[NFB_of_Georgia] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 09/07/2022

Thu Sep 8 14:07:07 UTC 2022

Dear Federation Family,

Critical Actions:*Mark Your Calendar for a Strategic Survey:*

The National Federation of the Blind is working on our strategic planning
for the organization. An important survey to gather data will be launched
from September 19 through 25. This is a short window, but the data is
valuable to the process. We want to hear from you. Thank you for helping
with this process. Mark your calendar to be on the watch for the survey
during that time.

News:*September Presidential Release Recording Available:*

The Presidential Release #519 recording for chapters is available
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases> to
share with chapter presidents to use during their September chapter
meetings. Transcripts are also available. The next Presidential Release
LIVE will be October 1.

*Nation’s Blind Podcast** Episode: Meet Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Winner
Caroline Karbowski:*

The latest *Nation’s Blind Podcast* episode features an interview with
Caroline Karbowski, who received one of the 2022 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards
at the national convention in New Orleans. She is the founder of See3D,
which provides all kinds of models created through 3D-printing technology,
and Caroline describes how she became a sighted Braille user. Access and
share the podcast audio or transcript.
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast>

*Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on NFB.org:*

As announced during the September Presidential Release, the National
Federation of the Blind has launched our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
webpage dedicated to sharing resources, presentations, and publications,
including our five-year diversity calendar that is meant to create
awareness for planning. Access this page at https://nfb.org/DEI
<https://nfb.org/index.php/get-involved/diversity-equity-inclusion>.

*The Latest Issue of Future Reflections:*

*Future Reflections* is a magazine for parents and teachers of blind
children published by the American Action Fund for Blind Children and
Adults in partnership with the National Organization of Parents of Blind
Children, a division of the National Federation of the Blind. Topics
include learning together, teachers as partners, and preparing for
independence. Read and share the latest issue, Volume 41, Number 2
<https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr41/2/fr4102tc.htm>.

*Social Media Content to Share:*

For social media from affiliate and division accounts, please consider
using content from the following pages to create posts:

·       For National Guide Dog Month, share NAGDU and other Guide Dog
Resources <https://nfb.org/resources/guide-dog-resources>.

·       For back-to-school content, share the A Blind Parent’s Essential
Guide to Effective Communication from Public and Private Schools (English &
Spanish)
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/advocacy-resources/blind-parents-essential-guide-effective-communication>
 and Self-Advocacy in Higher Education Toolkit
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/advocacy-resources/self-advocacy-higher-education-toolkit>
.

·       For voting, share resources from https://nfb.org/vote.

*Access Technology Affordability Act:*

Congratulations to the National Federation of the Blind of Florida for
gaining two more cosponsors on the Access Technology Affordability Act in
the House (H.R. 431). On Friday, September 2, Representatives Darren Soto
(FL-9) and Kathy Castor (FL-14) signed on to cosponsor the bill.
Representative Seth Moulton (MA-6) also cosponsored on Friday. These three
additions bring the total number of cosponsors for the Access Technology
Affordability Act up to 163.

The Senate is back in Washington this week, and the House comes back next
week. Both of them will be in session for the remainder of September. Let’s
use this opportunity to surge our cosponsor counts on all of our
legislation:

·       Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 431/S. 212)

·       Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (H.R.
2373/S. 3238)

·       Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R. 4853)

*Free COVID-19 Tests Update:*

While the government program that has provided free standard COVID-19 tests
was suspended on September 2, USPS is still distributing the free, more
accessible COVID-19 at-home tests while supplies last.

You can place an order online or by calling 1-800-232-0233. Additional
information and updates are available at https://nfb.org/covidtests.

*Fundraising Ideas for At-Large Chapters:*

Some of you have developed your plans for programming for next year and are
now asking about ideas for fundraising in at-large chapters. Here are some
ideas that have come up recently on one of our listservs. I thought I would
share them:

   - Popcorn sales on the internet from companies like Doublegood.
   - Annual appeal letters asking friends and family to support us.
   - Online auctions via Zoom or 32auctions.com.
   - RaiseRight e-gift cards https://www.raiseright.com/how-it-works/.

While this list was developed specifically with at-large chapters in mind,
these can be used by any chapter or affiliate who has programming needing
funds.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

   - January 30, 2023: Great Gathering-In
   - March 23, 2023: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium
   - July 1-6, 2023: National Convention; Houston, Texas

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.
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