[NFBF-L] ***Alert!!!***: From the President's Notebook

[president at nfbflorida.org]

Direct from President Mark Riccobono: 

 

Normally I send snippets from the President's Notebook, an email all
affiliate Presidents receive President Riccobono. His opening message is so
powerful and strong, I am including it in this message to all members of the
National Federation of the Blind of Florida. Everyone be prepared for
additional information and a plan to follow the urging of our National
President! 

 

Dear Federation Family,

If you are like me, you are outraged by the news that the United States
Department of Justice intends to extend the implementation dates for the
Title II ADA regulations related to websites and digital assets. I do not
need to tell you all why this is outrageous. I hope that you are as outraged
as I am.

Now is the time to direct that outrage into action. Now is the time to make
sure that every member of our movement knows why this directly affects their
daily participation in local communities. Now is the time to rally people to
the cause. In the coming weeks, we will be crafting the Federation's
official response to the Interim Final Rule and then we will be activating
the membership to flood, or better yet, drown, the Department of Justice
with personal stories of why this action is inappropriate and a break from
the promise America made to people with disabilities through the
long-fought-for Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

You should prepare your local chapters and membership for action on this in
May. I would love to have every single affiliate support each member in
submitting comments. We will provide the technical details, but the personal
stories of students who struggle to get access to their coursework, blind
adults who have to go through extra hoops to pay their water bill and
property taxes, blind seniors who are prevented from applying for services
from their county, and so much more has to come from the everyday experience
of blind people. These stories highlight how America's promise to its
disabled citizens has fallen short; equality of opportunity continues to be
delayed; equal access continues to be denied. This is your advance notice
that next month will be "May the Promise Be Fulfilled Month" in the National
Federation of the Blind. Let's get ready to push back even harder on the
idea that blind people should sit and wait for equal access in our society.

Let us make America's promise a reality and continue to build the National
Federation of the Blind.

 

Critical Actions:

Outrage Regarding Delays on Title II Regulations:

The Department of Justice's Interim Final Rule delaying ADA Title II digital
accessibility compliance is a direct threat to equal access for blind
people-and we need a rapid, unified response. Please be prepared to amplify
this message with your networks, direct members to our official statement,
and flag real-world examples of inaccessible state/local websites or apps
affecting education, benefits, employment services, and civic participation.
We will continue pressing the department to reverse course and will share
action opportunities and talking points as they develop.
<https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-condemns-doj-
interim-final-rule-signaling-delay-ada> Read the press release and share our
outrage video across social media channels:
<https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cTuHxq49bJI> YouTube,
<https://www.facebook.com/reel/1968583253860647> Facebook,
<https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7451013191985254400>
LinkedIn,  <https://nfb.social/@nationsblind/116422166148321320> Mastodon,
<https://www.tiktok.com/@nations_blind> TikTok,
<https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXP11u6P0DR/?igsh=MWF4OWt1dzJ2eWFocA==>
Instagram,  <https://x.com/NFB_voice/status/2045248074344267979> X.

 

 

 

  Camille Tate, president

National Federation of the Blind of Florida 

Board of Directors 

 <http://www.nfbflorida.org/> www.nfbflorida.org

Tel: 321.372.4899

 

With love, hope and determination, we transform dreams into reality.

 

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