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<h1><b>President's Notebook</b></h1><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>
One week from today we will all be together at the Capitol Holiday Inn in
Washington, DC, gearing up to make our voices heard in the halls of
power. I am particularly excited about the possibilities to make things
happen this year, and I look forward to being with the Federation family
at our midyear gathering next week.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Critical Actions This Week:</b></h2><br><br>
Please Sign the Petition:<br>
Jamie Principato, who
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/national-convention-highlights">spoke</a> at
our national convention last summer about her experience with
inaccessible technology, has launched a
<a href="https://www.change.org/p/united-states-congress-remove-barriers-to-classroom-equality-ensure-accessibility-of-instructional-materials?recruiter=75359047&utm_source=share_for_starters&utm_medium=copyLink">
petition</a> calling on congressional leaders to move swiftly to pass our
Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education Act. The
<a href="https://www.change.org/p/united-states-congress-remove-barriers-to-classroom-equality-ensure-accessibility-of-instructional-materials?recruiter=75359047&utm_source=share_for_starters&utm_medium=copyLink">
petition</a> further calls upon President Trump to unequivocally commit
to supporting this legislation by urging its passage.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2><br><br>
Washington Seminar:<br>
The final agenda is attached. <br>
<br>
Washington Seminar桸ABS<br>
Don't forget to stop by and support our students at the NABS Caf茅 on
Monday, January 30, starting at 8:00 p.m. in the Congressional Ballroom.
There will be a DJ, delicious desserts, a cash bar, and an auction with
great items such as hotel stays, an Amazon Echo, and a Kindle Fire.<br>
<br>
Washington Seminar桺arent Leadership Program: <br>
The following parents will be participating in the Parent Leadership
Program (PLP) this year at Washington Seminar: LaDonna Rodriguez, OK;
Julieta Meyer, IL; Alison Tarver, LA; Cherice Togun, FL; Heather
Leiterman, OH; Briley O'Connor, MN; Lana Abbot, NJ; Joy Orton, AL; Tabby
Mitchell, VA; Glenda Farnum, OK; and Michelle Murrey, TX.<br>
<br>
Comments on Secretary of Education Nominee Remarks: <br>
During her confirmation hearing, Betsy DeVos, President Trump鈥檚 nominee
for secretary of education, spoke regarding the obligations of schools
under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Our reply
to those comments can be
found<a href="https://nfb.org/national-federation-blind-comments-secretary-education-nominee-betsy-devos%E2%80%99-remarks-regarding">
in the press release on our website</a>. <br>
<b> <br>
</b><br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in Mind:</b></h2><br><br>
路 January 30, 2017: Great
Gathering-In <br>
路 January 30-February 2, 2017:
<a href="https://nfb.org/washington-seminar">Washington Seminar</a><br>
路 March 23, 2017:
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6317&qid=1522699">
eBooks and EPUB accessibility event</a><br>
路 March 30-31, 2017: Jacobus
tenBroek Law Symposium <br>
路 March 31, 2017: Deadline for
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/scholarships">scholarship
applications</a><br>
路 April 15, 2017: Deadline for
<a href="https://nfb.org/bolotin-award-main">Jacob Bolotin Award
applications</a><br>
路 May 1, 2017: Deadline for
<a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/pdf/distinguished-educator-of-blind-students-award-form-fillable.pdf">
Distinguished Educators of Blind Student</a> Award applications<br>
路 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>
路 July 21-29, 2017:
<a href="http://www.blindscience.org/nfb-youth-slam">Youth Slam</a>,
Towson University<br>
路 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>
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/">
<img src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20170123181100.04fd9e18@visi.com.4" width=210 height=76 alt="National Federation of the Blind">
</a><br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind">
<img src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20170123181100.04fd9e18@visi.com.5" width=24 height=24 alt="Facebook">
</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice">
<img src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20170123181100.04fd9e18@visi.com.6" width=24 height=24 alt="Twitter">
</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind">
<img src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20170123181100.04fd9e18@visi.com.7" width=24 height=24 alt="Youtube">
</a><br>
<br>
The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and
friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation鈥檚 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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