[NFBNJ] NFB President’s Notebook - week of 04/20/2020

Mon Apr 20 23:22:02 UTC 2020

Greetings to all!

I have pasted  several items of interest from PresidentRiccobono’s notebook 
for April 20, 2020
Where needed, I provided my comments.

Keep safe!
Joe

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Subject: NFB President’s Notebook - week of 04/20/2020

President’s Notebook
National Federation of the Blind
Mark A. Riccobono
officeofthepresident at nfb.org
410-659-9314

Dear Fellow Federationists,

I hope this message finds you doing well. Thank you to those who have shared 
ideas for our national convention. We are working as quickly as possible to 
pull plans together. I also want to thank our affiliates undertaking 
creative Zoom events. There are some really great offerings out there 
allowing our members to stay connected and active in our movement. If you 
are finding particularly effective ways to engage members and manage virtual 
meetings, including voting, I would encourage you to share your learning on 
the state affiliate leadership list.

Comments: If you have an idea, please email me at nfbnj1 at verizon.net

If you are just getting tired of Zoom meetings, I will remind you that it is 
good to be “in the Zoom” where it happens. If you are not convinced, check 
out https://youtu.be/HCK_1ydMhiE.

Finally, I want to again give you a reminder that membership lists need to 
be submitted as soon as possible.

Comments: Congratulations to the NFBNJ chapter/division presidents for 
completing membership lists prior to the deadline.  A shoutout to Ellen for 
providing the info to national and for her management skills.

Critical Actions:
Seeking Those Applying for SSDI Benefits:
We are seeking blind persons who have recently been in the process of 
applying for SSDI benefits and have had to sign various forms for Social 
Security. Additionally, we wish to speak with those blind persons who 
recently have had to fill out the SSA Form 1696. This is the form that 
allows you to appoint someone else to represent you before SSA. This request 
is time sensitive. Please have such individuals contact Valerie Yingling at 
vyingling at nfb.org or 410-659-9314, extension 2440.

News:
Presidential Release—May 1:
Attend the May Presidential Release (#494) of the National Federation of the 
Blind on May 1, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. eastern. After the remarks and updates 
from the elected President of the National Federation of the Blind, the 
organization's first vice president, Pam Allen, will moderate questions. 
Members of the Federation are encouraged to attend, and non-members are 
warmly welcomed. Send your questions in advance to cdanielsen at nfb.org and 
put PR494 in the subject line or call 410-659-9314, extension 2473. Details 
on how to join are coming soon.

Comments: Check your emails and the info will be shared shortly.

CARES Act Economic Impact Payments:
We are continuing to bring you the most up-to-date information on these 
important relief payments. As you have noticed over the past week, the 
information and guidance from the federal agencies can, and sometimes does, 
change from day to day. Fortunately, the IRS has been much better at 
updating and relaying this critical information in recent days. If you would 
like to check the status of your payment, or enter your information to 
ensure you receive the $500 per qualifying child addition to your payment 
(important note: you will only need to do this if you receive Social 
Security retirement, SSDI, or SSI benefits), please visit the IRS Economic 
Impact Payment Information Center.

For the latest information, please visit our COVID-19 Resources Page.

Celebrate #GivingTuesdayNow with Us:
#GivingTuesdayNow is a global day of giving and unity, set to take place on 
May 5, 2020, as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by 
COVID-19. Our partner, the Gibney Family Foundation, is generously matching 
all donations made. If you are able, please help us continue to advocate and 
provide essential services by contributing on #GivingTuesdayNow.

Comments: If you can, great!

Lyft Offering Free Rides to Federation Members:
It is heartwarming that many corporate partners are reaching out to the 
National Federation of the Blind to be of assistance. Our rideshare partners 
at Lyft are providing us with a general coupon worth $25 per user. The code 
is being made available for use through April 30. It should be used to 
assist any blind person in your affiliate that you feel would benefit from 
this assistance. Members will need to contact affiliate presidents to 
receive a code and must submit the name of the individual requesting the 
code, their city and state, and a description of how the code will be used. 
More details to follow regarding the codes.

Comments: I asked Linda Melendez to manage this program.

Details will be provided toLinda shortly.

Distance Education—Daily Activities and Request for Feedback:
The National Federation of the Blind is providing daily distance education 
resources from practicing Braille to dancing. Share the videos of how-to 
activities and story time. Join the upcoming live, interactive Zoom lessons 
this week on National Picnic Day and participate in the great activities. 
Learn more about the distance education resources.

As a result of schools shifting to virtual instruction to minimize the 
dangers of COVID-19, blind students may encounter increased accessibility 
barriers. Feedback is critical. If you or someone you know is facing an 
accessibility issue in school, please complete the Education Technology 
Survey.

Upcoming Accessibility Boutiques—Web Accessibility:
Accessibility boutiques are workshops presented by access technology experts 
that provide introductions to accessibility best practices and the latest 
trends in access tech. The National Federation of the Blind is providing the 
following upcoming two-part session.

·       Tuesday, April 28, 11:00–12:30 p.m. eastern—Web Accessibility Part 
One: Intro to Web Accessibility

·       Tuesday, April 28, 2:00–3:30 p.m. eastern—Web Accessibility Part 
Two: How to Manually Test a Website for Accessibility

Learn more about accessibility boutiques and register today.

Reminders:
Events to Announce:
Please send upcoming virtual events that are intended for a national 
audience to communicationsteam at nfb.org by Sunday evening. Include the name, 
description, conference details, and if the event will be closed captioned. 
An email of the compiled events will go out each Wednesday. Please continue 
to promote events through local channels such as affiliate social media, 
website, and contacts.

Dates to Keep in Mind:
  a.. May 1: Distinguished Educator Award nomination deadline
·       May 1: Live Presidential Release

·       May 5: Giving Tuesday Now

·       June 1-12: NFB BELL® In-Home Edition

·       June 10: Membership Open House

·       June 22-July 3: NFB BELL® In-Home Edition

·       July 27-August 7: NFB BELL® In-Home Edition

  a.. July 14-19: NFB National Convention, Everywhere

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

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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