[NFBNJ] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 09/28/2020

[joe ruffalo]

Greetings to all!

I  have pasted several items of interest for your consideration.
In addition, my comments are provided after each section.

Joe


We care. We share. We grow. We make a difference
Joe Ruffalo, 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: Tuesday, September 29, 2020 11:30 AM
To: State Presidents
Cc: NFB-Division-Leaders at nfbnet.org ; NCB Staff
Subject: NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 09/28/2020

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


Dear Fellow Federationists,

As we come into the early days of Meet the Blind Month this week, I feel a 
tremendous amount of energy based on what we have done during the first nine 
months of this year. As we consider new ways to create understanding in the 
general public about our positive philosophy of blindness, we also recognize 
that we need to do more to explore, understand, and share the diversity of 
people who live effectively with blindness every day. It is our hope that we 
can contribute to that exploration and understanding with our 2020 Meet the 
Blind Month activities.

It is going to be a great week; Green Bay won (sorry Pam) and I look forward 
to being present with all of you at the Presidential Release Live on 
Thursday.

There are many important announcements below for you to consider.



Critical Actions:
This Thursday: Attend the Presidential Release:
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. 
Closed captions and Spanish translation will be available. Zoom details for 
the Presidential Release are now available.


News:
NFB-NEWSLINE® Mobile 3.0 with KNFB Reader Basic Released:
The National Federation of the Blind has released version 3.0 of 
NFB-NEWSLINE® Mobile to the Apple App Store. The brand new, redesigned app 
not only allows subscribers to access all of the content available through 
NFB-NEWSLINE from their iPhone, iPad, or other iOS device, but includes a 
free basic version of the KNFB Reader mobile app. NFB-NEWSLINE Mobile 
includes these features and much more:

  a.. KNFB Reader Basic, a free version of KNFB Reader with the core 
functions necessary to quickly scan any printed text – just point, shoot, 
and read!
  b.. The ability to share articles from publications in the breaking news 
category to social media channels.
  c.. Multiple customization options to organize, save, and manage both 
NFB-NEWSLINE content and documents scanned with KNFB Reader Basic.
Comments: The agenda committee is planning for Scott White to present on 
Saturday, November 21.

As we finalize, email info will be forwarded.





Meet the Blind Month Is Almost Here!:
Every October the National Federation of the Blind celebrates Meet the Blind 
Month across the country. We want people to get to know us and learn from 
our experiences. We look forward to celebrating with all of you. Share with 
us any local activities to add them to nfb.org/MTBM by emailing the event 
details to web at nfb.org. We will also be hosting the following activities to 
promote the full capacity of blind people:

  a.. For employers: we are hosting webinars on lived experiences with 
problem solving in the workplace for national organizations, corporations, 
and other hiring entities.
  b.. For members and prospective members: we will be sharing videos on 
lived experiences with self-confidence built by training and philosophy
  c.. For the general public: we are hosting Twitter chats each Wednesday at 
2:00 p.m. to discuss lived experiences with blindness and other 
intersectional characteristics.
Learn more at nfb.org/MTBM.

Comments: To chapter presidents and members, please share your plans with 
all chapter presidents.  As they receive, they will share with the members.





Independence Market at State Conventions:
Since the NFB Independence Market, our blindness products store, can’t be 
present at all state conventions (even virtually), we have developed a short 
video for you to share with our members at your state convention. The video 
gives a quick overview of products available through the Independence Market 
and focuses on a few popular items.

Comments: The agenda committee is planning to provide the info above during 
the state convention.





Share with Higher Ed—Inclusive Publishing Conference, October 1:

The National Federation of the Blind is hosting a one-day online event 
focused on digital publication accessibility. The Inclusive Publishing 
Conference will feature presentations such as “Word to EPUB 101,” “Issues 
Facing Blind Students in Higher Education Today,” “Best Practices for 
Ensuring Accessible Content in Your University Course,” and more! Check out 
the agenda and register today.



NOPBC Remote Education Forum:
The National Federation of the Blind and the National Organization of 
Parents of Blind Children will be holding a community forum to discuss 
access to remote education for blind students. The events will be held 
Tuesday, October 6, at 3:00 p.m. eastern and Thursday, October 8, at 8:00 
p.m. eastern. Please encourage parents of blind children in grades K-12 to 
attend. More information can be found at 
https://www.nfb.org/our-community/parents-blind-children.

Comments: Please share with others.



NFB STEM2U:
For more than fifteen years the National Federation of the Blind has been 
working to improve opportunities for blind students in the areas of science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics. In NFB STEM2U, we are bringing 
what we have learned directly to students and families in their homes. Blind 
students of varying ages will receive instruction from NFB personnel and 
expert instructors via the Zoom platform. Students from Colorado, Illinois, 
Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, 
New Jersey, New York, Texas, Utah, and Virginia are eligible. More 
information and registration can be found at 
https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/education/nfb-stem2u.

Comments: I have appointed Cary Supalo to chair this project.

Information will be forwarded to the NFBNJ distribution list and to the CBVI 
to assist with promotion.





Voting deadlines differ by state so don’t wait! The National Federation of 
the Blind encourages blind people, regardless of their political views, to 
participate in the American democracy. If your circumstances do not allow 
you to vote privately and independently this year, we still urge you to vote 
and then complete our voting survey (available October 2020) so we 
understand your voting experience. Review our voting resources and the 
details for your state.

Comments: Please register and vote.





Dates to Keep in Mind:
  a.. October 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
  b.. October 1: Inclusive Publishing Conference
  c.. October: Meet the Blind Month
  d.. November 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
  e.. December 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
  f.. December 9: Open-House Gathering call, 8:00 p.m. eastern
  g.. 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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