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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>
The impact of the National Federation of the Blind is felt in many
aspects of society. Our dynamic network of local advocates coordinated
through our national board helps us be in all of the right places. Below
you will find some items related to improving our coordination. As
always, your ideas are welcome.<br>
<br>
Yesterday I was back in Las Vegas to follow up on some museum
accessibility work that came out of presentations at our national
convention. With the skilled work of our affiliate president in Nevada,
Terri Rupp, we were able to meet with individuals representing over a
dozen museums in the state of Nevada. We also had an opportunity to talk
to Nevada's governor, Steve Sisolak, about museum accessibility,
including websites. We expect some interesting partnerships to emerge
because of these meetings. Our hope is that Nevada may set an example for
what other state governments can do to promote equal access in cultural
institutions. <br>
<br>
We are now in National Hispanic Heritage Month; I encourage you to use
this as an opportunity to engage potential new members in our
organization by doing outreach to Latinx individuals. I would ask you to
share content regarding our members that we can promote in social media
during the next month. If you need some ideas about outreach, I recommend
that you reach out to Rosy Carranza and Shawn Callaway who lead our
Committee on Diversity and Inclusion.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Critical Actions This Week:</b></h2><br><br>
Chapter President Listserv:<br>
Our Membership Committee has brought to my attention that not all of our
chapter presidents are included on the chapter president listserv, that
it includes many who are not currently chapter presidents, and that
overall it needs a good cleaning up. In order to streamline communication
with our chapter presidents and facilitate more chapter development, it
is necessary to edit and purge the chapter president list. I will be
sending a message to the listserv requesting that everyone who is not
currently a chapter president and who wants to remain on the listserv
email me by September 27 letting me know why they feel it necessary to
remain on the list. If I do not hear from someone, I will assume that
they do not want to be on the list. Current chapter presidents will not
need to take action at this time.<br>
<br>
After September 30, 2019, only those who are currently a chapter
president and those who have communicated with me regarding the list will
be included in the listserv.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2><br><br>
Presidential Release:<br>
The September Presidential Release can be found at
<a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases">
https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases</a>
.<br>
<br>
New-Member-Form Links:<br>
Please be aware that two links to the new-member form have been
mistakenly circulated. You should ensure that all chapter and affiliate
leaders use the correct link:
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/civicrm/newmember/form/">
https://www.nfb.org/civicrm/newmember/form/</a>. If you have questions
about the new-member form or continue to experience technical
difficulties submitting new members, please send an email to
<a href="mailto:membership@nfb.org">membership@nfb.org</a> or call
410-659-9314, extension 2509. <br>
<br>
Legislative Alerts:<br>
We are now in the second week of our three-week Congressional support
blitz. Last week, we gained two cosponsors, Congresswoman DeGette of
Colorado and Congresswoman Shalala of Florida, for the Access Technology
Affordability Act in the House. While this is good, let’s try to do
even better this week when we call our senators and representatives about
the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act (H.R. 873/S. 260). As a
reminder, this legislation would phase out Section 14(c) of the Fair
Labor Standards Act over a six-year period, at which point the provision
would officially be sunset. You can contact your member of Congress by
calling the Capitol Switchboard and asking for the office in question.
The number is 202-224-3121. If you email your representative or senators,
please copy John Pare at
<a href="mailto:jpare@nfb.org">jpare@nfb.org</a>. Remember, your calls
and emails make a difference.<br>
<br>
Early Childhood Initiatives:<br>
As blind children are settling into the back-to-school routine, the
<a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/early-childhood-initiatives">
National Federation of the Blind early childhood initiatives</a> are
great resources for them and their families, providing guidance on
literacy and independent travel. At no cost, families with young blind
children up to eight years old can sign up for the Braille Reading Pals
Club, which provides Braille books and other fun Braille activities, and
our Early Explorers Initiative, which encourages independent travel and
exploration. Share the programs and
<a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/early-childhood-initiatives/early-childhood-application">
early childhood application</a> today! <br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in Mind:</b></h2><br><br>
<ul>
<li>September 18, 2019: Open-House Gathering; email
<a href="mailto:membership@nfb.org">membership@nfb.org</a> to sign up
<li>September 24, 2019: Accessibility Boutique on Website Accessibility
Basics; email <a href="mailto:KZimnik@nfb.org">KZimnik@nfb.org</a> to
sign up
<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>
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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</a><br>
<br>
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</a>
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<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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