[NFBNJ] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 11/23/2020

[joe ruffalo]

Greetings to all!

I usually  paste several items of interest for membership to keep in touch 
with the national overview which pertains to the affiliate and our members.
I decided to provide the entire notebook for November 23.
Please read through the notebook as it has many valuable information. 
Warmly,
Joe

We care. We share. We grow. We make a difference
Joe Ruffalo, First Vice-President
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
973 743 0075
nfbnj1 at verizon.net
www.nfbnj.org
Raising Expectations To Live The Life You Want!

Your old car keys can be keys to literacy for the blind.
Donate your unwanted vehicle to us by clicking
www.carshelpingtheblind.org
or call 855 659 9314


From: President, National Federation of the Blind
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2020 5:09 PM
To: State Presidents ; NFB-Division-Leaders at nfbnet.org
Cc: NCB Staff
Subject: NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 11/23/2020

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


Dear Fellow Federationists,



I think we have plenty to be thankful for this week. Our movement is strong, 
we have benefited from the generosity of our community, and we have been 
able to share information and put advocacy efforts in place that have kept 
thousands of blind people safer than they would have been otherwise. I am 
especially thankful for you and all you do. The Federation family is 
important, but we must recognize that what makes us strong are the family 
bonds we forge in our own homes. I hope each of you has an opportunity to 
hunker down with those who are in your tight family circle to enjoy some 
quiet or not-so-quiet, depending on your family, time together this week. I 
know I am looking forward to hanging around the house, cooking, playing 
cards, laughing with the family, and reflecting on what a weird but 
important year it has been. As much as I am anticipating the opportunity to 
possibly get out on the road to a Federation convention somewhere next year, 
I am also enjoying the great time at home sharing the experiences that make 
bonds stronger. Just in case it lasts longer, I just got in a small 
truckload of flour, so the baking can continue.



As we approach Thanksgiving 2020, I want to thank all of our affiliate 
presidents who have transitioned the leadership within their affiliate to a 
new group of leaders they have groomed. Most notable in these transitions is 
the one that happened in New Jersey this weekend where Joe Ruffalo did not 
stand for election after twenty-seven years in the chair. I spoke to Joe 
this morning and the determination to transition to a new leader and invest 
his time and energy into continuing the building through a new generation is 
the type of spirit and leadership I have long been thankful for in this 
movement. Congratulations to Joe and our other recent presidents who have 
committed to support new presidents. More importantly, thank you for 
upholding a standard of leadership development and movement advancement that 
has allowed us to build for the past eighty years. I am thankful that we 
have the opportunity to know and learn from each other in this movement 
every day. Thank you to those who carry the commitments and pass them onto 
others with love and care.



Critical Actions:
An Open Letter to Top Officials in Education:
The COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to virtual learning has highlighted 
several critical barriers that blind students face due to inaccessible 
technology. I sent an open letter that addresses these concerns and demands 
immediate action. It was sent during American Education Week 2020 to top 
education officials in all fifty states; the District of Columbia; and 
Puerto Rico. Please review and share the open letter. For blind students, 
parents, and teachers, please complete and submit the education technology 
survey to help continue tracking accessible and inaccessible technology 
being used in the education systems.





News:
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
For the first time in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcast history, 
NBCUniversal is providing the full NBC broadcast with live audio description 
on the Secondary Audio Program channel (SAP), provided by Descriptive Video 
Works. This year’s broadcast will be available with additional audio 
narration, describing the rich visuals of the parade including the 
magnificent balloons, floats, and performances, to complement the 
storytelling and celebration that make the parade an annual Thanksgiving Day 
tradition for millions of Americans. The parade is Thursday, November 26, 
from 9:00 a.m. to noon eastern.


AIM HIGH House and Senate Cosponsors
The AIM HIGH Act got new cosponsors in both the House and Senate last week. 
In the House, Representative Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) signed on as a 
cosponsor, and in the other chamber Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD) signed on. 
Well done Pennsylvania and Maryland. Keep up the good work.



Braille UNO Cards
Braille UNO cards, with the National Federation of the Blind logo featured 
on the box, are available via the Independence Market for $10.00. These 
cards were designed in partnership with the National Federation of the Blind 
and feature Braille on the corner of each playing card to indicate the card’s 
color and number or action. UNO Braille packaging features Braille on the 
front and back for clear identification and directs players to 
UNOBraille.com where they can find playing instructions featuring .BRF files 
for download. Players can also access voice-enabled instructions through 
Amazon Alexa and Google Home.



Independence Market Gift Certificates
With the holiday season approaching, I’m sure you might like to purchase 
that special gift from the Independence Market for a family member, friend, 
neighbor, or loved one. If you’re undecided as to what to buy them, why not 
consider one of our Independence Market gift certificates? Gift certificates 
are available for purchase in $25, $50, $75, and $100 increments. They’re 
valid for one year after purchase and can be redeemed over the phone. PDF 
gift certificates are available via email or in Braille via USPS. To learn 
more about gift certificates, please email the Independence Market at 
independencemarket at nfb.org, or call us at 410-659-9314, extension 2216.



Facebook Is Doubling Gifts Made on GivingTuesday:
Want a way to triple your gifts? Give to NFB on GivingTuesday, December 1, 
by hitting the donate button on our Facebook page or posts. Facebook and 
Vispero will both be matching those gifts, as long as matching funds are 
available. Please feel free to reach out to Patti Chang, our director of 
outreach, at 410-659-9314, extension 2422, or pchang at nfb.org with any 
questions.



Next Tuesday: Attend the Presidential Release #500:
The December Presidential Release of the National Federation of the Blind 
will be delivered on Tuesday, December 1, at 8:00 p.m. eastern. Attend this 
celebration and milestone of the five hundredth episode! After the remarks, 
there is an opportunity for questions. Submit questions in advance to 
cdanielsen at nfb.org and put PR500 in the subject line, or call 410-659-9314, 
extension 2473. Closed captions and Spanish interpretation will be 
available. This milestone release will include participation from Marc 
Maurer and Mary Ellen Jernigan.



New Blog Post: “Reflections of Gratitude” (en Espanol y English)
Last week, I wrote to Federation leaders a reflection for our anniversary, 
which was November 16. It is now posted on the Voice of the Nation's Blind 
Blog to all of our friends and supporters as a way to say thank you and 
happy Thanksgiving. We are grateful for your support, which has made a 
difference more than ever in 2020. Below are links to the English and 
Spanish posts.

  a.. English version: “Reflections of Gratitude for Eighty Years of the 
Movement”
  b.. Spanish version: “Reflexiones de Gratitud por los Ochenta Años del 
Movimiento”


Open House Gathering: Share with Prospective Members:
Sunday, December 13, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. ET – The National Federation of the 
Blind is hosting an open house gathering for people who are not yet members 
of the Federation to learn about becoming members. Share with prospective 
members this opportunity to learn more from leaders about the Federation and 
why membership is crucial. Sign up by emailing membership at nfb.org or calling 
410-659-9314, extension 2509.



Dare to Be Remarkable: Conference for Blindness Professionals:
Tuesday, December 15 through Thursday, December 17, 2020 – Dare to Be 
Remarkable is a three-day, virtual national training conference for 
education and rehabilitation professionals who work with blind and 
low-vision transition-aged students or adults. The agenda includes breakout 
sessions on various topics and professions including administrators, O&M 
instructors, access technology instructors, and more. Review the agenda and 
register now for the Dare to Be Remarkable conference.



Teachers of Tomorrow Program:
If you are preparing for a career in teaching blind students, or if you are 
an early career educator looking to enhance your teaching, then the National 
Federation of the Blind invites you to apply for a spot in the first cohort 
of our Teachers of Tomorrow program. This immersive, professional 
development program connects teachers of blind and low-vision students to 
the lived experiences of blind people, equipping participants with knowledge 
about the skills and attitudes that can help blind students thrive in school 
and beyond. The program is free to participants thanks to a partnership 
between the National Federation of the Blind and the Gustavus and Louise 
Pfeiffer Research Foundation. For more information or to apply visit 
https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/education/teachers-tomorrow.


Affiliate Thank You to NFB of Michigan
Thanks go out to the NFB of Michigan for contributing recently. We can only 
build the Federation if we do it together. Financial support is appreciated.



Reminder:
It’s that Time of Year—Santa Letters:
Every year Santa Claus turns the staff at the National Federation of the 
Blind into his honorary elves to help him send letters and activities in 
Braille to young children (those under the age of ten) across the United 
States. Between November 9 and December 16, parents can submit a request for 
a letter at http://www.nfb.org/santa-letters. The form can also be printed 
and faxed to 410-685-2340 or emailed to communityrelations at nfb.org. 
Beginning Monday, November 30, the Braille letters from Santa will start 
going out to children. The Braille letter will be accompanied by a print 
copy as well and some other fun holiday activities. The deadline for letter 
requests is December 16. Learn more about Santa Letters.



Braille Readers Are Leaders—A Contest for Children and Adults:
This contest is designed to encourage the contestants to read more Braille, 
helping them to improve their reading skills and win prizes. The National 
Federation of the Blind is partnering with the American Action Fund for 
Blind Children and Adults to present the 2020-2021 Braille Readers Are 
Leaders contest to encourage Braille literacy and reading for pleasure. 
Children and adults across the United States compete against their 
same-grade peers to read the most Braille pages between December 1, 2020, 
through January 18, 2021. Registration is open now. Learn more about the 
Braille Readers Are Leaders contest.





Dates to Keep in Mind:
  a.. December 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
  b.. December 1: Braille Readers Are Leaders reading starts
  c.. December 13: Open-House Gathering call, 8:00 p.m. eastern
  d.. December 15-17: Dare to Be Remarkable, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. eastern
  e.. January 4: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
  f.. January 18: Braille Readers Are Leaders registration (and page count) 
deadline
  g.. January 28: Smart Cities Summit, 12:00-8:00 p.m. eastern
  h.. February 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
  i.. February 8: Washington Seminar Great Gathering-In
  j.. March 31: Scholarship application deadline
  k.. April 15: Bolotin Awards nominations deadline
  l.. July 6-11: NFB National Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana




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

Twitter: @Riccobono

Pronouns: he, him, his













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.




-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbnj_nfbnet.org/attachments/20201123/529021de/attachment.html>