[NFBMI-Talk] The MIABS Mosaic- Vol. 1.1

[Jeff Crouch]

The MIABS Mosaic
Jan. 4th, 2026

Message From the President: Jeffery Crouch
    I would like to welcome you all to the first installment of the MIABS Mosaic. This will serve as our weekly newsletter to ensure that all of our amazing members are kept up to date on the latest information and happenings of the MIABS division.
Just as a mosaic is made up of hundreds of shards of glass and stones that come together to create a beautiful and inspiring masterpiece, we are many individuals coming together to work collaboratively and act as one united voice to effect positive change within society and create something truly beautiful for all blind people.
    On every Sunday, each month, you will receive an email from one of the four board members of MIABS with information you need to know pertaining to a specific area. Keep an eye out for specific dates each month, as if there is a bonus week; there may or may not be content on that Sunday. Below is the week, the board member you will receive an email from and the topic area.
Week 1: President Jeffery Crouch: Advocacy
Week 2: Vice President Riley Letterman: Membership and Outreach
Week 3: Secretary Steven Crouch: Communications
Week 4: Treasurer Danielle Agajan: Fundraising and the monthly wrap up
We sincerely hope that you will find value in these newsletters. If you have any suggestions, you can email miabs-president at outlook.com with your feedback.

Advocacy Information
    Washington Seminar is drawing near. In just of a couple of weeks, hundreds of blind people will be gathering from all over the country to advocate for legislation and policies that will effect positive change for all blind Americans. Washington Seminar is the bread and butter of what the NFB is all about.
The legislative priorities for 2026 range from advocating for funding for critical policies, programs, and services for the blind, to ensuring blind individuals are able to get the assistive technology they need through a refundable tax credit, and creating a pathway for blind people to acquire employment without losing SSDI benefits as soon as they earn a dollar over the allowed amount.

Fact sheets are available for all three priorities and html versions are linked below.
Protect Critical Education, Employment, and Independent Living Programs<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-priorities/protect-critical-education-employment-and>
Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 1529/S. 1918)<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-priorities/access-technology-affordability-act>
Blind Americans Return to Work Act (H.R. 1175)<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-priorities/blind-americans-return-work-act>

For alternative formats you can visit the
Washington Seminar page<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar>.

These three priorities are not the only things that NFB is working on. To learn more about all the different legislative priorities, please visit
this page.<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-priorities/>

Announcements
MIABS XOXO Auction
    Our MIABS XOXO Auction will be going live the weekend of Jan. 9th. We have lots of great things for you all to bid on. From bop it! to men and women's diamond rings and everything in between there is something that you will be able to find for that special someone even if that special someone is you. Self-care is important. The auction link will be coming out soon. Please look for it in the next installment
    If you have something that you would like to donate to the auction, please fill out
this form<https://forms.gle/uCB1D39Qd2odhNK68> by Jan. 7th, 2026.

Midwest Regional Seminar interest and funding application
    The application for requesting funding for the Midwest Regional Seminar and letting us know that you are interested in going is now live. If you are wanting to connect with other students from the Midwest to learn about advocacy and issues surrounding blind students, this is the event for you.
    If you are interested in attending or need financial assistance, please fill out the form
here.<https://forms.gle/fvx4MupfqwC8Nyce7>

Calendar
All are welcome to all meetings.

  *
Jan. 9th, 6:30PM- MIABS board meeting
  *
Jan. 24th, 1P.M.- MIABS board meeting
  *
Jan. 31st, 1P.M.- Membership meeting

Connect With Us
YouTube<https://www.youtube.com/@MIABS-social>
Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/share/1AsCP1rS6G/>
Whatsapp<https://chat.whatsapp.com/E4Ws8giIDSF8BIQHuXTBfG>

In Closing
    Thank you for reading this week's installment of the MIABS Mosaic. Please keep your eyes peeled for the next installment from our Vice President Riley Letterman next Sunday Jan. 11th, 2026

With love, hope, and determination: let's go build the federation!