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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>
Happy New Year! The National Federation of the Blind is primed and ready
for a fantastic 2020. I am looking forward to being with all of you in
February. As you know this is crunch time for Washington Seminar
planning. Please be sure your delegation has what they need and reach out
to John Paré if you need additional support. There are many notes below
on this topic.<br>
Our first seminar of the year is rolling in this week with our NFB BELL®
coordinators and teachers. It always brings a lot of excitement to be
thinking about our educational programs for the summer. Thanks to each of
you that have made the commitment to another summer of Braille
excellence.<br>
<br>
As always, please continue to provide feedback on the work we are doing
to support state affiliates. We are one big team, and your input is
valuable.<br>
<br>
Here is to a great 2020!<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Critical Actions This Week:</b></h2><br><br>
Washington Seminar:<br>
As we say goodbye to 2019 and look toward the future, imminently on the
horizon is the 2020 Washington Seminar. As of today, we are a mere
thirty-five days away from the Great Gathering-In. That means that time
is quickly winding down to reserve your hotel room. The last day to
reserve a room using the Federation room block is this Wednesday, January
8. Please be sure to
<a href="https://www.holidayinn.com/redirect?path=rates&brandCode=HI&localeCode=en®ionCode=1&hotelCode=wassm&checkInDate=06&checkInMonthYear=012020&checkOutDate=15&checkOutMonthYear=012020&_PMID=99801505&GPC=N2F&cn=no&viewfullsite=true">
book your room</a> before the deadline. <br>
<br>
In more Washington Seminar news, below are brief descriptions of our
three legislative priorities for the 2020 Washington Seminar, including
links to the fact sheets for each. <br>
<br>
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-agenda/access-technology-affordability">
Access Technology Affordability Act (ATAA) (H.R. 2086/S. 815)</a><br>
The cost of critically needed access technology is out of reach for most
blind Americans. By providing a refundable tax credit for qualifying
purchases, Congress will stimulate individual procurement of this
technology and promote affordability of these tools.<br>
<br>
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-agenda/greater-access-independence-nonvisual-access-technology">
Greater Access and Independence through Nonvisual Access Technology
(GAIN) Act (H.R. 3929)<br>
</a>Advanced digital interfaces create barriers that prevent blind
individuals from independently operating essential devices that enhance
quality of life. Congress must end the digital divide that threatens the
independence of blind Americans by developing minimum accessibility
requirements for such devices.<br>
<br>
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-agenda/accessible-instructional-materials-higher-education">
Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education (AIM HIGH) Act
(H.R. 5312/S. 3095)</a><br>
Until a market-driven solution for accessible instructional materials is
achieved, blind college students are denied access to critical course
content. The AIM HIGH Act will remove these barriers to equality in the
classroom by creating a set of guidelines that clearly define accessible
instructional materials.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2><br><br>
January Presidential Release:<br>
The January Presidential Release is available on the website at
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases">
https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases</a>
. <br>
<br>
<br>
New Video:<br>
Check out our <a href="https://youtu.be/2-6szTAUJAY">World Blind Day
video</a>.<br><br>
<h2><b> </b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b> </b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>Jernigan Convention Scholarship—Application Open:<br>
Active National Federation of the Blind members, blind or sighted, who
have not yet attended an NFB National Convention because of lack of
funding are eligible to apply for the Kenneth Jernigan Convention
Scholarship. Applications are now open. Applicants will submit contact,
Federation, and mentor information as well as answer a few essay
questions. Deadline to apply is April 15, 2020.
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship">
Learn more about applying for the Jernigan Convention
Scholarship.</a></b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b> </i></b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b> </i></b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>Braille Monitor</i>—New Spacce, Student Action, and More:<br>
Check out the latest version of the Braille Monitor</i> that includes all
of the details of the newly renovated space at the Jernigan Institute.
Learn about action items needed for the Accessible Instructional
Materials in Higher Education Act, employment rights, our accessible
voting letter to secretaries of state, and more.
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor">
Read the January
</a>
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor">
Braille Monitor</a></i>.</b></h2><br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b> </b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>Call for Nominations—Bolotin Awards:<br>
The National Federation of the Blind is accepting nominations of
individuals or organizations who are a positive force in the lives of
blind people and advance the goal of helping us transform dreams into
reality. Each application must include a letter of recommendation.
Deadline to submit is April 15, 2020.
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information">
Learn more and submit a nomination for the 2020 Dr. Jacob Bolotin
Awards</a>. </b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in Mind:</b></h2><br><br>
<ul>
<li>January 9-11: NFB BELL Academy Training Seminar
<li>February 10: Great Gathering-In; Washington Seminar begins
<li>March 26-27: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium, Baltimore,
Maryland
<li>March 31: Deadline for
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program">
scholarship applications</a>
<li>April 14-17: <a href="http://www.blindmerchants.org">NABM BLAST</a>;
Chicago, Illinois
</ul><br>
<h2><b>· April 15:
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information">
Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award application</a> deadline </b></h2><br><br>
<ul>
<li>June 21-27: NFB EQ; St. Paul, Minnesota
<li>July 14-19:
<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>
<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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