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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>
This week I have been thinking a lot about how we carry out the
activities of the National Federation of the Blind and what broader
impact the Federation philosophy might have on society. We value
equality, and we work to eliminate discrimination based on the
characteristic of blindness. Although I would argue that our philosophy
about the impact of emphasizing certain characteristics over others
applies to many other aspects of our society. It is certainly relevant
this week as the subject of race has again become a dividing factor in
our society.<br>
<br>
This week we put two messages on the rooftop sign at the National
Federation of the Blind. The first is “Reject Racism,” and the second
is “Stand Against Hate.” Both of these are consistent with the spirit
and values we attempt to live in the Federation. The National Federation
of the Blind has helped me to better relate to those whose backgrounds
and experiences were different than mine. I have had the opportunity to
spend time with blind people who have had no opportunities and are
struggling to get by. I have spent time with blind people who have faced
significant discrimination that continues to hold them back. I have spent
time with blind people who think they have never experienced
discrimination and they wonder what it feels like. And I have spent time
with blind people who believed that they made it on their own and that
the work of our movement gave them no advantage. It is the Federation
that taught me to find the common bond we have in our experiences as
blind people and to use that as a tool for advancing opportunities for
all blind people, including myself. By seeking first to relate to others,
the Federation has opened up opportunities for me to engage with
outstanding people that I might have otherwise never had the chance to
learn from.<br>
<br>
As we seek to carry out the work of the Federation within our great
nation, I encourage us to use the learning we have gained from the
Federation to teach others how they might approach building our
communities in better ways. Equality is a value we hold and it is
something that we understand well based on our shared experience as blind
people. This week I have been asking myself how we might use that
knowledge to help others recognize that same value in the space they
occupy on a daily basis. As we struggle to figure out that tricky
question, I would suggest that one of the best things we can do is
continue to live the Federation philosophy in everything we do. <br>
<br>
We are sending the notebook on Friday so we can share with you the
information about how to observe the eclipse on Monday in unique ways.
Please share your accounts of experiences with the eclipse as it would
make interesting content for our publications. <br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2><br><br>
Solar Eclipse:<br>
Next Monday, a total solar eclipse will pass across the United States.
<a href="http://eclipsesoundscapes.org./">The eclipse soundscape
project</a> is providing a unique opportunity to experience the eclipse
nonvisually through haptic feedback using a rumble map, and through audio
descriptions unlocked in real time as the eclipse moves overhead. Due to
the change in light, nocturnal animals stir into action, while diurnal
animals settle. As the sun’s light re-emerges, it often triggers a
“false dawn chorus,” recordings of which will be gathered from across
the country and shared in the wake of the eclipses passing. An accessible
iPhone app is already available, and an Android app is coming soon. For
those without a smartphone, MP3 files will be available from the eclipse
soundscape project’s website.<br>
<br>
Eclipse Booklets:<br>
We were very pleased to be able to circulate 321 copies of <i>Getting a
Feel for Eclipses</i>, a tactile-graphic guide to the solar eclipse, to
members in over a dozen states. These tactile graphics are nonvisual
representations of how eclipses occur, what they look like, and the path
that the great American eclipse will take across the United States on
Monday. The guides were designed by the College of Charleston and NASA
Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute, and produced by
<a href="http://www.Hapticallyspeaking.com">Hapticallyspeaking.com</a>
.<br>
<br>
Origins of the NFB Pledge:<br>
A recent request was made to the tenBroek Library staff to research how
the National Federation of the Blind pledge was created. Federationists
recite our pledge at every chapter meeting, state convention, and
national convention. The pledge that we all know and use today came about
during the 1974 NFB National convention. Dr. Kenneth Jernigan first spoke
about the idea of a formal pledge to show one’s support for the
organization during that year’s Presidential Report. He also hosted a
special reception during that convention, complete with a receiving line
including the entire NFB Executive Committee, now known as the NFB Board
of Directors. Every member who walked through that receiving line
received an official NFB membership card with these words printed on the
back:<br>
<i>I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National
Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security
for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation;
and to abide by its constitution.<br>
</i> <br><br>
<h2><b>Reminders:</b></h2><br><br>
Affiliate Cardtronics Testing: <br>
We have a number of states that have not replied regarding Cardtronics
testing. If we do not hear from you by close of business on Monday, we
will assume that you intended to opt out and will seek to reassign
testing in your state.<br>
<br>
National Divisions: <br>
Annual reports from national divisions were due to me on August 15. A
number of divisions have not submitted reports. Please plan to do so
before the end of this week as the report is already past due.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in Mind:</b></h2><br><br>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://nfb.org/state-conventions">Fall Conventions</a>
<li>September 12-17, 2017:
<a href="http://blindmerchants.org/blast-2017/">BLAST</a>, Nashville,
Tennessee
<li>November 1, 2017: <a href="http://nfb.org/scholarships">2018
scholarship application</a> period begins
<li>November 6-8, 2017:
<a href="https://nfb.org/dare-be-remarkable-call-presentations">Dare to
Be Remarkable Conference</a>, Baltimore, Maryland
<li>January 29, 2018: Great Gathering-In, Washington, District of
Columbia
</ul> <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>
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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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