<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">The summer is slipping past quickly. This weekend marks the first convention of our “fall” convention season. There is a busy agenda ahead and still much progress for us to make.<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">Last Friday I had the opportunity to attend the final social hour for our NFB BELL^®<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>Academy In-Home Edition. One of the students asked me a question I had never been asked. I asked them for their own answers and thought I should give you all the joy of considering this question, as well.<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">I was asked, “you talked about legal blindness, can you tell us what illegal blindness is…”<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14pt">Critical Items:</span><br></p><h2 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><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>August Presidential Release Available<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:none;background-position:0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">The National Federation of the Blind<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;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Presidential Release #529</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>chapter version is available. Additional formats are also available. Please mark your calendars for the next Presidential Release scheduled for September 7, 2023, at 8:00 p.m., eastern, from Chicago, Illinois.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:none;background-position:0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><u></u> </span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt"> </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>Uber Town Hall Meeting:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:none;background-position:0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Uber is conducting a second town hall meeting regarding service animals on Wednesday, August 16, at 8:30 p.m., eastern, in case you missed the first call and want to have an opportunity to participate. The Zoom</span><a href="https://uber.zoom.us/j/92332268533?pwd=Z3NwREdpQXNtaEVxWXVjaDFZUGo1QT09" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Meeting ID: 923 3226 8533; Password: 169551</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">. Or one-tap mobile:</span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">+13017158592,,92332268533#,,,#,,169551#;169551#  </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="m_4283528945600323963MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> </span></p><p class="m_4283528945600323963MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-style:italic">Vehicle Donations</span></p><h4 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic"><u></u></h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The National Federation of the Blind uses car donations to improve the education of blind children, distribute free white canes, help veterans, and so much more. We have partnered with Vehicles for Charity to process donated vehicles. Please call toll-free 855-659-9314, and a representative can make arrangements, or you can donate online by visiting<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.nfb.org/vehicledonations" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">www.nfb.org/vehicledonations</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><h4 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic"><u></u> <u></u></h4><h4 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic">Preauthorized Contributions (PAC)<u></u><u></u></h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Can you help the National Federation of the Blind on a regular basis? Please consider joining our preauthorized contribution plan. Starting at $5 monthly, you can help us turn dreams into reality and raise expectations for blind people. Visit<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/pac" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">nfb.org/pac</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>to fill out the online form or email<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="mailto:pac@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">pac@nfb.org</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>for additional information.</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> <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>Route 66 Ride for Literacy Update:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:none;background-position:0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">The National Federation of the Blind Route 66 Ride for Literacy with Dan O’Rourke is still going strong. Dan is in New Mexico, heading toward Texas. He has celebrated his ride so far with Federationists in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Please share this ride with your friends and family to raise awareness on the importance of Braille literacy and connecting with our community. Follow the Ride for Literacy at<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/route66" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">nfb.org/route66</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="m_4283528945600323963MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </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>College Preparation/Maintenance Workshop:</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">Our employment/career exploration unit within the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute delivered a College Preparation/Maintenance Workshop for Pre-Employment Transition Students (Pre-ETS) and other qualified vocational rehabilitation consumers in Gulfport, Mississippi. The workshop addressed essential post-secondary readiness skills that relate to blindness, with subjects ranging from self-advocacy at the university setting, coping with social isolation/loneliness as a blind student at college, acquisition and strengthening of both elementary and independence skills of blindness, and developing a defined philosophy of blindness as a blind college student. For more information about the workshop, please reach out to Dan Fry at<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="mailto:dfry@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">dfry@nfb.org</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>or phone at 410-659-9314, extension 2393.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><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">Along this same line, we are working with blindness VR professionals in the Federation to develop a standard curriculum for front-line VR professionals (e.g., VR counselors, rehab techs, TVIs) so that we can begin to shape the messages they share with potential consumers. When this curriculum is finalized, I’ll share it with affiliate leaders so that you can help us market this training to your VR agencies as well.<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>Procuring Accessible Software 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 is hosting an accessibility boutique that will cover purchasing accessible software for an organization. Take advantage of this free opportunity to learn how to navigate the different software that is available.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/accessibility-boutiques/accessibility-boutique-registration" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Register for the Procuring Accessible Software Boutique</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>today!</span><span class="m_4283528945600323963eop"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:none;background-position:0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>The boutique is scheduled to take place on<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span class="m_4283528945600323963normaltextrun"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:none;background-position:0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box">Tuesday,<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span class="m_4283528945600323963normaltextrun"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">August 29, from 2:00-3:30 p.m., eastern,<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">via Zoom.<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="m_4283528945600323963MsoListParagraph" 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_4283528945600323963MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">August 16: Call for affiliate presidents to ask questions about the<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="m_4283528945600323963cf01">Kenneth Jernigan Leadership-in-Service Program, 8:00 p.m.</span></span><span class="m_4283528945600323963cf01"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></span></li><li class="m_4283528945600323963MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span class="m_4283528945600323963cf01"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">August 16: Uber Town Hall #2, 8:30 p.m.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_4283528945600323963MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">August 25: Deadline for submissions for the<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="m_4283528945600323963cf01">Kenneth Jernigan Leadership-in-Service Program<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_4283528945600323963MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">August 31: Deadline for affiliates<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><a href="mailto:actionfund@actionfund.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt">to request calendars</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_4283528945600323963MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">September 14 and 17: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Blind Equality Achievement Month)<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_4283528945600323963MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">October: Blind Equality Achievement Month<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_4283528945600323963MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">November 8: Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement, 8:00 p.m.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_4283528945600323963MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;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><li class="m_4283528945600323963MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">July 3-8, 2024: National Convention; Orlando, Florida<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"><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">Mastodon: @President@nfb.social<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> </span></p></div><span class="gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><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>