10, 2020: Great Gathering-In; Washington Seminar begins
>    * March 26-27, 2020: Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium, Baltimore, Maryland
>    * April 14-17, 2020: 
> <http://www.blindmerchants.org>NABM BLAST; Chicago, Illinois
>    * June 21-27, 2020: NFB EQ; St. Paul, Minneapolis
>    * July 14-19, 2020: NFB National Convention, Houston, Texas
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>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.
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>Mark A. Riccobono, President
>200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
>(410) 659-9314 | 
><mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org>officeofthepresident at nfb.org
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><https://nfb.org/>
>National Federation of the Blind
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> 
><http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind>
>Facebook
>     <https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice>
>Twitter
>     <https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind>
>Youtube
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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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