[MN-at-Large] Fwd: NFB President’s Notebook - week of 07/ 29/2019

Wed Jul 31 00:34:37 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,
>Greetings from sunny Charm City where the 
>National Federation of the Blind Braille 
>Enrichment for Literacy and Learning Academy is 
>spreading excitement and joy through the halls of our Jernigan Institute.
>
>While August feels like a quiet time, I urge you 
>to pay attention to a number of advance items 
>key to planning fall activities. I also want you 
>to be aware that our national headquarters will 
>be closed on August 23 for staff development 
>activities. With our open houses, fall 
>conventions, Meet the Blind Month, and other 
>Federation work ahead, there is plenty to do in the dog days of summer.
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>News:
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>Presidential Release:
>The August release will be out later this week, prior to Saturday.
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>Juan Carlos Gil:
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>We have reason to believe that web accessibility 
>serial plaintiff Juan Carlos Gil attended the 
>NFB Convention with the intent of recruiting NFB 
>members to join him in filing multiple, 
>successive ADA lawsuits. Please note that Mr. 
>Gil is not recruiting complainants on behalf of 
>the NFB, that his legal advocacy does not align 
>with the NFBâ€™s strategy, and that efforts such 
>as his are representative of the click-by 
>lawsuits described in the NFBâ€™s 
><https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/resolutions/2019-resolutions#09>Resolution 
>2019-09: Regarding ADA Litigation. Please alert 
>Valerie Yingling, legal program coordinator, at 
>410-659-9314, extension 2440, or 
><mailto:vyingling at nfb.org>vyingling at nfb.org, if 
>Mr. Gil attends your state convention.
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>Time to Prepare for Meet the Blind Month:
>The National Federation of the Blind celebrates 
><https://nfb.org/programs-services/meet-blind-month>Meet 
>the Blind Month every October. If you havenâ€™t 
>already, itâ€™s time to start planning for it. 
>Throughout October, members conduct outreach 
>activities across the country. Plan an event in 
>your local community to talk about blindness and 
>the NFB philosophy. Order materials from the 
><https://nfb.org/programs-services/independence-market>Independence 
>Market such as the Braille alphabet cards to 
>distribute at your local event. Here are some 
>ideas: speak at a public library, distribute 
>literature at a festival, visit high schools, 
>get on a local radio station, hold a walk or 
>cookout. Get creative! We also feature your 
>events on nfb.org, so send your activity and 
>event details to <mailto:web at nfb.org>web at nfb.org.
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>Legislative Update:
>Last Wednesday, just days before the 
>twenty-ninth anniversary of the Americans with 
>Disabilities Act, Representatives Jan Schakowsky 
>(D-IL 09), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA 11), and Lisa 
>Blunt Rochester (D-DE) introduced the Greater 
>Access and Independence through Nonvisual Access 
>Technology (GAIN) Act, H.R. 3929, in the US 
>House of Representatives. This legislation will 
>authorize the Access Board to develop a minimum 
>nonvisual access standard for home-use medical 
>devices, exercise equipment, and home 
>appliances. By taking this important step, 
>Congress is ensuring that our right to live 
>independently and manage our households and our 
>health is not hindered by inaccessible 
>technology. Stay tuned for more updates regarding this legislation.
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>NFB-NEWSLINEÂ® Mobile 3.0 Beta with KNFB Reader Basic:
>Take advantage of the new features early and 
>help provide feedback to expand the app. The 
>NFB-NEWSLINE mobile app beta version is 
>available to download on your iPhones and iPads. 
>Included in the app is the KNFB Reader Basic, 
>which provides the useful core features at no 
>cost. Within the KNFB Reader section, just point 
>and shoot for access to print on-the-go. This 
>beta version is a pre-released, advanced 
>development of the app. Your participation and 
>feedback expand the amount of testing done, 
>which will help us develop a better product. 
>Note: Installing this beta app will overwrite 
>your existing NFB-NEWSLINE mobile app. Enjoy 
><https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-newsline>NFB-NEWSLINE 
>and 
><https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/knfb-reader>KNFB Reader Basic, together!
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>How to get the app:
>Â·         First, download the Test Flight app on your device.
>Â·         Then, on your device, select 
>NFB-NEWSLINE 3.0 Beta by going to this link: 
><https://testflight.apple.com/join/zuoVUXFv>https://testflight.apple.com/join/zuoVUXFv.Youâ€™ll 
>need your NFB-NEWSLINE login credentials.
>Â·         Share your feedback or request 
>assistance by sending an email 
>to<mailto:nfbnewsline-ios at nfb.org>nfbnewsline-ios at nfb.org 
>or by calling 866-504-7300.
>We look forward to your participation and feedback.
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>Dates to Keep in Mind:
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>    * August 23, 2019: NFB headquarters closed for staff development
>    * February 10, 2020: Great Gathering-In; Washington Seminar begins
>    * March 26-27, 2020: Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium, Baltimore, Maryland
>    * June 30-July 5, 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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