[NFB_of_Georgia] NFB President's Notebook March 17, 2026

Fri May 8 16:41:04 UTC 2026

hello dorothy check this out, let me know what you think

al: NFB of Georgia Community Help Desk

Dear Board Members,

I would like to present an idea that I believe can make a real difference
in the lives of our members across Georgia. I am proposing the creation of
an *NFB of Georgia Community Help Desk*. This initiative would operate
twice each month to provide direct support for blind and visually impaired
members as they navigate resources, paperwork, and transportation.

Many in our community face significant hurdles when dealing with complex
online applications, locating local services, or managing transportation
systems. Sometimes, what a member needs most is simply guidance from
someone who truly understands their situation. This Help Desk would provide
that practical assistance while strengthening the sense of community and
mutual support that defines our organization.

*The Help Desk would focus on:*

   -

   *Form & Application Assistance:* Helping members complete necessary
   paperwork and online forms.
   -

   *Resource Connections:* Linking members with housing, healthcare, food,
   utility, and disability resources.
   -

   *Transportation Guidance:* Providing information on local paratransit
   and other transit services.
   -

   *Technology Navigation:* Assisting with the digital hurdles of modern
   applications.
   -

   *Senior & Community Support:* Helping members locate specific programs
   tailored to seniors and community needs.

I envision this operating twice a month through phone support, virtual
appointments, and limited in-person assistance where possible. The team
could consist of NFB members, college interns, retired professionals, and
community supporters dedicated to our mission.

My goal is to keep this program simple, effective, and community-driven.
Funding could be handled primarily through voluntary donations from members
and supporters. Even small monthly contributions would go a long way in
covering basic operational costs like outreach materials, phone services,
and printing.

*I believe this program will:*

   -

   Increase member engagement and outreach.
   -

   Provide vital support to seniors and the newly blind.
   -

   Promote independence, dignity, and opportunity.
   -

   Expand the visibility and impact of the NFB of Georgia.

This Help Desk reflects the heart of what we do: helping blind individuals
live fuller, more independent lives. Thank you for your time and for
considering this proposal. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss
this further and perhaps develop a pilot program for implementation.

Sincerely,

Richard Miller

On Tue, Mar 17, 2026 at 10:59 PM Dorothy Griffin via NFB_of_Georgia <
nfb_of_georgia at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Dear Federation Family,
>
> Happy St. Patrick's Day!
> *Main Convention Hotel Booked: Overflow Hotels Available:*
>
> Our national convention in Austin is clearly going to be popular. Our room
> block at the JW Marriott Austin is already completely booked. The good news
> is that there are room blocks with plenty of space at several nearby
> hotels, including the nearby, and recently opened, Austin Marriott
> Downtown. The hotels are all within a couple blocks’ walk to the JW
> Marriott. Visit our Prepare for National Convention webpage
> <https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention-prep> to explore your
> options. Our 2026 Convention hotel rate is $139 per night for singles and
> doubles. Triples and quads are available for $155 per night. Sales tax and
> a tourism fee total a combined 19.7 percent. You may call 800-627-7468 to
> book your room at the Austin Marriott Downtown. Specify our room block
> code, BL1, to ensure you receive our convention room rate.
>
>
> *News and Events:**March Presidential Release Is Available:*
>
> The March Presidential Release Live, chapter recording, and transcripts
> <https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases> are
> available. Please share the chapter recording as part of your chapter
> meeting agenda and discuss it among members. The next chapter release will
> be available by March 29.
> *New NFB Song Available for Download:*
>
> The National Federation of the Blind song, “Who Are We? NFB,” by The
> Litigators is now available to listen to or download on the NFB songs
> webpage
> <https://nfb.org/resources/jacobus-tenbroek-library/collections/nfb-songs>
>  or on your favorite music platform.
>
>
> *March Braille Monitor:*
>
> Read the March issue of the *Braille Monitor*, our flagship publication
> and the magazine of the organized blind movement. Access *Braille Monitor*
>  Vol 69 No 3 March 2026
> <https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm26/bm2603/bm2603tc.htm>
>
>
> *Future Reflections**:*
>
> Read the latest *Future Reflections*, a quarterly magazine for parents
> and teachers of blind children that offers stories, resources, and
> information. Access *Future Reflections* Volume 45 Number 1 Winter 2026
> <https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr45/1/fr4501tc.htm>
>
>
> *Nation’s Blind Podcast: *
>
> Listen to the latest episode of the *Nation's Blind Podcast* titled, "We
> Can Have Our Pi and STEM, Too." In this episode, Melissa and Anil are
> joined by Ashleigh Moon, our STEM2U coordinator. They celebrate Pi Day and
> discuss accessible ways for blind students and blind adults to practice
> STEM. Subscribe to the *Nation’s Blind Podcast* wherever you get
> podcasts, or download this episode at
> https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/x8k92ksm9xt8vj4b/STEM_episode_Edited60zhc.m4a.
>
>
>
> *Access On **Podcast:*
>
> Tune into episode 66 of *Access On*, which is devoted to NVDA, the
> open-source screen reader for Windows from NV Access. We welcome Mick
> Curran, who came up with the idea of NVDA and started developing it twenty
> years ago. We’re also joined by Gerald Hartig and Quentin Christensen for a
> wide-ranging discussion about NVDA’s past, present, future, philosophy, and
> user experience.
> Subscribe to *Access On* wherever you get podcasts, or download the MP3
> of this week’s episode at https://buff.ly/y9Se1rQ.
>
>
>
> *Walking Alone and Marching Together **Podcast:*
>
> Tune into episode twenty of our *Walking Alone and Marching Together* podcast
> entitled, "Episode 20: Chapter 6 - Restoration, The Beginning Years of the
> Second Jernigan Presidency, Part 3." Listen at*https://buff.ly/cCJGZgg*
> <https://buff.ly/cCJGZgg?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEyN3AxakJTR1A2NGlVaDRGeXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6HlrJbA-qCXtAgbMT62yKICPLKYs5KYi_GIjUGM65h_jfhrky56uM5MTf_Ww_aem_FDiA2p03NfLLxTkveC9qYQ>
>  or on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or on Amazon Music.
> *Dates to Keep in Mind:*
>
>    - 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, May 6
>    - Wednesday, August 5
>    - Wednesday, November 4
>
>
>
> Chapter Presidents Calls
>
>    - 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.
>
>
>
> --
> 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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> NFB_of_Georgia at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb_of_georgia_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NFB_of_Georgia:
>
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>
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