[NFB-Krafters-Korner] Fwd: [FB-Division-Leaders] NFB President’s Notebook - week of 07/29/2019

Fri Aug 2 17:34:39 UTC 2019

There is some good stuff here and since we are a part of a larger
organization, thought I would share.
Tammy

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "President, National Federation of the Blind"
<OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org>
Date: Tue, 30 Jul 2019 15:04:22 +0000
Subject: [NFB-Division-Leaders] NFB President’s Notebook - week of 07/29/2019
To: "President, National Federation of the Blind" <OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org>

President’s Notebook
National Federation of the Blind
Mark A. Riccobono
officeofthepresident at nfb.org<mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org>
410-659-9314

Dear Fellow Federationists,
Greetings from sunny Charm City where the National Federation of the
Blind Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning Academy is
spreading excitement and joy through the halls of our Jernigan
Institute.

While August feels like a quiet time, I urge you to pay attention to a
number of advance items key to planning fall activities. I also want
you to be aware that our national headquarters will be closed on
August 23 for staff development activities. With our open houses, fall
conventions, Meet the Blind Month, and other Federation work ahead,
there is plenty to do in the dog days of summer.
News:

Presidential Release:
The August release will be out later this week, prior to Saturday.

Juan Carlos Gil:
We have reason to believe that web accessibility serial plaintiff Juan
Carlos Gil attended the NFB Convention with the intent of recruiting
NFB members to join him in filing multiple, successive ADA lawsuits.
Please note that Mr. Gil is not recruiting complainants on behalf of
the NFB, that his legal advocacy does not align with the NFB’s
strategy, and that efforts such as his are representative of the
click-by lawsuits described in the NFB’s Resolution 2019-09: Regarding
ADA Litigation<https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/resolutions/2019-resolutions#09>.
Please alert Valerie Yingling, legal program coordinator, at
410-659-9314, extension 2440, or
vyingling at nfb.org<mailto:vyingling at nfb.org>, if Mr. Gil attends your
state convention.

Time to Prepare for Meet the Blind Month:
The National Federation of the Blind celebrates Meet the Blind
Month<https://nfb.org/programs-services/meet-blind-month> every
October. If you haven’t already, it’s time to start planning for it.
Throughout October, members conduct outreach activities across the
country. Plan an event in your local community to talk about blindness
and the NFB philosophy. Order materials from the Independence
Market<https://nfb.org/programs-services/independence-market> such as
the Braille alphabet cards to distribute at your local event. Here are
some ideas: speak at a public library, distribute literature at a
festival, visit high schools, get on a local radio station, hold a
walk or cookout. Get creative! We also feature your events on nfb.org,
so send your activity and event details to
web at nfb.org<mailto:web at nfb.org>.

Legislative Update:
Last Wednesday, just days before the twenty-ninth anniversary of the
Americans with Disabilities Act, Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL
09), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA 11), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE)
introduced the Greater Access and Independence through Nonvisual
Access Technology (GAIN) Act, H.R. 3929, in the US House of
Representatives. This legislation will authorize the Access Board to
develop a minimum nonvisual access standard for home-use medical
devices, exercise equipment, and home appliances. By taking this
important step, Congress is ensuring that our right to live
independently and manage our households and our health is not hindered
by inaccessible technology. Stay tuned for more updates regarding this
legislation.

NFB-NEWSLINE® Mobile 3.0 Beta with KNFB Reader Basic:
Take advantage of the new features early and help provide feedback to
expand the app. The NFB-NEWSLINE mobile app beta version is available
to download on your iPhones and iPads. Included in the app is the KNFB
Reader Basic, which provides the useful core features at no cost.
Within the KNFB Reader section, just point and shoot for access to
print on-the-go. This beta version is a pre-released, advanced
development of the app. Your participation and feedback expand the
amount of testing done, which will help us develop a better product.
Note: Installing this beta app will overwrite your existing
NFB-NEWSLINE mobile app. Enjoy
NFB-NEWSLINE<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-newsline> and
KNFB Reader Basic<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/knfb-reader>,
together!
How to get the app:
·         First, download the Test Flight app on your device.
·         Then, on your device, select NFB-NEWSLINE 3.0 Beta by going
to this link: https://testflight.apple.com/join/zuoVUXFv.You’ll need
your NFB-NEWSLINE login credentials.
·         Share your feedback or request assistance by sending an
email tonfbnewsline-ios at nfb.org<mailto:nfbnewsline-ios at nfb.org> or by
calling 866-504-7300.
We look forward to your participation and feedback.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

  *   August 23, 2019: NFB headquarters closed for staff development
  *   February 10, 2020: Great Gathering-In; Washington Seminar begins
  *   March 26-27, 2020: Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium, Baltimore, Maryland
  *   June 30-July 5, 2020: NFB National Convention, Houston, Texas

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.

Mark A. Riccobono, President
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314 |
officeofthepresident at nfb.org<mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org>

[National Federation of the Blind]<https://nfb.org/>

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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.

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-- 
Tammy Freitag, President
NFB Krafters' Division
H: 402-904-5105