<html>
<body>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""><br>
<h1><b><a name="OLE_LINK7"></a>President's
Notebook</b></h1><a name="OLE_LINK7"></a><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>
A leadership quote I like goes something like, "You can't relate to
a superhero, but you can identify with a real person who in times of
crisis draws forth some extraordinary quality from within and triumphs
but only after a struggle."ť These are times not just for
superheroes but for each of us to come together and support each other.
In the last week I have read some of the most beautiful posts and had
some of the deepest conversations with people in this leadership group.
It demonstrates to me the strength that each of you has and the power and
love that we gain from bonding together. I am so grateful to have this
leadership group in these uncertain times.<br>
<br>
You already know about the action of the board of directors to shut down
all public meetings through Easter. Our training centers are closely
monitoring the situation. The Colorado Center has already altered its
operation based on local circumstances, and I expect our other centers
will make similar modifications at some point. Our national office
remains open at the moment, although we have shifted at-risk staff to
remote work and reduced walk-in traffic and meetings at the building to
minimize the risks. We have also increased our already-detailed cleaning
procedures. I do not know about you, but I think the bones in my hands
are starting to absorb hand sanitizer. <br>
<br>
Many of you have asked about the national convention. It is just too far
away for us to make a realistic decision about our annual family reunion.
We are putting plans in place for the convention and for an alternative
plan, but it is too early to know anything. As you know, on an unrelated
note, our convention registration system experienced some issues in the
first couple days of implementation. That system is now being retested.
We hope that it will be back online soon.<br>
<br>
There are a number of things that our chapters and affiliates can be
doing to support and connect blind people. There are resources below that
you should be aware of and share. For example, some affiliates have been
nervous about jumping into the Zoom platform. Check out the great
resource being made available from Jonathan Mosen. If you find it of
value, drop Jonathan a note and thank him.<br>
<br>
If you find other ways the Federation can help make a difference, or if
your affiliate is undertaking an interesting new project in light of the
situation, please let me know or share it on the leadership
listserv.<br>
<br>
Stay safe, healthy, and strong. I am here for you if you need
anything.<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Critical Actions:</b></h2><br><br>
Coronavirus COVID-19 Public Event Policy:<br>
The public event policy that was updated late last week is available on
our website at
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-covid-19-policy-relating-public-events">
https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-covid-19-policy-relating-public-events</a>
. We are continuing to monitor best practices from the CDC and will
update you all as the situation changes with respect to the National
Federation of the Blind. <br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2><br><br>
<b>Legislative Update:</b><br>
As the excitement of Washington Seminar fades into the distance, our
legislative priorities are still experiencing a tremendous amount of
momentum from our time on Capitol Hill. The Access Technology
Affordability Act (ATAA) now has 83 cosponsors in the House (H.R. 2086)
and 22 cosponsors in the Senate (S. 815). That's nearly one quarter of
each chamber. Just last week we gained seven new cosponsors in the House:
David Schweikert (AZ), John Rutherford (FL), Lance Gooden (TX), Dwight
Evans (PA), Ann Kuster (NH), Madeleine Dean (PA), and Blaine Luetkemeyer
(MO). Special thanks to Arizona, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, New
Hampshire, and Missouri. It may not seem like much, but those numbers are
actually quite impressive and show significant support for our
legislation. <br>
<br>
This legislation may be more relevant now than ever. With the tragic
outbreak of the coronavirus, we may see job loss in the very near future,
and the ATAA would significantly improve employment opportunities for
blind people when companies begin hiring again. Call or email your
senators and representative and ask them to cosponsor the Access
Technology Affordability Act (ATAA) (H.R. 2086/S. 815). A legislative
alert on this topic will follow soon. <br>
<br><br>
<h3><b>Virtual Instruction for Students During COVID-19 School Closures -
#AccessibleNOW: </b></h3><br><br>
The threat of COVID-19 has prompted many schools to close their physical
locations and shift to virtual instruction. This sudden transition raises
concern about the accessibility of web-based educational technology. The
NFB has issued a blog that highlights how, regardless of COVID-19-driven
closures, schools must continue to provide equal access for blind
students to programs, benefits, and services. There are steps you can
take now to help your school prevent access barriers for blind students
and to help the NFB monitor barriers that do occur:<br>
· Share the NFB’s
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/blog">blog</a> and listed resources<br>
· Complete the NFB’s
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/education-technology-survey">
education technology survey</a><br>
· Connect with us in our
#AccessibleNOW #InEducation Twitter chat on Friday, March 20, 2020, at
12:00 p.m. eastern.<br>
<br>
Furthermore, if you or your child or student has been discriminated
against by their school, we urge you to file a
<a href="https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html">
complaint</a> with the US Department of Education through the Office for
Civil Rights. If you have questions or concerns, please email
<a href="mailto:AccessibleNow@nfb.org">AccessibleNow@nfb.org</a>. <br>
<br>
<b>Parental Rights Foundation Podcast:</b><br>
Recently I recorded a podcast with the Parental Rights Foundation. You
can listen to the recording on their website at
<a href="https://parentalrightsfoundation.org/podcast/">
https://parentalrightsfoundation.org/podcast/</a>. <br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Hit Submit: Complete Scholarship Applications Today!:<br>
Hundreds of applications get started for the National Federation of the
Blind scholarship program, and many lose the opportunity to be a winner
simply by not completely submitting the application. This annual
scholarship program is an investment in the future of blind people who
demonstrate scholastic aptitude, leadership, and service. Encourage every
blind college student to apply. Share
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm20/bm2002/bm200205.htm">
the secret to winning</a> with blind students and urge them to
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program">
complete their applications</a>. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2020.
</b></h2><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Time to Be Counted - Census 2020:<br>
The 2020 Census is making its way into all mailboxes between now and the
end of March in order to be completed April 1. Rather than filling out
the paper questionnaire that will be sent to every home, we can, for the
first time, fill it out online or over the telephone. Learn about the
importance, the accessibility, and how to participate in
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/blog/time-be-counted">the recent </a>Voice
of the Nation’s Blind</i>
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/blog/time-be-counted">Blog</a></i> article.
</b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>National Federation of the Blind Engineering Quotient (NFB EQ)
Program - June 21-27 - Science Museum of Minnesota: <br>
While there is uncertainty as to what the summer holds this year, it is
worth considering the options. NFB EQ is a weeklong adventure into
engineering and problem-solving. No specific level of engineering
experience required. Engage in activities designed to strengthen
knowledge and grow interests. Connect with the twenty-nine other high
school teen participants. Enriched experiences. New friendships. More
independence. The deadline to apply is March 29. Apply now at
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/eq">www.nfb.org/eq</a>. </b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<b>Free Audiobook Resource for Learning the Zoom Platform:</b><br>
In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, <a name="_Hlk35249053"></a>Jonathan
Mosen has made his audiobook <i>Meet Me in the Cloud </i>freely
available. This tutorial, which takes approximately three hours, walks
through all aspects of the popular conferencing platform, from joining
your first meeting, to hosting a meeting, to the differences between
Basic and Pro accounts. Mosen’s book is thorough and accessible to all,
regardless of technical background or proficiency. Note that at the time
these recordings were made, several instances of accessibility glitches
needed to be pointed out, however with current operating systems, and the
latest versions of the Zoom conferencing software, most bugs have been
resolved. In addition, Zoom has kept the labeling of commands and
options, as well as their keyboard conventions consistent, meaning that
none of the substance has altered from the time these recordings were
produced. We believe this will be a useful resource, especially in this
time of social distancing and greater adoption of teleconferencing. The
book can be obtained free of charge at
<a href="https://mosen.org/zoom/">https://mosen.org/zoom/</a>.<br><br>
<h2><b>SSA: <br>
The National Federation of the Blind and two blind individuals, Lisa
Irving and Amy Bonano, have resolved their 2017 lawsuit against the
Social Security Administration and entered into a settlement agreement
designed to ensure that SSA’s visitor-intake-processing kiosks are
accessible to blind users by December 31, 2021. Per the agreement, SSA
will work with a third-party, kiosk-accessibility expert to redesign the
agency’s kiosks so that blind users can enter required intake
information, including their Social Security number, privately and
independently. Read the
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/blind-americans-settle-lawsuit-against-social-security-administration">
press release</a>. </b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in Mind:</b></h2><br><br>
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/about-us/state-affiliates/state-conventions">
Spring Conventions</a> (including new dates for postponed conventions)
<li>March 31: Deadline for
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program">
scholarship applications</a>
</ul><br>
<h2><b>· April 15:
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/bolotin">Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award</a>
application deadline </b></h2><br><br>
<ul>
<li>May 1:
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award">
Distinguished Educator Award</a> nomination deadline
<li>June 21-27:
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/national-center-blind-youth-science/nfb-eq">
NFB EQ</a>; St. Paul, Minnesota
<li>July 14-19: <a href="https://www.nfb.org/convention">NFB National
Convention</a>, 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>
<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><div id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2"><br />
<table style="border-top: 1px solid #D3D4DE;">
<tr>
<td style="width: 55px; padding-top: 13px;"><a href="http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient" target="_blank"><img src="https://ipmcdn.avast.com/images/icons/icon-envelope-tick-green-avg-v1.png" alt="" width="46" height="29" style="width: 46px; height: 29px;" /></a></td>
<td style="width: 470px; padding-top: 12px; color: #41424e; font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Virus-free. <a href="http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient" target="_blank" style="color: #4453ea;">www.avg.com</a>
</td>
</tr>
</table><a href="#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2" width="1" height="1"> </a></div></body>
</html>