<div dir="ltr"><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Dear Federation Family,<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt"> </span><br></p><h2 style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Critical Actions:<u></u><u></u></span></h2><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>NFB.org Website Maintenance this Weekend:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Please note that<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://nfb.org" target="_blank">nfb.org</a><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>and subdomains of<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://nfb.org" target="_blank">nfb.org</a><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>will be undergoing a scheduled maintenance and upgrade to Drupal 9 Saturday, August 20, and Saturday, August 27. If there is content you need for a weekend chapter meeting, it may be helpful to download prior to Saturday. Thank you for your understanding.</span><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><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>Prospective Member Open House:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The National Federation of the Blind invites blind people to an open house for prospective members on August 31 from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m., eastern, via Zoom. Please recommend this opportunity to those who have questions about who we are, our philosophy, and how to join. Please email<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="mailto:membership@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">membership@nfb.org</span></a><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>to sign up.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>Host the October<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Presidential Release</i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>LIVE:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">President Riccobono is taking his monthly message on the road. By chapter, affiliate, or even region, submit a brief proposal to have the October<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Presidential Release</i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>broadcasted live in your area. We will come to you! Submit your pitch:<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">In addition to letting us know why it would be important to your chapter or group for us to come to you, please be sure to include the following logistical details.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">•    Who – Who will be organizing the release? Will it be your chapter, affiliate, group of chapters or affiliate divisions?<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">•    Where – Would the release be hosted at a community center, restaurant, gym, or at a different sort of location?<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">•    What – What are some unique stories or reasons that set your group apart from the rest?<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Remember that this opportunity is available to all chapters and affiliates no matter the size of the group or where you’re located. Send in your pitches to<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="mailto:membership@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">membership@nfb.org</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>no later than Sunday, August 28. We will announce the site on the September release.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="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"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><h2 style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">News:<u></u><u></u></span></h2><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>Center for Employment Opportunities:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="gmail-m_-2585778108609080176xmsonormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Please join us on Friday, September 9, at 8:00 p.m., eastern, for the next in our<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Where the Blind Work</i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>webinar series, highlighting blind workers in blue-collar jobs in our upcoming segment. Remember that we are always looking for a range of blind people working in all sorts of interesting jobs and careers. If you have suggestions, please contact Maurice Peret, coordinator of career mentoring and employment programs, at<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="mailto:mperet@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">mperet@nfb.org</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>or at 410-659-9314, extension 2350.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="gmail-m_-2585778108609080176MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="gmail-m_-2585778108609080176MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>Self-Employment Opportunities—From Getting Started to Securing the Funds:</b><b><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:23px"><u></u><u></u></span></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The National Federation of the Blind works to bridge the gaps leading to unemployment and underemployment among the nation’s blind through our Center for Employment Opportunities initiative. And this year, we were a founding ambassador in the global launch of SmartJob, LLC. As part of that partnership, we are excited to share the following August business opportunities through Include, LLC. There are two upcoming learning tracks. Track 1:<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>From Idea to Business</i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>is a webinar series to focus on the process of how to evaluate whether your idea is ready to become a business and how to make it happen. Track 2: Raising Venture Capital is a one-on-one coaching program regarding the process of fundraising. The registration and application deadline is approaching. Learn more at<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://www.includellc.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">https://www.includellc.org/</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b><i>Mosen At Large Podcast</i></b><b><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>Episode 191 with President Riccobono:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Hosted by Jonathan Mosen,<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Mosen At Large</i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>is the “global podcast that’s got the blind community talking.â€<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://mosen.org/episode-191-national-federation-of-the-blind-president-mark-riccobono/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Listen to the<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Mosen At Large</i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>episode that features President Riccobono where they cover many topics from membership, advocacy, and philosophy today</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt">Accessibility of Federal Technology and Websites:</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">On Thursday, August 11, Senate Aging Committee Chairman Bob Casey (Pennsylvania) sent a letter requesting a Government Accountability Office investigation into the accessibility of federal technology, including websites, for people with disabilities. Additional signatories on the letter include Senators Patty Murray (Washington), Richard Burr (North Carolina), Kirsten Gillibrand (New York), and Mike Braun (Indiana). We believe this letter is in response to the recent hearing on this topic, at which Anil Lewis testified in person. You can read<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/anil-lewiss-testimony-senate-special-committee-aging" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Anil’s testimony</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>on the<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Policy Statements page</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>of our website.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>Federation Comments on the Findings for the 2022 Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act Biennial Report:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">On Monday, August 8, we submitted comments in response to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) tentative findings for the 2022 Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act Biennial Report to Congress. The<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/national-federation-blind-comments-tentative-findings" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">full text of our comments to the FCC</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>can be read on the Policy Statements page of our website.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14pt">Dates to Keep in Mind:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;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="gmail-m_-2585778108609080176MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">August 31: Deadline for affiliates to request Action Fund Braille calendars<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="gmail-m_-2585778108609080176MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">September 1: Presidential Release<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="gmail-m_-2585778108609080176MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">January 30, 2023: Great Gathering-In<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="gmail-m_-2585778108609080176MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">March 23, 2023: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="gmail-m_-2585778108609080176MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><a name="m_-2585778108609080176__Hlk111453702"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">July 1-6, 2023: National Convention; Houston, Texas<u></u><u></u></span></a></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;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.</span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Mark A. Riccobono, President<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">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></p><p class="MsoNormal">Twitter: @Riccobono<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Pronouns: he, him, his<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://nfb.org/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="210" height="76" id="gmail-m_-2585778108609080176_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><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">                        <span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="24" height="24" id="gmail-m_-2585778108609080176_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>    <a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="24" height="24" id="gmail-m_-2585778108609080176_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>    <a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="24" height="24" id="gmail-m_-2585778108609080176_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><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> </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>