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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>
I hope this message finds you doing well and with your taxes filed. We
are now entering that window of time where the preparations for our
national convention compete with all of the other great things that are
happening. We are juggling many things while preparing for the
convention, including an important hearing on the Marrakesh
Implementation Act this week. Your convention ideas are still
welcome.<br>
<br>
In preparation for the national convention, I note that we have some new
delegates to the convention. If our new delegates are interested in
having a call to discuss the responsibilities of the delegates, please
let me know. In the meantime, I encourage all affiliates to be thinking
about their gifts to the national organization. We cannot continue to
raise expectations without the funds to allow us to be in the right
places at the strategically right time. Contributions from affiliates to
the national organization make a difference in our having funds to carry
out the work directed by the convention. <br><br>
<h2><b> </b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>Critical Actions This Week:</b></h2><br><br>
Marrakesh Treaty Update:<br>
On Wednesday, April 18, the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations will
be holding a hearing regarding the Marrakesh Treaty. The hearing will be
held at 10:30 a.m. in the Senate Dirksen Office Building, room 419. Scott
LaBarre will be testifying on behalf of the National Federation of the
Blind. Those in the local area who are available should consider
attending. The hearing will also be live-streamed at
<a href="https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/treaties-041818">
https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/treaties-041818</a>. <br>
<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2><br><br>
Proposals for Tactile Graphics Symposium Presentations Now Being
Accepted: <br>
The Tactile Graphics in Education and Careers Symposium will take place
at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute on October
11-12, 2018. Proposals for general session and breakout session
presentations will be accepted until May 7, 2018. For additional
information about the symposium, please visit
<a href="https://nfb.org/tactile-graphics-education-and-careers-symposium">
https://nfb.org/tactile-graphics-education-and-careers-symposium</a>.<br>
<br>
Links to News:<br>
There was an article about the subminimum wage ban for which the NFB of
Washington advocated in Seattle that can be found at
<a href="http://kuow.org/post/seattle-bans-subminimum-wages-people-disabilities">
http://kuow.org/post/seattle-bans-subminimum-wages-people-disabilities</a>
.<br>
<br>
Also, over the weekend there was an article and video about a
<a href="https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/dc-council-bill-aims-to-introduce-braille-education-to-kids/65-538135933">
new Braille standards proposal in DC</a>.<br><br>
<br>
<h2><b> </b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in Mind:</b></h2><br><br>
<ul>
<li>May 1, 2018: Deadline for
<a href="http://www.blindscience.org/nfbeq">NFB EQ program
applications</a>
<li>May 1, 2018: Deadline for
<a href="https://nfb.org/divisions-and-committees#DistinguishedEducatorBlindChildren">
Distinguished Educator of the Year nominations</a>
<li>May 31, 2018: Deadline for
<a href="https://convention.nfb.org/">preregistration for 2018 National
Convention</a>
<li>July 3-8, 2018: <a href="https://nfb.org/convention">National
Federation of the Blind National Convention</a>, Orlando, Florida
<li>July 29-August 4, 2018:
<a href="http://www.blindscience.org/nfbeq">NFB EQ</a>
</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:7.1.0.9.2.20180416210754.01f49c98@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:7.1.0.9.2.20180416210754.01f49c98@visi.com.5" width=24 height=24 alt="Facebook">
</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice">
<img src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20180416210754.01f49c98@visi.com.6" width=24 height=24 alt="Twitter">
</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind">
<img src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20180416210754.01f49c98@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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