<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">Happy New Year! In case you missed the Presidential Release Live Wednesday evening, I want to again thank you for your help in promoting the Federation’s end-of-year giving campaign. We far exceeded the goal of $50,000 to match the generous contribution from Vispero.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><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">Don’t forget it is not too early to make your plans to be at the 2023 National Convention in Houston, Texas, from July 1-6.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><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>Celebration of Life for Scott LaBarre:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Scott C. LaBarre, who was a longtime Federation member, a fierce leader in our movement, and a great friend to so many of us, passed away on Saturday, December 10. Thank you for the outpouring of love. A Celebration of Life to honor Scott will be held January 21, 2023, in Denver, Colorado, at 4:30 p.m., mountain / 6:30 p.m., eastern. Those wishing to participate in person are asked to RSVP for planning purposes. Location details will be shared once the RSVP form is completed.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0.25in"><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=28430&qid=8225015" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">RSVP for the Celebration of Life</span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">To join the celebration via Zoom:<u></u><u></u></span></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Zoom via web:<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=28443&qid=8225019" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">https://zoom.us/j/93503048437</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Zoom One Tap Mobile: +13017158592,,93503048437#</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Zoom via phone: +1 301 715 8592</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Zoom Meeting ID: 935 0304 8437</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><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><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>Washington Seminar:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Remember to visit 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;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Washington Seminar page</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>on the website for FAQ sheets and other updates.<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"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span><b style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></b></p><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>World Braille Day:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">In January 2022, Google launched their new domain opportunity to promote special days and events for promoting a cause. We are excited to celebrate World Braille Day with the URL<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.Braille.day" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">www.Braille.day</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">. Check out the message with the National Library Service Director, an article about the future of Braille, and more.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> </span></b></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>Braille Monitor</i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>January Issue Available:</b><b><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 issue of our flagship publication is now available. Read about the experience of learning about independence, seeking employment opportunities, stories from members, and more.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm23/bm2301/bm2301tc.htm" target="_blank"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Access the 2023 January<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;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"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><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>Where the Blind Work:</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">Please join us on Thursday, January 19, at 8:00 p.m., eastern, to celebrate the work and accomplishments of blind and low-vision people with experience in the medical and healthcare field.<u></u><u></u></span></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="m_-2675701606633884627MsoListParagraph" 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">Hear about what their typical day looks like.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-2675701606633884627MsoListParagraph" 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">Hear how attitudinal and accessibility barriers are overcome at work.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-2675701606633884627MsoListParagraph" 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">Learn about alternative techniques and strategies used to do these jobs.<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul><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">Register at<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/where-the-blind-work-webinars-registration" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/where-the-blind-work-webinars-registration</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" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Or contact Maurice Peret, coordinator of Career Mentoring and Employment Programs, at 410-659-9314, extension 2350, or at<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="mailto:MPeret@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">MPeret@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> </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">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_-2675701606633884627MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><a name="m_-2675701606633884627__Hlk122434215"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">January 10: Washington Seminar Portal training, 8:00 p.m.<u></u><u></u></span></a></li><li class="m_-2675701606633884627MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">January 12: Washington Seminar Issues training, 8:00 p.m.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-2675701606633884627MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">January 18: Washington Seminar Mock Meetings, 8:00 p.m.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-2675701606633884627MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">January 30: Great Gathering-In, 5:00 p.m.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-2675701606633884627MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">January 31:<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">Accessibility Boutique</span></a><span class="m_-2675701606633884627MsoHyperlink" style="color:rgb(5,99,193);text-decoration:underline"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">, 2:00 p.m.</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-2675701606633884627MsoListParagraph" 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">February 8: Open House, 8:00 p.m.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-2675701606633884627MsoListParagraph" 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 2 and 5: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Scholarships)<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-2675701606633884627MsoListParagraph" 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: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-2675701606633884627MsoListParagraph" 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">May 10: Open House, 8:00 p.m.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-2675701606633884627MsoListParagraph" 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">June 1 and 4: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Member Engagement and National Convention)<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-2675701606633884627MsoListParagraph" 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><li class="m_-2675701606633884627MsoListParagraph" 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 9: Open House, 8:00 p.m.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-2675701606633884627MsoListParagraph" 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 7 and 10: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Blind Equality Achievement Month)<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-2675701606633884627MsoListParagraph" 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">November 8: Open House, 8:00 p.m.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-2675701606633884627MsoListParagraph" 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">December 7 and 10: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Planning the Year Ahead)<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"><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="m_-2675701606633884627_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><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>