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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>
As we come to the end of 2019, I am reflecting upon the tremendous
accomplishments we have had this year. The movement we have built
continues to grow in strength. More importantly, our Federation family
continues to forge the bonds that make all the difference in our lives
and in the mission we pursue. <br>
<br>
One of the most encouraging parts of 2019 has been observing the growth
in our state presidents. Greater connections have been made, strong
friendships have been enhanced, and a great network of expertise has
grown in all directions. This group has come together when needed to
ensure that our family cannot be divided when the tough questions come,
whether they be about our push for minimum wage protections or the need
for accessibility at work and in the home. That each of you are teaching
others to grow into leadership in this movement means our future is
bright and that the warmth of our progress will be sustained.<br>
<br>
I want to wish you and each of your families a safe, happy, and joyous
holiday season. All of the Riccobonos are grateful for your love,
support, and friendship in what has been a challenging year personally
for us. It is truly humbling to share ourselves with you and to have you
reflect back the same to us. We anticipate an outstanding 2020, and we
hope it is even better for you and your family.<br>
<br>
We have a lot to do in 2020. We need your voice in helping determine our
priorities and focus in the new year. Please know that a top priority for
me continues to be engaging with local leaders to make sure we continue
to evolve our organization in all areas. We continue to strengthen our
capacity to make a difference to blind people and that happens because
you continue to be active in providing feedback from local communities.
<br>
<br>
This is likely my last notebook for the year. I am always available to
you when urgent matters arise. I will be out of the office next week but
plan to be here during the New Year’s week. Let’s go build the
National Federation of the Blind. <br>
<br>
Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday season, Mark<br><br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>Accessible Voting Machines in Your State?:</b></h3><br><br>
A recent report by the federal Government Accountability Office indicates
that there are four states that do not provide accessible voting machines
during early voting, but it does not indicate which states these are. If
your state does not provide an accessible way for blind voters to mark
their ballot during early voting, please contact Lou Ann Blake, deputy
director of Blindness Initiatives, at
<a href="mailto:lblake@nfb.org">lblake@nfb.org</a> or 410-659-9314,
extension 2221.<br>
<b> <br>
Washington Seminar:<br>
</b>We are only fifty-six short days away from the first major Federation
event of 2020, the Washington Seminar! The 2020 Seminar will take place
from Monday, February 10, through Thursday, February 13, and will be hot
on the heels of an incredibly successful 2019 legislative campaign. We
would love to continue building momentum into the second session of the
116th Congress by showing Capitol Hill just how strong we are. I
encourage you to please reserve your travel accommodations and hotel room
as soon as possible, because rooms are filling very fast. Details for
booking your hotel room can be found on the
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar">
Washington Seminar section of our website</a>. I look forward to seeing
you in DC. <br>
<br>
<b>NOPBC Parent Leadership Program:<br>
</b>NOPBC will once again be holding their Parent Leadership Program
(PLP) in conjunction with the 2020 Washington Seminar. See the attached
letter from Carlton Walker and Carol Castellano and forward the
information to parents of blind children that you think would be
interested in attending. <br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Recent Blog: “Parenting While Blind”:</b></h2><br><br>
Read the most recent blog article from board member Shawn Callaway. Shawn
is a proud father to his young daughter, Camille. In this article, he
talks about how being part of the National Federation of the Blind raised
his expectations of being a parent, but how the concept he calls
“Parenting While Blind” gives him fear and sadness.
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/blog/parenting-while-blind">Read Shawn’s
blog article.</a><br><br>
<h2><b> </b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>Call for Nominations: Bolotin Awards:</b></h2><br><br>
Each year the National Federation of the Blind presents cash awards to
honor initiatives, innovations, and individuals that are a positive force
in the lives of blind people and advance the goal of helping them
transform their dreams into reality. Named after Dr. Jacob Bolotin who
was a pioneering blind physicianthe first inn history.
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information">
Apply or submit a nomination for the 2020 Dr. Jacob Bolotin
Awards</a>.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Reminders:</b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest:</b></h2><br><br>
There is still time to register and participate in the Braille Readers
Are Leaders contest, administered by the American Action Fund for Blind
Children and Adults in partnership with the National Federation of the
Blind. The contest, with categories for children and adults, will run
through January 18, 2020, and reading logs must be submitted by February
1, 2020. Details, including entry information, can be found at
<a href="https://actionfund.org/BRAL">https://actionfund.org/BRAL</a>.
<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in Mind:</b></h2><br><br>
<ul>
<li>January 4, 2020: World Braille Day
<li>January 9-11, 2020:
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-bell-academy">NFB
BELL® Academy</a> Training Seminar
<li>February 10, 2020: Great Gathering-In;
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar">
Washington Seminar</a> begins
<li>March 26-27, 2020:
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/jacobus-tenbroek-disability-law-symposium">
Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium</a>, Baltimore, Maryland
<li>April 14-17, 2020: <a href="http://www.blindmerchants.org">NABM
BLAST</a>; Chicago, Illinois
<li>June 21-27, 2020: <a href="https://blindscience.org/nfbeq">NFB
EQ</a>; St. Paul, Minneapolis
<li>July 14-19, 2020:
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention">NFB
National Convention</a>, 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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<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>
<br>
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