[MN-at-Large] Fwd: NFB President’s Notebook - week of 12/ 16/2019

[David Andrews]

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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,
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>As we come to the end of 2019, I am reflecting 
>upon the tremendous accomplishments we have had 
>this year. The movement we have built continues 
>to grow in strength. More importantly, our 
>Federation family continues to forge the bonds 
>that make all the difference in our lives and in the mission we pursue.
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>One of the most encouraging parts of 2019 has 
>been observing the growth in our state 
>presidents. Greater connections have been made, 
>strong friendships have been enhanced, and a 
>great network of expertise has grown in all 
>directions. This group has come together when 
>needed to ensure that our family cannot be 
>divided when the tough questions come, whether 
>they be about our push for minimum wage 
>protections or the need for accessibility at 
>work and in the home. That each of you are 
>teaching others to grow into leadership in this 
>movement means our future is bright and that the 
>warmth of our progress will be sustained.
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>I want to wish you and each of your families a 
>safe, happy, and joyous holiday season. All of 
>the Riccobonos are grateful for your love, 
>support, and friendship in what has been a 
>challenging year personally for us. It is truly 
>humbling to share ourselves with you and to have 
>you reflect back the same to us. We anticipate 
>an outstanding 2020, and we hope it is even better for you and your family.
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>We have a lot to do in 2020. We need your voice 
>in helping determine our priorities and focus in 
>the new year. Please know that a top priority 
>for me continues to be engaging with local 
>leaders to make sure we continue to evolve our 
>organization in all areas. We continue to 
>strengthen our capacity to make a difference to 
>blind people and that happens because you 
>continue to be active in providing feedback from local communities.
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>This is likely my last notebook for the year. I 
>am always available to you when urgent matters 
>arise. I will be out of the office next week but 
>plan to be here during the New Year’s week. 
>Let’s go build the National Federation of the Blind.
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>Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday season, Mark
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>News:
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>Accessible Voting Machines in Your State?:
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>A recent report by the federal Government 
>Accountability Office indicates that there are 
>four states that do not provide accessible 
>voting machines during early voting, but it does 
>not indicate which states these are. If your 
>state does not provide an accessible way for 
>blind voters to mark their ballot during early 
>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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>Washington Seminar:
>We are only fifty-six short days away from the 
>first major Federation event of 2020, the 
>Washington Seminar! The 2020 Seminar will take 
>place from Monday, February 10, through 
>Thursday, February 13, and will be hot on the 
>heels of an incredibly successful 2019 
>legislative campaign. We would love to continue 
>building momentum into the second session of the 
>116th Congress by showing Capitol Hill just how 
>strong we are. I encourage you to please reserve 
>your travel accommodations and hotel room as 
>soon as possible, because rooms are filling very 
>fast. Details for booking your hotel room can be 
>found on the 
><https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar>Washington 
>Seminar section of our website. I look forward to seeing you in DC.
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>NOPBC Parent Leadership Program:
>NOPBC will once again be holding their Parent 
>Leadership Program (PLP) in conjunction with the 
>2020 Washington Seminar. See the attached letter 
>from Carlton Walker and Carol Castellano and 
>forward the information to parents of blind 
>children that you think would be interested in attending.
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>Recent Blog: “Parenting While Blind”:
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>Read the most recent blog article from board 
>member Shawn Callaway. Shawn is a proud father 
>to his young daughter, Camille. In this article, 
>he talks about how being part of the National 
>Federation of the Blind raised his expectations 
>of being a parent, but how the concept he calls 
>“Parenting While Blind” gives him fear and 
>sadness. 
><https://www.nfb.org/blog/parenting-while-blind>Read Shawn’s blog article.
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>Call for Nominations: Bolotin Awards:
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>Each year the National Federation of the Blind 
>presents cash awards to honor initiatives, 
>innovations, and individuals that are a positive 
>force in the lives of blind people and advance 
>the goal of helping them transform their dreams 
>into reality. Named after Dr. Jacob Bolotin who 
>was a pioneering blind physician—the first inn 
>history. 
><https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information>Apply 
>or submit a nomination for the 2020 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards.
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>Reminders:
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>Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest:
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>There is still time to register and participate 
>in the Braille Readers Are Leaders contest, 
>administered by the American Action Fund for 
>Blind Children and Adults in partnership with 
>the National Federation of the Blind. The 
>contest, with categories for children and 
>adults, will run through January 18, 2020, and 
>reading logs must be submitted by February 1, 
>2020. Details, including entry information, can 
>be found at <https://actionfund.org/BRAL>https://actionfund.org/BRAL.
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>Dates to Keep in Mind:
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>    * January 4, 2020: World Braille Day
>    * January 9-11, 2020: 
> <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-bell-academy>NFB 
> BELL® Academy Training Seminar
>    * February 10, 2020: Great Gathering-In; 
> <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar>Washington 
> Seminar begins
>    * March 26-27, 2020: 
> <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/jacobus-tenbroek-disability-law-symposium>Jacobus 
> tenBroek Law Symposium, Baltimore, Maryland
>    * April 14-17, 2020: 
> <http://www.blindmerchants.org>NABM BLAST; Chicago, Illinois
>    * June 21-27, 2020: 
> <https://blindscience.org/nfbeq>NFB EQ; St. Paul, Minneapolis
>    * July 14-19, 2020: 
> <https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention>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 nation’s blind. 
>Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.
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