[NFB_of_Georgia] President’s Notebook

[Dorothy Griffin]

National Federation of the BlindMark A. Riccobono
officeofthepresident at nfb.org410-659-9314



Dear Fellow Federationists,

I hope this message finds everyone doing well. I know that, for many of
our members, the back-to-school time is particularly challenging with
children and grandchildren needing support with education. I am sending
positive thoughts to each of you along with the strength to keep working it
out.

I know that it is highly important to a number of you that we also
acknowledge the start of the NFL season. I was pleased to note that the
Packers destroyed the Vikings in game one of their championship season. I
hope all of you are enjoying the return of football even if the stadiums
are pretty quiet. It was really strange to have a football game in
Baltimore and to not hear the roar of the first game crowd from our house
about a mile and a half from the stadium.

 News*Election 2020:*

We are currently developing a section on NFB-NEWSLINE® for election 2020
materials. These items will be made available on the service as they become
available to us. Yesterday we released the “candidate 2020 searches”
section, which contains several searches for “Biden” and “Trump.” There are
searches of the top one hundred newspapers, breaking news, international
newspapers, and magazines provided in this section. In order to access this
information on a telephone, you will first need to select option 1 off the
main menu, followed by option 2 for the election 2020 materials. If you are
using the NFB-NEWSLINE Mobile app, first select “all publications” followed
by selecting “candidate 2020 searches.” The election 2020 materials will be
available to all NFB-NEWSLINE subscribers, including those subscribers who
reside in non-sponsored states.
 *Speaking of Election 2020:*

Stay tuned for more news about how we are securing the rights of blind
voters across the nation. In the meantime, we have a fun surprise that will
help affiliates and chapters encourage members to vote! That surprise is an
original parody, "Our Vote
<https://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/audio/nfb_songs/hamilton-parody-final.mp3>,"
inspired
by the song "My Shot" from the musical *Hamilton, *composed and
performed by NFB member Precious Perez.

*Equal Access in Education Blog Post:*

As schools reopen this fall, some virtually, some in person, and some in a
hybridized format, blind students may encounter new and challenging
accessibility barriers; some students already have. Many questions remain
regarding how schools will implement instruction this fall, but with
certainty the NFB will continue to prioritize equal access to education
within all the work we do. To find out what we are doing and how you can
participate, please read our new blog post, “Equal Access in Education: An
NFB Priority <https://www.nfb.org/blog/equal-access-education-nfb-priority>
.”
 *PAC Enrollments and Changes:*

During your affiliate convention, or anytime throughout the year, existing
PAC contributors can make changes to their PAC contributions and contact
information, and prospective contributors can enroll in PAC, by completing
the webform at http://www.NFB.org/PAC <http://www.nfb.org/PAC>. New donors
are asked to complete the form, indicate their monthly contribution, the
state to be credited, and input 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 877-632-272 (NFB-2PAC).
 *Braille Readers Are Leaders:*

Once again, the National Federation of the Blind is partnering with the
American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults to present the 2020-2021
Braille Readers Are Leaders contest. With categories for children and
adults alike, the contest aims to encourage Braille literacy and reading
for pleasure. The contest will run from December 1, 2020, through January
18, 2021. Participants will log the number of pages they read in order to
compete for prizes. More information regarding how to register will be
coming soon.




Dates to Keep in Mind:

   - September 24-25: Nonvisual Access Conference
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/nonvisual-access-conference>
   - October 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
   - October 1: Inclusive Publishing Conference
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/inclusive-publishing-conference>
   - 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


-- 
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.