[NFBNJ] NFB Sharing Items Of Interest From President’s Notebook - Week of 09/21/2020

Mon Sep 21 21:58:30 UTC 2020

Greetings to all!
Several items of interest for your review.
Joe

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Subject: NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 09/21/2020

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

Dear Fellow Federationists,

As we close out the last day of summer, we can celebrate the great successes 
we have had during the season. Moving into fall we know that our local 
affiliates will be challenged to keep people connected as our nation 
continues to deal with the pandemic and the economic stresses caused by it 
My heart continues to be warmed by the deep personal commitment that 
Federationists are making in all parts of this country to support their 
blind brothers and sisters who are facing challenges during the pandemic.

Thanks for all the work you all are doing to keep spirits high, keep the 
Federation family connected, and continue advancing the status of the blind 
in society. As the summer lemonade gives way to the fall cider, I hope each 
of you takes some time to recognize how important your work is to our 
collective success around the country. Here's to a great autumn.

Comments: In a few words, I agree with President Riccobono.

Thanks for all you have done, are doing and continue to do to raise 
expectations to live the life we want!

Critical Actions:
Attend the Presidential Release Next Week:
The October Presidential Release of the National Federation of the Blind 
will be delivered on Thursday, October 1. After the remarks there is an 
opportunity for questions. Submit questions in advance to cdanielsen at nfb.org 
and put PR498 in the subject line, or call 410-659-9314, extension 2473.

Comments: While you are marking your calendar with the first of October, 
November and December at 8:00 pm eastern.

Celebrate #NationalVoterRegistrationDay, September 22:
The National Federation of the Blind encourages all blind people, regardless 
of their political views, to participate in the American democracy. 
According to NationalVoterRegistrationDay.org millions of eligible voters 
are unable to cast a ballot every year because of a missed registration 
deadline, outdated registration information, or other problems with their 
voter registration. We hope that blind Americans across the country will 
celebrate #NationalVoterRegistrationDay and get registered to vote and ready 
to cast a ballot. Review our voting resources for more information on 
voting.

And don’t forget that we have our own voting song, "Our Vote," thanks to the 
talents of NFB member Precious Perez who was inspired by "My Shot" from the 
musical Hamilton.

Comments: Get to it as your voice needs to be heard!

News:

US Commission on Civil Rights Report on Subminimum Wages:
Last week the US Commission on Civil Rights released a report, Subminimum 
Wages: Impacts on the Civil Rights of People with Disabilities, that 
recommended the 14(c) program be repealed with a planned phase out. They 
also recommended transition funding be allocated for capacity building while 
the program is phased out. The commission recommended oversight authority 
and jurisdiction be assigned to either the Department of Labor or the 
Department of Justice, noting the lack of civil rights oversight to protect 
the rights of 14(c) workers. More information is available in our press 
release. Also, a video prepared by the commission is available at 
https://securisync.intermedia.net/us2/s/HZL97afsUcN4QDOGYdK5pp0011ef58.

The complete press release is available on our website.

Comments: This is great news.  We will continue to provide additional 
updates as I receive.

Access Technology Affordability Act:
The ATAA has record support in both the House and Senate. With the addition 
of Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Washington) and Lori Trahan 
(Massachusetts) last week, the House version of the bill now has 127 
cosponsors. There was also a new cosponsor in the Senate last week, as 
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (New York) signed onto the bill, bringing our 
total number of Senate cosponsors to twenty-five. Leadership in both 
chambers continues to be impressed with the cosponsor counts on the Access 
Technology Affordability Act, as well as the bipartisan nature of the 
cosponsors. However, we have to keep pushing for more, as this gives us the 
greatest opportunity to have ATAA included in a larger bill package.

Comments: Thanks to all that have made contact with your representatives.

For those that need additional information, please contact Ryan Stevens, 
NFBNJ Legislative Director at 856 520 0016 or email, rysteve at gmail.com

Independence Market Exhibit Video:
A number of state affiliates have requested our Independence Market exhibit 
at their upcoming conventions. In an effort to fulfill all of the requests, 
we are working on a brief demo of a few independence market items that 
affiliates can use at their conventions This video will be sent out to 
affiliates later this week; it is expected to be ready by Wednesday.

Comments: When we receive, we will view and have this as part of the state 
convention. Stay tuned!

For additional information highlighting the state convention, please visit 
the state website at

www.nfbnj.org

Meet the Blind Month—Share Your Events:
The National Federation of the Blind celebrates Meet the Blind Month every 
October. Many members are planning virtual events and more in our local 
communities. Send the date of your event and a brief description to 
web at nfb.org, so it can be included on nfb.org/MTBM. Please use #MeetTheBlind 
in social media. Additionally, plan to participate in our weekly Twitter 
chats each Wednesday of October around lived experiences with 
intersectionality. Mark your calendars now!

Comments: Chapter leaders, let me know of any plans.

Remember, we care, we share, we grow, we make a difference!

This Week: Nonvisual Access Conference, September 24-25:
Access Technology and Structured Discovery. Designed for teachers of blind 
students and blindness professionals, the National Federation of the Blind 
is hosting the Nonvisual Access Conference, an all-virtual, two-day 
conference with sessions and panels discussing the intersection of access 
technology and the structured discovery training model used in other areas 
of blindness-skills training. Review the agenda and register today.

Comments: I think several professionals from NJ aare planning to attend.

Pearson Collaboration:

The National Federation of the Blind’s collaboration with Pearson in 
connection with the Pearson/NFB Corporate Disability Mentoring Program is 
going well. In this six-month program, blind college students are matched 
with successful Pearson employees and are provided access to guidance, 
advice, and support from successful and experienced professionals working in 
a variety of positions within the Pearson organization. This year we also 
are matching each Pearson mentor-mentee pair with a blind NFB mentor who 
will serve as a resource to the mentoring pair should blindness questions or 
concerns arise. Although the primary relationship in the triad is the 
relationship between the student and his or her Pearson mentor, our NFB 
mentors will be available to serve as a sounding board and to answer any 
questions or offer advice if requested.

If you are interested in serving as a blindness resource to a mentor/mentee 
pair in the Pearson/NFB Corporate Disability Mentoring Program, please send 
an email to sdubnow at nfb.org.

Comments: Super opportunities for all!

Amazon Fulfillment Center Employees:
Related to NFB Resolution 2020-11: Regarding Amazon Employment Practices, if 
you have been hired to work at an Amazon fulfillment center and were denied 
accommodations and/or put on leave without pay while your accommodations 
were being evaluated, the NFB needs to hear from you. Please contact Valerie 
Yingling, legal program coordinator, at vyingling at nfb.org regarding your 
experience.

Comments: With the fall and the holiday season, many employment 
opportunities.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

  a.. September 24-25: Nonvisual Access Conference
  b.. October 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
  c.. October 1: Inclusive Publishing Conference
  d.. October: Meet the Blind Month
  e.. November 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
  f.. December 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
  g.. December 9: Open-House Gathering call, 8:00 p.m. eastern
  h.. February 8, 2021: Washington Seminar Great Gathering-In

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.

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