[NFB_of_Georgia] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 08/14/2023

Tue Aug 15 18:41:42 UTC 2023

Dear Federation Family,

The summer is slipping past quickly. This weekend marks the first
convention of our “fall” convention season. There is a busy agenda ahead
and still much progress for us to make.

Last Friday I had the opportunity to attend the final social hour for our
NFB BELL® Academy In-Home Edition. One of the students asked me a question
I had never been asked. I asked them for their own answers and thought I
should give you all the joy of considering this question, as well.

I was asked, “you talked about legal blindness, can you tell us what
illegal blindness is…”

Critical Items:
*August Presidential Release Available*

The National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release #529
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases>
chapter
version is available. Additional formats are also available. Please mark
your calendars for the next Presidential Release scheduled for September 7,
2023, at 8:00 p.m., eastern, from Chicago, Illinois.

*Uber Town Hall Meeting:*

Uber is conducting a second town hall meeting regarding service animals on
Wednesday, August 16, at 8:30 p.m., eastern, in case you missed the first
call and want to have an opportunity to participate. The ZoomMeeting ID:
923 3226 8533; Password: 169551
<https://uber.zoom.us/j/92332268533?pwd=Z3NwREdpQXNtaEVxWXVjaDFZUGo1QT09>.
Or one-tap mobile: +13017158592,,92332268533#,,,#,,169551#;169551#

Vehicle Donations

The National Federation of the Blind uses car donations to improve the
education of blind children, distribute free white canes, help veterans,
and so much more. We have partnered with Vehicles for Charity to process
donated vehicles. Please call toll-free 855-659-9314, and a representative
can make arrangements, or you can donate online by visiting
www.nfb.org/vehicledonations.
 Preauthorized Contributions (PAC)

Can you help the National Federation of the Blind on a regular basis?
Please consider joining our preauthorized contribution plan. Starting at $5
monthly, you can help us turn dreams into reality and raise expectations
for blind people. Visit nfb.org/pac to fill out the online form or email
pac at nfb.org for additional information.

*Route 66 Ride for Literacy Update:*

The National Federation of the Blind Route 66 Ride for Literacy with Dan
O’Rourke is still going strong. Dan is in New Mexico, heading toward Texas.
He has celebrated his ride so far with Federationists in California,
Arizona, and New Mexico. Please share this ride with your friends and
family to raise awareness on the importance of Braille literacy and
connecting with our community. Follow the Ride for Literacy at
nfb.org/route66.

*College Preparation/Maintenance Workshop:*

Our employment/career exploration unit within the National Federation of
the Blind Jernigan Institute delivered a College Preparation/Maintenance
Workshop for Pre-Employment Transition Students (Pre-ETS) and other
qualified vocational rehabilitation consumers in Gulfport, Mississippi. The
workshop addressed essential post-secondary readiness skills that relate to
blindness, with subjects ranging from self-advocacy at the university
setting, coping with social isolation/loneliness as a blind student at
college, acquisition and strengthening of both elementary and independence
skills of blindness, and developing a defined philosophy of blindness as a
blind college student. For more information about the workshop, please
reach out to Dan Fry at dfry at nfb.org or phone at 410-659-9314, extension
2393.

Along this same line, we are working with blindness VR professionals in the
Federation to develop a standard curriculum for front-line VR professionals
(e.g., VR counselors, rehab techs, TVIs) so that we can begin to shape the
messages they share with potential consumers. When this curriculum is
finalized, I’ll share it with affiliate leaders so that you can help us
market this training to your VR agencies as well.

*Procuring Accessible Software Boutique:*

The National Federation of the Blind is hosting an accessibility boutique
that will cover purchasing accessible software for an organization. Take
advantage of this free opportunity to learn how to navigate the different
software that is available. Register for the Procuring Accessible Software
Boutique
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/accessibility-boutiques/accessibility-boutique-registration>
 today! The boutique is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, August 29, from
2:00-3:30 p.m., eastern, via Zoom.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

   - August 16: Call for affiliate presidents to ask questions about
the Kenneth
   Jernigan Leadership-in-Service Program, 8:00 p.m.
   - August 16: Uber Town Hall #2, 8:30 p.m.
   - August 25: Deadline for submissions for the Kenneth Jernigan
   Leadership-in-Service Program
   - August 31: Deadline for affiliates to request calendars
   <actionfund at actionfund.org>
   - September 14 and 17: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Blind
   Equality Achievement Month)
   - October: 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)
   - July 3-8, 2024: National Convention; Orlando, Florida

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

Mastodon: @President at nfb.social

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.
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