[NFB_of_Georgia] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 04/25/2023

Wed Apr 26 16:11:50 UTC 2023

*Please share with members that are not on this list serve.*

*Critical Actions:*

*Next Week: May Presidential Release:*

Attend the next Presidential Release #527 on Tuesday, May 2, at 8:00 p.m.,
eastern. Submit questions for the Q&A sessions by sending an email to
cdanielsen at nfb.org with the subject line #PR527. Closed captions and
Spanish interpretations are available.Presidential Release Zoom ID: 959
0944 8660 <https://zoom.us/j/95909448660>.

*Deadline Approaching–Submit Nominations for Distinguished Educator of
Blind Students Award:*

The education of blind children is one of the National Federation of the
Blind's highest priorities. We are committed to offering and supporting
programs that enhance educational opportunities for this group. Please help
us recognize dedicated and innovative teachers who provide quality
education and meaningful experiences and opportunities for their blind
students. Nominate a teacher, counselor, or administrator of programs for
blind students. Deadline is May 1. Learn more about the Distinguished
Educator of Blind Students Award
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award>
.

*Deadline Approaching—Submit Nominations for Blind Educator of the Year
Award:*

The Blind Educator of the Year Award
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/blind-educator-year-award>
 was established by the National Organization of Blind Educators, a
division of the NFB, in 1991 to recognize outstanding blind teachers. It is
presented at the NFB National Convention. Honorees must be present to
receive their award, which includes an inscribed plaque and a check for
$1,000. Submit your nominations for Blind Educator of the Year by May 1.
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/blind-educator-year-award>

*News:*

*Legislation Update:*

Between our two legislative priorities currently in Congress, we have
recently added six new cosponsors to our bills in the House of
Representatives. First, the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act
(H.R. 1328) gained four new cosponsors to bring the total number of
cosponsors up to forty-seven. The new supporters are Jennifer McClellan
(Virginia), Joyce Beatty (Ohio), Derek Kilmer (Washington), and Sharice
Davids (Kansas). Meanwhile, the Transformation to Competitive Integrated
Employment Act (H.R. 1263) gained two new cosponsors in the House to bring
the total on that bill up to seven. The new cosponsors are Ilhan Omar of
Minnesota and Jill Tokuda of Hawaii. Please continue to call or email your
member of Congress to ask them to support our legislation.

*Meeting with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing:*

On Thursday, April 13, I met with the director of the Bureau of Engraving
and Printing (BEP), Len Olijar, to discuss the next generation of paper
currency in the United States. Our meeting was cordial and productive, and
I was even able to preview some of the raised tactile features that will be
implemented on the upcoming redesign of the ten-dollar bill, scheduled to
be released in 2026.

*Teachers of Tomorrow:*

Applications are now open for the 2023-2024 National Federation of the
Blind Teachers of Tomorrow cohort. NFB Teachers of Tomorrow is an immersive
professional-development program that connects teachers of blind and
low-vision students to the lived experiences of blind people. The program
will equip the participants with knowledge of the skills and attitudes that
can help blind students thrive in school and beyond. Please encourage
teachers of blind students in your affiliate to apply for this opportunity
and help circulate the application information to any university programs
that prepare teachers of blind students where you have contacts. For more
information, visit
https://nfb.org/programs-services/education/teachers-tomorrow.

*Rideshare Guide Dog Refusals:*

Despite several recent meetings with Lyft stemming from our Resolution
2022-13
<https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/resolutions/2022-resolutions#13>
 at last year’s national convention in New Orleans, the problem of guide
dog users being denied service persists. The most recent denial to receive
prominent media attention happened to Judge David Tatel, a senior judge at
the US Court of Appeals in Washington, DC. Judge Tatel’s experience was
reported by Rachel Weiner in *The Washington Post* on April 20, 2023, in an
article titled “A federal judge was refused a Lyft ride with his guide dog.
He’s not alone.
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/04/20/blind-ride-share-guide-dogs/?utm_source=headtopics&utm_medium=news&utm_campaign=2023-04-20>
”

*Latest Podcast Episodes:*

The *Nation's Blind Podcast*
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast>
highlights
different themes related to blindness, independent living, and news from
the National Federation of the Blind. New episodes come out on the tenth
and twentieth of each month. Subscribe and listen by searching for
"Nation's Blind Podcast" in your podcast client. Access our recent podcast
episodes:
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast> “US
Currency to Become Easier to Use,” “The Myth of the Model Federationist,”
and “NFB Helps Win Battle for Blind Federal Employees.” Transcripts
included.

*Hear from Members in Our Blogs:*

The *Voice of the Nation's Blind Blog* features stories from our members,
news, and commentary on issues affecting our community. Read our latest
posts, “How the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act Has Turned Me
into an Impassioned Advocate,” by Debbie Wunder
<https://nfb.org/blog/how-medical-device-nonvisual-accessibility-act-has-turned-me-impassioned-advocate>
 and “Taming the Accessibility Wild West,” by Amy Mason
<https://nfb.org/blog/taming-accessibility-wild-west>.

*Save the Date: 2023 Global Accessibility Awareness Day is May 18:*

Join us on Global Accessibility Awareness Day for a one-hour seminar about
Section 508 for government employees with disabilities, their supervisors,
human resource professionals, and anyone else interested. Learn about what
it is supposed to do and how people with disabilities can work together to
leverage the new ruling. Stay tuned for more details.

*Dates to Keep in Mind:*

(all times eastern)

   - May 1: Deadline for nominations for Blind Educator of the Year Award
   <https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/blind-educator-year-award>
   - May 1: Deadline for nominations for the Distinguished Educator of
   Blind Students Award
   <https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award>
   - May 10: Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement, 8:00 p.m.
   - May 18: Global Accessibility Awareness Day
   - June 1 and 4: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Member Engagement
   and National Convention)
   - July 1-6, 2023: National Convention
   <https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship>;
   Houston, Texas
   - August 9: Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement, 8:00 p.m.
   - September 7 and 10: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Blind Equality
   Achievement Month)
   - November 8: Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement, 8:00 p.m.
   - December 7 and 10: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Planning the
   Year Ahead)

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.
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