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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>
<br>
Dear Fellow Federationists,<br>
Greetings from sunny Charm City where the National Federation of the
Blind Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning Academy is spreading
excitement and joy through the halls of our Jernigan Institute.<br>
<br>
While August feels like a quiet time, I urge you to pay attention to a
number of advance items key to planning fall activities. I also want you
to be aware that our national headquarters will be closed on August 23
for staff development activities. With our open houses, fall conventions,
Meet the Blind Month, and other Federation work ahead, there is plenty to
do in the dog days of summer.<br><br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2><br><br>
Presidential Release:<br>
The August release will be out later this week, prior to Saturday. <br>
<br>
<br><br>
<h3><b>Juan Carlos Gil:</b></h3><br><br>
We have reason to believe that web accessibility serial plaintiff Juan
Carlos Gil attended the NFB Convention with the intent of recruiting NFB
members to join him in filing multiple, successive ADA lawsuits. Please
note that Mr. Gil is not recruiting complainants on behalf of the NFB,
that his legal advocacy does not align with the NFB’s strategy, and
that efforts such as his are representative of the click-by lawsuits
described in the NFB’s
<a href="https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/resolutions/2019-resolutions#09">
Resolution 2019-09: Regarding ADA Litigation</a>. Please alert Valerie
Yingling, legal program coordinator, at 410-659-9314, extension 2440, or
<a href="mailto:vyingling@nfb.org">vyingling@nfb.org</a>, if Mr. Gil
attends your state convention. <br>
<br>
<br>
Time to Prepare for Meet the Blind Month:<br>
The National Federation of the Blind celebrates
<a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/meet-blind-month">Meet the
Blind Month</a> every October. If you haven’t already, it’s time to
start planning for it. Throughout October, members conduct outreach
activities across the country. Plan an event in your local community to
talk about blindness and the NFB philosophy. Order materials from the
<a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/independence-market">
Independence Market</a> such as the Braille alphabet cards to distribute
at your local event. Here are some ideas: speak at a public library,
distribute literature at a festival, visit high schools, get on a local
radio station, hold a walk or cookout. Get creative! We also feature your
events on nfb.org, so send your activity and event details to
<a href="mailto:web@nfb.org">web@nfb.org</a>. <br>
<br>
<br>
Legislative Update:<br>
Last Wednesday, just days before the twenty-ninth anniversary of the
Americans with Disabilities Act, Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL
09), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA 11), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE)
introduced the Greater Access and Independence through Nonvisual Access
Technology (GAIN) Act, H.R. 3929, in the US House of Representatives.
This legislation will authorize the Access Board to develop a minimum
nonvisual access standard for home-use medical devices, exercise
equipment, and home appliances. By taking this important step, Congress
is ensuring that our right to live independently and manage our
households and our health is not hindered by inaccessible technology.
Stay tuned for more updates regarding this legislation.<br>
<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>NFB-NEWSLINE® Mobile 3.0 Beta with KNFB Reader Basic:<br>
Take advantage of the new features early and help provide feedback to
expand the app. The NFB-NEWSLINE mobile app beta version is available to
download on your iPhones and iPads. Included in the app is the KNFB
Reader Basic, which provides the useful core features at no cost. Within
the KNFB Reader section, just point and shoot for access to print
on-the-go. This beta version is a pre-released, advanced development of
the app. Your participation and feedback expand the amount of testing
done, which will help us develop a better product. Note: Installing this
beta app will overwrite your existing NFB-NEWSLINE mobile app. Enjoy
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-newsline">
NFB-NEWSLINE</a> and
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/knfb-reader">KNFB Reader
Basic</a>, together!</b></h2><br><br>
How to get the app:<br>
· First, download the
Test Flight app on your device.<br>
· Then, on your device,
select NFB-NEWSLINE 3.0 Beta by going to this link:
<a href="https://testflight.apple.com/join/zuoVUXFv">
https://testflight.apple.com/join/zuoVUXFv</a>.You’ll need your
NFB-NEWSLINE login credentials.<br>
· Share your feedback or
request assistance by sending an email
to<a href="mailto:nfbnewsline-ios@nfb.org">nfbnewsline-ios@nfb.org</a> or
by calling 866-504-7300.<br>
We look forward to your participation and feedback. <br>
<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in Mind:</b></h2><br><br>
<ul>
<li>August 23, 2019: NFB headquarters closed for staff development
<li>February 10, 2020: Great Gathering-In; Washington Seminar begins
<li>March 26-27, 2020: Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium, Baltimore,
Maryland
<li>June 30-July 5, 2020: NFB National Convention, Houston, Texas
</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>
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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