<html>
<body>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""><br>
<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>
<br>
Dear Fellow Federationists,<br>
<br>
What an incredible convention of the National Federation of the Blind:
big, bold, beautiful, and boisterous. It was also warm, welcoming, and
incredibly productive. Thank you to each of you for your role in making
this a successful family reunion that almost set the record for biggest
convention ever. We will see if Houston, which has not hosted us since
1971, can get it done in 2020.<br>
<br>
I have been busy talking to many of you and collecting information since
our convention ended. If you have ideas or feedback related to the
convention, please share them with me. Furthermore, if there were things
that I should know about related to the convention, I am prepared to
receive that information. Some thought I was not in the office last week,
but I was in fact here first thing on Monday morning.<br>
<br>
There are several things to share this week. Here are a few bullet
points:
<ul>
<li>Convention content will be posted soon to the website. You can
already find the
<a href="https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/presidential-reports/presidential-report-2019">
presidential report</a> and
<a href="https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/banquet-speeches/choice-exploration-and-resistance-road-freedom">
banquet speech</a> there—thanks to those who have already shared thhis
content in social media. As you know, our
<a href="https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/resolutions/2019-resolutions">
resolutions</a> are also posted.
<li>This week is the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
It is a great time to remind Congress of our priorities.<br><br>
</ul>I hope everyone enjoys the balance of the summer.<br><br>
<h2><b> </b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<b>ADA Anniversary this Friday:</b><br>
This Friday, July 26, is the twenty-ninth anniversary of the Americans
with Disabilities Act. There are a number of ways to
<a href="https://www.adaanniversary.org/">celebrate or educate your
community on the ADA</a>. Along with celebration, we must also know there
is still work to be done. We continue to repeal Section 14(c) of the Fair
Labor Standards Act, and we continue to fight for equal access to the
internet and to workplace technology. Share information about the
<a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program">National
Federation of the Blind Legal Program</a> to new members or members who
may not be aware. There is support and resources to prevent and report
discrimination, connect with legal resources in your area, and advocate
for your legal rights. <br>
<br>
<b>National Convention 2020:</b><br>
It isn't too early to start planning for next year. For those who missed
the big announcement, share the
<a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/audio/2020-convention/2020-announcement.mp3">
2020 promo</a> now! The 2020 National Convention will be held June
29-July 5 in Houston, Texas, at the Hilton Americas-Houston hotel,
located in the heart of downtown. Mark your calendars today. <br><br>
<h2><b> </b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in Mind:</b></h2><br><br>
<ul>
<li>February 10, 2020: Great Gathering-In; Washington Seminar begins
<li>March 26-27, 2020: Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium, Baltimore,
Maryland
<li>June 29-July 5, 2020: NFB National Convention, Houston, Texas
</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, 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>
</blockquote></body>
</html>