<html>
<body>
<br>
<h1><b>President's Notebook<br><br>
<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br><br>
<br>
Mark A. Riccobono<br><br>
<br>
<a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org">
officeofthepresident@nfb.org<br><br>
<br>
</a>(410) 659-9314</b></h1> <br>
Dear Fellow Federationists,<br>
<br>
Two weeks from today we will be together at the Holiday Inn Capitol in
Washington, DC. Our annual Great Gathering-In meeting is an important
time to remind those in the halls of power that we are the authentic
voice of blind people, that we know more about blindness than they do,
and that they cannot make policies about us without us. <br>
<br>
On the topic of authenticity, I call your attention to my article in the
January <i>Braille Monitor</i> regarding the attempt to revive the
National Accreditation Council. If you have not yet read
"<a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm18/bm1801/bm180102.htm">
Ending Accreditation without Authenticity: A Call to Action for the
Fourth Generation of the Federation</a>,"ť please make this a
priority today. It is important that we make sure our members are up to
speed about what is happening, and that we mobilize feedback to AER
regarding our lack of support for a system that is built without us. This
is a good opportunity to talk about our history and our future with
members, and invite them to engage in raising their voice.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Critical Actions This Week:</b></h2>Washington Seminar Fact Sheets
Available:<br>
The legislative agenda and fact sheets for the issues at Washington
Seminar are attached to this message. The overall agenda is also
attached. All the documents are also available in different formats on
the Washington Seminar webpage at
<a href="https://nfb.org/washington-seminar">
https://nfb.org/washington-seminar</a>. <br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2>Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium: <br>
Registration is now open for the 2018 Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law
Symposium, "Fifty Years After tenBroek: The Right to Live in the
World Today and Tomorrow." The symposium will take place March
22–23, and will examine Dr. tenBroek’s impressive legacy through a
present-day lens, focusing on many of the timeless themes addressed in
his publications and speeches during his lifetime. Topics that will be
addressed include discrimination against students with disabilities, law
enforcement and disability, and disparities in healthcare for people with
disabilities. For additional information and to register online, please
visit the symposium webpage at
<a href="https://nfb.org/law-symposium">https://nfb.org/law-symposium</a>
. Questions about the symposium should be directed to Lou Ann Blake at
<a href="mailto:lblake@nfb.org">lblake@nfb.org</a> or (410) 659-9314,
extension 2221, or Stacie Dubnow at
<a href="mailto:sdubnow@nfb.org">sdubnow@nfb.org</a> or (410) 659-9314,
extension 2442. <br>
<br>
PrestoPrime EMV System Accessibility Collaboration:<br>
We are taking part in a collaboration with LightHouse for the Blind and
Visually Impaired of San Francisco; E la Carte, Inc., creator of the
PrestoPrime™ EMV System™ for full-service restaurants; and
Applebeebee’s® Neighborhood Grill + Bar to produce text-to-speech
capability for the PrestoPrime EMV System that will be incorporated into
all current and future Presto tablets, including those in Applebee’s
restaurants. <br>
<br>
Nepal’s Ban on Blind Everest Climbers:<br>
The government of Nepal recently announced a ban on blind people
attempting to climb Mt. Everest. We, in concert with the WBU, spoke out
against the ban, including a letter to the US ambassador to Nepal, Alaina
Teplitz. She replied with her appreciation of our work and her assurance
that she will continue to advocate for the equal rights and inclusion of
persons with disabilities, both in the climbing world and society at
large. <br>
<br>
Winners of 2017 Onkyo Braille Essay Contest:<br>
The seven winners from the North America/Caribbean Region: Otsuki Prize:
Jessie Mabry, Connecticut; Excellent Work Award, Senior: Tammy Frost,
Minnesota; Fine Work Award, Senior: Jennifer Spears, Colorado & Jamie
Lloyd, St. Catherine, Jamaica; Excellent Work Award, Junior: Kristen
Steele, Iowa; Fine Work Award, Junior: Fernando Reyes, New Mexico &
Hannah Neils, Minnesota<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b><a name="_Hlk502670189"></a>Dates to Keep in Mind:</b></h2>
<ul>
<li>January 29, 2018: Great Gathering-In
<li>January 28-February 1, 2018:
<a href="https://nfb.org/washington-seminar">Washington Seminar</a>
<li>March 31, 2018: Deadline for scholarship applications,
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/scholarships">www.nfb.org/scholarships</a>
<li>March 22-23, 2018: <a href="https://nfb.org/law-symposium">Jacobus
tenBroek Disability Law Symposium</a>
<li>April 15, 2018: Deadline for
<a href="https://nfb.org/bolotin-award-main">2018 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award
competition</a>
<li>July 3-8, 2018: <a href="https://nfb.org/convention">National
Federation of the Blind National Convention</a>, Orlando, Florida
</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>
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:7.1.0.9.2.20180115171351.007245f8@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:7.1.0.9.2.20180115171351.007245f8@visi.com.5" width=24 height=24 alt="Facebook">
</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice">
<img src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20180115171351.007245f8@visi.com.6" width=24 height=24 alt="Twitter">
</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind">
<img src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20180115171351.007245f8@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>
X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:m2JceIXRzvfwAY7ddAHLmdA8cC34RqmiG7CNjx16Tx4/XYHvUV3SfolHj4UOr6wiUmDPdcaSjqYF4hBW8b+vyNcSsY5ubVVh5fBRCLGIZASNMsxnYWa/0/H4E5Fii0Wi<br>
X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:K5uF/kj0JHPjDxJVZ5qQ0hgt1beyNsvda+mqKqkX4dN708Q718tJz9hHj5+5hQUF66V6aVDsV6YN6r9K8k66bYT+GjnLcPQABYbm7odK9cdeGMVLYTL1F/ljQpHl5uGx<br>
Content-Type: image/png; name="image001.png"<br>
Content-Description: image001.png<br>
Content-Disposition: inline; filename="image001.png";
size=33789;<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
creation-date="Mon, 14 Nov 2016 19:35:38 GMT";<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
modification-date="Mon, 07 Aug 2017 20:35:18 GMT"<br>
Content-ID: <image001.png@01D23E84.379CBDF0><br><br>
X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:m2JceIXRzvfwAY7ddAHLmdA8cC34RqmiG7CNjx16Tx4/XYHvUV3SfolHj4UOr6wiUmDPdcaSjqYF4hBW8b+vyNcSsY5ubVVh5fBRCLGIZASNMsxnYWa/0/H4E5Fii0Wi<br>
X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:K5uF/kj0JHPjDxJVZ5qQ0hgt1beyNsvda+mqKqkX4dN708Q718tJz9hHj5+5hQUF66V6aVDsV6YN6r9K8k66bYT+GjnLcPQABYbm7odK9cdeGMVLYTL1F/ljQpHl5uGx<br>
Content-Type: image/png; name="image002.png"<br>
Content-Description: image002.png<br>
Content-Disposition: inline; filename="image002.png";
size=16173;<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
creation-date="Mon, 14 Nov 2016 19:35:38 GMT";<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
modification-date="Mon, 07 Aug 2017 20:35:18 GMT"<br>
Content-ID: <image002.png@01D23E84.379CBDF0><br><br>
X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:m2JceIXRzvfwAY7ddAHLmdA8cC34RqmiG7CNjx16Tx4/XYHvUV3SfolHj4UOr6wiUmDPdcaSjqYF4hBW8b+vyNcSsY5ubVVh5fBRCLGIZASNMsxnYWa/0/H4E5Fii0Wi<br>
X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:K5uF/kj0JHPjDxJVZ5qQ0hgt1beyNsvda+mqKqkX4dN708Q718tJz9hHj5+5hQUF66V6aVDsV6YN6r9K8k66bYT+GjnLcPQABYbm7odK9cdeGMVLYTL1F/ljQpHl5uGx<br>
Content-Type: image/png; name="image003.png"<br>
Content-Description: image003.png<br>
Content-Disposition: inline; filename="image003.png";
size=16307;<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
creation-date="Mon, 14 Nov 2016 19:35:38 GMT";<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
modification-date="Mon, 07 Aug 2017 20:35:18 GMT"<br>
Content-ID: <image003.png@01D23E84.379CBDF0><br><br>
X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:m2JceIXRzvfwAY7ddAHLmdA8cC34RqmiG7CNjx16Tx4/XYHvUV3SfolHj4UOr6wiUmDPdcaSjqYF4hBW8b+vyNcSsY5ubVVh5fBRCLGIZASNMsxnYWa/0/H4E5Fii0Wi<br>
X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:K5uF/kj0JHPjDxJVZ5qQ0hgt1beyNsvda+mqKqkX4dN708Q718tJz9hHj5+5hQUF66V6aVDsV6YN6r9K8k66bYT+GjnLcPQABYbm7odK9cdeGMVLYTL1F/ljQpHl5uGx<br>
Content-Type: image/png; name="image004.png"<br>
Content-Description: image004.png<br>
Content-Disposition: inline; filename="image004.png";
size=16510;<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
creation-date="Mon, 14 Nov 2016 19:35:38 GMT";<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
modification-date="Mon, 07 Aug 2017 20:35:18 GMT"<br>
Content-ID: <image004.png@01D23E84.379CBDF0><br><br>
<br>
X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:m2JceIXRzvfwAY7ddAHLmdA8cC34RqmiG7CNjx16Tx4/XYHvUV3SfolHj4UOr6wiUmDPdcaSjqYF4hBW8b+vyNcSsY5ubVVh5fBRCLGIZASNMsxnYWa/0/H4E5Fii0Wi<br>
X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:K5uF/kj0JHPjDxJVZ5qQ0hgt1beyNsvda+mqKqkX4dN708Q718tJz9hHj5+5hQUF66V6aVDsV6YN6r9K8k66bYT+GjnLcPQABYbm7odK9cdeGMVLYTL1F/ljQpHl5uGx<br>
Content-Type:
application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document;<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
name="2018 legislative agenda.docx"<br>
Content-Description: 2018 legislative agenda.docx<br>
Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="2018 legislative
agenda.docx";<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
size=110208; creation-date="Mon, 15 Jan 2018 15:22:37
GMT";<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
modification-date="Mon, 15 Jan 2018 15:22:37 GMT"<br><br>
X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:m2JceIXRzvfwAY7ddAHLmdA8cC34RqmiG7CNjx16Tx4/XYHvUV3SfolHj4UOr6wiUmDPdcaSjqYF4hBW8b+vyNcSsY5ubVVh5fBRCLGIZASNMsxnYWa/0/H4E5Fii0Wi<br>
X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:K5uF/kj0JHPjDxJVZ5qQ0hgt1beyNsvda+mqKqkX4dN708Q718tJz9hHj5+5hQUF66V6aVDsV6YN6r9K8k66bYT+GjnLcPQABYbm7odK9cdeGMVLYTL1F/ljQpHl5uGx<br>
Content-Type:
application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document;<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
name="2018 AIM HIGH Fact Sheet.docx"<br>
Content-Description: 2018 AIM HIGH Fact Sheet.docx<br>
Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="2018 AIM HIGH Fact
Sheet.docx";<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
size=280522; creation-date="Mon, 15 Jan 2018 15:22:40
GMT";<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
modification-date="Mon, 15 Jan 2018 19:58:22 GMT"<br><br>
X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:m2JceIXRzvfwAY7ddAHLmdA8cC34RqmiG7CNjx16Tx4/XYHvUV3SfolHj4UOr6wiUmDPdcaSjqYF4hBW8b+vyNcSsY5ubVVh5fBRCLGIZASNMsxnYWa/0/H4E5Fii0Wi<br>
X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:K5uF/kj0JHPjDxJVZ5qQ0hgt1beyNsvda+mqKqkX4dN708Q718tJz9hHj5+5hQUF66V6aVDsV6YN6r9K8k66bYT+GjnLcPQABYbm7odK9cdeGMVLYTL1F/ljQpHl5uGx<br>
Content-Type:
application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document;<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
name="2018 ATAA Fact Sheet.docx"<br>
Content-Description: 2018 ATAA Fact Sheet.docx<br>
Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="2018 ATAA Fact
Sheet.docx";<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
size=279138; creation-date="Mon, 15 Jan 2018 15:22:42
GMT";<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
modification-date="Mon, 15 Jan 2018 19:58:23 GMT"<br><br>
X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:m2JceIXRzvfwAY7ddAHLmdA8cC34RqmiG7CNjx16Tx4/XYHvUV3SfolHj4UOr6wiUmDPdcaSjqYF4hBW8b+vyNcSsY5ubVVh5fBRCLGIZASNMsxnYWa/0/H4E5Fii0Wi<br>
X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:K5uF/kj0JHPjDxJVZ5qQ0hgt1beyNsvda+mqKqkX4dN708Q718tJz9hHj5+5hQUF66V6aVDsV6YN6r9K8k66bYT+GjnLcPQABYbm7odK9cdeGMVLYTL1F/ljQpHl5uGx<br>
Content-Type:
application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document;<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
name="2018 HR 620 Fact Sheet.docx"<br>
Content-Description: 2018 HR 620 Fact Sheet.docx<br>
Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="2018 HR 620 Fact
Sheet.docx";<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
size=103437; creation-date="Mon, 15 Jan 2018 15:22:44
GMT";<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
modification-date="Mon, 15 Jan 2018 15:22:44 GMT"<br><br>
X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:m2JceIXRzvfwAY7ddAHLmdA8cC34RqmiG7CNjx16Tx4/XYHvUV3SfolHj4UOr6wiUmDPdcaSjqYF4hBW8b+vyNcSsY5ubVVh5fBRCLGIZASNMsxnYWa/0/H4E5Fii0Wi<br>
X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:K5uF/kj0JHPjDxJVZ5qQ0hgt1beyNsvda+mqKqkX4dN708Q718tJz9hHj5+5hQUF66V6aVDsV6YN6r9K8k66bYT+GjnLcPQABYbm7odK9cdeGMVLYTL1F/ljQpHl5uGx<br>
Content-Type:
application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document;<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
name="2018 Marrakesh Treaty Fact Sheet.docx"<br>
Content-Description: 2018 Marrakesh Treaty Fact Sheet.docx<br>
Content-Disposition: attachment;<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
filename="2018 Marrakesh Treaty Fact Sheet.docx";
size=99781;<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
creation-date="Mon, 15 Jan 2018 15:23:00 GMT";<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
modification-date="Mon, 15 Jan 2018 15:23:00 GMT"<br><br>
X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:m2JceIXRzvfwAY7ddAHLmdA8cC34RqmiG7CNjx16Tx4/XYHvUV3SfolHj4UOr6wiUmDPdcaSjqYF4hBW8b+vyNcSsY5ubVVh5fBRCLGIZASNMsxnYWa/0/H4E5Fii0Wi<br>
X-Microsoft-Exchange-Diagnostics:
1;BLUPR17MB0130;27:K5uF/kj0JHPjDxJVZ5qQ0hgt1beyNsvda+mqKqkX4dN708Q718tJz9hHj5+5hQUF66V6aVDsV6YN6r9K8k66bYT+GjnLcPQABYbm7odK9cdeGMVLYTL1F/ljQpHl5uGx<br>
Content-Type: application/pdf;<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
name="2018_washington_seminar_agenda - final.pdf"<br>
Content-Description: 2018_washington_seminar_agenda - final.pdf<br>
Content-Disposition: attachment;<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
filename="2018_washington_seminar_agenda - final.pdf";
size=50881;<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
creation-date="Mon, 15 Jan 2018 16:12:24 GMT";<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
modification-date="Mon, 15 Jan 2018 16:12:24 GMT"<br><br>
</body>
</html>