[NFB_of_Georgia] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 05/08/2023
Dorothy Griffin
dgriffin at nfbga.org
Mon May 8 23:45:41 UTC 2023
Dear Federation Family,
National Convention:
*2023 National Convention Resolutions:*
It seems like we just left New Orleans yesterday, but it’s already that
time of year again. As we really kick into high gear with our convention
preparations, we are asking you, the members of the National Federation of
the Blind, to submit your completed resolutions by emailing them to
resolutions at nfb.org. The deadline for resolution submissions is Thursday,
June 1, 2023, so make sure you start writing as soon as possible.
*Volunteers Still Needed:*
Volunteers are what makes the Independence Market operate smoothly at our
national convention each year. If your affiliate has members planning to be
in Houston this July and willing to serve as demonstrators, storekeepers,
pay-station representatives, and line marshals during all four days the
market is open, we’d be pleased to have their names. The dates for the
market are Sunday, July 2 through Wednesday, July 5. We will be open on
July 2 and 3 for the entire day and July 4 and 5 during the lunch period
only. The market will be open starting Sunday, July 2, through Wednesday,
July 5. The first two days the market is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and
the following two days only during the lunch recess. We like to encourage
folks who are able to volunteer to work one four-hour shift on one of the
long days, and one lunch-time shift. We are certainly flexible with folks
who may not be able to accommodate both days. Any help you can provide
would be greatly appreciated!
*National Association of Blind Veterans:*
The NABV will be providing a grant for up to five first-time veterans to
attend the national convention in Houston this year. The grant will be up
to $750 for veterans who have never attended a national convention. They
can apply by sending an email tomr_president at nabv.org. The grants will be
given on a first-come, first-served basis. The email must contain the
following: name, branch of service, time of service, chapter and state
affiliate, local address, valid phone number, and email address.
*Give $20 and AIRA Matching Gift:*
Each year, thousands of Federation members contribute during national
convention to various funds that support blind people. In 2023, your
generosity is still needed to fund our great programs. When you give $20 or
more between May 1 and July 6 (closing deadline 3:00 p.m., central time),
you will be entered into the Give $20 Convention Drawing to win the
following:
- Round-trip transportation for two for the 2024 NFB National Convention
- Hotel at the convention
- Registration and banquet tickets for two
- $1,000 in walking-around cash
This drawing will be to support the following funds:
- *Kenneth Jernigan Fund:* Funds donated to the Kenneth Jernigan Fund
are designated by our board of directors for special projects such as
getting first-timers to our national convention. The fund is named for Dr.
Jernigan whose contributions to our movement are incalculable.
- *SUN Fund: *These funds are being set aside in the event that they are
needed to support the Federation during difficult times.
- *White Cane Fund: *These dollars go directly to the general treasury
of the Federation.
- *tenBroek Fund:* These dollars go to the tenBroek Memorial Fund, which
owns the property at 200 East Wells in Baltimore for the benefit of blind
people.
Each $20 donation is a chance to win. Your name will be placed in the
drawing for each increment of $20 you give. Give $100 and you will be
entered into the drawing five times.
You must specify a fund in order to be entered into the drawing.. Choose
one of the following funds: Kenneth Jernigan Fund, SUN Fund, White Cane
Fund, or the tenBroek Fund. Your contribution will be counted for the
drawing regardless of which fund you designate.
- Give online now
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=45>
- Give via phone by calling our donation line at 410-659-9314, extension
2430
- Send a check to National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute,
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230. Be sure to have #Give20 and the
fund you are giving to in the memo. If you are not sure please choose the
White Cane Fund as it affords the greatest flexibility.
The winner of the drawing will be announced July 6 at the banquet. *Note:
The drawing is for individuals and is not intended for contributions by
divisions, state affiliates, or chapters.*
Aira has generously issued a challenge grant. Aira will match up to $25,000
during our Give $20 campaign.
· Aira has generously offered to double your dollars by matching up
to $25,000.
· We look for synergies with our partners and the National Federation
of the Blind and AIRA, the leading provider of visual interpreting, are
both focused on access to information.
News:*Traveling by Air with Guide Dogs:*
Lizzie Schoen, a member of the National Federation of the Blind, was
recently denied flying on JetBlue because she was traveling with a guide
dog. We know that other blind travelers have experienced similar
discrimination. Recently, Al Elia and Lizzie Schoen, along with members of
our government affairs group, met with senior officials at the US
Department of Transportation to brief them on these issues. If you have
experienced discrimination on airlines while traveling with guide dogs,
please contact Al Elia at aelia at nagdu.org, and be sure to immediately file
a complaint with the Department of Transportation by visiting
transportation.gov/airconsumer/file-consumer-complaint
<https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/file-consumer-complaint>.
*Access Technology Affordability Act:*
The Access Technology Affordability Act was reintroduced in the Senate on
Thursday, May 4, by Senator Ben Cardin (Maryland), with Senators John
Boozman (Arkansas), Ron Wyden (Oregon), and Todd Young (Indiana) as
cosponsors. As a reminder, the bill will create a $2,000 refundable tax
credit to help cover the cost of qualified access technology. We anticipate
that the House version of the bill will also be introduced very soon, but
in the meantime please be sure to call your Senators to ask them to
cosponsor the Access Technology Affordability Act (S. 1467).
*May Presidential Release Chapter Version Available:*
The National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release #527 chapter
version
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases> is
available. Additional formats coming soon. Please mark your calendars for
the next Presidential Release scheduled for May 31, 2023, at 8 p.m.,
eastern.
*Save the Date: 2023 Global Accessibility Awareness Day Is May 18:*
Join the National Federation of the Blind and the US Access Board 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. Register for the #GAAD Section 508 Webinar Zoom details.
<https://nfb.org/form/gaad-section-508-webinar>
*Encourage Non-Members to Attend the Introduction to the Organized Blind
Movement:*
Share the following opportunity for non-members to attend the upcoming
Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement, formerly known as our Open
House Gathering calls, scheduled for May 10 at 8:00 p.m., eastern, to learn
about what it means to become a member of the National Federation of the
Blind. During the one-hour-long open house, hear from active members and
leaders on the myths and uncertainties of the Federation. We will discuss
membership, philosophy, and purpose. Non-members can contact us at
membership at nfb.org, or call 410-659-9314, extension 2401. Introduction to
the Organized Blind Movement Zoom ID: 954 045 8112
<https://zoom.us/j/9540458112>
*USA Hire:*
We are gathering feedback on the Federal government’s use of an assessment
tool called USA Hire. This tool consists of a series of timed assessments
that are administered as part of the Federal government’s employment
application process. It is similar to the civil service exam (prior to its
discontinuation due to discrimination in 1981) in that it attempts to
measure reasoning and analytical skills. USA Hire assessments are applied
to some but not all job applications posted on USAJobs. The purpose of the
assessments is to evaluate an applicant’s “general competencies and soft
skills.”
We are seeking information from those who have experienced challenges with
USA Hire in the following areas:
- accessibility of the platform using assistive technology
- insufficient amount of time for the timed assessments
- difficulty with logic games and vision-centered questions
- difficulty requesting and receiving reasonable accommodations
- obstacles related to the requirement to produce medical documentation
for a reasonable accommodation within the OPM-prescribed deadline (three
calendar days)
- obstacles related to the requirement to produce medical documentation
from only OPM-approved sources (ophthalmologist, etc.)
- other areas of difficulty
We are asking those who have experienced any of the challenges referenced
to contact our advocacy and legal group at Legal at nfb.org or by calling
410-659-9314, extension 2440.
*Share Braille:*
The first portion of our Share Braille project is complete. The
contemporary Olivero theme has been launched, the website has a new look,
and the layout is easy to follow. We will be adding new elements throughout
the year.
Share Braille is a great place to get Braille and Braille/print books that
you may be looking for, have had in the past and would like to have again,
or if you are learning Braille and would like to have some books to help
you do that. There are books in every genre, age range, and reading level.
Why not give it a try today? Just go to www.sharebraille.org and create
your account. All of the books are free and yours to keep.
Dates to Keep in Mind:
(all times eastern)
- 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; 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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