[NFB_of_Georgia] President’s Notebook Week of November 24, 2024

Tue Nov 26 04:04:34 UTC 2024

Dear Federation Family,

Happy Thanksgiving week and much gratitude for all that you do.

As the 118th Congress comes near closing, there are a number of strategic
opportunities for us to push forward in the final minutes. One is to keep
the Access Technology Affordability Act on the radar. The other is to push
hard to get the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act
over the line. Both of these could still become law this year. If each of
us takes some time to make some calls and encourage others to do the same,
we can make this happen.

Thank you in advance for this work. After you take these actions, I hope
that you have a blessed holiday with family and friends. Travel safe and
take many moments to thank those you appreciate.

Critical Actions:*Blind Voters Survey—Final Call:*

Our online Blind Voters Survey is available, and we encourage anyone who
has already voted to complete it so that your experiences, whether positive
or negative, can be documented. Please complete the survey either online or
by phone:

   - Voter Survey for In-Person via web.
   <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VDJGSS8>
   - Voter Survey for Absentee or Mail via web.
   <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VYYJDXT>
   - Voter Survey via phone: call 229-632-7878 or toll-free 833-632-7878.
   Please note that the phone number above provides the survey in an automated
   system and will require the survey to be completed in one session. There is
   an option to pause the survey for five minutes and the pause can be
   extended as needed. Push the pound key for help and the star key exits the
   help menu.
   - Spanish Survey via web: Encuesta de votantes ciegos en español
   <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7J3G7FH>

*Upcoming Presidential Release for Chapters:*

The next National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release chapter
version will be published on Monday, December 2. The chapter version is
intended to be played during each chapter meeting throughout the month. As
a reminder, there will not be a Presidential Release Live in December. Access
the chapter version and live details
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases>.

News:*2025 Washington Seminar Registration:*

For 2025, we are trying something new with regard to the Washington
Seminar. We are asking that all attendees complete a registration form so
that we can keep those who are attending better informed about the events
taking place that week. There is no fee associated with registration for
the Washington Seminar, and the form is quick and easy to complete. It can
be found on our Washington Seminar page
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar> along with
many other helpful pieces of information about the 2025 Washington Seminar.

 *Legislative Alert: Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment
Act:*

On Friday, November 22, we sent out a legislative alert regarding the
inclusion of the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act.
We are coming down to the wire on the 118th Congress and we want to make
sure that we’ve done everything that we possibly can in order to advocate
for our legislative priorities. In this case, we are trying to ensure that
the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA) is
included in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
reauthorization bill that is currently being considered. Right now is a
crucial time for this initiative because Congress wants to pass the WIOA
reauthorization when they return after Thanksgiving. Please urge your
chapter members to follow up regarding the details of the report. If you
need a copy of the alert, please contact Justin Young at jyoung at nfb.org.
Or see attached below.

 *Catch Up on Content and Share on Social Media:*

NEW Publication: As announced in the November Presidential Release, the
National Federation of the Blind has launched a new podcast, *Access On*,
with host Jonathan Mosen, executive director of Accessibility Excellence.
Whether you’re a technology expert or just trying to make sense of it
all, *Access
On* has something for you. Subscribe and listen on your podcast client.

Additionally, catch up on highlights, news, and stories in the most
recent *Braille
Monitor*, *Future Reflections*, and *Nation’s Blind Podcast*. The links
below are National Federation of the Blind publications for you to access
and share with Federationists. These articles and episodes are great to
share on affiliate and division social media to create discussions on
various topics.

   - November* Braille Monitor*
   <https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm24/bm2410/bm2410tc.htm>
   - *Future Reflections, Volume 43 Number 3*
   <https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr43/3/fr4303tc.htm>
   - *Nation’s Blind Podcast*, “Preserving Our Dignity as Blind People"
   <https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast>

*Upcoming Accessibility Boutique for Family and Friends:*

Join the National Federation of the Blind on Tuesday, November 26, 2024,
from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. to learn how to teach a friend or family member
the basics of using a screen reader. We will cover how screen readers
present content, common keyboard shortcuts, helpful training and learning
techniques for screen readers, and more. Register for the November 26
boutique today. <https://nfb.org/form/accessibility-boutique-reg>

*Braille Readers Are Leaders:*

The Braille Readers Are Leaders contest opened registration on November 15,
2024. Registration lasts through the end of the contest, which will be
January 17, 2025. Logging of your reading minutes does not start until
December 2, 2024.

This year we will have the youth, adult, and teachers of blind students
contests. Be sure to complete the first activity as that will give us your
address so that we can send any prizes you win along the way.

Use the Beanstack website or the Beanstack app to log your many minutes of
reading. Have fun and challenge your friends, family members, and
colleagues who read Braille to join you.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

   - February 3, 2025: Great Gathering-In
   - February 3-6, 2025: Washington Seminar
   - July 8-13, 2025: National Convention; New Orleans, Louisiana

Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement

   - Wednesday, February 5
   - Wednesday, May 7
   - Wednesday, August 6
   - Wednesday, November 5

Chapter Presidents Calls

   - Thursday, December 19, and Sunday, December 22
   - Thursday, March 13 and Sunday, March 16
   - Thursday, June 12 and Sunday, June 15
   - Thursday, September 11 and Sunday, September 14
   - Thursday, December 11 and Sunday, December 14

-- 
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. Our collective power, determination,
and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.
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