[MN-at-Large] Fwd: NFB President’s Notebook - week of 01/ 06/2020

Wed Jan 8 01:52:20 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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>Happy New Year! The National Federation of the 
>Blind is primed and ready for a fantastic 2020. 
>I am looking forward to being with all of you in 
>February. As you know this is crunch time for 
>Washington Seminar planning. Please be sure your 
>delegation has what they need and reach out to 
>John ParÃ© if you need additional support. There 
>are many notes below on this topic.
>Our first seminar of the year is rolling in this 
>week with our NFB BELLÂ® coordinators and 
>teachers. It always brings a lot of excitement 
>to be thinking about our educational programs 
>for the summer. Thanks to each of you that have 
>made the commitment to another summer of Braille excellence.
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>As always, please continue to provide feedback 
>on the work we are doing to support state 
>affiliates. We are one big team, and your input is valuable.
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>Here is to a great 2020!
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>Critical Actions This Week:
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>Washington Seminar:
>As we say goodbye to 2019 and look toward the 
>future, imminently on the horizon is the 2020 
>Washington Seminar. As of today, we are a mere 
>thirty-five days away from the Great 
>Gathering-In. That means that time is quickly 
>winding down to reserve your hotel room. The 
>last day to reserve a room using the Federation 
>room block is this Wednesday, January 8. Please 
>be sure to 
><https://www.holidayinn.com/redirect?path=rates&brandCode=HI&localeCode=en&regionCode=1&hotelCode=wassm&checkInDate=06&checkInMonthYear=012020&checkOutDate=15&checkOutMonthYear=012020&_PMID=99801505&GPC=N2F&cn=no&viewfullsite=true>book 
>your room before the deadline.
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>In more Washington Seminar news, below are brief 
>descriptions of our three legislative priorities 
>for the 2020 Washington Seminar, including links to the fact sheets for each.
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><https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-agenda/access-technology-affordability>Access 
>Technology Affordability Act (ATAA) (H.R. 2086/S. 815)
>The cost of critically needed access technology 
>is out of reach for most blind Americans. By 
>providing a refundable tax credit for qualifying 
>purchases, Congress will stimulate individual 
>procurement of this technology and promote affordability of these tools.
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><https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-agenda/greater-access-independence-nonvisual-access-technology>Greater 
>Access and Independence through Nonvisual Access 
>Technology (GAIN) Act (H.R. 3929)
>Advanced digital interfaces create barriers that 
>prevent blind individuals from independently 
>operating essential devices that enhance quality 
>of life. Congress must end the digital divide 
>that threatens the independence of blind 
>Americans by developing minimum accessibility requirements for such devices.
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><https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-agenda/accessible-instructional-materials-higher-education>Accessible 
>Instructional Materials in Higher Education (AIM HIGH) Act (H.R. 5312/S. 3095)
>Until a market-driven solution for accessible 
>instructional materials is achieved, blind 
>college students are denied access to critical 
>course content. The AIM HIGH Act will remove 
>these barriers to equality in the classroom by 
>creating a set of guidelines that clearly define 
>accessible instructional materials.
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>News:
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>January Presidential Release:
>The January Presidential Release is available on 
>the website at 
><https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases>https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases. 
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>New Video:
>Check out our <https://youtu.be/2-6szTAUJAY>World Blind Day video.
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>Jernigan Convention Scholarship—Application Open:
>Active National Federation of the Blind members, 
>blind or sighted, who have not yet attended an 
>NFB National Convention because of lack of 
>funding are eligible to apply for the Kenneth 
>Jernigan Convention Scholarship. Applications 
>are now open. Applicants will submit contact, 
>Federation, and mentor information as well as 
>answer a few essay questions. Deadline to apply 
>is April 15, 2020. 
><https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship>Learn 
>more about applying for the Jernigan Convention Scholarship.
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>Braille Monitor—New Spacce, Student Action, and More:
>Check out the latest version of the Braille 
>Monitor that includes all of the details of the 
>newly renovated space at the Jernigan Institute. 
>Learn about action items needed for the 
>Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher 
>Education Act, employment rights, our accessible 
>voting letter to secretaries of state, and more. 
><https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor>Read 
>the January 
><https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor>Braille 
>Monitor.
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>Call for Nominationsâ€”Bolotin Awards:
>The National Federation of the Blind is 
>accepting nominations of individuals or 
>organizations who are a positive force in the 
>lives of blind people and advance the goal of 
>helping us transform dreams into reality. Each 
>application must include a letter of 
>recommendation. Deadline to submit is April 15, 
>2020. 
><https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information>Learn 
>more and submit a nomination for the 2020 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards.
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>Dates to Keep in Mind:
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>    * January 9-11: NFB BELL Academy Training Seminar
>    * February 10: Great Gathering-In; Washington Seminar begins
>    * March 26-27: Jacobus tenBroek Disability 
> Law Symposium, Baltimore, Maryland
>    * March 31: Deadline for 
> <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program>scholarship 
> applications
>    * April 14-17: 
> <http://www.blindmerchants.org>NABM BLAST; Chicago, Illinois
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>Â·         April 15: 
><https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information>Dr. 
>Jacob Bolotin Award application deadline
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>    * June 21-27: NFB EQ; St. Paul, Minnesota
>    * July 14-19: 
> <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>
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>     <https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice>
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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 nationâ€™s blind. 
>Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.
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