<div dir="ltr"><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Dear Federation Family,<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Critical Actions:</span></b><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">September Presidential Release—On the Road:</span></b><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;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;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">Presidential Release #530</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>will be broadcast from Chicago, Illinois, on September 7, 2023, at 8:00 p.m., eastern. Closed captions and Spanish interpretations will be available.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/92982679807" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">Presidential Release Zoom ID: 929 8267 9807</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">News:<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">2024 Washington Seminar:</span></b><b><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">While I won’t say that it’s right around the corner, the 2024 Washington Seminar is quickly approaching. Consider this notification as a kind of “save the date.” Next year’s Washington Seminar will be held at the Holiday Inn Washington – National Capitol from Monday, January 29 through Thursday, February 1, 2024. As is tradition, the Great Gathering-In will be on that Monday (January 29, 2024) at 5:00 p.m. That’s only five months away, so be sure to stay tuned for updates in the near future regarding hotel reservation and additional scheduling details.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;line-height:23px"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Service Animals on Airlines:<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Amanda Morris, a journalist for<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>The Washington Post</i>, recently published an article detailing the problems that blind Americans are encountering when trying to fly on commercial airlines with their service animals. The article can be read in the<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/08/28/airline-regulations-service-animals/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">August 28 edition of<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>The Washington Post</i></span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">. In the article, Morris recounts the experience of Federation member Elizabeth Schoen, who was recently denied boarding a JetBlue flight because of her service dog.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;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" style="margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Route 66 Ride for Literacy Update:</span></b><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;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 crossed from Oklahoma to Kansas to Missouri over the weekend. He has celebrated the ride so far with Federationists along the way. There is one more pitstop party in Missouri on August 31 before the final celebration in Chicago on September 8. 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><a href="https://nfb.org/route66" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">nfb.org/route66</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Lift Up with Lyft Round Up:</span></b><b><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The National Federation of the Blind has joined Lyft’s Round Up program. Please go to the menu in your Lyft app, choose “Donate,” and select the National Federation of the Blind to have each fare rounded up to the nearest dollar with 100 percent of your contribution going to raise expectations and make dreams come true.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;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" style="margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">LEGO Braille Bricks:<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Lego Braille Bricks, which have previously only been available to educational partners serving the blind through the LEGO Foundation, are now available for sale in the United States. Pre-orders are now being accepted for the new<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/news/2023/august/lego-braille-bricks-play-with-braille-" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">LEGO^®<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>Braille Bricks – Play with Braille </span></a><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(17,17,17)"></span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">set, which contains over 250 of the Braille Bricks in five colors. Braille is a key pathway to literacy, and engaging blind and low-vision children with fun and creative Braille tools puts them on the path to success. LEGO Braille Bricks are a cool way for blind and non-blind friends and family to learn about and create with Braille together. LEGO is already an integral part of the lives of many young people, including my own family. By making Braille part of the LEGO experience, the company is creating exciting opportunities for education, inclusion, and innovation. We are thrilled to be a partner in the introduction of LEGO Braille Bricks to the American market.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><br></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Submit Blind Equality Achievement Month Activities:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">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<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;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">white cane proclamations</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">, 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;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">web@nfb.org</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">. They will be posted on the Blind Equality Achievement Month page at<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">nfb.org/blind-month</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;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"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Reminders:<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Honor Roll Call:</span></b><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">For affiliates and divisions still intending to make roll call donations, please send an email to<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="mailto:rollcall@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">rollcall@nfb.org</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>detailing the amount to go to each fund (Kenneth Jernigan Fund, Sun Shares, White Cane Fund, and Jacobus tenBroek Memorial Fund). Please mail checks payable to National Federation of the Blind and send to 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21230, Attention: Fiscal Services – Roll Call, and write Roll Call in the check memo. If you want to send the funds by ACH directly to our bank, please contact Bridgid Burke,<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="mailto:bburke@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">bburke@nfb.org</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>or call 410-659-9314, extension 2271. For those affiliates and divisions that made pledges, please remember we ask that all pledges be fulfilled by August 31.<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"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Dates to Keep in Mind:<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;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="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px"><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;color:blue">to request calendars</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px"><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="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">October: Blind Equality Achievement Month<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px"><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="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px"><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="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px"><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" style="margin-bottom:10pt;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" style="margin-bottom:10pt;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;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">Mark A. Riccobono, President </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> <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_-4697305658669085594_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_-4697305658669085594_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_-4697305658669085594_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_-4697305658669085594_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><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">The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><u></u><u></u></span></p><br class="gmail-Apple-interchange-newline"></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>