[NFBNJ] Week of March 8, 2021 President Riccobono's Notebook, National Items of Interest and Dates to Keep in Mind

Tue Mar 9 01:48:17 UTC 2021

Greetings all,

To help stay connected with our National Office and the work of our
organization I am sharing some of President Riccobono's weekly notebook,
national items of interest and dates to keep in mind.

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

****

President’s Notebook
Week of March 8, 2021
National Federation of the Blind
Mark A. Riccobono

Dear Fellow Federationists,

Happy International Women’s Day. Like so many other movements, women are
the foundation of our organization and provide leadership in more areas
than I have time to reflect here. Three years ago I made this the focus of
my banquet speech and someday, if I get free time, I would love to spin
that into a full book—there are so many powerful and untold stories
throughout our movement. I want to help elevate these stories because I
think they are such a powerful teaching tool about leadership and the
strength of our movement. Yet even in 2021 we recognize we need to do more
to break down the gender barriers and find opportunities to build
leadership among the emerging generation of women in our movement.

So today I would like to offer you two diverse pieces from the emerging
generation of leaders in the Federation. Check out Kenia Flores in her TED
talk, “ <https://youtu.be/RNmIRFFKRp4>Rising Above Low Expectations with A
Disability <https://youtu.be/RNmIRFFKRp4>*,” *and from the *Braille Monitor*,
“We are Women and Sisters Forever
<https://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm21/bm2103/bm210309.htm>*,”
*by Danielle McCann.

I could not let today get away without giving a huge thank you to all of
our national board members who are women—they represent a majority of the
board—and especially our first vice president, Pam Allen, whose grace,
determination, insights, and innovations move us forward every day. I work
closely with Pam on everything we do, and I could not imagine what our
movement would be without her in it. I raise that up because she is one of
the many leaders who keep me grounded and contribute to my understanding on
a daily basis. I appreciate that Pam and our other board members continue
to be a driving force in ensuring that our organization roots out and
eliminates bias that may be hidden in our practices and policies.
Share Your Experience Accessing COVID-19 Vaccines and Testing:

The National Federation of the Blind is gathering data to monitor and
challenge access barriers for blind people to COVID-19 vaccines and tests.
It is vital that blind and low-vision Americans receive the same
opportunities and tools to participate in ending this public health threat
as others do. Please complete a five- to fifteen-minute survey regarding
your experience with COVID-19 vaccines and testing.

<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/access-covid-19-vaccine-and-testing-survey>Take
the survey on accessing COVID-19 vaccines and testing
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/access-covid-19-vaccine-and-testing-survey>
.
Journal of Blindness Innovation and Research Highlight:

*The Journal of Blindness Innovation and Research* is the first scholarly
journal created by blind people designed to address the real problems of
blindness. This month we are highlighting the article, “
<https://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/jbir/jbir21/jbir110108abs.html>Client-Centered
Therapy versus Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy: Applications in
Adjustment-to-Blindness Training" by Justin M. H. Salisbury, MA, NOMC,
NCRTB, NCUEB
<https://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/jbir/jbir21/jbir110108abs.html>
*,* which discusses two types of therapy and how they may apply to
adjusting to blindness.
App Development Seminar:

On Monday, March 15, from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. eastern, the National
Federation of the Blind, in collaboration with Google, is hosting an app
development seminar focused on accessibility. Anyone who develops or is
considering developing apps is encouraged to register for this Zoom event.
There are also limited opportunities to meet directly with Google engineers
to discuss your app and have your accessibility questions answered. The
registration page will be live shortly, checkwww.nfb.org/cena for updates.
Accessibility Boutique—Utilizing Smartphone Accessibility Features:

On Tuesday, March 30, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. eastern, the National
Federation of the Blind is hosting an accessibility boutique that will be
based on utilizing smartphone accessibility features. We will cover iOS
accessibility features, Android accessibility features, and accessibility
applications on both systems. Take advantage of this free opportunity on
Zoom to learn the latest in smartphone accessibility. Register for
theaccessibility
boutique
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/accessibility-boutiques/accessibility-boutique-registration>
today!
Latest Blog Post— “So Much More than the Money: A Scholarship Story”:

The *Voice of the Nation's Blind Blog* highlights personal experiences and
stories of blind people. In the recent article, Cayte Mendez shares her
scholarship story. Read the blog,
<https://www.nfb.org/blog/so-much-more-money-scholarship-story>"So Much
More than the Money: A Scholarship Story.
<https://www.nfb.org/blog/so-much-more-money-scholarship-story>*”*
Complete the Diversity and Inclusion Survey by March 15:

The National Federation of the Blind is gathering information on diversity
and inclusion from members and leaders in the organization. Please take
approximately fifteen minutes to complete this important survey by March
15. The survey includes a short, optional, confidential questionnaire about
you. Your perspective and experiences are needed to develop diversity and
inclusion initiatives for our movement.

<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NFB-Diversity-Inclusion>2021 Diversity and
Inclusion Survey (English)
<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NFB-Diversity-Inclusion>

<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NFB-Diversidad-Inclusion>En Español: 2021
Encuesta sobre Diversidad e Inclusión
<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NFB-Diversidad-Inclusion>
Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

·    March 31:Scholarship application
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program/scholarship-program-application-checklist>
deadline

·    April 5: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.

·    April 15:Bolotin Awards <https://www.nfb.org/bolotin> nominations
deadline

·    May 3: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.

·    June 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.

·    July 6-10: NFB National Convention, anywhere and everywhere
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