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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>
Happy New Year! I look forward to charging forward with the great work we
are undertaking together in 2017. Some are debating whether there is
reason to have hope in the new year, but I am of the belief that we are
the masters of creating hope and opportunity, and I plan to do just
that.<br>
<br>
There are some high-level organizational priorities that I would like to
call to your attention for 2017 (in no particular order):<br>
1. Engage current and attract new members. <br>
2. Connect, protect, and support blind parents and the parents of blind
children. <br>
3. Conduct advocacy, policy, legal, and partnership programs to protect
the rights of blind people and increase accessibility and employment in
education, public services, and commerce.<br>
4. Promote equality by raising expectations of blind people and breaking
down misconceptions.<br>
5. Develop more effective mechanisms for communicating and interacting
with organizational supporters.<br>
<br>
As we undertake our work in 2017, we should keep these broad priorities
in mind. Of course, this does not mean that there are no other items that
will take some of our attention, but I view these items as the pressing,
high-level priorities for organizing our activities this year.<br>
<br>
Best wishes for the first week of 2017.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Critical Actions This Week:</b></h2>Washington Seminar Hotel Rate
Extended:<br>
The Holiday Inn Capitol has extended the deadline for Washington Seminar
reservations through this Tuesday, January 3, 2017. To book a
reservation, please dial (877) 572-6951 using booking code F7B, or by
going to
<a href="https://nfb.org/Washington-seminar">
https://nfb.org/Washington-seminar</a>. Rates for the 2017 Washington
Seminar are $188 per night with an applicable tax of 14.5 percent. The
Great Gathering-In is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on January 30, and we will
be visiting the offices of House and Senate members on Tuesday, January
31, through Thursday, February 2.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2>Dare to Be Remarkable:<br>
A three-day national training conference for education and rehabilitation
professionals who work with blind students and adults will be held at the
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute from Monday, November
6 through Wednesday November 8, 2017.<br>
<br>
Our first Dare to Be Remarkable conference took place in December 2007.
After ten years of progress, professionals will once again assemble to
share successes, strategies, and goals for the future. The conference
will consist of plenary presentations, topical group work, and breakout
sessions exploring structured discovery methods and principles.
Preregistration (prior to October 13) will be $400 per person, and
registration (after October 13) will be $500 per person. Registration
includes all conference materials in alternative formats, lunches,
periodic snack breaks, transportation to and from the hotel, and special
hospitality/training events. Online registration will be available
starting February 1, 2017.<br>
<br>
Apply to Become a National Federation of the Blind BUILD Team
Member:<br>
Technologies are being developed every day that affect the way we all
live, work, and play. In order to ensure access to the ever-evolving
technologies that make it possible for blind people to live the lives we
want, we need blind users to innovate and lead the design process. The
NFB is establishing a database of Blind Users Innovating and Leading
Design (BUILD) to evaluate websites, products, and services for
accessibility. Apply to become a member of our BUILD team by completing
the survey at
<a href="https://nfb.org/build-team">https://nfb.org/build-team</a>.<br>
<br>
Spanish Version of the Presidential Release:<br>
The Spanish version of the release is available at
<a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/audio/pr/spanish/pr456_spanish.mp3">
https://nfb.org/images/nfb/audio/pr/spanish/pr456_spanish.mp3</a>.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in
Mind:</b></h2>· January 30,
2017: Great Gathering-In <br>
· January 30-February 2, 2017:
<a href="https://nfb.org/washington-seminar">Washington Seminar</a><br>
· March 30-31, 2017: Jacobus
tenBroek Law Symposium <br>
· March 31, 2017: Deadline for
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/scholarships">scholarship
applications</a><br>
· April 15, 2017: Deadline for
<a href="https://nfb.org/bolotin-award-main">Jacob Bolotin Award
applications</a><br>
· July 10-15, 2017:
<a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm16/bm1611/bm161101.htm">
National Convention, Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, Orlando,
Florida</a><br>
· July 21-29, 2017:
<a href="http://www.blindscience.org/nfb-youth-slam">Youth Slam</a>,
Towson University<br>
· September 12-17, 2017:
<a href="http://blindmerchants.org/blast-2017/">BLAST</a>, Nashville,
Tennessee <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<br>
President<br>
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<br>
(410) 659-9314 |
<a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org">
officeofthepresident@nfb.org</a> <br>
<br>
<br>
<a href="https://nfb.org/">
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<br>
The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and
friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind.
Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br><br>
<br>
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