[NFB_of_Georgia] President’s Notebook

Mon Oct 5 23:52:21 UTC 2020

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

Dear Fellow Federationists,

Happy Meet the Blind Month! The crisp air of October has arrived. The
Federation is buzzing with Meet the Blind Month conversations, and we are
hard at work in local communities helping to provide access to voting for
blind people. When I was walking around the local farmers market on
Saturday, I started thinking about the upcoming holiday season and how long
it has been since I have sat with many of my Federation friends. I am
anticipating dropping into a number of conventions during the next month in
order to get that shot in the arm I need. Meanwhile, I continue to be
grateful, as we enter the season of giving, for all that you give to our
movement every day.

Critical Actions:
 *Urgent Community Forum for Parents of Blind Children:*

The National Federation of the Blind and the National Organization of
Parents of Blind Children will be holding community forums to discuss
access to remote education for blind students. The events will be held
Tuesday, October 6, at 3:00 p.m. eastern and Thursday, October 8, at 8:00
p.m. eastern. Please encourage parents of blind children in grades K-12 to
attend. More information can be found at
https://www.nfb.org/our-community/parents-blind-children.

News: *October Presidential Release Available:*The October Presidential
Release
<https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases> is
available in both audio and text. The Spanish translation will be posted
soon.

*Prepare to Share a Blind Voter Survey:*The National Federation of the
Blind blind voter survey will be out this week for all blind voters to
complete regardless of a good or bad voting experience. Whether voting
early, by mail, at the polling place, or on Election Day, please complete
the survey.  It helps us in our advocacy efforts to continue to move closer
to full equal access to a secret, verifiable ballot for every single blind
person in this country. The blind voter survey will be available on our
voting resource page at nfb.org/vote
<https://www.nfb.org/resources/voting-resources>.
 *Transformation to Competitive Employment Act:*

We recently sent a letter regarding the Transformation to Competitive
Employment Act (H.R. 873/S. 260)
<https://www.nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/files-pdf/subminimum-wages-letter-to-congress.pdf>
to
the leaders of the House and the Senate. This letter was in response to the
recent report published by the United States Commission on Civil Rights in
which it recommends that subminimum wages for people with disabilities
should be phased out. Our letter pointed out that this recommendation is
not new among government agencies and referenced multiple reports over the
past decade that made the same recommendation. A copy of our letter was
also sent to every member of Congress.

Last week H.R. 8478 was introduced in the House. This is another “notice
and cure” bill that weakens the foundations of the ADA, and we strongly
oppose it. Please call your members of Congress and let them know that they
should vote against this dangerous and harmful legislation.
 *Meet the Blind Month*—*Weekly Twitter Chats:*

The National Federation of the Blind is hosting a weekly Twitter chat
during the month of October each Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. On
October 7 let’s discuss our lived experiences with blindness and additional
disabilities to include deafblindness, autism, mental illness, learning
disabilities, and physical disabilities. Each week’s questions will be
posted on our website for review. Learn more about the Twitter chats and
mark your calendars <https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/twitter-chats>.
 *Matching Gift Opportunity from Freedom Scientific:*

Freedom Scientific, a Vispero brand and the maker of JAWS for Windows and
Focus Braille displays, has pledged to match the first $50,000 in donations
made to the National Federation of the Blind during Meet the Blind Month.
Double your contribution and help ensure that we fulfill this matching
gift. Thank you to Freedom Scientific and all of our supporters for helping
us continue our important work. Share the announcement and encourage
donations today <https://youtu.be/GC3KyypLH7w>!
 *Career Opportunities at the National Office:*

The National Federation of the Blind is seeking flexible, hard-working
individuals who will work with us to ensure independence and equality for
all blind Americans. Currently we have several opportunities to include:
Braille Proofing and Production Specialist, Director of Services,
Membership Building Coordinator, Social Media Coordinator, and Talent
Development Coordinator. Learn more about our career opportunities
<https://www.nfb.org/about-us/career-opportunities>.
 *October Braille Monitor Available:*

Check out the latest issue of the *Braille Monitor,* the National
Federation of the Blind’s flagship publication. There are a number of
articles this month about issues related to Meet the Blind Month, as well
as a presentation from the 2020 NFB National Convention and an article of Ryan
Boudwin’s lived experience in politics as a blind person. Read Ryan’s
article in the October 2020 *Braille Monitor*
<https://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm20/bm2009/bm200907.htm>.

Reminders:

*PAC Plan:*

Anyone can enroll in PAC or make changes to monthly contributions during
state convention and throughout the year. PAC contributors or potential
contributors can complete the webform at http://www.NFB.org/PAC to enroll
or make changes throughout the year to their PAC contributions. On the
webform, existing donors can indicate if they want to increase the
contribution, the amount, and give their contact information. New donors
are asked to complete the form, indicate their monthly contribution, the
state to be credited, and their contact information. Our PAC team will
follow-up with new donors for their bank account or credit card details.
Anyone who needs to stop their PAC contribution or who has questions can
also email PAC at NFB.org or call us at 410-659-9314, extension 2622, or
1-877-632-272 (NFB-2PAC).

 Dates to Keep in Mind:

   - October: Meet the Blind Month
   - November 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
   - December 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
   - December 9: Open-House Gathering call, 8:00 p.m. eastern
   - February 8, 2021: Washington Seminar Great Gathering-In

 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.

Attachments area
Preview YouTube video Meet the Blind Month: Gift Matching Campaign
Meet the Blind Month: Gift Matching Campaign
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC3KyypLH7w&authuser=0>
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC3KyypLH7w&authuser=0>
-- 
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.