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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>
We just completed a communications seminar here at the NFB Jernigan
Institute. I was particularly inspired by the enthusiasm and expertise
embedded within the affiliates that sent representatives. The nature of
how we communicateimpart and exchange information and newshas shifted
significantly in my twenty years as a member of the Federation. I am
really proud that we have a committed corps of members prepared to carry
our strategy forward in a thoughtful manner.<br>
<br>
This past week we added the ability to get NFB podcast content through
the Amazon Echo suite of products (see below for more information). We
need to continue to find new ways to share information and tell our
stories. Keep those ideas coming. <br>
<br>
Finally, I have been working with our communications team, our
organizational technology team, and members who have been supporting our
internet presence in affiliates. I have asked that we set aggressive
timelines and that we dedicate resources to getting our affiliate web
assets up to date and secured for the future. I encourage you to let me
know how that is going as it rolls out so that we can adjust the sails as
needed.<br>
<br>
Although it is still a little early, I am beginning to think about our
national convention. I have already invited a number of key presenters,
and I am looking for ideas about interesting presentations. Please share
your thoughts with me.<br>
<br>
Speaking of communication, for those of you who are not yet connected
with me on Facebook, I invite you to friend Mark A. Riccobono and follow
me on Twitter, @Riccobono.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2><br><br>
Amazon Echo:<br>
The following podcasts have been added to the Amazon Echo through the
TuneIn and Stitcher podcast directories: <i>The Nation’s Blind</i>,
<i>National Federation of the Blind Presidential Releases</i>,
<i>National Federation of the Blind “Braille Monitor</i>,” and
<i>National Federation of the Blind “Future Reflections</i>.” When asking
Alexa to play one of our podcasts, be sure to ask for the entire title,
and in the case of the Presidential Release, include your language
preference (English or Spanish): "Alexa, please play the ‘National
Federation of the Blind February Presidential Release,’ English
version."<br>
<br>
Summer Internship Program:<br>
As we continue to raise expectations of and for the blind, we realize
that we must actively work to empower the next generation of dynamic
leaders and innovative thinkers that will dream, develop, and implement
the next ground-breaking project or program that changes the lives of all
blind people. To that end, we must share our acquired knowledge and life
experience with young, motivated blind students as they travel their
individual paths toward full participation. We seek to accomplish this
goal through our National Federation of the Blind Summer Internship
Program, a unique learning experience that can only be directed by the
National Federation of the Blind. For more information, visit:
<a href="https://nfb.org/blog/vonb-blog/national-federation-blind-2017-summer-internship-program">
https://nfb.org/blog/vonb-blog/national-federation-blind-2017-summer-internship-program</a>
. <br><br>
<h3><b>Parental Rights Legislation Passes in Utah:<br>
Both houses of the Utah legislature have passed H.B. 150 Custody
Amendments Related to Parents with Disabilities, a bill that would
require judges to make specific findings that a disabled parent lacks
resources to provide for a child's physical and emotional needs, rather
than assume that a disabled person is less capable of being a parent, as
is the case today. The bill is being prepared for Governor Herbert's
signature. More information can be found in the
<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865673324/Bill-would-change-how-courts-look-at-parents-disabilities-in-child-custody-cases.html">
Deseret
News</a></i>
<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865673324/Bill-would-change-how-courts-look-at-parents-disabilities-in-child-custody-cases.html">
article</a>. </b></h3><br><br>
<br>
Discount Guinness World Records™ Umbrella Mosaic Posters:<br>
Posters may now be purchased in quantities of twenty or more for one
dollar each, plus the UPS shipping cost. These posters feature a
photograph taken by the drone of the NFB’s record-breaking umbrella
mosaic at the National Convention in July 2015 and our brand promise,
"Together with love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams
into reality," as well as a description of the event and our
website. The posters measure 24 × 18 inches and have a landscape
orientation. We recommend using these posters to enhance fundraising and
outreach activities at the local level. Please contact the Independence
Market at (410) 659-9314, extension 2216, to place your order.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Summer Programs at Our Centers </b></h2><br><br>
For your convenience we combined the following summer program information
from our three training centers. <br>
<br>
Louisiana Center for the Blind:<br>
The Louisiana Center for the Blind is pleased to announce the Buddy
Programa fun and innovative summer offering for students in fourth
through eighth grades. Dates for the 2017 Buddy Program are July
23-August 12. Please visit
<a href="http://www.louisianacenter.org/buddyprogram/">
http://www.louisianacenter.org/buddyprogram/</a> for more
information.<br>
The Louisiana Center for the Blind’s Summer Training and Employment
Project (STEP) Program is an eight-week summer experience tailored for
blind high school students. Please navigate to
<a href="http://www.louisianacenter.org/step-program/">
http://www.louisianacenter.org/step-program/</a> to learn more. <br>
<br>
Colorado Center for the Blind:<br>
Every summer at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, blind youth learn and
grow in confidence that they can live the lives they want. From Braille
to rock climbing, and with blind role models and peers, it’s a summer
they’ll never forget! The Colorado Center for the Blind in Littleton,
Colorado, is accepting applications for its Initiation to Independence
(three-week residential middle school) Program, as well as our Earn and
Learn and College Prep (eight-week residential high school/college)
Programs. For dates and applications visit
<a href="http://cocenter.org/summer-youth-2017/">
http://cocenter.org/summer-youth-2017/</a>.<br>
<br>
BLIND, Inc.:<br>
Blindness: Learning In New Dimensions (BLIND), Inc., a National
Federation of the Blind training center is hosting three comprehensive
residential programs this summer in Minneapolis, Minnesota:<br>
June 10 to July 1: The Buddy Program offers blind/low-vision students
ages nine through thirteen a chance to learn skills such as cooking,
cleaning, Braille/technology, and cane travel from qualified blind
counselors, while participating in exciting recreational activities as
they develop friendships that will last a lifetime!<br>
June 11 to August 5: The PREP Program offers blind/low-vision high school
students a chance to learn their independence skills from qualified blind
counselors while living in apartments blocks from a light rail station;
put their skills to the test during a three-week, paid (at minimum wage)
work experiences in the community; participate in cool recreational
activities with friends; and meet friends and mentors while attending the
National Federation of the Blind Convention in Orlando. <br>
July 17 to August 4: Closeout the summer in STYLE (Summer Training Youth
Learning Experience) residential program as blind/low-vision high school
students select from one, two, or all three five-day transition programs
focusing on cane travel and the use of public transit throughout the
Minneapolis/St. Paul area (session 1); health, fitness, and recreation
(session 2); and all things money management: making it, saving it, and
spending it (session 3), while participating in educational and
recreational weekend activities supervised by successful blind
adults. <br>
Please visit
<a href="https://www.blindinc.org/programs/Summer/">
https://www.blindinc.org/programs/Summer/</a> for more detailed
information regarding these exciting programs.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in Mind:</b></h2><br><br>
· 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>
· March 30-31, 2017:
<a href="http://nfb.org/law-symposium">Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium</a>
<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>
· May 1, 2017: Deadline for
<a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/pdf/distinguished-educator-of-blind-students-award-form-fillable.pdf">
Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award</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 23-29, 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>
<br>
<br>
<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:7.1.0.9.2.20170221193549.02128b80@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:7.1.0.9.2.20170221193549.02128b80@visi.com.5" width=24 height=24 alt="Facebook">
</a>
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<img src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20170221193549.02128b80@visi.com.6" width=24 height=24 alt="Twitter">
</a>
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<img src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20170221193549.02128b80@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’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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