[NFB_of_Georgia] Presidential Release Week of 01/04/2021

Wed Jan 6 03:40:27 UTC 2021

Dear Fellow Federationists,

Happy New Year to each of you. The year is already moving at an accelerated
pace. I encourage you to work to stay engaged with all of our updates,
especially this month. The lead up and planning around Washington Seminar
will be fast and intense.

Forward Federation, this is our charge for 2021. Together is what is called
for on our membership coins. Forward Together—it is going to take all of us
to accomplish our hopes and dreams for 2021. Let’s go build the Federation.

News:Washington Seminar:

The Great Gathering-In is only thirty-four days away! That means we are
just over one month away from the start of our 2021 Virtual Washington
Seminar. While we can’t be together in person, we’re still going to make
sure our voices are heard throughout the halls of the new Congress. The
government affairs personnel will be conducting virtual trainings
throughout the month of January to make sure that your Zoom meetings with
members of Congress will be thorough and persuasive.

DOT Final Rule for Traveling by Air With Service Animals:

On December 10, 2020, the Department of Transportation (DOT) released the
final rule for Traveling by Air With Service Animals. The rule goes into
effect January 11, 2021, and permits airlines to require passengers to
complete a DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form. We have been working
with the DOT and provided extensive feedback on the accessibility of the
form. Additionally, on December 22, 2020, we issued an open letter to all
airlines urging them not to require the form for passengers with service
animals. Raul Gallegos, the president of NAGDU, has been working closely
with Blane Workie at the Department of Transportation on this issue.
 In the News: “Is It Better to Be a Braille Reader Than a Print Reader?”:

Please read the recent *Education and Career News* article titled, “Is It
Better to Be a Braille Reader Than a Print Reader?
<https://www.educationandcareernews.com/literacy-in-america/is-it-better-to-be-a-braille-reader-than-a-print-reader/>”
by Mark Riccobono, with input from Natalie Shaheen, EdD. This article was
featured in *USA Today* on December 29 and discusses what is needed to
improve literacy for blind students.

Read the Latest *Braille Monitor*:

The *Braille Monitor* is the flagship publication of the National
Federation of the Blind. It covers Federation events and activities,
addresses the issues we face as blind people, and more. Access the
January *Braille
Monitor* now:
https://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm21/bm2101/bm2101tc.htm

2021 Membership Rosters

As we swap out our calendars for 2021, our chapters and affiliates will
begin collecting dues for the new membership year. As with last year, we
will again be asking affiliates to confirm the membership status of those
who were members in the previous year. Over the course of the next couple
of weeks, each affiliate president will be receiving a spreadsheet
containing your member roster along with each individual’s dues status.
Rosters should be returned by February 28.

Louis Braille Commemorative Silver Dollar on Sale in Honor of 2021 World
Braille Day:

During the week of January 4-8 only, the National Federation of the Blind
Independence Market will be offering special pricing for the Louis Braille
Bicentennial Silver Dollar. This commemorative coin was issued by the
United States Mint in 2009 to honor the two hundredth anniversary of Louis
Braille's birth. The United States Mint issues only two commemorative
silver dollars each year, so it is truly special that our incredible
advocacy led to the recognition of Louis Braille’s contribution to the
literacy of blind people in this way. During this week, the price of this
collector’s coin will be $50.00 plus shipping and handling. To make a
purchase or for further questions, please contact the NFB Independence
Market by phone at 410-659-9314, extension 2216, or by email at
independencemarket at nfb.org.

Independence Market Product of the Month:

Independence Market is starting a new trend for 2021 with the “Product of
the Month.” The January 2021 Product of the Month is thermometers, both
oral and infrared (non-contact). You can purchase an oral thermometer from
the Independence Market for $18.00 and an infrared thermometer for $50.00.

Upcoming Event–Smart Cities Summit:

The National Federation of the Blind Smart Cities Summit is a one-day
online event on Thursday, January 28, 2021. The goal is to bring
policymakers and technology developers together to collaborate and create
accessible infrastructure for smart cities. Review the agenda and register
for the Smart Cities Summit
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/smart-cities-summit>
 today!
 Upcoming Accessibility Boutiques (all via Zoom):

Advocating for Accessibility—January 26, 2:00-3:30 p.m. eastern
Whether in school, the workplace, or everyday life, we often encounter
products or services that are not accessible. While lawsuits get most of
the attention, many products and services are made accessible through the
efforts of their users. Please join the National Federation of the Blind
Center for Excellence in Nonvisual Accessibility to learn how you can reach
companies and work with them to improve the accessibility of their
products. Check our website for updates, including the link to register.
 Future Boutiques:
Accessibility of Virtual Meeting Platforms—February 23, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
easternHow to Best Utilize Your Smartphone Accessibly—March 30, 2:00-3:30
p.m. easternAccessibility of Google Workspace (formerly G Suite)
Products—April 27, 2:00-3:30 p.m. eastern

Thanks to the NFB of Oregon:

Special thanks go to our Oregon affiliate for recent contributions,
including splitting a bequest and contributing to the More than Ever
Campaign. As always, our affiliate support is essential so we can work
together to build the Federation.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

   - January 18: Braille Readers Are Leaders
   <https://actionfund.org/programs/braille-readers-are-leaders> registration
   (and page count) deadline
   - January 26: Advocating for Accessibility, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
   - January 28: Smart Cities Summit
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/smart-cities-summit>,
   12:00-8:00 p.m.
   - February 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.
   - February 8: Washington Seminar
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar> Great
   Gathering-In
   - February 23: Accessibility of Virtual Meeting Platforms, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
   - March 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.
   - March 24-26: Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium
   - March 31: Scholarship application
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program/scholarship-program-application-checklist>
    deadline
   - April 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.
   - April 15: Bolotin Awards <https://www.nfb.org/bolotin> nominations
   deadline
   - May 2: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.

·      March 30: How to Best Utilize Your Smartphone Accessibly, 2:00-3:30
p.m.

   - April 27: Accessibility of Google Workspace (formerly G Suite)
   Products, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
   - June 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.
   - July 6-11: 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

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.