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<h1><b><a name="OLE_LINK9"></a>President’s
Notebook</b></h1><a name="OLE_LINK9"></a><br>
<br><br>
<h1><b>National Federation of the Blind</b></h1><br><br>
<br>
<h1><b>Mark A. Riccobono</b></h1><br><br>
<br>
<h1><b><a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org">
officeofthepresident@nfb.org</a></b></h1><br><br>
<br>
<h1><b>(410) 659-9314</b></h1><br><br>
<br>
Dear Fellow Federationists,<br>
<br>
This is our week to bring the Federation to the world, or maybe it is
better to say the world is coming to learn about the Federation. This
week and much of the next, leaders of the Federation and a good portion
of our national staff will be in Orlando for the joint general assemblies
of the World Blind Union and the International Council for the Education
of the Visually Impaired. In the United States, we have built a unique
organization that is authentically driven by blind people. We have
developed a philosophy about blindness, and we have found innovative ways
to test and implement that philosophy. Although we have been officially
engaged in world collaboration with blind people since 1952, and before
that informally, our hosting the world meeting represents another
milestone in our leadership in blindness around the world.<br>
<br>
Recently, the question came up about how deep the Federation might get in
international affairs. While the hosting of the world meeting is
something to be proud of, we should not let it signify a shift in our
overall organizational priorities. We will continue to be engaged in
international collaboration. We will continue to share what we know about
blindness and to find opportunities to learn from the progress of others.
As each of you knows, there is still much work to be done in the United
States and that will remain our overwhelming priority. <br>
<br>
If you are attending the world meetings or if you are tuning in via the
internet, I urge you to learn from the common bonds with our brothers and
sisters around the world and find opportunities to utilize their
experience to build our organization. That is what I will be doing during
my time in Orlando. I will also be seeking to share everything we have
learned about advancing opportunities for the blind so that others might
apply our techniques in the unique circumstances of their country. <br>
Furthermore, I will be seeking opportunities to coordinate our work that
now is impacted on a global scale. Whether it is the impact of
inaccessible technology, the dangers caused by quiet cars, or the
persistent fears about blindness, the artificial barriers are not limited
to our borders.<br>
<br>
As we bring attention to the World Blind Union for the next week,
remember that the reason we have so much knowledge to share is that we
have built and nurtured a strong organization in the United States.
Furthermore, we have always looked for opportunities to learn from those
around the world based on a common determination for the blind to live
the lives we want anywhere on this planet.<br>
<br>
Unless something urgent arises, you should not expect a notebook next
Monday. <br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2><br><br>
Important Legislative Action:<br>
We need to thank Representative Mac Thornberry, chairman of the House
Armed Services Committee, for assisting disabled veterans injured prior
to September 23, 1996, to obtain access to the Space Available program by
including language to correct the exclusion of these veterans from the
program in the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act.
Your letter of thanks will give Chairman Thornberry support when he seeks
inclusion of his language in the final joint House and Senate bill when
the conference committee meets in September. We have made it simple and
convenient for you to write to Chairman Thornberry; all you need do is
fill out the very short webform located at this link:
<a href="https://nfb.org/thank-you-thornberry">
https://nfb.org/thank-you-thornberry</a>.<br>
<br>
WBU Streaming Information:<br>
Stay up to date with all of the activity at the World Blind Union events
on Twitter by following the hashtag #JointGA2016. The WBU and ICEVI
events will also be streamed on ACBRadio Live Event. You can listen at
this URL:
<a href="http://cp.mcafee.com/d/avndxMAcy0Arhosd7aatXThdTdEThjjooso76QrEFFIc3zhOOrhKyCCMMUMYrhKyCqen66bFCOIBuIjS9ZaM1iTNaOxjw09JrUBpgFM04SzvTrCzAs_R-svd7b2bfnKnjjopV5cQsTvpoWyaqRQRrKfsG7DR8OJMddECTPtPtPo0dno8hAuvGOTbVeeSaVo-lyKcToud79EV7fVJy4tgBnw099oXOM42wq8RA6g60xw9Fwfd0G7zeyxco2op8IweCdcwelhr0t4cwe2hgY61Iz4A91HwSc69m4wRMdxeMr0cS3h6EEdxM3I1w4Bmgoc1ZwS04S3h6Eu5hsN901w8E0MA6K0c90hl0bwIM63M-M32hEVI0MKocws1gpaOEKlQ1nCO384g0on3X1lcfmgl3dwSgvodlfawc91Hw32gqOdy94MdxMKu30A6Fzoi6Xws1g7K1N45Bg9l39k2gUpA60U3I3oEul1xVygl5P4A060yw39DBr8C91w-twQh0X074g94hIh0X84x8r509l3hgr50ou31g2lhIkgf1wsdI0Mk1pU7j0W8o3wC-18zoI1aEpI6DECzAdxsSgGT2TBRk1lCX3NEVd78V_DNNEVKXZXYphbzATHThZwwVuP6Ec4647vggKgusupd7a3walS24p7DWIJOVJdBB5AS2NF8Qg34U_GIE4jh1lQQg0acxcQg3v_ek2d3qpEVdOqOay1T9eHgN">
http://acbradio.org/live</a>.<br>
<br>
Meet the Blind Month:<br>
Just a reminder that October is Meet the Blind Month. Remember that we
have lots of resources such as alphabet cards, NFB brochures, and Kernel
Books available in the Independence Market that you can use at your
event. Whether you’re holding a large gathering or simply giving out
information, it’s important that our communities see that we are out
there living the lives we want. Please send an email to
<a href="mailto:membership@nfb.org">membership@nfb.org</a> if you have
questions about Meet the Blind Month or if you would like to share what
your chapter is doing to celebrate. This is a great time for affiliate
presidents to check in with your chapters to hear about the different
events happening in your state. The hashtag this year is #MTBM16.<br>
<br>
Video:<br>
Check out the most recent NFB video, my son Austin and I building with
LEGOs together:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ncVyVcAG9o">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ncVyVcAG9o</a> <br>
<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in Mind:</b></h2><br><br>
· 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>
· 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>
·
<a href="https://nfb.org/state-conventions">Fall Conventions</a><br>
· August 31: Deadline for
experienced NFB BELL Academy affiliate representatives to register for
the NFB BELL Academy Training Seminar, September 30-October 2, 2016.
Please choose: Advanced or Novice/Intermediate,
<a href="https://nfb.org/bell-seminar-registration-form">registration
form</a><br>
· September 8: Deadline for
prospective NFB BELL Academy affiliates to apply to host an NFB BELL
Academy for the summer of 2017,
<a href="https://nfb.org/bell-program-online-application">application
form</a><br>
· September 15: Deadline for
representatives from accepted prospective NFB BELL Academy affiliates to
register for the NFB BELL Academy Training Seminar, October 20-23, 2016.
Please choose: Novice/Intermediate,
<a href="https://nfb.org/bell-seminar-registration-form">registration
form</a><br>
· September 30-October 2: NFB
BELL Academy Training Seminar (Advanced) in Baltimore, Maryland<br>
· October 20-23: NFB BELL
Academy Training Seminar (Novice/Intermediate) in Baltimore,
Maryland<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>
<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>
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>
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