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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 want to begin by expressing appreciation for our Federation leaders who
have reached out with offers of love and support to our members in
Louisiana. In case you missed it, we have included the announcement below
regarding our Ruston relief efforts. We are blessed that none of our
Federation family were physically harmed by the tornado that struck
Ruston on Thursday morning.<br>
<br>
Many of you have been asking about how to get new members into our
database if they were not submitted with the original membership list for
your affiliate. We have been adjusting our new member form and it has
taken much longer than planned. Please know that the new member form is
coming soon, and we will provide clear instructions for how to get our
new members plugged in.<br>
<br>
I want to again call your attention to the code of conduct update I sent
last week. The question came up about putting the code on an affiliate
website. Please note that it is not necessary for you to post the code to
the affiliate website. You should reference the code and link to it on
the national website--it is on every page of our website. This way, your
affiliate will always have a link to the latest version and to the
associated process for filing a report of violation of the code.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Critical Actions This Week:</b></h2><br><br>
Ruston Recovery for Blind Residents<br>
On Thursday, April 25, 2019, a tornado touched down in Ruston, Louisiana,
doing significant damage to the homes of many members of the National
Federation of the Blind of Louisiana. Ruston is home to the Louisiana
Center for the Blind, one of the world's strongest programs for
instilling confidence and cultivating independence in blind people.
Fortunately, the training facilities of the Louisiana Center for the
Blind were not directly impacted although the homes of many staff and
volunteers sustained unbelievable damage. While no one was physically
hurt, considerable work and expense face these families as they secure
temporary housing and begin the long process of repairing and rebuilding
their homes. The National Federation of the Blind is coordinating
donations to assist impacted families who are part of Ruston's
exceptional training programs for the blind. Working with blind leaders
in Ruston we will be identifying needs for assistance and directing funds
to where they are most needed.<br>
<br>
Donations can be made to the National Federation of the Blind with a note
that they are for Ruston Recovery for Blind Residents. Please send your
donations to National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells Street,
Baltimore, Maryland, 21230, and put Ruston Recovery in the memo field, or
visit
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/donate">https://www.nfb.org/donate</a>.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2><br><br>
Blindness Experience Teaching Internship:<br>
Please distribute this opportunity to professionals who are or will be
working with blind individuals.<br>
Attend this 2019–2020 internship at one of our training centers for the
hands-on training and experience necessary to jump-start a career in the
field of blindness. Lodging, travel, and a stipend for food and
incidentals are provided. Applications are due May 31, 2019. Learn
dynamic nonvisual skills. Take core classes. Prepare to raise
expectations. To learn more and apply, visit
<a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/blindness-experience-teaching-internship">
https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/blindness-experience-teaching-internship</a>
.<br><br>
Congress Back in Session:<br>
After a two-week period in the districts, Congress is back in Washington.
During the break, four House cosponsors were added to H.R. 2086, the
Access Technology Affordability Act: Stephanie Murphy of Florida, Chris
Stewart of Utah, Jim Cooper of Tennessee, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.
We want to send our thanks to the Florida, Utah, Tennessee, and Michigan
affiliates for all of your hard work in getting these representatives on
the bill. Keep up the good work, and remember, Congress will be in
session for the next four weeks so keep making calls and sending
emails!<br>
<br>
Greyhound Secret Shopper
Program:<br>
Congratulations to the affiliates that participated in quarter three of
the NFB’s Greyhound Secret Shopper Program: Montana, Nebraska, Nevada,
New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, and
Oklahoma. The data we have gathered thus far has been critical to
monitoring whether Greyhound call center operators are waiving call
center booking fees for blind customers who experience difficulty booking
tickets through Greyhound’s website or mobile apps. For more
information on this important program, contact Valerie Yingling at
<a href="mailto:vyingling@nfb.org">vyingling@nfb.org</a> or visit
<a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/pdf/legal_program/settlements/addendum_c_to_greyhound_agreement.pdf">
https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/pdf/legal_program/settlements/addendum_c_to_greyhound_agreement.pdf</a>
. <br>
<br>
Upcoming Student Seminars:<br>
There are two upcoming student seminars. The Southeast Student Seminar
will be August 9-11, and the Pacific Student Seminar will be August
16-18. Registration opens May 15 for each of them. Contact Kathryn
Webster
(<a href="mailto:nabs.president@gmail.com">nabs.president@gmail.com</a>)
with questions.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in Mind:</b></h2><br><br>
<ul>
<li><a name="_Hlk527968851"></a>May 1, 2019:
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award">
Distinguished Educator Award</a> nomination deadline
<li>May 15, 2019: Southeast Student Seminar and Pacific Student Seminar
registration deadline
<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
<li>February 10, 2020: Great Gathering-In; Washington Seminar begins
</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, 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="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/nfblogo.png" width=210 height=76 alt="National Federation of the Blind">
</a><br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind">
<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/facebook.png" width=24 height=24 alt="Facebook">
</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice">
<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/twitter.png" width=24 height=24 alt="Twitter">
</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind">
<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/youtube.png" 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>
<br><br>
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