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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>
Some note the coming of spring by the increased level of activity and the
blooming of life around us. I find that because of my work in the
National Federation of the Blind it has not felt like we have been
through a low period of activity. However, it is nice to have spring here
and it reminds me that our national convention is right around the
corner.<br>
<br>
Before we get to Orlando, there are some immediate concerns that should
take our attention. Our Washington Seminar issues will be heating up at
an increasing rate, so be on the watch for alerts about activity on those
items. As you will see, there are real attacks being made on the
Americans with Disabilities Act, and these require the concentration of
the Federation. Other disability organizations often look to us as the
leader for mobilizing people; now is one of those times. I call your
attention to the first critical action this week as a top priority for
all of our affiliates. <br>
<br>
I look forward to visiting with most of you this evening on the Uber
monitoring call we have scheduled.<br><br>
<h2><b> </b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>Critical Actions This Week:</b></h2><br><br>
Call to Action: Opposition to H.R. 620, the ADA Education and Reform Act
of 2017:<br>
As you know, we ask members from time to time to contact their
representatives in Congress in support of legislation that would benefit
the blind community. But today I am calling upon all Federationists to
contact their representatives in opposition to H.R. 620. The phone number
for the Capitol switchboard is (202) 224-3121. From there, simply ask to
be connected with your representative. In addition, please call the
chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Robert Goodlatte, at (202)
225-5431.<br>
<br>
Here are some brief talking points to share with the offices of your
representative and Chairman Goodlatte: (1) the ADA was enacted in 1990,
so covered entities have had ample time to learn about and comply with
the law; (2) the ADA already contains an “undue burden” provision to
protect covered entities when the costs of making facilities accessible
are too high; and (3) Title III of the ADA (which applies to public
accommodations) does not allow monetary damages for noncompliance.<br>
<br>
The National Federation of the Blind has joined with 216 other allied
civil rights organizations in opposing this bill. You can read our joint
letter at
<a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/pdf/sign-on-letters/comments_on_hr620_03162017.pdf">
https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/pdf/sign-on-letters/comments_on_hr620_03162017.pdf</a>
. If you want to know how this bill would affect us, consider internet
access guaranteed under the ADA and
<a href="https://nfb.org/ada-title-ii-internet-regulations-joint-sanprm-comments">
our comments filed with DOJ last October</a> as just one example.
<br><br>
<h2><b> </b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2><br><br>
National Federation of the Blind Comments on Department of Justice Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking on Section 504:<br>
Last Thursday, the National Federation of the Blind filed comments
regarding the recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued by the
Department of Justice on updates to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act. You can read our comments at
<a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/pdf/sign-on-letters/nfb_comments_re_504_regs.pdf">
https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/pdf/sign-on-letters/nfb_comments_re_504_regs.pdf</a>
.<br>
<br>
LGBT Group:<br>
We have recently formed the National Federation of the Blind LGBT Group.
Tai Tomasi is the chairperson. She can be reached at
<a href="mailto:tai.tomasi8@gmail.com">tai.tomasi8@gmail.com</a> or (515)
329-4908.<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>
· June 4, 2017:
<a href="https://nfb.org/dot-dash">6K Dot Dash</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>
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/">
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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>
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