[NFB_of_Georgia] From the National President

Tue Feb 25 20:19:49 UTC 2020

President’s NotebookNational Federation of the BlindMark A. Riccobono
officeofthepresident at nfb.org410-659-9314

Dear Fellow Federationists,

Hey look, we get one extra day this year to spread the love and positive
message of the National Federation of the Blind, and it is a good month to
do so. You will find below a collection of links to a number of outstanding
pieces featuring Federation members who share the additional common
characteristic of being black. These folks are great friends and mentors of
mine, and I am so pleased that they have spread our message through their
stories. You should share these far and wide to promote the diversity we
want in our movement. As Ever Lee says, let's grow and go!

This week I will be welcoming the eighty-ninth leadership seminar to the
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute. I expect that this
year we will have a seminar in the fall as well—we did not have one last
year because of the construction.  Also keep in mind that we should
continue to seek diversity in our leadership pool.

As I am sure you are aware, March 1 is the opening for our 2020 National
Convention online registration (The link, once it is live, will be
nfb.org/registration <https://www.nfb.org/registration>.) Please be sure to
spread the word and help make this our best-attended convention ever. Come
on, even Louisiana is cheering for this to be our biggest convention
ever—even if they think Houston cannot top New Orleans! I am really excited
for this year's convention, and I continue to welcome your ideas for
speakers and program items.

News:*Federationists Featured in #DisabilityRightsInBlack Series:*

The National Disability Rights Network is recognizing remarkable
contributions of past and present black disability rights advocates and
attorneys by presenting a different profile each day in February. We are
proud of the following National Federation of the Blind leaders to be
featured and hope you watch their brief videos of their stories: Anil Lewis
<https://www.ndrn.org/resource/drib2020-anil-lewis/>, executive director of
Blindness Initiatives; Ever Lee Hairston
<https://www.ndrn.org/resource/drib2020-ever-lee-hairston/>, member of the
NFB Board of Directors and 2019 Jacobus tenBroek Award winner; Sam Gleese
<https://www.ndrn.org/resource/drib2020-sam-gleese/>, 2014 Jacobus tenBroek
Award winner, past affiliate president, and past member of the NFB Board of
Directors.

*Nation’s Blind Podcast**: Celebrating Black History:*

The newest episode of the *Nation’s Blind Podcast* celebrates Black History
Month with a contemporary discussion with Denise Avant, Ron Brown, and
Shawn Callaway, all affiliate presidents and members of the NFB Board of
Directors. They talk about the intersectionality of being African-American
and blind. Listen to the *Nation’s Blind Podcast*
<https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast>
.

*Partnership with Aira: *Federation leaders will remember that a number of
years ago we secured a special membership deal through our partnership with
Aira granting that every Federation state convention would be a free Aira
access site. Thanks to our partnership, the Federation conventions were the
first free Aira accessible meetings in the nation. That agreement we had
with Aira expired in January 2020, but we continue to have a strong
partnership with them. As you likely know, the company has been going
through a number of changes. I understand that many of our affiliates with
spring conventions have reached out to Aira asking about free site access.
Our conventions no longer have that benefit as a right through an existing
agreement. We continue to talk with the company about what the future
partnership with the organized blind movement will include and how we will
execute on that relationship. If you reach out to them, and they tell you
that they cannot provide free access, do not be surprised. We will be
posting an update about Aira to the *Voice of the Nation’s Blind Blog* later
today. If you have questions, please let me know.

*Take the Braille Monitor Survey:*

The *Braille Monitor* is our flagship publication and contains critical
content as we continue to build the Federation. It reflects many of our
traditions, but it also must evolve enough to clearly be relevant in this
decade and those to come. Please help us by telling us what you want, what
you need, and what you will read. Please complete the quick,
five-minute *Braille
Monitor *survey <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BrailleMonitor>. Your
participation is greatly appreciated.

*Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium:*

Registration is still open for the Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law
Symposium, scheduled March 26-27 at the National Federation of the Blind
Jernigan Institute. It is a two-day conference that continues Dr.
tenBroek’s lifelong pursuit of dignity, equality, and full participation in
society by the disabled by bringing together attorneys, advocates, and
those with lived experiences. The agenda includes roundtable discussions,
presentations, workshops, plenary sessions, and an evening networking
reception. This year’s theme is Race, Diversity, Inclusion, and the Right
to Live in the World. Review the agenda and register today
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/jacobus-tenbroek-disability-law-symposium>
!

*#ReadAcrossAmerica #WithBraille:*

National Read Across America Day is Monday, March 2. Although we promote
the importance of Braille literacy year-round, let’s make sure our voices
are included on this national day. The goal of Read Across America is to
help motivate kids to read, bring the joys of reading to students of all
ages, and make all children feel valued and welcome. This must include
blind and low-vision children. Let’s promote reading with Braille by
sharing videos of children reading Braille or posting about the importance
of Braille on Monday, March 2, on social media platforms and use the
hashtags #ReadAcrossAmerica #WithBraille.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

   - March 26-27: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/jacobus-tenbroek-disability-law-symposium>,
   Baltimore, Maryland
   - March 31: Deadline for scholarship applications
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program>
   - April 15: Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award <https://www.nfb.org/bolotin>
application
   deadline

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

   - April 14-17: NABM BLAST <http://www.blindmerchants.org/>, Chicago,
   Illinois
   - April 14-16: Nonvisual Access Conference
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/nonvisual-access-conference>,
   Baltimore, Maryland
   - June 21-27: NFB EQ
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/national-center-blind-youth-science/nfb-eq>;
   St. Paul, Minnesota
   - July 14-19: NFB National Convention <https://www.nfb.org/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

[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.