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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>
The shine of the National Federation of the Blind has never been
brighter. Our team of members and staff who participated in the 2016
Joint General Assemblies of the World Blind Union and the International
Council for the Education of the Visually Impaired demonstrated the
Federation spirit and philosophy for eight days of meetings in Orlando.
The blind of the world were greeted with blind hosts who showed them
around, gave spontaneous cane travel lessons, and shared our empowering
philosophy. From the logistics to the presentations on the main and
breakout stages, the Federation showed the best of what we have built as
a movement. Congratulations to Dr. Fred Schroeder who was elected
president of the World Blind Union and who will now serve for the next
four years in that office. <br>
<br>
The work of the Federation continues as we move into the fall convention
season. I am looking forward to welcoming another leadership seminar to
our headquarters this weekend, and I anticipate a busy fall with travel
to conventions and new projects. In other words, the work of the
Federation is as active and forward looking as always.<br>
<br>
Thank you for all you do.<br><br>
<h2><b> </b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2><br><br>
TIME Act Developments:<br>
There have been some exciting developments regarding the TIME Act
(Transitioning to Integrated and Meaningful Employment Act) (H.R 188/S.
2001). Since our Washington Seminar in January 2016, both the Republican
and Democratic parties have endorsed our bill in their 2016 platforms.
Therefore, we should take this opportunity to follow up with our
legislators and let them know that their parties support this important
initiative to repeal Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act that
allows employers to pay disabled workers less than the minimum wage.
<br>
<br>
As you may be aware, members of the US House of Representatives and
Senate will soon be returning to DC from their August recess. It is
crucial that we send them emails which let them know that their party
endorsed the TIME Act in their platform and request them to cosponsor the
bill. Please copy Kimie Beverly at
<a href="mailto:KBeverly@nfb.org">KBeverly@nfb.org</a> on any email you
send to your senators’ or representative’s office so she can follow up
with additional information.<br>
<br>
Thornberry Thank You letters:<br>
We have had a tremendous response to our thank-you-letter writing
campaign to Representative Mack Thornberry, chairman of the House
Committee on Armed Services. He included our Space Available bill in the
House version of the National Defense Authorization Act which would allow
all blind or otherwise disabled medically discharged veterans to
participate in the Space Available program. Currently, only those injured
on or after September 23, 1996, can participate in this program that
allows retirees and active duty military to travel for free on military
owned or operated aircraft. We have heard that Congress is currently
conferencing this portion of the National Defense Authorization Act and
we need to give Chairman Thornberry as much leverage as possible. Please
fill out the letter at
<a href="https://nfb.org/thank-you-thornberry">
https://nfb.org/thank-you-thornberry</a>; it will only take about two
minutes. Then share the link on Facebook and Twitter. <br>
<br>
A press release thanking Chairman Thornberry has been issued. You can
read the whole release at
<a href="https://nfb.org/national-federation-blind-texas-commends-congressman-thornberry-support-veterans-disabilities">
https://nfb.org/national-federation-blind-texas-commends-congressman-thornberry-support-veterans-disabilities</a>
. <br>
<br>
Membership Cards:<br>
We’ve run into a problem regarding our membership cards. We are out of
stock in the Independence Market. This is a good problem to have because
it means that our chapters are busy recruiting new members into the
Federation. We will send out an announcement once the cards are back in
stock. Until then, let’s keep building the Federation and filling out the
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/oaform">new member form.</a><br>
<br>
Also, remember that you can order other materials through the
Independence Market for your Meet the Blind Month events. Now is the time
to ramp up your planning and get the word out. <br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in Mind:</b></h2><br><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 20-24: 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>
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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