[NFB_of_Georgia] President's Notebook Week of Jan. 25, 2021
Dorothy Griffin
dgriffin at nfbga.org
Mon Jan 25 23:52:45 UTC 2021
Dear Fellow Federationists,
It is particularly chilly in Baltimore now, so I thought it was worth
noting that there are only twenty-one days until pitchers and catchers
report. So baseball is right around the corner. No reason I can think of to
bring that up except to warm the chilly air around us.
Critical Actions:2021 Washington Seminar:
We are just two short weeks away from the Great Gathering-In and the
official start of the 2021 Washington Seminar! Please study the 2021 Fact
Sheets
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/washington-seminar-priorities>
as
much as you can so we can all be effective advocates. Additionally, we
still have two weeknight training sessions before we get there. The
upcoming training schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, January 26, 8:00 p.m. eastern – Washington Seminar Portal:
Appointments & Rankings Tool
Thursday, January 28, 8:00 p.m. eastern – Zoom Moderator Training
The link to attend both of these meetings is https://zoom.us/j/7567531013.
As you may have heard, the House plans to transmit the articles of
impeachment to the Senate today. The Senate has announced that it plans to
hold the trial the week of February 8. Some media outlets are reporting
that the trial is likely to start at the beginning of the week, so
scheduling meetings with your Senators later in the week (including Friday,
February 12) is recommended. Note that neither the House nor the Senate
will be in session the week of February 15.
News:Attend the February Presidential Release on February 1—Captioning and
Spanish Available:
The February Presidential Release of the National Federation of the Blind
will be delivered on Monday, February 1, at 8:00 p.m. eastern. After the
remarks there is an opportunity for questions. Submit questions in advance
to cdanielsen at nfb.org and put PR502 in the subject line, or call
410-659-9314, extension 2473. Closed captions and Spanish interpretation
will be available. Mark your calendars. Zoom details will be available
soon. Learn about the many ways to participate
<https://www.nfb.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=430>.
Access Technology Affordability Act Introduced in the House:
Introduced in the House on January 21, the Access Technology Affordability
Act legislation removes an employment barrier commonly experienced by blind
Americans who cannot afford the high cost of access technology by creating
a refundable tax credit in the amount of $2,000 to be used over a
three-year period to offset the cost of these technologies. Read the full
press release now
<https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-applauds-introduction-access-technology-2>
.
Scholarship Program–Start Applications Now:
The National Federation of the Blind awards more than $120,000 to blind
scholars across the country. The application process is open and we
encourage students to start the process now. Review the scholarship
application checklist
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program/scholarship-program-application-checklist>
and
the scholarship program FAQs
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program/scholarship-program-faqs>.
Share this opportunity that invests in the future of blind people. Learn
about the eligibility and requirements of the 2021 NFB Scholarship Program
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program>
and
start the application process now.
NFB BELL Academy In-Home Edition:
The NFB BELL® Academy In-Home Edition is back and better than ever! This
summer, using the Zoom web conferencing platform, two-week-long sessions of
the NFB BELL Academy will take place during the following dates:
· June 7 through June 18
· July 19 through July 30
· August 9 through August 20
This year we will be organizing students into three tracks (beginning,
intermediate, and advanced) with lessons in each track that correspond to
the students’ current level. In order to make this possible, the deadline
to apply will be one month prior to the start of each session. Applications
in English and Spanish will be live on February 15, 2021. For more
information, please reach out to Karen Anderson at kanderson at nfb.org or at
410-659-9314.
Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium Registration:
Registration is now open
<https://www.nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=337&participantrole=c4ca4238a0b923820dcc509a6f75849b>
for
the 2021 Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium. Join nationally
renowned disability rights advocates at the United States’ leading
disability law symposium, held virtually this year March 24–26, 2021, as we
examine issues relating to race, diversity, inclusion, and the right to
live in the world. Registration is $100, and student registration is free.
Visit the law symposium webpage
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/jacobus-tenbroek-disability-law-symposium>
to
view the agenda and speaker bios.
Thank You:
Thanks go to our District of Columbia affiliate for a generous recent
contribution. Financial support from our affiliates helps us all keep
moving forward.
*Toastmaster *Magazine Added to NFB-NEWSLINE:
We are pleased to announce the addition of *Toastmaster* magazine to the
NFB-NEWSLINE® service. Toastmasters International is a nonprofit
educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership
through a worldwide network of clubs. Since 1924, Toastmasters
International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more
confident speakers, communicators, and leaders. *Toastmaster* is published
monthly and is located under the General Interest category of Magazines.
Reminders:Last Chance to Get Your 2021 Braille Calendar from Independence
Market:
This is the last week we will be taking orders for 2021 Braille calendars.
Effective February 1, the Independence Market will no longer accept orders
for the 2021 Braille calendars. All orders received prior to the close of
business on Friday, January 29, will be processed. If interested in
ordering a 2021 Braille calendar, please contact our Independence Market at
410-659-9314, extension 2216, or Independencemarket at nfb.org as soon as
possible.
Dates to Keep in Mind:
(all times eastern)
- 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
- 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.
- 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
[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>
--
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.
More information about the NFB_of_Georgia
mailing list