[NFB_of_Georgia] President's Notebook - Vital Information

Tue Oct 29 20:47:25 UTC 2019

Please share this information with your chapter and division members who
may not be on this list serve.  Please pay close attention to the 2020
National Convention change of dates.President’s NotebookNational Federation
of the BlindMark A. Riccobonoofficeofthepresident at nfb.org410-659-9314

Dear Fellow Federationists,

Most importantly, in case you missed it, our first vice president, Pam
Allen, was recently recognized with a community award for her outstanding
service, which is driven by her understanding and expression of the
Federation philosophy. It is nice to witness the community coming to
acknowledge what we already know about one of our most outstanding
leaders. This
video is worth sharing with others
<https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=qRNqK_98Vn0>.
** Critical Actions This Week:

Convention Dates Have Changed:
The 2020 National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind will
be held July 14-19 in Houston, Texas. While the convention was originally
planned for two weeks earlier, the Federation agreed to move its convention
to accommodate activities in the city of Houston. We believe this change
will further enhance the program, exhibits, and dynamic content provided at
America's civil rights and resource convention of blind people and their
families. More information regarding convention arrangements will be
published in the December issue of the *Braille Monitor*.
News:

Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest:
Registration for 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, will open Friday, November 1. 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 https://actionfund.org/BRAL.

Presidential Release:
The November release will be available on Friday in the usual locations.

National Highway Transportation Safety Administration NPRM Comments:
There has been a lot of discussion about updates to the Pedestrian Safety
Enhancement Act (PSEA) in recent weeks, and I wanted to reiterate the
National Federation of the Blind’s stance on the issue of multiple possible
alert sounds. The National Federation of the Blind has always supported the
idea that car companies might want to provide more than one sound that is
compliant with the regulations set forth under the Pedestrian Safety
Enhancement Act, which was signed into law on January 4, 2011. We supported
this language because multiple sounds have the potential to create greater
societal acceptance, and any sound that manufacturers provide must be
compliant. Our most recent comments to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
<https://www.nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/files-pdf/nfb-response-to-docket-no-nhtsa-2019-0085.pdf>
 reinforce this position. Federation leaders are welcome and encouraged to
add their comments to the department’s request for feedback.

OSERS National Instructional Materials Access Standard (NIMAS) Comments:
I have also provided comments to the US Department of Education regarding
the accessibility of digital educational content and instructional
materials, as well as the continued instruction and utilization of Braille
in the classroom. The letter is available on our website
<https://www.nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/files-pdf/nfb-response-to-docket-id-ed-2019-osers-0111.pdf>
.
Scholarship Program–Call for Applications Starts November 1:
A note from Cayte Mendez: Every year, the National Federation of the Blind
awards more than $120,000 to blind scholars across the fifty states, the
District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico in recognition of their achievements
and professional aspirations. The scholarship program is our commitment to
academic excellence and leadership among blind students, and each winner is
awarded on the basis of academic excellence, community service, and
leadership. The application process opens this week, November 1.
Review the scholarship
application checklist
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program/scholarship-program-application-checklist>
and
the scholarship program FAQs
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program/scholarship-program-faqs>.
Share this opportunity that invests in the future of blind people. Learn
about the eligibility and requirements of the 2020 scholarship program
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program>
.

Santa Braille Letters:
It is time for Santa letters. Between November 11 and December 16, parents
can go online at www.nfb.org/santa-letters and fill out a Santa Braille
Letter request form. The form can also be printed and faxed to 410-685-2340
or emailed to communityrelations at nfb.org. Beginning Monday, December 2, the
Braille letters from Santa will start going out to boys and girls around
the country. The Braille letter will also be accompanied by a print copy
(for mom and dad to read) as well as some other fun Christmastime
activities. The deadline for letter requests is December 16 to ensure that
a return letter in Braille is received before Christmas. For more
information, visit www.nfb.org.
Dates to Keep in Mind:

   - January 9-11, 2020: BELL® Academy Training Seminar
   - February 10, 2020: Great Gathering-In; Washington Seminar begins
   - March 26-27, 2020: Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium, Baltimore, Maryland
   - April 14-17, 2020: NABM BLAST <http://www.blindmerchants.org>;
   Chicago, Illinois
   - July 14-19, 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

-- 
Dorothy Griffin - President
National Federation of the Blind of Georgia
dgriffin at nfbga.org
770-374-4832

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.