<div dir="ltr"><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt">Dear Federation Family,</span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal"><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><h2 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Critical Actions:<u></u><u></u></h2><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>Mark Your Calendar for a Strategic Survey:<u></u><u></u></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 is working on our strategic planning for the organization. An important survey to gather data will be launched from September 19 through 25. This is a short window, but the data is valuable to the process. We want to hear from you. Thank you for helping with this process. Mark your calendar to be on the watch for the survey during that time.<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:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">News:<u></u><u></u></h2><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>September Presidential Release Recording Available:</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"><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The Presidential Release #519 recording for chapters is available</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>to share with chapter presidents to use during their September chapter meetings. Transcripts are also available. The next Presidential Release LIVE will be October 1.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="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><i>Nation’s Blind Podcast</i></b><b><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>Episode: Meet Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Winner Caroline Karbowski:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The latest<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Nation’s Blind Podcast</i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>episode features an interview with Caroline Karbowski, who received one of the 2022 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards at the national convention in New Orleans. She is the founder of See3D, which provides all kinds of models created through 3D-printing technology, and Caroline describes how she became a sighted Braille user.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Access and share the podcast audio or transcript.</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;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><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on NFB.org:</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">As announced during the September Presidential Release, the National Federation of the Blind has launched our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion webpage dedicated to sharing resources, presentations, and publications, including our five-year diversity calendar that is meant to create awareness for planning. Access this page at<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/index.php/get-involved/diversity-equity-inclusion" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">https://nfb.org/DEI</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;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><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>The Latest Issue of<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Future Reflections</i>:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Future Reflections</span></i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>is a magazine for parents and teachers of blind children published by the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults in partnership with the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children, a division of the National Federation of the Blind. Topics include learning together, teachers as partners, and preparing for independence.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr41/2/fr4102tc.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Read and share the latest issue, Volume 41, Number 2</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;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><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>Social Media Content to Share:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">For social media from affiliate and division accounts, please consider using content from the following pages to create posts:<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="m_-2227020658350614893MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.75in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">      <span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">For National Guide Dog Month,<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/guide-dog-resources" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">share NAGDU and other Guide Dog Resources</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="m_-2227020658350614893MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.75in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">      <span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">For back-to-school content, share the<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/advocacy-resources/blind-parents-essential-guide-effective-communication" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">A Blind Parent’s Essential Guide to Effective Communication from Public and Private Schools (English & Spanish)</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/advocacy-resources/self-advocacy-higher-education-toolkit" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Self-Advocacy in Higher Education Toolkit</span></a><span class="m_-2227020658350614893MsoHyperlink" style="color:rgb(5,99,193);text-decoration:underline"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="m_-2227020658350614893MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.75in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">      <span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">For voting, share resources from<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/vote" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">https://nfb.org/vote</span></a><span class="m_-2227020658350614893MsoHyperlink" style="color:rgb(5,99,193);text-decoration:underline"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="m_-2227020658350614893MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="m_-2227020658350614893MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="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>Access Technology Affordability Act:</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">Congratulations to the National Federation of the Blind of Florida for gaining two more cosponsors on the Access Technology Affordability Act in the House (H.R. 431). On Friday, September 2, Representatives Darren Soto (FL-9) and Kathy Castor (FL-14) signed on to cosponsor the bill. Representative Seth Moulton (MA-6) also cosponsored on Friday. These three additions bring the total number of cosponsors for the Access Technology Affordability Act up to 163.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The Senate is back in Washington this week, and the House comes back next week. Both of them will be in session for the remainder of September. Let’s use this opportunity to surge our cosponsor counts on all of our legislation:<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="m_-2227020658350614893MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.75in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">      <span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 431/S. 212)<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="m_-2227020658350614893MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.75in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">      <span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (H.R. 2373/S. 3238)<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="m_-2227020658350614893MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.75in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">      <span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><u></u><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R. 4853)<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="m_-2227020658350614893MsoListParagraph" 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="m_-2227020658350614893MsoListParagraph" 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>Free COVID-19 Tests Update:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">While the government program that has provided free standard COVID-19 tests was suspended on September 2, USPS is still distributing the free, more accessible COVID-19 at-home tests while supplies last.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">You can place an order online or by calling 1-800-232-0233. Additional information and updates are available at<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/covidtests" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">https://nfb.org/covidtests</span></a><span class="m_-2227020658350614893MsoHyperlink" style="color:rgb(5,99,193);text-decoration:underline"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;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><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><a name="m_-2227020658350614893__Hlk113372095"><b>Fundraising Ideas for At-Large Chapters:</b></a><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">Some of you have developed your plans for programming for next year and are now asking about ideas for fundraising in at-large chapters. Here are some ideas that have come up recently on one of our listservs. I thought I would share them:<u></u><u></u></span></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="m_-2227020658350614893MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Popcorn sales on the internet from companies like Doublegood.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-2227020658350614893MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Annual appeal letters asking friends and family to support us.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-2227020658350614893MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Online auctions via Zoom or<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://32auctions.com" target="_blank">32auctions.com</a>.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-2227020658350614893MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">RaiseRight e-gift cards<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://www.raiseright.com/how-it-works/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">https://www.raiseright.com/how-it-works/</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.5in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.5in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">While this list was developed specifically with at-large chapters in mind, these can be used by any chapter or affiliate who has programming needing funds.<u></u><u></u></span></p><h2 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></h2><p class="m_-2227020658350614893MsoListParagraph" 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><h2 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Dates to Keep in Mind:<u></u><u></u></h2><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="m_-2227020658350614893MsoListParagraph" 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="m_-2227020658350614893MsoListParagraph" 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="m_-2227020658350614893MsoListParagraph" 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">July 1-6, 2023: National Convention; Houston, Texas<u></u><u></u></span></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"><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">Officeofthepresident@nfb.org</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="m_-2227020658350614893_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="m_-2227020658350614893_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="m_-2227020658350614893_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="m_-2227020658350614893_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><br class="gmail-Apple-interchange-newline"></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>