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FYI:<br><br>
Dave<br><br>
<br><br>
<h1><b>President’s Notebook<br><br>
<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br><br>
<br>
Mark A. Riccobono<br><br>
<br>
<a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org">
officeofthepresident@nfb.org<br><br>
<br>
</a>(410) 659-9314</b></h1> <br>
Dear Fellow Federationists,<br>
<br>
As you know, it is important for us to continue to make our Federation
events outreach events, chapteer meetings, and conventions welcoming to
individuals whho have not yet had the opportunity to learn about and join
our organization. <br>
<br>
The following note that appeared on a listserv is a good example of the
impact we can have when we invite people in to learn the truth about our
organization. <br>
<br>
Thank you everyone for a great weekend. This was my first year going to a
state convention, and I didn't know what really to expect, but it greatly
surpassed everything I thought it would be. I had a wonderful time there.
learned a lot, and have a whole new appreciation for the NFB. I don't
know why it took me so many years to do this.<br>
Look forward to seeing everyone at convention in July.<br><br>
<h2><b> <br><br>
<br>
News:</b></h2>New Hampshire:<br>
Last week the New Hampshire House of Representatives passed S.B. 47,
which had previously been unanimously passed by the New Hampshire Senate.
If Governor Hassan signs the bill, state law RSA 279:22, which previously
allowed entities to pay people with disabilities less than the minimum
wage, will be repealed. New Hampshire will be the first state to have a
law that “prohibits employers from employing individuals with
disabilities at an hourly rate lower than the federal minimum wage.”<br>
<br>
Video:<br>
This week’s video features the NFB BELL Program. In the summer of 2015
the NFB BELL program will be held in twenty-nine states across the
country. For more information please visit:
<a href="https://nfb.org/bell-program">https://nfb.org/bell-program</a>.
You can view the video on the NFB channel at
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/NationsBlind">
https://www.youtube.com/user/NationsBlind</a>. <br>
<br>
Technology & Online Spaces:<br>
Perhaps you’ve already read it but I wanted to send you the link to the
Atlantic piece. Thanks so much for all your time again.
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/04/does-the-ada-apply-to-online-spaces-too/390654/?utm_source=btn-twitter-control">
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/04/does-the-ada-apply-to-online-spaces-too/390654/?utm_source=btn-twitter-control</a>
<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Reminders:</b></h2>NFB EQ:<br>
Please pass this information along to any in your affiliate that would be
interested. NFB EQ is a week-long engineering program for blind and low
vision high school students (currently in grades 9-12) scheduled August
2-8, 2015, at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute.
Applications are due by June 7. To learn more and to apply, visit
<a href="http://www.blindscience.org/NFBEQ">www.blindscience.org/NFBEQ</a>
.<br><br>
<h2><b> <br><br>
<br>
Dates to keep in
mind:</b></h2><a name="OLE_LINK4"></a>
·
<a href="https://nfb.org/state-conventions">Spring affiliate
conventions</a><br>
· May 14-16, 2015: NFB STEM2U
Columbus (OH), COSI<br>
· June 7, 2015: NFB 6 DOT
DASH<br>
· July 5-10, 2015:
75<sup>th</sup> Annual Convention of the National Federation of the
Blind<br>
· August 2-8, 2015: NFB STEM EQ
<br>
· September 11-13, 2015: NFB
STEM2U Leadership Academy<br>
· June 19-25, 2016: NFB EQ
(first iteration)<br>
· July 31-August 6, 2016
(second iteration) <br>
· August, 2016: WBU-ICEVI
General Assembly <br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<br>
Mark A. Riccobono, President<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place<br>
Baltimore, Maryland 21230<br>
Phone: (410) 659-9314<br>
Fax: (410) 659-5129<br>
Email:
<a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org">
officeofthepresident@nfb.org</a><br>
Twitter: @Riccobono and @NFB_Voice<br>
Web: <a href="http://www.nfb.org/">www.nfb.org</a><br><br>
<x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
<x-tab> </x-tab>David
Andrews and long white cane Harry.<br>
E-Mail: dandrews@visi.com or david.andrews@nfbnet.org<br>
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