[NFBNJ] NFB President’s Notebook - week of 12/09/2019

[joe ruffalo]

Greetings to all!
I have provided President Riccobono’s Notebook for the week of December 9, 
2019.
A good number of updates and happenings to consider.
Joe

**

From: President, National Federation of the Blind
Sent: Monday, December 09, 2019 4:57 PM
Subject: NFB President’s Notebook - week of 12/09/2019
President’s Notebook
National Federation of the Blind
Mark A. Riccobono
officeofthepresident at nfb.org<mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org>
410-659-9314

Dear Fellow Federationists,
Last week we opened our Barney Street wing, which was remodeled during the 
past nine months. You can read about the new space in an upcoming issue of 
the Braille Monitor, and you will get to stay in it during our presidents 
gathering. Our opening event was a great success and there is no doubt that 
the new space reflects the strength, warmth, and community we find in our 
movement.

The December Presidential Release is available now. It includes critical 
information about rooms for our Washington Seminar so please make sure it 
gets to all of those who need it for their chapter meetings.

Our partners at the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults want 
affiliates and chapters of the National Federation of the Blind to know that 
there are still Braille calendars for 2020 available for free. To request 
calendars, email 
actionfund at actionfund.org<mailto:actionfund at actionfund.org>, or call 
410-659-9315.



News:
This Sunday: Open-House Gathering for Prospective Members:
The National Federation of the Blind hosts an open-house-gathering call to 
discuss membership with those who are interested or unsure of becoming a 
member. It is an opportunity to hear from active members and leaders on the 
myths and uncertainties of the Federation. The next call is scheduled for 
December 15 at 4:00 p.m. eastern. Sign up by emailing 
membership at nfb.org<mailto:membership at nfb.org> or calling 410-659-9314, 
extension 2509.

Voting Letter to Secretaries of State:
Currently, the majority of states do not provide blind and low-vision voters 
with an accessible way to mark an absentee ballot. As an activity under our 
Help America Vote Act (HAVA) grant from the US Department of Health and 
Human Services, we recently sent a letter to the secretary of state for 
these states to remind them of their obligation to provide accessible 
absentee voting as required by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities 
Act and recent court decisions in cases brought by the NFB in Maryland and 
Ohio. The letter is attached for your information. If you receive any 
feedback from your secretary of state or state elections officials in 
response to this letter, or if you have questions about accessible absentee 
voting, please contact Lou Ann Blake, deputy director of Blindness 
Initiatives at lblake at nfborg<mailto:lblake at nfb.org> or 410-659-9314, 
extension 2221.

Braille Monitor: Convention Bulletin 2020 and More:
Whether you plan to eat more green vegetables or to visit the gym beyond the 
month of January, there is one goal that must be on your New Year list: 
resolve to be in Houston this July for the National Federation of the Blind’s 
2020 National Convention. Check out the latest issue of the Braille Monitor 
that includes many details for the 2020 National Convention, Washington 
Seminar, open enrollment for various scholarships and awards, stories for 
the holiday season, and more. Read the December Braille 
Monitor<https://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm19/bm1911/bm1911tc.htm>.

AIM High Legislation Dropped:
Last week, Congressman Phil Roe (R-TN) and Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT) 
introduced the Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education Act, 
also known as the AIM HIGH Act (H.R. 5312). More information is available in 
our press release found on our 
website<https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-applauds-introduction-aim-high-act-0>.

Tips and Tools for an Accessible Smart Home:
The idea of a “smart home” is becoming less science fiction and more of a 
reality. On December 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. the National Federation 
of the Blind is hosting an accessibility boutique via Zoom teleconference 
that will cover security systems, appliances, in-home applications, and 
entertainment systems. Register 
today<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/accessibility-boutiques>!



Reminders:
Last Week to Request Santa Letters:
The National Federation of the Blind provides Braille Santa letters to young 
children across America. Along with the Braille letter, Santa includes a 
print letter so that parents who might not read Braille can follow along. He 
also includes other fun holiday activities. Deadline to submit request is 
December 16. Submit your Santa letter request 
today!<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/early-childhood-initiatives/santa-letters>



Dates to Keep in Mind:

  *   December 16, 2019: Deadline for Santa 
letters<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/early-childhood-initiatives/santa-letters>
  *   January 9-11, 2020: NFB BELL® Academy Training Seminar
  *   February 10, 2020: Great Gathering-In; Washington Seminar begins
  *   March 26-27, 2020: Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium, Baltimore, Maryland
  *   April 14-17, 2020: NABM BLAST<http://www.blindmerchants.org>; Chicago, 
Illinois
  *   June 21-27, 2020: NFB EQ; St. Paul, Minneapolis
  *   July 14-19, 2020: NFB National Convention, Houston, Texas

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.


Mark A. Riccobono, President
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314 | 
officeofthepresident at nfb.org<mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org>


[National Federation of the Blind]<https://nfb.org/>

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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.
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