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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 Federation Family,<br>
<br>
Last week was a beautiful reminder of why I love the people in this
organization. The outpouring of love and support that came from all of
our affiliates for the loss of Rachel Olivero was really tremendous. You
should know that we had a wonderful celebration of her life here at the
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute on Friday, which was
helpful to Rachel's biological and Federation families. In case you
missed it, you can write a note that will be included in a book about
Rachel at
<a href="http://www.bit.ly/rachelolivero">
http://www.bit.ly/rachelolivero</a>.<br>
<br>
Congratulations to our affiliates in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware,
Idaho, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Rhode Island. These are the first
affiliates to have their membership coins shipped. We are working hard to
process the complete lists that we have received from other affiliates,
and we still have a number of affiliates that we have not heard from at
all. If you need assistance, please let us know.<br>
<br>
Things have really taken off since our Washington Seminar. I believe we
can get a lot of movement on our priorities by the time of our national
convention. Now is the time for you to make the local follow up and help
push some of our initiatives forward. Please note the legislative items
below.<br>
<br>
I spent my Saturday at the Maryland Braille Challenge where it was clear
that the work of the National Federation of the Blind is unparalleled.
Everywhere I turned the impact of the Federation's work to raise
expectations and advance Braille literacy was in evidence. Thank you for
helping to bring that impact to the local level and improve opportunities
for the next generation.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2><br><br>
Ratification of Marrakesh Treaty:<br>
On Friday February 8, 2019, over a decade of our persistent advocacy
culminated with the United States' official ratification of the Marrakesh
Treaty. By submitting the necessary paperwork with the World Intellectual
Property Organization (WIPO), the United States is days away from
benefiting from access to the world's knowledge. Read our news brief at
<a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-celebrates-ratification-marrakesh-treaty">
https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-celebrates-ratification-marrakesh-treaty</a>
, and WIPO's announcement at
<a href="https://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2019/article_0002.html">
https://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2019/article_0002.html</a>.<br>
<br>
Supporting Elimination of 14(c): Transformation to Competitive Employment
Act:<br>
H.R. 873 was introduced on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, by Chairman Bobby
Scott and Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers. S. 260 was introduced on
Tuesday, January 29, 2019, by Senators Bob Casey and Chris Van Hollen.
This bill phases out and sunsets Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor
Standards Act over a six-year period.<br>
<br>
February Presidential Release:<br>
The release is available at
<a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases">
https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases</a>
. <br>
<br>
Lawsuit Against EPIC Systems: <br>
I had the opportunity to talk to Wisconsin Public Radio about our legal
action and this piece gives a nice overview of our work, perspectives,
and strategy. The interview is available at
<a href="https://www.wpr.org/listen/1395591">
https://www.wpr.org/listen/1395591</a>.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Internal Revenue Service Forms and Written
Communication:</b></h2><br><br>
The NFB is investigating the accessibility of Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) forms and written communication. If you have requested or would
like to request alternative format documents from the IRS—such as
Braille, large print, or audio—please contact Valerie Yingling, legal
progrram coordinator, at
<a href="mailto:vyingling@nfb.org">vyingling@nfb.org</a> or 410-659-9314,
extension 2440.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Job Search Engines and Pre-Employment Testing:</b></h2><br><br>
The NFB is investigating the accessibility of job search engines and
pre-employment assessments offered by companies including Zip Recruiter,
Caliper, and Indeed. If you have encountered access barriers while
searching or applying for a job, please contact Valerie Yingling at
<a href="mailto:vyingling@nfb.org">vyingling@nfb.org</a> or 410-659-9314,
extension 2440.<br>
<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in Mind:</b></h2><br><br>
<ul>
<li>March 28-29, 2019: <a href="https://nfb.org/law-symposium">Jacobus
tenBroek Law Symposium</a>
</ul><br>
<h2><b><a name="_Hlk527968851"></a>
· March 31, 2019:
<a href="https://nfb.org/scholarships">NFB scholarship application</a>
deadline</b></h2><a name="_Hlk527968851"></a><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>· April 15, 2019:
<a href="https://nfb.org/programs/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards">Dr. Jacob
Bolotin Award</a> application deadline </b></h2><br><br>
<ul>
<li>June 16-22, 2019: <a href="http://www.blindscience.org/nfbeq">NFB
EQ</a>, Baltimore, Maryland
<li>July 7-12, 2019: <a href="https://nfb.org/convention/2019">NFB
National Convention</a>, Las Vegas, Nevada
</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>
<br>
Mark A. Riccobono, 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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