<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-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">As hard as it is to believe, this Saturday will kick off Blind Equality Achievement Month 2022. I look forward to the great outreach that you all will be undertaking to spread the word about our work and to change public attitudes about blindness.<u></u><u></u></span></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><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Enjoy the first full week of fall.<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">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>October 1: Presidential Release LIVE in Mississippi:</b><b><span style="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">Brought to you live from the home of the Jackson Chapter of the NFB of Mississippi, next month’s Presidential Release LIVE will be this Saturday, October 1, 5:00 p.m., eastern. Zoom ID: 960 0225 8139.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=540" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Access details available.</span></a><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"><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>Submit Activities including White Cane Awareness Day Proclamations:<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 White Cane Awareness Day, and throughout October, members of the National Federation of the Blind conduct activities in our local communities such as white cane walks, film screenings, and social events. Please submit your affiliate or chapter-related #BlindMonth activities, including the white cane proclamations, with a brief description to<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="mailto:web@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">web@nfb.org</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">. They will be posted on the Blind Equality Achievement Month page at<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://nfb.org/blind-month" target="_blank">nfb.org/blind-month</a>. There is also still time to<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/blind-equality-achievement-month/white-cane-awareness-day" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">encourage your local government to issue a proclamation</span></a><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><u></u> <u></u></b></h3><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>It’s the Fourth Quarter for Our Legislative Priorities:</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">Three months left in the 117th Congress. The House and Senate will be in session later this week on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The House is then scheduled to adjourn until mid-November. The Senate will return on November 14 as well, but they may also be in session from Monday, October 10, through Friday, October 21. Once they return in November, they will only be in session a total of four weeks before the end of the year and the start of the next Congress. As you can tell, things are coming down to the wire, but it’s not over yet. This is the time to surge to give our legislation the best opportunity to pass. Please continue to urge your members of Congress to support our bills by signing up as a cosponsor.</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"><b>Career Fair—Registration Deadline Approaching:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Attention job seekers and employers: Please register for the Blind Equality Achievement Month VIRTUAL Career Fair that will be held October 26, 2022, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., eastern. Registration is required by October 14, 2022. Fearless Job Interview Seminar Parts 1 (October 4) and Part 2 (October 13) will offer valuable information that job seekers can apply to any job search strategy.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=522" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Learn more, get access details, and register now for the Career Fair.</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>Fall Open House for Prospective Members:</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">We will be holding an open house for prospective members on Wednesday, November 2, at 8:00 p.m., eastern. If you know people who are interested but may have questions about the Federation, our philosophy, or what it means to be a member, they are welcome to attend this event via Zoom. To register and receive the invite information, they can email<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="mailto:membership@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">membership@nfb.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="m_-6616102144338333912MsoListParagraph" 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>Catch Up on Content:</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">Highlights and the convention round up are available in the most recent<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Braille Monitor<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>and more. The following are National Federation of the Blind publications for you to access and share with Federationists:</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="m_-6616102144338333912MsoListParagraph" 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><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm22/bm2208/bm2208tc.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">August/September<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Braille Monitor</i></span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="m_-6616102144338333912MsoListParagraph" 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><i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Voice of the Nation’s Blind Blog</span></i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>post, “</span><a href="https://nfb.org/blog/together-again-family-reunion-nola" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Together Again - A Family Reunion In NOLA” by Liz Wisecarver</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="m_-6616102144338333912MsoListParagraph" 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><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Recent<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Nation’s Blind Podcast</i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>episodes interviewing Bolotin Award winners, Caroline Karbowski, and Netflix</span></a><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"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span><br></h3><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>Upcoming Event Next Week: Office 365 Suite Accessibility Boutique:<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, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Disabilities, invites you to attend the Office 360 Suite Accessibility Boutique. Learn about the features of Microsoft’s online Office 365 Suite<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><a name="m_-6616102144338333912__Hlk115085965">and its accessibility for blind and low-vision users.</a><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>The boutique, scheduled for October 4 from 2:00-3:30 p.m., eastern, via Zoom, will focus on Office 365’s Word, PowerPoint, and Excel applications.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/events" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Register for the October 4 Accessibility Boutique</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.</span><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="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> </span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt">NFB-NEWSLINE can help you and our members strengthen Federation philosophy by reading the<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Braille Monitor</i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Walking Alone and Marching Together,</i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>along with other sources of Federation information. You could even venture outside of the Federation each month and read<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Toastmasters<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>magazine<i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>and gather the information you need to boost your public speaking skills. Learn more about NFB-NEWSLINE at<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfbnewsline.org" target="_blank" style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">https://nfbnewsline.org</span></a><u style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.</span></u><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>And remember, affiliate and chapter presidents can certify people for NFB-NEWSLINE, so you can give the gift of information. Contact Jesse Shirek for further details on extension 2348 or via email at<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="mailto:jshirek@nfb.org" target="_blank" style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">jshirek@nfb.org</span></a><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"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Chapter and affiliate training sessions on NFB-NEWSLINE are available for your members; please contact Scott White for scheduling. Scott can be reached at extension 2231 or by sending an email to<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="mailto:swhite@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">swhite@nfb.org</span></a><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><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_-6616102144338333912MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">October 4:<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/events" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt">Office 365 Suite Accessibility Boutique</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></li></ul><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="m_-6616102144338333912MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:21px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:21px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">October 15:<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://whitecane.day" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:21px">White Cane Awareness Day</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></li></ul><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="m_-6616102144338333912MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">October 21: Where the Blind Work Webinar<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-6616102144338333912MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">October 25:<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/events" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt">Education Technology Accessibility Boutique</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-6616102144338333912MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">January 30, 2023: Great Gathering-In<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-6616102144338333912MsoListParagraph" 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_-6616102144338333912MsoListParagraph" 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"><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"><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="m_-6616102144338333912_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="m_-6616102144338333912_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="m_-6616102144338333912_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="m_-6616102144338333912_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>