[NFBNJ] Important: President Riccobono's Final 2021 Notebook, National Items of Interest and Dates to Keep in Mind

[Linda Melendez]

Dear Federation Family,


As we come to the end of the year, I reflect upon the many members of this
movement who have made a contribution to our work in the past twelve
months. Many of you receiving this come to mind because of the heart and
quiet actions you put into improving people’s lives. Mostly, my heart is
filled with a great optimism for our future together. This past year has
tested and transformed our movement. The next year will be a period of
hope, building, and renewal for all of us. Even as we face another surge in
the coronavirus, we have the confidence and experience of the past two
years to guide our decisions and our actions—experience that we did not
have two years ago. This is what we do in our movement: we learn as we go
and build upon our experience. Sometimes we face uncertain circumstances
but we face them together. Often, we can use our history, our experience,
and our expertise to guide us through. In 2022, we will do all of these
things to bring our movement to even greater heights for the blind of
America.



In the Riccobono household we celebrate Christmas, and we are looking
forward to the family being together for a week of relaxation, reflection,
and refreshment. We continue to be thankful that we have the opportunity to
be part of a community of leaders and extended family within the
Federation. I regret that time does not permit us to call each of you
personally to share our gratitude and well wishes. Instead, please accept
this as our wish that you have a safe, happy, and rejuvenating holiday and
that 2022 brings you many great things. In addition, we want to express our
great anticipation for being with each of you in New Orleans next summer.


Happy holidays!
Critical Actions:
Legal Update—Spread the Word #BackOffLACCD:

In a case filed by the National Federation of the Blind; the National
Federation of the Blind of California; and two blind students, Roy Payan
and Portia Mason, the Federal District Court for the Central District of
California found that Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD)
violated the students’ rights under Title II of the Americans with
Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
However, LACCD is planning to petition the US Supreme Court regarding this
case—putting disability rights at risk. Please follow and engage with
the hashtag
#BackOffLACCD on Twitter
<https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BackOffLACCD&src=typed_query&f=live> to
demand that LACCD stop this intentional effort that threatens our rights.
More information will be shared in an upcoming email.
News:
Start the New Year at the January Presidential Release:

The January Presidential Release will take place January 4, 2021, at 8:00
p.m., eastern. The monthly Presidential Release provides important updates
and perspectives of the organized blind movement, and the live event
includes a Q&A session. Submit questions in advance to cdanielsen at nfb.org and
put PR512 in the subject line, or call 410-659-9314, extension 2473. Zoom
details are https://zoom.us/j/96155839686 or the Meeting ID is 961 5583
9686.
Thank You for Your Support of the National Federation of the Blind:

The National Federation of the Blind relies on the generosity of our
supporters to help us raise the expectations of blind people. Please share
our thank you video to supporters you connected with this year and to new
supporters we look forward to working with in the future.
https://youtu.be/XwgClsONKgY
Lawsuit against Duke University:

The NFB and member Mary Fernandez recently resolved our lawsuit against
Duke University. As a part of the settlement, Duke will revise its policies
and guidelines regarding accessible materials for blind students and will
retain a consultant with expertise in accessible materials. For more
information, please visit Fernandez v. Duke University Agreement Exhibit 1
<https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/files-pdf/Exhibit%201.pdf>.
Read and Share the Kernel Books:

The National Federation of the Blind's Kernel Book series highlights the
stories of blind people and goes beyond sentimentality and
misconceptions—to the very "kernel" of blindness. The text and audio of
every Kernel Book is available online at
https://nfb.org/resources/jacobus-tenbroek-library/collections/kernel-books.
Please note: this link is an updated page, please update any bookmarks you
may have of a previous link.
Dates to Keep in Mind: (all times eastern)


   - January 4: Presidential Release, 8:00 p.m.
   - February 1: Presidential Release, 8:00 p.m.
   - February 7: Great Gathering-In, 5:00 p.m.
   - February 7-10: Washington Seminar
   <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/>
   - March 1: Presidential Release, 8:00 p.m.
   - March 31: Deadline to submit scholarship application
   <https://nfb.org/scholarships>
   - July 5-10: National Convention, New Orleans



*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.*
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