[NFB_of_Georgia] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 12/16/2025

Wed Dec 17 06:15:18 UTC 2025

President’s NotebookNational Federation of the BlindMark A. Riccobono
officeofthepresident at nfb.org410-659-9314

Please share with members that are not on the Georgia Listserv.

Dear Federation Family,

I want to wish you a joyous, safe, and relaxing holiday season.

News:*Scholarship Program Application Open:*The National Federation of the
Blind is now accepting applications for the 2026 scholarship program. This
year, each scholarship winner will receive $10,000 to support their
educational and professional goals. Students can now apply for the 2026
scholarship program.
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program>
 The application deadline is March 31, 2026. *Museum of the Blind People’s
Movement Press Conference:*

On Friday, December 5, the Jernigan Institute hosted a press conference
inside our Jacobus tenBroek Library
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPjZSmJeass> announcing the introduction
of the National Musuem of the Blind People’s Movement Act (H.R. 6467/S.
3371). When passed, the bill will designate our forthcoming Museum of the
Blind People’s Movement as the National Museum of the Blind People’s
Movement. I was the leadoff speaker at the press conference and was proud
to welcome and introduce US Representative Kweisi Mfume (MD-7) and US
Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD), both of whom are the sponsors of the bill in
their respective chambers of Congress, as well as our very own Ever Lee
Hairston. There were approximately one hundred people in attendance,
including our board of directors, staff, and a few local news outlets.

Copy & Paste Content for Sharing:

The following content contains information to share in your affiliate
communications—simply copy and paste to your affiliate’s social media,
newsletters, and direct communications, as needed.
*Independence Market Holiday Hours:*

Please note that the Independence Market will be closed for calls on the
days of December 24, 25, and 26. The market will also be closed starting at
12:00 noon, Eastern, on Wednesday, December 31 and all day on January 1 and
2. Our Independence Market ecommerce site will still be open during these
times, but orders may take a little longer to process, so please be patient.

 *Update on Recurring Donation Processing:*Several weeks ago, we announced
a change to how we are processing recurring monthly donations. Though we
thought we would be processing at this point, we are still working with our
vendors to make sure there are no issues. As soon as we can, hopefully this
week, we will start processing December contributions and then catch up on
November PAC contributions. If you do not want us to process your November
contribution, please send an email to PAC at nfb.org with your name and
direction to not process November's PAC transaction. We appreciate your
patience as we work through unforeseen challenges. Please contact Bridgid
Burke at bburke at nfb.org or 410-659-9314, extension 2271, with any questions
or concerns.  *From the President’s Desk: The Federation Shares Pressing
Concerns with Vispero’s CEO:*

In an article in the upcoming *Braille Monitor*
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor/early-access-articles/presidents-desk-federation>,
I released my recent correspondence with Vispero’s new CEO regarding urgent
member concerns about changes to the company’s access technology products
and policies.

*National Museum of the Blind People’s Movement Legislative Alert:*

Just this past Sunday, December 14, we sent out a legislative alert
regarding the National Museum of the Blind People’s Movement Act
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-priorities/legislative-alerts/pass-national-museum-blind>
 (H.R. 6467/S. 3371). The purpose of this legislative alert is to create a
surge in cosponsor support for the bill so that it can ultimately be passed
and signed into law and our museum will have the national recognition that
it deserves. Please be sure to contact your senators and representative and
ask them to cosponsor the National Museum of the Blind People’s Movement
Act (H.R. 6467/S. 3371)!

*Latest Podcast Episodes:*

Tune into our new episode of the *Nation’s Blind Podcast*
<https://podcasts7m.podbean.com/e/communicating-with-blind-people-what-sighted-people-should-know/>
 where Melissa and Anil are joined by board members Marilyn Green and Tracy
Soforenko. They share interesting and sometimes surprising social
interactions that they’ve had with sighted people while traveling, hanging
out with friends, and even while spending time with family members,
especially during the holidays. They also discuss the best ways that
sighted people should communicate with blind people.

Listen to episode seven of our *Walking Alone and Marching Together* podcast
entitled “Episode 7: Chapter 4 - Democracy in Transition: The Second
Generation, Part 1
<https://walkingaloneandmarchingtogether.podbean.com/e/episode-7-chapter-4-democracy-in-transition-the-second-generation-part-1/>
.”

Episode 55 of *Access On* <https://buff.ly/DnyeSos> is now available.
Jonathan discusses Zoom’s accessibility journey with Samuel Greene, product
manager for Zoom North America. He also talks to our new accessibility
excellence advocate for home and independent living, Ron Miller. Ron
outlines his history in access technology and discusses the difference we
can all make together to improve accessibility.

Reminders:*Braille Readers Are Leaders:*

Registration for the Braille Readers Are Leaders contest will last through
the end of the contest on January 16. This year, we will have the youth,
adult, and teachers of blind students contests. You will want to complete
the first activity, as that will give us your address so that we can send
any prizes you win along the way. Completing other activities will earn you
badges of honor. Use the Beanstack website or the Beanstack app to log your
reading minutes each day. Have fun and challenge your friends, family
members, and colleagues who read Braille to join you.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

   - January 26-29, 2026: Washington Seminar
   - July 3-8, 2026: National Convention; Austin, Texas
   - July 2-7, 2027: National Convention; Austin, Texas
   - July 3-8, 2028: National Convention; Chicago, Illinois
   - July 2-7, 2029: National Convention; Chicago, Illinois

Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement Calls

   - Wednesday, February 4
   - Wednesday, May 6
   - Wednesday, August 5
   - Wednesday, November 4

Chapter Presidents Calls

   - Thursday March 12 and Sunday March 15
   - Thursday, June 11 and Sunday, June 14
   - Thursday, September 10 and Sunday, September 13
   - Thursday, December 10 and Sunday, December 13

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/>

-- 
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.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfb_of_georgia_nfbnet.org/attachments/20251217/8774fe3d/attachment.htm>