[NFB_of_Georgia] Fwd: NFB President’s Notebook - week of 04/20/2020

Mon Apr 20 22:01:19 UTC 2020

Please share with members that you know who are not on the listserv.  Also
ALL members remember to register for the Virtual 2020 National Convention
it is FREE.  You have to be registered to receive Door Prizes!  If you need
help to register please reach out to your chapter and division presidents
or friends and family.  Anyone can register to be included, you do not have
to be an NFB member.

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: President, National Federation of the Blind <
OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org>
Date: Mon, Apr 20, 2020 at 4:48 PM
Subject: NFB President’s Notebook - week of 04/20/2020
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 410-659-9314

Dear Fellow Federationists,

I hope this message finds you doing well. Thank you to those who have
shared ideas for our national convention. We are working as quickly as
possible to pull plans together. I also want to thank our affiliates
undertaking creative Zoom events. There are some really great offerings out
there allowing our members to stay connected and active in our movement. If
you are finding particularly effective ways to engage members and manage
virtual meetings, including voting, I would encourage you to share your
learning on the state affiliate leadership list.

If you are just getting tired of Zoom meetings, I will remind you that it
is good to be “in the Zoom” where it happens. If you are not convinced,
check out https://youtu.be/HCK_1ydMhiE.

Finally, I want to again give you a reminder that membership lists need to
be submitted as soon as possible.

Critical Actions: *Seeking Those Applying for SSDI Benefits:*

We are seeking blind persons who have recently been in the process of
applying for SSDI benefits and have had to sign various forms for Social
Security. Additionally, we wish to speak with those blind persons who
recently have had to fill out the SSA Form 1696. This is the form that
allows you to appoint someone else to represent you before SSA. This
request is time sensitive. Please have such individuals contact Valerie
Yingling at vyingling at nfb.org or 410-659-9314, extension 2440.

News: *Presidential Release—May 1: *

Attend the May Presidential Release (#494) of the National Federation of
the Blind on May 1, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. eastern. After the remarks and
updates from the elected President of the National Federation of the Blind,
the organization's first vice president, Pam Allen, will moderate
questions. Members of the Federation are encouraged to attend, and
non-members are warmly welcomed. Send your questions in advance to
cdanielsen at nfb.org and put PR494 in the subject line or call 410-659-9314,
extension 2473. Details on how to join are coming soon.
  *CARES Act Economic Impact Payments:*

We are continuing to bring you the most up-to-date information on these
important relief payments. As you have noticed over the past week, the
information and guidance from the federal agencies can, and sometimes does,
change from day to day. Fortunately, the IRS has been much better at
updating and relaying this critical information in recent days. If you
would like to check the status of your payment, or enter your information
to ensure you receive the $500 per qualifying child addition to your
payment (important note: you will only need to do this if you receive
Social Security retirement, SSDI, or SSI benefits), please visit the IRS
Economic Impact Payment Information Center
<https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center>
.

For the latest information, please visit our COVID-19 Resources Page
<https://www.nfb.org/resources/covid-19-resources>.
  *Celebrate #GivingTuesdayNow with Us:*

#GivingTuesdayNow is a global day of giving and unity, set to take place on
May 5, 2020, as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by
COVID-19. Our partner, the Gibney Family Foundation, is generously matching
all donations made. If you are able, please help us continue to advocate
and provide essential services by contributing on #GivingTuesdayNow.

*Lyft Offering Free Rides to Federation Members:*

It is heartwarming that many corporate partners are reaching out to the
National Federation of the Blind to be of assistance. Our rideshare
partners at Lyft are providing us with a general coupon worth $25 per user.
The code is being made available for use through April 30. It should be
used to assist any blind person in your affiliate that you feel would
benefit from this assistance. Members will need to contact affiliate
presidents to receive a code and must submit the name of the individual
requesting the code, their city and state, and a description of how the
code will be used. More details to follow regarding the codes.
  *Distance Education—Daily Activities and Request for Feedback:*

The National Federation of the Blind is providing daily distance education
resources from practicing Braille to dancing. Share the videos of how-to
activities and story time. Join the upcoming live, interactive Zoom lessons
this week on National Picnic Day and participate in the great activities.
Learn more about the distance education resources
<https://www.nfb.org/resources/distance-education-resources>.

As a result of schools shifting to virtual instruction to minimize the
dangers of COVID-19, blind students may encounter increased accessibility
barriers. Feedback is critical. If you or someone you know is facing an
accessibility issue in school, please complete the Education Technology
Survey
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/education-technology-survey>
.

*Upcoming Accessibility Boutiques—Web Accessibility:*

Accessibility boutiques are workshops presented by access technology
experts that provide introductions to accessibility best practices and the
latest trends in access tech. The National Federation of the Blind is
providing the following upcoming two-part session.

·       Tuesday, April 28, 11:00–12:30 p.m. eastern—Web Accessibility Part
One: Intro to Web Accessibility

·       Tuesday, April 28, 2:00–3:30 p.m. eastern—Web Accessibility Part
Two: How to Manually Test a Website for Accessibility

Learn more about accessibility boutiques
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/accessibility-boutiques>
and register today.

Reminders:

*Events to Announce:*
Please send upcoming virtual events that are intended for a national
audience to communicationsteam at nfb.org by Sunday evening. Include the name,
description, conference details, and if the event will be closed captioned.
An email of the compiled events will go out each Wednesday. Please continue
to promote events through local channels such as affiliate social media,
website, and contacts.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

   - May 1: Distinguished Educator Award
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award>
   nomination deadline

·       May 1: Live Presidential Release

·       May 5: Giving Tuesday Now

·       June 1-12: NFB BELL® In-Home Edition

·       June 10: Membership Open House

·       June 22-July 3: NFB BELL® In-Home Edition

·       July 27-August 7: NFB BELL® In-Home Edition

   - July 14-19: NFB National Convention <https://www.nfb.org/convention>,
   Everywhere

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

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

                         [image: Facebook]
<http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind>    [image: Twitter]
<https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice>    [image: Youtube]
<https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind>

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.

-- 
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.