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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>
<br>
Dear Fellow Federationists,<br>
<br>
Have a great week!<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Critical Actions This Week:</b></h2><br><br>
Fall Affiliate Conventions:<br>
Each affiliate should be sure that it is promoting its website for
upcoming affiliate conventions. We have noticed that a number of
affiliates with fall conventions have outdated information—sometimes more
than a yearr old. We will not link to convention information on affiliate
websites that is not up to date. Please be sure that the affiliate
website reflects the most current information for our members and
potential members. <br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2><br><br>
Presidential Release:<br>
The August Presidential Release is now available on
<a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/audio/podcast/presidential-releases-en/PR463.mp3">
our website</a>. <br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Cardtronics Testing:</b></h2><br><br>
Thank you to those of you who participated in the Cardtronics testing
call last week. As a reminder, and to those that weren't able to join the
call, affiliates are invited to participate in Cardtronics ATM testing
this fall, and each affiliate will have the opportunity to test at least
eleven ATMs. In order for your affiliate to participate, by August 15
please send the names, email addresses, phone numbers, and preferred zip
codes of your affiliate’s testers to Valerie Yingling
(<a href="mailto:vyingling@nfb.org">vyingling@nfb.org</a>). Testers will
need to be able to read Braille instructions and should be comfortable
using an ATM and completing an online survey. Testers will be asked to
confirm that voice guidance software and other accessibility features
have been added to specific, assigned Cardtronics ATMs; testers may need
to withdraw a minimum amount of money from their accounts to fully assess
the transaction. Please contact Valerie Yingling
(<a href="mailto:vyingling@nfb.org">vyingling@nfb.org</a>) with any
questions about the testing process. <br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Rideshare Testing:</b></h2><br><br>
The NFB’s rideshare testing program will continue for at least two and
a half more years. Please circulate the following message throughout your
network and continue to promote the testing among members.<br>
<br><br>
<h3><b>Recruiting Feedback from Individuals with Service Animals Who
Travel via Lyft or Uber:<br>
As you travel with your service animal via Lyft or Uber, please make sure
to record your experience in the NFB’s rideshare testing online
questionnaire:
<a href="https://nfb.org/rideshare-test">
https://nfb.org/rideshare-test</a>. As a part of the NFB’s settlement
agreements with Uber and Lyft, the NFB is
<a href="https://nfb.org/rideshare">conducting testing</a> to assess how
successfully both companies are implementing new policies and procedures
regarding drivers’ obligations to transport riders with service
animals. We are seeking feedback regarding positive and negative
rideshare experiences; please take time to
<a href="https://nfb.org/rideshare-test">report your
experience</a>.</b></h3><br>
<br>
<br>
Contributions to the Braille Book Fair:<br>
Each spring a call goes out for gently used Braille books that might be
given away at our Braille Book Fair at national convention. Contributions
to the cause are appreciated throughout the year. However, not all titles
are likely to be popular, definitions of "gently used" vary,
and curating donations is a time-consuming process. If you plan to send
us more than a box or two of Braille, please send a list to
<a href="mailto:parenting@nfb.org">Melissa Riccobono</a> to let us know
what you are willing to donate. We can advise you which titles are worth
your effort to box up and ship to the Jernigan Institute for next
year’s Braille Book Fair. Please spread this message to all individuals
and organizations that might be considering a large contribution of
books.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Reminders:</b></h2><br><br>
Affiliate Pledges:<br>
Affiliates that made pledges during the honor roll call at our national
convention should make plans to fulfill your commitment in the next
couple of months. If we do not hear from you, Patti Chang will be
following up. <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>
· September 12-17, 2017:
<a href="http://blindmerchants.org/blast-2017/">BLAST</a>, Nashville,
Tennessee <br>
· November 6-8, 2017:
<a href="https://nfb.org/dare-be-remarkable-call-presentations">Dare to
Be Remarkable Conference</a>, Baltimore, Maryland<br>
· January 29, 2018: Great
Gathering In, Washington, District of Columbia<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:7.1.0.9.2.20170807212422.05af3c88@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:7.1.0.9.2.20170807212422.05af3c88@visi.com.5" width=24 height=24 alt="Facebook">
</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice">
<img src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20170807212422.05af3c88@visi.com.6" width=24 height=24 alt="Twitter">
</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind">
<img src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20170807212422.05af3c88@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>
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