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<h1><b><a name="OLE_LINK9"></a>President's
Notebook</b></h1><a name="OLE_LINK9"></a><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>
As we get into the heart of the fall convention season, the vibrancy of
the Federation's work can be felt stronger than ever. I am looking
forward to heading to the NFB of Illinois convention this weekend. I
anticipate it being a good one, and I hope the disappointment is not too
great for the Illinois football fans as the Wisconsin Badgers are also
coming to Illinois this weekend.<br>
<br>
I wish to send a large Federation thank you to Jennifer Dunnam for her
service to our Minnesota affiliate. Jennifer elected not to run for
president again and supported Ryan Strunk who was elected unanimously.
Jennifer continues to serve our affiliate as treasurer, and she will be
quite busy with the transition as she assists our new president—among her
other Federation work. I appreciate Jennifer's commitment, and her
dedication to a strong transition should be an example to all of us of
the type of leadership model we strive for in our organization. The
continued growth of our Minnesota affiliate and our training center there
are accomplishments we can all enjoy celebrating.<br>
<br>
This past week we posted an
<a href="https://nfb.org/accessibility-policy">accessibility policy</a>
to the NFB website. I encourage each of our affiliate presidents to study
it as the level of equal access we seek in all Federation activities. I
encourage affiliates to have a similar policy at the state level.
Similarly, we have added a
<a href="https://nfb.org/diversity-statement">diversity statement</a> to
our website to express our commitment to bringing a broad cross section
of individuals into the Federation family. As you have heard me say many
times during the past three years, diversity is a central component to
our strength as an organization. Diversity also challenges us to find
ways to effectively learn from each other and adapt to different
communication styles. I would think that the accessibility policy and
diversity statement are both items that will require some discussion
during our meeting in January.<br><br>
<h2><b>Critical Actions This Week:</b></h2><br><br>
Temporary Shut Down of Braille Certification: <br>
Affiliate leaders should be aware of this situation so you know where to
refer questions. Since 2007, the National Federation of the Blind has
administered the program leading to certification of Braille transcribers
and proofreaders for the National Library Service for the Blind and
Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress (NLS). The contract to the
National Federation of the Blind ended in late July 2017. Currently, the
contract for this program is undergoing a solicitation and review process
by NLS. Operation of this program is temporarily on hold until a new
contract is in place. The National Federation of the Blind has placed a
bid and hopes to be awarded the contract, but until then, we cannot
afford to continue to operate the program without the financial support
from NLS. If you have questions, please contact Tamara Rorie, Braille
Development Officer at NLS, at
<a href="mailto:tror@loc.gov">tror@loc.gov</a> or (202) 707-3001.<br>
<br>
Parent Leadership Program: <br>
The NOPBC is gathering names of parents of blind children to invite to
the Parent Leadership Program (PLP) at Washington Seminar in January. If
you know of a parent who shows the commitment and leadership potential to
found or strengthen a parents’ division in your state, please send the
name and contact information to Carol Castellano at
<a href="mailto:carol.joyce.castellano@gmail.com">
carol.joyce.castellano@gmail.com</a> or Kim Cunningham at
<a href="mailto:kim@gulfimagesphoto.com">kim@gulfimagesphoto.com</a>.
Parents from your state who are already in the program will also be sent
invitations. We hope that your affiliate or state POBC can assist in
getting the parent to DC. The NOPBC may be able to provide some financial
support.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2><br><br>
Diversity Statement & Accessibility Policy:<br>
Last week we posted our new
<a href="https://nfb.org/diversity-statement">diversity statement</a> and
<a href="https://nfb.org/accessibility-policy">accessibility policy</a>
to the NFB website. <br><br>
Podcast:<br>
The next episode of the <i>Nation's Blind</i> podcast is available at
<a href="https://nfb.org/nations-blind/nations-blind-podcast-episode-19-october-2017">
https://nfb.org/nations-blind/nations-blind-podcast-episode-19-october-2017</a>
. <br>
Lawsuit Settled:<br>
Federation member Timothy Nonn has settled a lawsuit with the Cotati
Rohnert Park Unified School District. Mr. Nonn, with assistance from the
NFB, had sued the district and its superintendent because the school
board had voted against his request to use an aid to read documents to
him at school board meetings. More information about the agreement can be
found at
<a href="https://nfb.org/blind-school-board-member-has-settled-school-district">
https://nfb.org/blind-school-board-member-has-settled-school-district</a>
.<br>
<br>
Expedia Web Accessibility:<br>
As part of our relationship with them, Expedia has recently announced
enhancements to their website—featuring expanded accessibility. Details
are
<a href="https://nfb.org/expedia-unveils-enhancements-website-accessibility">
in the press release</a>. <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>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>November 15, 2017: <a href="https://nfb.org/bolotin-award-main">2018
Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award competition</a> begins, deadline April 15
<li>January 29, 2018: Great Gathering-In, Washington, District of
Columbia
<li>March 22-23, 2018: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium,
Baltimore, Maryland
</ul> <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>
<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:7.1.0.9.2.20171023211134.0202bb40@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:7.1.0.9.2.20171023211134.0202bb40@visi.com.5" width=24 height=24 alt="Facebook">
</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice">
<img src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20171023211134.0202bb40@visi.com.6" width=24 height=24 alt="Twitter">
</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind">
<img src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20171023211134.0202bb40@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>
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