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<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>
Today the flag at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute
flies at half-mast in solidarity with the rest of the country regarding
the tragedy in Orlando this weekend. The challenges of world events
continue to emphasize how fragile life can be. As we prepare to head to
Orlando, I encourage each of us to keep those impacted by the events of
this weekend in our thoughts and prayers. I also encourage us to
recognize that fear is too often used by others to control our actions
and limit our freedom. In the National Federation of the Blind, we
continue to spread love and hope, and I urge us to bring that spirit to
Orlando in an even greater measure this year.<br>
<br>
With humility and hope, I look forward to being with you in Orlando in a
couple of weeks.<br><br>
<h2><b> <br><br>
<br>
Critical Actions This Week:</b></h2>Give a High Five in Support of the
Rights of Blind Parents:<br>
During this month we are inviting others to participate in our initiative
to support resources for, and the rights of, blind parents to raise their
children by simply giving us a high five. Your donation of $5 (or
multiples thereof) to the National Federation of the Blind can help keep
families together. Keep an eye on
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/vonb-blog">our blog</a> to learn more. Please
help to promote this important work of the Federation for Father's Day.
<br>
<br>
We Need Stories:<br>
We are collecting stories about your experience accessing internet
content on state and local government websites as part of our coordinated
effort to provide comments regarding the recent
<a href="https://www.ada.gov/regs2016/sanprm.html">Supplemental Advanced
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking</a> issued by the Department of
Justice.<br>
<br>
State and local websites offer a variety of programs and services
including information about voter registration, applications for state
IDs, community calendars, permits, public school activities, and
registration for classes at colleges and universities, just to name a few
examples. Please visit
<a href="https://nfb.org/TitleIISANPRM">nfb.org/TitleIISANPRM</a>, follow
the directions there, and send us your stories as soon as you can but no
later than July 15, 2016. You can also get in touch with Kyle Walls here
at the NFB Jernigan Institute at
<a href="mailto:kwalls@nfb.org">kwalls@nfb.org</a> to submit your story
or to get more information about our coordinated effort. Your comments
will be shared with the Department of Justice and will be published on
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>.<br>
<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2>Blood Drive at Convention:<br>
I thought it would be timely to mention that we have been planning a
blood drive to be held at our convention in Orlando. As you may know,
there is a current demand for blood in the Orlando community. Join the
National Federation of the Blind Sports and Rec Division and WE Fit
Wellness on June 30 at the NF-BE Healthy Fair for our first-ever OneBlood
convention blood drive. OneBlood will be taking donations from 10:00 a.m.
to 3:00 p.m. in Sebastian Ballroom J, Level 1. While you are there, climb
the rock wall, learn to sword fight, bang on some cardio drums, and much
more.<br>
<br>
New York Voter Registration Lawsuit<br>
The National Federation of the Blind, the Center for Independence of the
Disabled, and individual blind plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the New
York State Board of Elections and the Department of Motor Vehicles. The
complaint charges that their online voter registration is inaccessible to
people with disabilities. <br>
<br>
Videos:<br>
A video will be released Friday, June 17, in honor of Father's Day. It
can be accessed at
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiDrUAU_Ti0">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiDrUAU_Ti0</a>.<br>
<br>
This week's video is currently available. Julie McGinnity explains how
attending and hearing the thousands of cane taps at an NFB National
Convention changed her life at
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp7pVyNwzvM">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp7pVyNwzvM</a>,<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in
Mind:</b></h2>* May 23-August
26, 2016: NFB BELL Academy held at forty-six sites throughout the nation.
More information at
<a href="https://nfb.org/bell-academy">https://nfb.org/bell-academy</a>.
<br>
ยท June 19-25: NFB EQ (first
iteration)<br>
* June 30-July 5: National
Federation of the Blind Convention, Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando,
Florida<br>
* July 31-August 6: NFB EQ
(second iteration) <br>
* August 2-6: NFB EQ teacher
cohort <br>
* August 18-25: WBU and ICEVI
General Assembly, Rosen Centre, Orlando, Florida,
<a href="http://www.wbu-icevi2016.org">www.wbu-icevi2016.org</a><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>
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>
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