[MN-at-Large] Fwd: NFB President’s Notebook - week of 04/ 13/2020
David Andrews
dandrews920 at comcast.net
Tue Apr 14 01:38:13 UTC 2020
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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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>I hope that everyone had a great weekend. It
>feels to me like the Federation is as busy as it
>has ever been despite social distancing and the
>inability to gather in person. I am working to
>make sure our team continues to bundle messaging
>to make it as easy as possible for Federation
>leaders to deal with the mountain of information
>that seems to come on a daily basis. If you have
>suggestions about what would be better, please
>let me know. You all are making a great
>difference. Thank you, keep it up, let me know
>what you need, and continue to share information with me.
>
>Our 2020 National Convention change is obviously
>the biggest news. Well over five hundred people
>registered for the convention within forty-eight
>hours of our notice. Which of our affiliates
>will turn out the biggest delegation for our
>2020 gathering? The registration numbers will be
>a race this year for this unprecedented
>opportunity to grow the reach of our
>organization. Many of you have already sent
>suggestions about the convention; thank you for
>being proactive. We know members have questions
>and many we may not be able to answer yet as the
>plans are coming together. Rest assured we will
>put together a great program, we will maximize
>participation as best we can using telephone and
>internet capabilities, and we will provide
>access to more convention gatherings than ever
>before. Plan on setting aside July 14-19 for this great event.
>
>While I was working on this letter, I received
>the news that Brian Miller, a member from
>Virginia, passed away after a two-week battle
>with the coronavirus. I know many of you have
>known Brian and have been tracking his fight. I
>would invite you to raise a prayer for Brian and
>his family and friends who are hurting tonight.
>I would also ask you to send positive thoughts
>to so many other Federationists who are dealing with the impacts of the virus.
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>Please note some very important deadlines for
>April 15 and give them your urgent attention. I
>especially urge you to submit nominations for our Bolotin Awards.
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>Stay safe, keep building, and get ready for our best convention ever.
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>Critical Actions:
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>Scholarships:
>Since Friday's announcement sharing the decision
>to hold our convention remotely, quite a few
>people have reached out with questions regarding
>the 2020 scholarship program. Be assured, the
>National Federation of the Blind WILL award
>thirty students from all over the country with
>our prestigious merit-based scholarships this
>summer. Plans are already in the works to adjust
>the format of the program so that it can be best
>suited for the remote convention. An email was
>sent Friday to everyone who began a scholarship
>application, reassuring them that the program
>would be going ahead, if not exactly as
>originally planned, then in a way that is
>guaranteed to be dynamic, interactive, and in
>the spirit of excellence that has always
>characterized our scholarship process. State
>presidents, please help us guarantee the best
>possible scholarship class by sending in or
>uploading your presidents’ letters absolutely
>no later than April 15. The committee needs your
>input, so please reach out to applicants in your
>state. If your letters are ready, don’t wait! Send them in today.
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>Seeking Those Applying for SSDI Benefits:
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>We would like to speak with blind individuals
>who are currently applying for SSDI benefits.
>This matter is time sensitive. Please have such
>individuals contact Valerie Yingling at
><mailto:vyingling at nfb.org>vyingling at nfb.org or 410-659-9314, extension 2440.
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>News:
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>Presidential Releases:
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>I will be recording another Live Presidential
>Release on Friday, May 1, at 8:00 p.m. eastern.
>This will also be on the Zoom platform, and the
>connection information will be send out closer to the date of the release.
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>To access the recording or the English or
>Spanish transcripts of the April Presidential
>Release, go to
><https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases>https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases.
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>Register for National Convention:
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>Plan to attend the 2020 National Contention,
>July 14-19, from anywhere. The National
>Federation of the Blind will hold its national
>convention beginning July 14, 2020, with virtual
>events and local, in-person gatherings where
>appropriate. The convention was originally
>scheduled to take place in Houston, Texas. The
>change of plans is in response to the public
>health, safety, and logistical concerns raised
>by the COVID-19 pandemic. The
><https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-2020-convention-goes-virtual>official
>announcement was made last week. The National
>Federation of the Blind is delighted to connect
>blind Americans from anywhere to build
>opportunities everywhere. We look forward to
>spreading the 2020 view on blindness to the
>entire nation and beyond. Registration is now
>available at no cost.
><https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention>Register today.
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>Legislative Update:
>Even in the midst of a national emergency, the
>advocacy work of the Federation cannot be
>stopped. As the world and our country adjust to
>the threat of the coronavirus and Congress
>passes new laws to ensure that life does go on,
>the National Federation of the Blind has the
>critical task of making sure the systems that
>get put into place are equal, fair, and above
>all, accessible. Just last week we sent two letters to this effect.
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>The first was a
><https://www.nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/files-pdf/vote-by-mail-letter.pdf>letter
>to the appropriate House and Senate Committees
>urging them to ensure the nonvisual
>accessibility of vote-by-mail systems that may
>be adopted for the upcoming state and federal
>elections. In this time of crisis, it is
>absolutely essential that we not lose focus on
>the idea that every American citizen deserves
>the right to cast a private and independent
>ballot. This is one of the core principles of
>our democracy, and it is a right protected by our Constitution.
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>The second was a
><https://www.nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/files-pdf/letter-to-secretary-devos-re-cares-act-education-waivers.pdf>letter
>to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos urging her
>to note in her required report to Congress that
>waivers for the Individuals with Disabilities
>Education Act are not necessary. Waiving the
>requirements of this important legislation now
>would set blind and other disabled students back
>while their sighted and nondisabled peers
>continue learning in virtual classrooms. This is utterly unacceptable.
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>Additionally, we have worked hard to make sure
>we bring you the most up-to-date information on
>the legislation being passed in the coronavirus
>aid bills that may impact your daily lives. On
>our
><https://www.nfb.org/resources/covid-19-resources>COVID-19
>resources page you can find important
>information on
><https://www.nfb.org/resources/covid-19-resources/cares-act-economic-impact-payments>Economic
>Impact Payments,
><https://www.nfb.org/resources/covid-19-resources/unemployment-insurance>expanded
>unemployment insurance, and a
><https://www.nfb.org/resources/covid-19-resources/state-guidance-schools>comprehensive
>list of state special education guidance for schools.
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>Also, please be on the lookout for a legislative
>alert. The National Federation of the Blind is
>urging Congress to waive the five-month waiting
>period for SSDI benefits during the COVID-19
>pandemic. We are also asking Congress to waive
>the associated twenty-four-month waiting period
>for Medicare. The waiver would be for all
>beneficiaries who are found eligible between
>March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020. Additional
>details will be included in the legislative alert.
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>Upcoming Accessibility Boutiques: Zoom Meeting and Accessible Smart Home:
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>Accessibility boutiques are workshops presented
>by our access technology experts that provide
>introductions to accessibility best practices
>and the latest trends in access tech. Previously
>offered monthly, the National Federation of the
>Blind is now providing accessibility boutiques
>weekly. Here is what is scheduled for this week:
>· Tuesday, April 14, 2:00–3:30 p.m. eaastern—How to Host a Zoom Meeting
>· Friday, April 17, 2:00–3:30 p.m.
>easstern—Tips and Tools for an Accessible Smart Home
>Learn more about
><https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/accessibility-boutiques>accessibility
>boutiques and register today.
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>New Blog Post: Uber, Lyft, and Service Animals: The Discrimination Continues:
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>After three years of implementation and
>monitoring, the National Federation of the
>Blind’s settlement agreements with Uber and
>Lyft are set to expire this summer. Progress has
>been difficult to measure, and discrimination by
>rideshare drivers against travelers with service
>animals continues. Read
><https://www.nfb.org/blog/uber-lyft-and-service-animals-discrimination-continues>the
>recent blog post on the three year report and
>next steps. We are still requesting feedback on
>both successful rides and incidents of rideshare
>driver discrimination via the
><https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/uber-and-lyft-survey>NFB’s
>Rideshare Survey.
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>In fact, we are requesting that members with
>service animals who continue to be discriminated
>against by Uber drivers consider providing a
>signed statement regarding their experiences.
>Please contact Valerie Yingling at
><mailto:vyingling at nfb.org>vyingling at nfb.org by
>April 17 if you are able to help with this
>important next step in our effort to stop
>discrimination by Uber drivers. Learn more at
><https://www.nfb.org/rideshare>https://www.nfb.org/rideshare.
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>Distance Education—Dailyy Activities Full of Fun and Learning:
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>The National Federation of the Blind is
>providing daily distance education resources
>from making pasta boxes to creating journals to
>asking questions about technology for distance
>education. Share the videos of how-to activities
>and story time. Join the upcoming live,
>interactive Zoom lessons this week and
>participate in the great activities. Learn more
>about the
><https://www.nfb.org/resources/distance-education-resources>distance
>education resources.
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>Kernel Books Series: Access Now:
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>The Kernel Books series is now available online.
>The National Federation of the Blind's
>thirty-book series highlights the stories of
>blind men and women, and goes beyond
>sentimentality and misconceptions—to the very
>"kernel" of blindness. The books share important
>messages delivered by witty authors who write
>about intriguing, yet every day, situations.
>These stories allow for great discussion during
>this time and are timeless. Access As the Twig
>Is Bent, Like Cats and Dogs, Wall-to-Wall
>Thanksgiving, and
><https://www.nfb.org/resources/jacobus-tenbroek-library/collections/kernel-books>all
>of the Kernel Books today.
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>Reminders:
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>Dates to Keep in Mind:
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>· April 15:
><https://www.nfb.org/bolotin>Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award application deadline
>· May 1:
><https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award>Distinguished
>Educator Award nomination deadline
>· July 14-19:
><https://www.nfb.org/convention>NFB National Convention, remote!
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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.
>
>
>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
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>
>
><http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind>
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> <https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind>
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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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