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<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>
<br>
Dear Fellow Federationists,<br>
<br>
I hope that everyone had a great weekend. It feels to me like the
Federation is as busy as it has ever been despite social distancing and
the inability to gather in person. I am working to make sure our team
continues to bundle messaging to make it as easy as possible for
Federation leaders to deal with the mountain of information that seems to
come on a daily basis. If you have suggestions about what would be
better, please let me know. You all are making a great difference. Thank
you, keep it up, let me know what you need, and continue to share
information with me.<br>
<br>
Our 2020 National Convention change is obviously the biggest news. Well
over five hundred people registered for the convention within forty-eight
hours of our notice. Which of our affiliates will turn out the biggest
delegation for our 2020 gathering? The registration numbers will be a
race this year for this unprecedented opportunity to grow the reach of
our organization. Many of you have already sent suggestions about the
convention; thank you for being proactive. We know members have questions
and many we may not be able to answer yet as the plans are coming
together. Rest assured we will put together a great program, we will
maximize participation as best we can using telephone and internet
capabilities, and we will provide access to more convention gatherings
than ever before. Plan on setting aside July 14-19 for this great event.
<br>
<br>
While I was working on this letter, I received the news that Brian
Miller, a member from Virginia, passed away after a two-week battle with
the coronavirus. I know many of you have known Brian and have been
tracking his fight. I would invite you to raise a prayer for Brian and
his family and friends who are hurting tonight. I would also ask you to
send positive thoughts to so many other Federationists who are dealing
with the impacts of the virus.<br>
<br>
Please note some very important deadlines for April 15 and give them your
urgent attention. I especially urge you to submit nominations for our
Bolotin Awards. <br>
<br>
Stay safe, keep building, and get ready for our best convention ever.
<br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Critical Actions:</b></h2><br><br>
<b>Scholarships:</b><br>
Since Friday's announcement sharing the decision to hold our convention
remotely, quite a few people have reached out with questions regarding
the 2020 scholarship program. Be assured, the National Federation of the
Blind WILL award thirty students from all over the country with our
prestigious merit-based scholarships this summer. Plans are already in
the works to adjust the format of the program so that it can be best
suited for the remote convention. An email was sent Friday to everyone
who began a scholarship application, reassuring them that the program
would be going ahead, if not exactly as originally planned, then in a way
that is guaranteed to be dynamic, interactive, and in the spirit of
excellence that has always characterized our scholarship process. State
presidents, please help us guarantee the best possible scholarship class
by sending in or uploading your presidents’ letters absolutely no later
than April 15. The committee needs your input, so please reach out to
applicants in your state. If your letters are ready, don’t wait! Send
them in today.<br>
<br><br>
<h3><b>Seeking Those Applying for SSDI Benefits:</b></h3><br><br>
We would like to speak with blind individuals who are currently applying
for SSDI benefits. This matter is time sensitive. Please have such
individuals contact Valerie Yingling at
<a href="mailto:vyingling@nfb.org">vyingling@nfb.org</a> or 410-659-9314,
extension 2440. <br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>News:</b></h2><br><br>
<br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>Presidential Releases:</b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>I will be recording another Live Presidential Release on Friday,
May 1, at 8:00 p.m. eastern. This will also be on the Zoom platform, and
the connection information will be send out closer to the date of the
release. </b></h3><br><br>
<br>
To access the recording or the English or Spanish transcripts of the
April Presidential Release, go to
<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>
<h3><b> </b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b> </b></h3><br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>Register for National Convention:</b></h3><br><br>
Plan to attend the 2020 National Contention, July 14-19, from anywhere.
The National Federation of the Blind will hold its national convention
beginning July 14, 2020, with virtual events and local, in-person
gatherings where appropriate. The convention was originally scheduled to
take place in Houston, Texas. The change of plans is in response to the
public health, safety, and logistical concerns raised by the COVID-19
pandemic. The
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-2020-convention-goes-virtual">
official announcement was made last week</a>. The National Federation of
the Blind is delighted to connect blind Americans from anywhere to build
opportunities everywhere. We look forward to spreading the 2020 view on
blindness to the entire nation and beyond. Registration is now available
at no cost.
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention">Register
today</a>.<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>Legislative Update:</b><br>
Even in the midst of a national emergency, the advocacy work of the
Federation cannot be stopped. As the world and our country adjust to the
threat of the coronavirus and Congress passes new laws to ensure that
life does go on, the National Federation of the Blind has the critical
task of making sure the systems that get put into place are equal, fair,
and above all, accessible. Just last week we sent two letters to this
effect. <br>
<br>
The first was a
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/files-pdf/vote-by-mail-letter.pdf">
letter to the appropriate House and Senate Committees urging them to
ensure the nonvisual accessibility of vote-by-mail systems</a> that may
be adopted for the upcoming state and federal elections. In this time of
crisis, it is absolutely essential that we not lose focus on the idea
that every American citizen deserves the right to cast a private and
independent ballot. This is one of the core principles of our democracy,
and it is a right protected by our Constitution. <br>
<br>
The second was a
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/files-pdf/letter-to-secretary-devos-re-cares-act-education-waivers.pdf">
letter to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos</a> urging her to note in
her required report to Congress that waivers for the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act are not necessary. Waiving the requirements of
this important legislation now would set blind and other disabled
students back while their sighted and nondisabled peers continue learning
in virtual classrooms. This is utterly unacceptable. <br>
<br>
Additionally, we have worked hard to make sure we bring you the most
up-to-date information on the legislation being passed in the coronavirus
aid bills that may impact your daily lives. On our
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/resources/covid-19-resources">COVID-19
resources page</a> you can find important information on
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/resources/covid-19-resources/cares-act-economic-impact-payments">
Economic Impact Payments</a>,
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/resources/covid-19-resources/unemployment-insurance">
expanded unemployment insurance</a>, and a
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/resources/covid-19-resources/state-guidance-schools">
comprehensive list of state special education guidance for schools</a>.
<br>
<br>
Also, please be on the lookout for a legislative alert. The National
Federation of the Blind is urging Congress to waive the five-month
waiting period for SSDI benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are
also asking Congress to waive the associated twenty-four-month waiting
period for Medicare. The waiver would be for all beneficiaries who are
found eligible between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020. Additional
details will be included in the legislative alert.<br>
<br><br>
<h3><b>Upcoming Accessibility Boutiques: Zoom Meeting and Accessible
Smart Home:</b></h3><br><br>
Accessibility boutiques are workshops presented by our access technology
experts that provide introductions to accessibility best practices and
the latest trends in access tech. Previously offered monthly, the
National Federation of the Blind is now providing accessibility boutiques
weekly. Here is what is scheduled for this week: <br>
· Tuesday, April 14, 2:00–3:30 p.m.
eaastern—How to Host a Zoom Meeting<br>
· Friday, April 17, 2:00–3:30 p.m.
easstern—Tips and Tools for an Accessible Smart Home<br>
Learn more about
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/accessibility-boutiques">
accessibility boutiques</a> and register today. <br>
<br><br>
<h3><b>New Blog Post: Uber, Lyft, and Service Animals: The Discrimination
Continues:</b></h3><br><br>
After three years of implementation and monitoring, the National
Federation of the Blind’s settlement agreements with Uber and Lyft are
set to expire this summer. Progress has been difficult to measure, and
discrimination by rideshare drivers against travelers with service
animals continues. Read
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/blog/uber-lyft-and-service-animals-discrimination-continues">
the recent blog post on the three year report</a> and next steps. We are
still requesting feedback on both successful rides and incidents of
rideshare driver discrimination via the
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/uber-and-lyft-survey">
NFB’s Rideshare Survey</a>. <br>
<br>
In fact, we are requesting that members with service animals who continue
to be discriminated against by Uber drivers consider providing a signed
statement regarding their experiences. Please contact Valerie Yingling at
<a href="mailto:vyingling@nfb.org">vyingling@nfb.org</a> by April 17 if
you are able to help with this important next step in our effort to stop
discrimination by Uber drivers. Learn more at
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/rideshare">https://www.nfb.org/rideshare</a>
. <br>
<br><br>
<h3><b>Distance Education—Dailyy Activities Full of Fun and
Learning:</b></h3><br><br>
The National Federation of the Blind is providing daily distance
education resources from making pasta boxes to creating journals to
asking questions about technology for distance education. Share the
videos of how-to activities and story time. Join the upcoming live,
interactive Zoom lessons this week and participate in the great
activities. Learn more about the
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/resources/distance-education-resources">
distance education resources</a>. <br>
<br><br>
<h3><b>Kernel Books Series: Access Now:</b></h3><br><br>
The Kernel Books series is now available online. The National Federation
of the Blind's thirty-book series highlights the stories of blind men and
women, and goes beyond sentimentality and misconceptions—to the very
"kernel" of blindness. The books share important messages
delivered by witty authors who write about intriguing, yet every day,
situations. These stories allow for great discussion during this time and
are timeless. Access <i>As the Twig Is Bent, Like Cats and Dogs,
Wall-to-Wall Thanksgiving, </i>and
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/resources/jacobus-tenbroek-library/collections/kernel-books">
all of the Kernel Books</a> today. <br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Reminders:</b></h2><br><br>
<br>
<h2><b>Dates to Keep in Mind:</b></h2><br><br>
· April 15:
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/bolotin">Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award</a>
application deadline <br>
· May 1:
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award">
Distinguished Educator Award</a> nomination deadline<br>
· July 14-19:
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/convention">NFB National Convention</a>,
remote!<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>
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