<div dir="ltr"><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Dear Federation Family,<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Although February 2022 still has us mostly physically distanced from each other, I am really excited about the level of activity and advocacy happening throughout the movement. I am also increasingly excited about our first in-person convention since 2019. However, we have a long way to go before we get there.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> </span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">While we are all pointed towards our legislative agenda and the work of our Washington Seminar in the next week, please note a number of other important notes below. Also, six more weeks of winter, so might as well buckle down on Federation advocacy as spring is not quite here. Forward to Capitol Hill!<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;line-height:23px"><a name="m_-1806388438793554831__Hlk94685784"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> </span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Critical Actions:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">2022 Washington Seminar:</span></b><b><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">With the start of the 2022 Washington Seminar just a few days away, we are putting the final touches on all of our preparations. Even though this year’s event will be virtual, we still want to make sure you have the best tools available when you meet with your member of Congress. This is why we plan to post an audio-recorded, issues-training session and mock meeting on the<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">Washington Seminar Page</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">, which is where you can find plenty of other helpful information regarding the 2022 Washington Seminar.</span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Take Your At-Home COVID-19 Test with Aira, Sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind:</span></b><b><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The National Federation of the Blind is committed to providing at-home COVID testing solutions and holding the government accountable for making these tests accessible. As part of that commitment, we are sponsoring the use of Aira for any blind person in the United States taking an at-home COVID-19 test. If you are not already an Aira Explorer, you can set up a free account and then use the visual interpreter service to complete COVID-19 at-home tests. As part of the promotion, you’ll be asked a few questions that will help provide important data for our at-home test accessibility efforts. For more information on this promotion and our overall at-home testing efforts, visit<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://nfb.org/covidtests" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">http://nfb.org/covidtests</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">. We will continue to update this page so check back often.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">News:<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></b><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Civil Rights Museum Planning:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The National Federation of the Blind has begun the initial planning of a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to the civil rights struggle of blind Americans, including the history of our organization as the leader in the blind civil rights movement. Our museum will highlight the struggles, triumphs, and challenges blind people have experienced and the contributions we have made as we continue to secure our place in the world as fully participating citizens.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">You can help with the planning of our museum by completing our online or telephone survey. The online survey can be accessed by<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1byRFNrP1741YzcukC0pcG3s4_1ufxpRuPTGXAM_q-JE/viewform?edit_requested=true" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">from our website</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">, or by calling<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color:black">229-632-7878 or toll-free 833-632-7878</span>. The survey closes on February 11, so please provide us your thoughts and suggestions as soon as possible.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Is Your State Financial Information Submitted?<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Thank you to the following affiliates that have provided our fiscal services team with all of their 2021 financial information: NFB of Alabama, NFB of Connecticut, NFB of Delaware, NFB of Florida, NFB of Georgia, NFB of Idaho, NFB of Indiana, NFB of Iowa, NFB of Kentucky, NFB of Maine, NFB of Minnesota, NFB of Missouri, NFB of Montana, NFB of Nebraska, NFB of Nevada, NFB of New Mexico, NFB of North Carolina, NFB of Oregon, NFB of Pennsylvania, NFB of Puerto Rico, NFB of Rhode Island, NFB of South Dakota, NFB of Virginia, NFB of Washington, NFB of Wisconsin.</span><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Apply for 2022 Bolotin Awards:<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The National Federation of the Blind is accepting nominations of individuals or organizations who are a positive force in the lives of blind people and help us transform dreams into reality. Each application must include a letter of recommendation.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">Learn more and submit a nomination for the 2022 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">February<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Braille Monitor</i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>Available:<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">The latest issue of the National Federation of the Blind flagship publication is now available. Read about raising expectations every day, our Code of Conduct, determination to achieve excellence, history of the KNFB Reader, a call for change, and many stories from members.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm22/bm2202/bm2202tc.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">Access the<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Braille Monitor</i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>now.</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">February Presidential Release Available:<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">The<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">February Presidential Release is available</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>and additional formats will be added by Friday, February 4, to be used at chapter meetings.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Lyft Denials Due to Service Animals:</span></b><b><span style="font-size:13pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The NFB and NAGDU continue to gather stories in video format from individuals who were denied rides because of their service animals by Lyft drivers between January 24-30. If you travel with a service animal and were denied a ride by Lyft during those dates, please visit<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://forms.gle/jLY8NiL7G6GgbrHS6" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">NAGDU’s webform</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">. If you have experienced discrimination by Lyft drivers anytime other than last week, or for any reason other than traveling with a service animal, or if you have experienced discrimination by Uber drivers, please take a moment to complete<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/rideshare-discrimination-survey" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">NFB’s rideshare discrimination survey</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Dates to Keep in Mind:<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">(all times eastern)<u></u><u></u></span></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">February 6: Affiliate and Division Presidents Meeting, 1:00 p.m.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">February 7: Great Gathering-In, 5:00 p.m.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">February 7-10:<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">Washington Seminar</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">March 1: Presidential Release, 8:00 p.m.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">March 31: Deadline to submit<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://nfb.org/scholarships" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">scholarship application</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">April 15: Deadline for the<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award nominations</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">July 5-10: National Convention, New Orleans<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">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.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Mark A. Riccobono, President<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">410-659-9314 |<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:Officeofthepresident@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">Officeofthepresident@nfb.org</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Twitter: @Riccobono<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Pronouns: he, him, his<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://nfb.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="210" height="76" id="gmail-m_-1806388438793554831_x0000_i1028" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/nfblogo.png" alt="National Federation of the Blind" class="gmail-CToWUd" style="width: 2.1886in; height: 0.7924in;"></span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">                        <span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="24" height="24" id="gmail-m_-1806388438793554831_x0000_i1027" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/facebook.png" alt="Facebook" class="gmail-CToWUd" style="width: 0.2452in; height: 0.2452in;"></span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">    </span><a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="24" height="24" id="gmail-m_-1806388438793554831_x0000_i1026" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/twitter.png" alt="Twitter" class="gmail-CToWUd" style="width: 0.2452in; height: 0.2452in;"></span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">    </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="24" height="24" id="gmail-m_-1806388438793554831_x0000_i1025" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/youtube.png" alt="Youtube" class="gmail-CToWUd" style="width: 0.2452in; height: 0.2452in;"></span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">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.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> </span></p></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr">Dorothy Griffin - President <div>National Federation of the Blind of Georgia</div><div><a href="mailto:dgriffin@nfbga.org" target="_blank">dgriffin@nfbga.org</a></div><div>770-374-4832</div><div><br></div><div><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:14px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial"><span>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.</span></p></div><div><span><br></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>