[NFBNJ] Week of December 21 President Riccobono's Notebook and National Items of Interest

Tue Dec 22 11:39:17 UTC 2020

Greetings all,

To stay connected with our National Office and the work of our organization
I am sharing President Riccobono's weekly notebook, National Items of
Interest and Dates to Keep in Mind.

Please read and save for future reference.

Warmly,
Linda Melendez, President
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
732-421-7063
Email: president at nfbnj.org

****

President’s Notebook
National Federation of the Blind

Mark A. Riccobono

Dear Fellow Federationists,

Welcome to winter. Although it is cold and the days are shorter, the warmth
within the National Federation of the Blind is as powerful as ever. On
almost the eve of Christmas, we have helped deliver a much needed gift of
relief to the blind entrepreneurs whose businesses under the Randolph
Sheppard Program have been crushed by the COVID-19 shutdowns. As you may
already know, Congress will vote on the 2021 Omnibus Appropriations Bill
and coronavirus relief package this evening. For many months, the National
Federation of the Blind and the National Association of Blind Merchants
have been advocating for economic relief for Randolph-Sheppard vendors who
have been impacted by the pandemic. We have just learned that $20 million
has been included in the appropriations bill to help recover lost revenue
the vendors have endured due to the closure of federal facilities. Thanks
to Nicky Gacos and the National Association of Blind Merchants for the
terrific work on this issue.

As we near the Christmas holiday, which is celebrated by the Riccobonos, I
am reminded how wonderful it is to have the Federation family. Each of you
has helped us get through an unimaginable year. Each of you is going to be
part of making sure that 2021 is our best year ever. From my family to
yours, we sincerely wish you a most joyous close to 2020, a relaxing and
reflective time with family, and great energy and strength as we head into
the new year. I am honored to have you as part of my Federation family, and
I anticipate the wonderful work we will do together in the new year. Thank
you and may your holidays be safe, happy, and warm.

*Critical Actions: Open Letter of Apology—Please Read: *There have been
recent discussions taking place in the blindness community around abuse and
misconduct. If you haven’t already, please read *the open letter of apology
sent out on December 16
<https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-stands-solidarity-victims-and-survivors>*
.

*Most Staff Off Next Week: *Most of the staff will be taking some
well-deserved down time next week relaxing between the holidays. While a
few people will be working, the offices will be technically closed December
25 through January 3. You are welcome to leave a voice mail or send an
email to anyone during that period, but don’t expect a reply until the New
Year.

*News: Washington Seminar: *Remember that the Great Gathering-In will be
Monday, February 8, at 5:00 p.m. eastern. There will also be a final
training on the issues that same day from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. eastern. All
National Federation of the Blind members are urged to attend both of these
meetings.

*Louis Braille Commemorative Silver Dollar on Sale in Honor of 2021 World
Braille Day: *During the week of January 4-8 only, the National Federation
of the Blind Independence Market will be offering special pricing for the
Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar. This commemorative coin was
issued by the United States Mint in 2009 to honor the two hundredth
anniversary of Louis Braille's birth. The US Mint issues only two
commemorative silver dollars each year, so it is truly special that our
incredible advocacy led to the recognition of Louis Braille’s contribution
to the literacy of blind people in this way. During this week, the price of
this collector’s coin will be $50.00 plus shipping and handling. To make a
purchase or for further questions, please contact the NFB Independence
Market by phone at 410-659-9314, extension 2216, or by email at
independencemarket at nfb.org.

*Attend the First 2021 Presidential Release on January 4—Captioning and
Spanish Available: *The January Presidential Release of the National
Federation of the Blind will be delivered on World Braille Day—Monday,
January 4—at 8:00 p.m. eastern. After the remarks, there is an opportunity
for questions. Submit questions in advance to cdanielsen at nfb.org and put
PR501 in the subject line, or call 410-659-9314, extension 2473. Closed
captions and Spanish interpretation will be available. Zoom details coming
soon.

*Applications Open for 2021 Bolotin Awards: *National Federation of the
Blind is accepting nominations of individuals or organizations who are a
positive force in the lives of blind people and advance the goal of helping
us transform dreams into reality. Each application must include a letter of
recommendation. Learn more and submit a nomination for the 2021 Dr. Jacob
Bolotin Awards
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information>
.

*Share the Free Slate and Stylus Program: *National Federation of the Blind
distributes a plastic, four-line, twenty-eight cell slate along with a
saddle stylus to blind people who know Braille or want to learn Braille. It
is the only Braille-writing device that has the same portability,
flexibility, and affordability as a pen and pencil. Materials to learn how
to use a slate and stylus are also available. Order a free slate and stylus
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/free-slate-and-stylus-program>.

National Dates to Keep in Mind:

   - January 4: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
   - January 18: Braille Readers are Leaders
   <https://actionfund.org/programs/braille-readers-are-leaders> registration
   (and page count) deadline
   - January 28: Smart Cities Summit
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/smart-cities-summit>,
   12:00-8:00 p.m. eastern
   - February 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
   - February 8: Washington Seminar
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar>Great
   Gathering-In
   - March 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
   - March 24-26: Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium
   - March 31: Scholarship application
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program/scholarship-program-application-checklist>
   deadline
   - April 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
   - April 15: Bolotin Awards <https://www.nfb.org/bolotin>nominations
   deadline
   - May 2: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
   - June 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
   - July 6-11: NFB National Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana

-- 
Warmly,
Linda Melendez, President
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
732-421-7063
Email: president at nfbnj.org
*Website: **www.nfbnj.org* <http://www.nfbnj.org/>
*Facebook: **https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238*
<https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238>
*Twitter: **@NFBNewJersey* <https://twitter.com/nfbnewjersey>
*YouTube: **NFBNJTransformDreams*
<https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKEDbjGsCYHMlwd4gqpBPjg>

*Live the life you want.*
The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey is a community of
members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s
blind. Everyday we work together to help blind people live the lives they
want.
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