[NFB_of_Georgia] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 04/26/2021

Thu Apr 29 01:11:10 UTC 2021

Dear Federation Family,

My words are few as there is a lot happening,

 *Door Prizes:*

We are accepting door prizes for the 2021 National Convention. We request
cash donations so that we can distribute gift cards and gift certificates
as prizes. Cash donations make it easier to create prize groups and to
distribute prizes from one location. Please make your checks payable to
National Federation of the Blind and write Door Prizes in the memo. Mail
the check to National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells Street,
Baltimore, MD 21230, Attention: Fiscal Services - DP. By addressing the
check this way, we will easily identify it as a door prize and process it
accordingly. You should also send an email to prize at nfb.org to let us know
you are sending a contribution for the door prizes and the full name of the
organization that the contribution is from. We want to make sure we
recognize your organization in our thank-you list. You can contact Bridgid
Burke (bburke at nfb.org or extension 2271) or Belinda Hooks (bhooks at nfb.org or
extension 2508) with any questions. We discourage everyone from making door
prize donations through the nfb.org/donate page; however, if a door prize
donation is received through this page, we will reduce the donation by 3
percent to help us offset the credit card transaction fees. We are looking
forward to another informative, fun, and prize-filled convention.

*News:*

*Legislative Activity:*

There is a lot happening with our advocacy and policy work. Along with
several new cosponsors on the Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R.
431/S. 212) and the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act
(H.R. 2373), there will likely be an amendment introduced today or tomorrow
to the Endless Frontiers Act (S. 1260) regarding autonomous vehicles.
Pending our analysis of the final language, we anticipate supporting this
amendment. Please watch for possible legislative alerts later this week.

*Climate Assessment Survey Coming This Week:*

As mentioned in the April 15 open letter from President Riccobono
<https://nfb.org/blog/open-letter-safety-and-support-progress>*,* the
National Federation of the Blind has extended our partnership with RAINN,
the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN will develop
and administer an anonymous survey to collect feedback directly from our
diverse community, including members and nonmembers, to better understand
the experiences, needs, and concerns of our community as they relate to
sexual misconduct. The survey is expected to be released on Wednesday,
April 28, and may take up to thirty minutes. There will be a web version on
Survey Monkey and an automated phone option for completing the survey. Stay
tuned for more details.

*Participate on Potential Radio Project:*

The National Federation of the Blind is exploring a potential pilot
streaming-audio project to inform, inspire, and entertain members and
potential members. The initial plan is to start by using our large existing
audio library in a way that allows simple access at any time of day or
night, similar to an online radio station. If you have technical expertise
or content ideas and/or are interested in participating in an ad-hoc group
for this project, send an email to communicationsteam at nfb.org. Please
include any relevant background about you, why you think this potential
resource might be useful, and/or any recommendations you have.

*National Federation of the Blind Code of Conduct now on NFB-NEWSLINE®:*

The NFB Code of Conduct and a list of frequently asked questions regarding
the code is now available on NFB-NEWSLINE. You will find both audio and
text versions using the telephone access method, by selecting option one
from the main menu, followed by another press of the one key for the NFB
National Channel, then following the prompts. To access this content on the
NFB-NEWSLINE Mobile app, go to the “Information Sources” page and select
the “All Publications” link. The NFB Code of Conduct is the first
publication in the list.

*New Mobile Ballot Marking Platform by GlobalMobile:*

A new mobile ballot marking platform to mark and return ballots using a
smartphone has been developed by GlobalMobile. We are working with
GlobalMobile to ensure that the platform is accessible. Please be advised
that GlobalMobile may also reach out to our affiliates to provide feedback
on the platform or to participate in a meeting they have arranged with your
secretary of state. It is important that affiliates coordinate their
participation with our national office staff. If your affiliate decides to
participate in these meetings, please let us know, and please bear in mind
that in our advocacy efforts for accessible electronic ballot delivery and
return we do not endorse a particular platform. To discuss coordination of
efforts or to get other questions answered about this work, feel free to
contact either Lou Ann Blake at lblake at nfb.org or 410-659-9314, extension
2221, or Jeff Kaloc at jkaloc at nfb.org or 410-659-9314, extension 2206.

*Spring 2021 College Board AP Exams:*

High school students who encounter barriers with their Spring 2021 College
Board AP Exam accommodations, and/or have been told that Braille or tactile
graphics are not available for exams, are encouraged to contact Valerie
Yingling, legal program coordinator, at vyingling at nfb.org.

*National Telecommuting Institute:*

The National Federation of the Blind, on behalf of itself, an NFB member,
and all similarly situated individuals, has filed a complaint with the
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination against National
Telecommuting Institute (NTI) for NTI’s discrimination against blind job
applicants who use screen access software and other assistive technology.
If you have applied for a job through NTI and similarly been denied
employment because you use screen access software, or if you wish to work
from home doing customer service work and are willing to apply with NTI,
please contact Valerie Yingling, legal program coordinator, at
vyingling at nfb.org.

*Amazon Fulfillment Center Employment:*

As it relates to our recent agreement with Amazon, the National Federation
of the Blind is hoping to speak with individuals who have had workplace
accommodations denied, been placed on unpaid leave, and/or otherwise
experienced discrimination related to Amazon fulfillment center employment.
Please contact Valerie Yingling at vyingling at nfb.org to report your Amazon
fulfillment center experience.

*Presidential Release Next Week—Captioning and Spanish Available:*

Tune in to the next Presidential Release of the National Federation of the
Blind on Monday, May 3, at 8:00 p.m. eastern. After the remarks there is an
opportunity for questions. Submit questions in advance tocdanielsen at nfb.org and
put PR505 in the subject line, or call 410-659-9314, extension 2473. Closed
captions and Spanish interpretation will be available. Mark your
calendars! Learn
the many ways to access the presidential release
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/info?&reset=1&id=455>. Try listening to the
live stream on your favorite Amazon device by asking Alexa to play Nation’s
Blind.

*Blind Driver Challenge Initial Test Runs April 30 to May 2:*

As part of the Blind Driver Challenge, the National Federation of the Blind
and Cruise Automation are collaborating with Federationist Dan Parker to
build and operate a car to attempt to break the Guinness Book World Record
for the “Fastest Speed for a Car Driven Blindfolded” in the fall of 2021,
anticipating reaching a speed of over two hundred miles per hour. This
coming weekend, April 30 to May 2, Dan will be doing several test runs in
Blytheville, Arkansas. Stay tuned for more details coming at
BlindDriverChallenge.org.

*Partnering and Accessibility:*

We believe that accessibility is important, and we urge our national
partners to improve their accessibility, too. We should also keep this in
mind when we are partnering and looking for speakers at the local and state
level. Calling out the truth about an inaccessible web page in a private
and polite manner is appropriate. Keep in mind that if we invite
organizations to present to our members whose websites are not fully
accessible, we are not being true to our brand or our mission. Let's make
sure we tell those we work with when their websites are not accessible to
us.

*California DMV Kiosks to Become More Accessible:*

The National Federation of the Blind and three blind Californians have
collaborated with the California Department of Motor Vehicles and
Intellectual Technology, Inc., a provider of self-service kiosks, regarding
accessibility features for DMV Now kiosks utilized in California. Read and
share the press release
<https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/california-dmv-kiosks-become-more-accessible-blind>

*Reminders:*

*Give $20 Convention Drawing:*

Each year, thousands of Federation members and friends make donations to
fund our great programs. Your continued support is needed. When you
participate in the Give $20 campaign
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=20749&qid=5147870> you will be
entered into the Give $20 convention drawing (formerly known as the Kenneth
Jernigan convention drawing) AND help our work to change lives for blind
people across the country.

How to Contribute and Qualify:

*Please note: The drawing is for individuals and is not intended for
contributions by divisions, state affiliates, or chapters.*

You must specify a fund in order to be entered into the drawing. You can do
this by using our Give $20 online donation form
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=45> or writing
in the memo if giving by check. Choose one of the following funds: Kenneth
Jernigan Fund, SUN Fund, White Cane Fund, or the tenBroek Fund. Your
donation will be counted for the drawing regardless of which fund you
designate.

·       Donate online now
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=45>.

·       Donate via phone by calling our donation line at 410-659-9314,
extension 2282.

·       Send a check to Attention: Give20, National Federation of the Blind
Jernigan Institute, 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230. Be sure to
have "Give 20" and the fund you are donating to in the memo.

*Dates to Keep in Mind:*

(all times eastern)

   - May 1: Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award>
nominations
   deadline
   - May 3: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.
   - May 7: NFB BELL Academy application
   <https://nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-bell-academy> deadline (for
   session one)
   - May 10: NFB EQ application <http://www.nfb.org/eq> deadline
   - June 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.
   - July 6-10: NFB National Convention, anywhere and 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

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.