[NFB_of_Georgia] President’s Notebook

Tue Nov 17 01:29:52 UTC 2020

President, National Federation of the Blind via
<https://support.google.com/mail/answer/1311182?hl=en>
us-smtp-delivery-221.mimecast.com
4:49 PM (3 hours ago)
to State, NFB-Division-Leaders at nfbnet.org, NCB
National Federation of the Blind
Mark A. Riccobonoofficeofthepresident at nfb.org410-659-9314

Dear Fellow Federationists,

This morning as I took my daily walk through Riverside Park (which sits
just east of the Johnson Street side of our headquarters), I pictured in my
mind the symbology of the moment. I was there just at the time that the sun
was supposed to rise in Baltimore. I started thinking about what the
sunrise might have been like on that day eighty years ago when Jacobus
tenBroek woke up, and his plan for that day was to establish the National
Federation of the Blind. Did he know he would be elected as the movement’s
first President and that he would dedicate much of his remaining
twenty-seven-and-one-half years to its advancement? Today was slightly
chilly, but the sunrise brought a sense of warmth to the clear morning. Is
that similar to what Dr. tenBroek felt—a lifting of the cold, hard times
that blind people had experienced for decades?

As I walked south in the park, it occurred to me that the morning sunlight
would shine on the Johnson Street side of our building perfectly, there
being no major structures blocking the morning sun from our building. The
distance between the sun and our building is vast, and with the
complexities of our lives now, 1940 seems just as distant from 2020. I
imagined the sun hitting our building, and considered the hundreds of
thousands of lives that have lived under that sun and contributed to the
movement we share.

Eighty years is a short time. Yet for the blind it represents significant
progress. In 1940 the very building that now serves as the headquarters for
our efforts was producing materials for use in the Second World War. The
workers inside could have never imagined it would later become the
best-known facility for advancing the rights of the blind anywhere in the
world. Furthermore, the sixteen people who gathered together to form the
first membership of the Federation could not have imagined the twists,
turns, victories, and setbacks we have faced over these eighty years.

As I came to the south end of the walkway in the park, I followed the path
east into the morning sun. The warmth of the sun felt like hope: the kind
of hope that we experience in this movement every day; the feeling that
those sixteen people must have had when they came together to establish
what has come to be the most powerful force for blind people.

It is fitting on this day to look back and to experience the warm feelings
that come from all that we have accomplished. We should be proud of those
who came before us and all they did to make it possible for us to walk this
path.

Once we do that for a short time, we have a choice: we can continue
celebrating the past or we can turn with renewed strength, face the future,
and walk confidently in that direction with the light of our history
supporting us and urging us to march forward. When I got to the east end of
the path in the park, I did not hesitate, I turned and began to loop back
around to the west to come to our building to begin another day marching
alongside each of you to advance our collective movement.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I am left with one thought as I enter our
Johnson Street door with the sun at my back. I am thankful for the
incredible blind people who made it possible through their daily sacrifice
for us to be in this moment. I am equally thankful for the incredible blind
people who allow us to walk confidently into the future. It is an honor to
know we march together every day. It is a comfort to know you have my back.
It is a joy to imagine what we will do together tomorrow.

I do not know if I will walk that same path twenty years from now, but I am
confident in what our movement will be on our one hundredth
anniversary--and for that I feel a great sense of pride. Until then, I am
going to enjoy the struggle and the accomplishment of building with each of
you every day. Take a moment to reflect on those Federationists who you
have known personally who have helped us get to today. Then, with the
warmth of that love, turn, link arms with me, and let’s march into the
future together. When I say “let’s go build the National Federation of the
Blind,” what I mean is let’s enjoy the honor of working together to
transform our dreams, and the dreams of those who have not yet discovered
our movement, into reality. The warmth of the movement started before we
got here. If we do it right, the warmth will go beyond us into a future
where others will reflect fondly on what we have done to make their lives
better every day.

* Critical Actions:*
*Deadline November 17—Blind and Low-Vision Voter Experience Survey:*

Blind and low-vision voters who voted in the 2020 general election but have
not yet completed our survey are urged to take it by the deadline, November
17. This year it consists of two separate surveys:

·      If you voted absentee or by mail using an accessible, electronic,
ballot-delivery system or a traditional paper ballot, please complete the
survey for blind and low-vision voters who voted absentee or by mail at
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YJJL7GN.

·      If you are a blind or low-vision voter who voted at an early voting
center or at a polling place on Election Day, please complete the survey at
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NGFMPF2.

Questions about the blind voter survey may be directed to Lou Ann Blake at
lblake at nfb.org or 410-659-9314, extension 2221; or Jeff Kaloc at
jkaloc at nfb.org or at 410-659-9314, extension 2206.

News:*Federation Celebration: Read Our History:*

On this day in 1940, the National Federation of the Blind was founded by
blind delegates from seven states across the country. We invite you to read
and share the following publications that trace our rich history of the
organized blind movement:

   - *Building the Lives We Want*
   <https://www.nfb.org/about-us/history-and-governance/building-lives-we-want>
   - *Walking Alone Marching Together*
   <https://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/books/wamt/wamtc.htm>

*Teachers of Tomorrow Program:*

If you are preparing for a career in teaching blind students, or if you are
an early career educator looking to enhance your teaching, then the
National Federation of the Blind invites you to apply for a spot in the
first cohort of our Teachers of Tomorrow program. This immersive,
professional development program connects teachers of blind and low-vision
students to the lived experiences of blind people, equipping participants
with knowledge about the skills and attitudes that can help blind students
thrive in school and beyond. The program is free to participants thanks to
a partnership between the National Federation of the Blind and the Gustavus
and Louise Pfeiffer Research Foundation. For more information or to apply
visit https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/education/teachers-tomorrow.
 *New Podcast Episode—Continued Fight for Fair Wages:*

Our *Nation’s Blind Podcast’s* hosts, Anil Lewis and Melissa Riccobono,
talk with Stephanie Flynt, government program specialist for the National
Federation of the Blind. They discuss the continued momentum to eliminate
the practice of paying workers with disabilities subminimum wages,
including recent reports from the United States Commission on Civil Rights
and the National Council on Disability. Listen to the latest episode now
<https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast>
!
 *Applications Now Open for 2021 Bolotin Awards:*

The National Federation of the Blind is accepting nominations of
individuals or organizations who are a positive force in the lives of blind
people and advance the goal of helping us transform dreams into reality.
Each application must include a letter of recommendation. Learn more and
submit a nomination for the 2021 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information>
.

*Free White Cane Program—Share with New Contacts:*

The National Federation of the Blind believes that no blind person should
be without a white cane, regardless of their ability to pay for it. The
Free White Cane Program is available for any blind individual in the fifty
states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Share information about
the Free White Cane Program
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/free-white-cane-program>, choosing a
cane size, and cane travel training.

 *Smart Cities Summit:*

The Smart Cities Summit that was scheduled for December 10 is being
rescheduled in January 2021. The new date will be announced as soon as it
is determined.

*Thanks to Our Iowa Affiliate:*

Thanks go out to NFB of Iowa for a recent donation. Continued affiliate
support is so appreciated.

*Reminders*:
*Thanksgiving Holidays:*

This is a reminder that the national headquarters of the National
Federation of the Blind will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 26 and
27, so that the staff can enjoy the holiday with family and friends, albeit
with smaller gatherings than usual.
  *It’s that Time of Year**—**Santa Letters:*

Every year Santa Claus turns the staff at the National Federation of the
Blind into his honorary elves to help him send letters and activities in
Braille to young children (those under the age of ten) across the United
States. Between November 9 and December 16, parents can submit a request
for a letter at http://www.nfb.org/santa-letters. The form can also be
printed and faxed to 410-685-2340 or emailed to communityrelations at nfb.org.
Beginning Monday, November 30, the Braille letters from Santa will start
going out to children. The Braille letter will be accompanied by a print
copy as well and some other fun holiday activities. The deadline for letter
requests is December 16. Learn more about Santa Letters
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/early-childhood-initiatives/santa-letters>
.

*Dates to Keep in Mind:*

   - December 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
   - December 1: Braille Readers Are Leaders
   <https://actionfund.org/programs/braille-readers-are-leaders> reading
   starts
   - December 13: Open-House Gathering call, 8:00 p.m. eastern
   - December 15-17: Dare to Be Remarkable, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. eastern
   - January 18, 2021: Braille Readers Are Leaders
   <https://actionfund.org/programs/braille-readers-are-leaders> registration
   (and page count) deadline
   - February 8, 2021: Washington Seminar
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar> Great
   Gathering-In
   - March 31, 2021: Scholarship application
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program/scholarship-program-application-checklist>
    deadline
   - April 15, 2021: Bolotin Awards <https://www.nfb.org/bolotin> nominations
   deadline
   - July 6-11, 2021: NFB National Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana

 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

Twitter: @Riccobono

Pronouns: he, him, his

[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.