<div dir="ltr"><div><h1 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><a name="m_2606628975286035199_OLE_LINK9"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">President\u2019s Notebook<u></u><u></u></span></a></h1><h1 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">National Federation of the Blind<u></u><u></u></span></h1><h1 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Mark A. Riccobono<u></u><u></u></span></h1><h1 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></h1><h1 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">410-659-9314<u></u><u></u></span></h1><div><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><br></span></div><div><font face="Arial, sans-serif">Please share with members that are not on the Georgia Listserv.</font></div><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">Dear Federation Family,<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">I want to wish you a joyous, safe, and relaxing holiday season. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> </span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </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>Scholarship Program Application Open:<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">The National Federation of the Blind is now accepting applications for the 2026 scholarship program. This year, each scholarship winner will receive $10,000 to support their educational and professional goals.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program" target="_blank">Students can now apply for the 2026 scholarship program.</a><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>The application deadline is March 31, 2026.<u></u><u></u></h3><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><u></u> <u></u></h3><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b style="font-size:12pt">Museum of the Blind People\u2019s Movement Press Conference:</b><br></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">On Friday, December 5, the Jernigan Institute hosted a<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPjZSmJeass" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">press conference inside our Jacobus tenBroek Library</span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>announcing the introduction of the National Musuem of the Blind People\u2019s Movement Act (H.R. 6467/S. 3371). When passed, the bill will designate our forthcoming Museum of the Blind People\u2019s Movement as the National Museum of the Blind People\u2019s Movement. I was the leadoff speaker at the press conference and was proud to welcome and introduce US Representative Kweisi Mfume (MD-7) and US Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD), both of whom are the sponsors of the bill in their respective chambers of Congress, as well as our very own Ever Lee Hairston. There were approximately one hundred people in attendance, including our board of directors, staff, and a few local news outlets.<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><h2 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Copy &amp; Paste Content for Sharing:<u></u><u></u></h2><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The following content contains information to share in your affiliate communications\u2014simply copy and paste to your affiliate\u2019s social media, newsletters, and direct communications, as needed.<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>Independence Market Holiday Hours:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Please note that the Independence Market will be closed for calls on the days of December 24, 25, and 26. The market will also be closed starting at 12:00 noon, Eastern, on Wednesday, December 31 and all day on January 1 and 2. Our Independence Market ecommerce site will still be open during these times, but orders may take a little longer to process, so please be patient.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><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>Update on Recurring Donation Processing:<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">Several weeks ago, we announced a change to how we are processing recurring monthly donations. Though we thought we would be processing at this point, we are still working with our vendors to make sure there are no issues. As soon as we can, hopefully this week, we will start processing December contributions and then catch up on November PAC contributions. If you do not want us to process your November contribution, please send an email to<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:PAC@nfb.org" target="_blank">PAC@nfb.org</a><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>with your name and direction to not process November&#39;s PAC transaction. We appreciate your patience as we work through unforeseen challenges. Please contact Bridgid Burke at<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:bburke@nfb.org" target="_blank">bburke@nfb.org</a><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>or 410-659-9314, extension 2271, with any questions or concerns.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><u></u><u></u></h3><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>From the President\u2019s Desk: The Federation Shares Pressing Concerns with Vispero\u2019s CEO:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">In<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor/early-access-articles/presidents-desk-federation" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">an article in the upcoming<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Braille Monitor</i></span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">, I released my recent correspondence with Vispero\u2019s new CEO regarding urgent member concerns about changes to the company\u2019s access technology products and policies.<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><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>National Museum of the Blind People\u2019s Movement Legislative Alert:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Just this past Sunday, December 14, we sent out a<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-priorities/legislative-alerts/pass-national-museum-blind" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">legislative alert regarding the National Museum of the Blind People\u2019s Movement Act</span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>(H.R. 6467/S. 3371). The purpose of this legislative alert is to create a surge in cosponsor support for the bill so that it can ultimately be passed and signed into law and our museum will have the national recognition that it deserves. Please be sure to contact your senators and representative and ask them to cosponsor the National Museum of the Blind People\u2019s Movement Act (H.R. 6467/S. 3371)!<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <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>Latest Podcast Episodes:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Tune into our<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://podcasts7m.podbean.com/e/communicating-with-blind-people-what-sighted-people-should-know/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">new episode of the<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Nation\u2019s Blind Podcast</i></span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>where Melissa and Anil are joined by board members Marilyn Green and Tracy Soforenko. They share interesting and sometimes surprising social interactions that they\u2019ve had with sighted people while traveling, hanging out with friends, and even while spending time with family members, especially during the holidays. They also discuss the best ways that sighted people should communicate with blind people.</span><span style="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">Listen to episode seven of our<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Walking Alone and Marching Together</i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>podcast entitled \u201c</span><a href="https://walkingaloneandmarchingtogether.podbean.com/e/episode-7-chapter-4-democracy-in-transition-the-second-generation-part-1/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Episode 7: Chapter 4 - Democracy in Transition: The Second Generation, Part 1</span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.\u201d</span><u><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><a href="https://buff.ly/DnyeSos" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Episode 55 of<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Access On</i></span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>is now available. Jonathan discusses Zoom\u2019s accessibility journey with Samuel Greene, product manager for Zoom North America. He also talks to our new accessibility excellence advocate for home and independent living, Ron Miller. Ron outlines his history in access technology and discusses the difference we can all make together to improve accessibility.<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-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><h2 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Reminders:<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"><span class="m_2606628975286035199Heading3Char"><b>Braille Readers Are Leaders:<u></u><u></u></b></span></h3><p class="m_2606628975286035199MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Registration for the Braille Readers Are Leaders contest will last through the end of the contest on January 16. This year, we will have the youth, adult, and teachers of blind students contests. You will want to complete the first activity, as that will give us your address so that we can send any prizes you win along the way. Completing other activities will earn you badges of honor. Use the<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Beanstack website</span></a><span class="m_2606628975286035199MsoHyperlink" style="color:rgb(70,120,134);text-decoration:underline"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">or the Beanstack app to log your reading minutes each day. Have fun and challenge your friends, family members, and colleagues who read Braille to join you. </span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="m_2606628975286035199MsoListParagraph" 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"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="m_2606628975286035199MsoListParagraph" 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"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="m_2606628975286035199MsoListParagraph" 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"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><h2 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><a name="m_2606628975286035199__Hlk183426075">Dates to Keep in Mind:<u></u><u></u></a></h2><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="m_2606628975286035199MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black;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">January 26-29, 2026: Washington Seminar<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_2606628975286035199MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black;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">July 3-8, 2026: National Convention; Austin, Texas<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_2606628975286035199MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black;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">July 2-7, 2027: National Convention; Austin, Texas<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_2606628975286035199MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black;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">July 3-8, 2028: National Convention; Chicago, Illinois<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_2606628975286035199MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black;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">July 2-7, 2029: National Convention; Chicago, Illinois<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul><p class="m_2606628975286035199MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;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="background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement Calls<u></u><u></u></span></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;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-family:Arial,sans-serif">Wednesday, February 4<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;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-family:Arial,sans-serif">Wednesday, May 6<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;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-family:Arial,sans-serif">Wednesday, August 5<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;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-family:Arial,sans-serif">Wednesday, November 4<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Chapter Presidents Calls<u></u><u></u></span></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;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-family:Arial,sans-serif">Thursday March 12 and Sunday March 15<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;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-family:Arial,sans-serif">Thursday, June 11 and Sunday, June 14<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;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-family:Arial,sans-serif">Thursday, September 10 and Sunday, September 13<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;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-family:Arial,sans-serif">Thursday, December 10 and Sunday, December 13<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><h2 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:normal">The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. We know 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. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.<u></u><u></u></span></h2><h2 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:normal"><u></u> <u></u></span></h2><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Mark A. Riccobono, President<br>National Federation of the Blind <br>200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<br>410-659-9314 |<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:Officeofthepresident@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">Officeofthepresident@nfb.org</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Please engage with me through<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://riccobono.personal.ai/messaging/profile" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">Riccobono Personal AI</span></a><br>Mastodon: @President@nfb.social <br>Pronouns: he, him, his<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://nfb.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(5,99,193);text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="210" height="76" id="m_2606628975286035199_x0000_i1028" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/nfblogo.png" alt="National Federation of the Blind" class="gmail-CToWUd" style="width: 2.1875in; height: 0.7916in;"></span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> <u></u><u></u></span></p><p></p></div><br class="gmail-Apple-interchange-newline"></div></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><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Lato,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-repeat:repeat">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. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.</span><u></u><u></u></p><div><span style="font-family:Lato,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-repeat:repeat"><br></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>