[NFB_of_Georgia] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 03/24/2025

Mon Apr 7 23:23:27 UTC 2025

Good Day, Madam President,

 Thank you for this vital information, and have a great day!

Kind regards,

Duane Hale

On Fri, Mar 28, 2025 at 11:40 PM Dorothy Griffin <dgriffin at nfbga.org> wrote:

> *Dear Federation Family,*
>
> *** Please share with your members that may not be on this listserv.
> Please take note of Action Requests on Legislation.*
>
>
> *Critical Actions:*
>
> *Urgent: Sharing Concerns about the Social Security Administration:*
>
> Recent actions to dramatically reduce the workforce and field offices at
> the Social Security Administration threaten the responsiveness of the
> agency to process claims by blind people who are eligible for SSI and SSDI.
> Please encourage all blind people facing difficulty in getting a response
> from SSA regarding their application for benefits or their existing
> benefits to reach out to Jesse Shirek, so we can collect data on the scale
> of the problem. Jesse can be reached at jshirek at nfb.org or 410-659-9314,
> extension 2348
>
>
> *Mark Your Calendar: Presidential Release Live on April *
>
> The next Presidential Release Live will be Tuesday, April 1, at 8:00
> p.m., Eastern. Zoom details are below. Attend to get the latest updates on
> the movement, ask questions, and hear important perspectives on the
> organized blind movement. Submit questions to communications at nfb.org.
>
>
>
> Note: The Presidential Release Chapter Recording
> <https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases> will
> be available on Friday, April 4, 2025.
>
>  Presidential Release Live Zoom:
>
> https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/92050902984
> <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=38039&qid=11113012>
>
> One Tap Mobile: +13017158592,,92050902984#
>
> Zoom ID: 920 5090 2984
>
>
> *News:*
>
> *Submit Nominations for the 2025 Bolotin Awards:*
>
> We are accepting nominations of individuals or organizations who are
> positive forces in the lives of blind people and help us transform dreams
> into reality. Each application must include a letter of recommendation. Learn
> more and submit a nomination for the 2025 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards
> <https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards>
> .
>
>
>
> *Opportunity for First-Time National Convention Attendees: *
>
> The Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship provides funding support to
> National Federation of the Blind members who want to attend the national
> convention in person for the first time. Applications close April 15. Learn
> more about the Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship
> <https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship>
> .
>
>
>
>
>
> *Assist NFB-NEWSLINE® with Beta Testing:*
>
> NFB-NEWSLINE would like to ask our subscribers to volunteer some time to
> assist us with beta testing of two new and exciting projects that we have
> been working on: the Android version of NFB-NEWSLINE Mobile and our new,
> improved, touch-tone-telephone-access method.
>
>
>
> Android phone users are invited to apply to test the new NFB-NEWSLINE app
> for Android. Testers will access the NFB-NEWSLINE mobile phone application
> and perform the various functions of downloading, navigating, and adding
> content from the service. If you are interested in this opportunity, please
> email Jack Mendez at jmendez at nfb.org for an application.
>
>
>
> The second opportunity invites subscribers who access NFB-NEWSLINE via
> touch-tone phone to apply to evaluate a new phone system we have been
> working on to provide our subscribers with an improved call experience. You
> will have an opportunity to try out the new voices of Sophie and Mark that
> were added to the Amazon Alexa skill earlier this year. To apply, contact
> Scott White at swhite at nfb.org.
>
>
>
>
>
> *Letter to Protect the Funding for the Institute of Museum and Library
> Services:*
>
> On March 14, the White House issued an executive order to eliminate the
> Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). On March 19, we sent a letter
> to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Appropriations
> Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related
> Agencies
> <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/letter-chairs-and-ranking-members-house-and-senate>
>  to urge them ensure the funding for certain programs administered
> through the IMLS, most importantly, the state libraries for the blind and
> print disabled. The full letter can be read on our Policy Statements page
> <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements>.
>
>
>
>  *Access Technology Affordability Act:*
>
> Momentum for the Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 1529) in the
> 119th Congress continues to build. Just last week we gained three new
> cosponsors: Representatives Linda Sánchez and Jimmy Panetta from
> California, and Representative Marc Veasey from Texas. This brings our
> total number of cosponsors up to ten. This is great progress for the first
> month of the bill, but we need to keep pushing in order to build enough
> support for the ATAA to be included in the upcoming tax package, so keep
> calling and emailing your representatives in the House!
>
>
> *Letter to Protect the Funding for the Institute of Museum and Library
> Services:*
>
> On March 14, the White House issued an executive order to eliminate the
> Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). On March 19, we sent a letter
> to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Appropriations
> Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related
> Agencies
> <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/letter-chairs-and-ranking-members-house-and-senate>
>  to urge them ensure the funding for certain programs administered
> through the IMLS, most importantly, the state libraries for the blind and
> print disabled. The full letter can be read on our Policy Statements page
> <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements>.
>
>
>
>  *Access Technology Affordability Act:*
>
> Momentum for the Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 1529) in the
> 119th Congress continues to build. Just last week we gained three new
> cosponsors: Representatives Linda Sánchez and Jimmy Panetta from
> California, and Representative Marc Veasey from Texas. This brings our
> total number of cosponsors up to ten. This is great progress for the first
> month of the bill, but we need to keep pushing in order to build enough
> support for the ATAA to be included in the upcoming tax package, so keep
> calling and emailing your representatives in the House!
>
>
>
> *Texas v. Kennedy State Resolution:*
>
> Earlier this month, we sent out a proposed state resolution regarding the
> Texas v. Kennedy case, which threatens to eliminate our protections under
> Section 504 of the Rehab Act. So far, we are aware of two state affiliates
> that have passed this resolution: Alabama and Mississippi. If your state
> affiliate has also passed the resolution, please let us know by emailing
> Kyle Walls at kwalls at nfb.org.
>
>
>
> *Summer Programs for Blind Students:*
>
> We are offering two exciting programs for blind and low-vision students
> this summer: NFB STEM2U and NFB *BELL® Academy.* This year’s STEM2U,
> themed "Excel, Explore, Experiment," helps students master the scientific
> method through hands-on STEM activities. This year’s NFB
>
> BELL Academy celebrates two hundred years of Braille by enhancing Braille
> literacy in an immersive, fun environment. Both programs spark curiosity,
> foster independence, and set students up for future success. Families can
> visit our website at https://nfb.org/programs-services/education to
> register.
>
>
>
> *Read Our Latest Press Releases:*
>
>    - National Federation of the Blind and Blind Students Sue West
>    Virginia University for Discrimination
>    <https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-and-blind-students-sue-west-virginia-university>
>    - National Federation of the Blind Comments on Reduction in Force at
>    Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights
>    <https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-comments-reduction-force-department-education-office>
>
>
>
> *Dates to Keep in Mind:*
>
> (all times eastern)
>
>    - April 15: Deadline for applications for the Kenneth Jernigan
>    Convention Scholarship
>    <https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship>
>    .
>    - April 15: Deadline for applications for the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award
>    <https://nfb.org/bolotin>.
>    - May 1: Deadline for applications for the Blind Educator of the Year
>    Award
>    <https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/blind-educator-year-award>
>    .
>    - May 1: Deadline for applications for the Distinguished Educator of
>    Blind Students Award
>    <https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award>
>    .
>    - May 16-17: Diabetes Action Network; Baltimore, Maryland;
>    registration coming soon.
>    - July 8-13: National Convention; New Orleans, Louisiana
>
>
>
> Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement
>
>    - Wednesday, May 7
>    - Wednesday, August 6
>    - Wednesday, November 5
>
>
>
> Chapter Presidents Calls
>
>    - Thursday, June 12 and Sunday, June 15
>    - Thursday, September 11 and Sunday, September 14
>    - Thursday, December 11 and Sunday, December 14
>
>
>
> The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and
> all blind people in the United States. We know 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.
>
>
>
> Mark A. Riccobono, President
> National Federation of the Blind
> 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
> 410-659-9314 | Officeofthepresident at nfb.org
>
> Please engage with me through Riccobono Personal AI
> <https://riccobono.personal.ai/messaging/profile>
> Mastodon: @President at nfb.social
> 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. Our collective power, determination,
> and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.
>
>
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