[NFBNJ] Week of August 15, 2022, President Riccobono's Notebook, National Items of Interest and Dates to Keep in Mind

[Linda Melendez]

*National Federation of the Blind*


* Mark A. Riccobono **officeofthepresident at nfb.org*
<officeofthepresident at nfb.org>
*410-659-9314*
Critical Actions:
NFB.org Website Maintenance this Weekend:

Please note that nfb.org and subdomains of nfb.org will be undergoing a
scheduled maintenance and upgrade to Drupal 9 Saturday, August 20, and
Saturday, August 27. If there is content you need for a weekend chapter
meeting, it may be helpful to download prior to Saturday. Thank you for
your understanding.
Prospective Member Open House:

The National Federation of the Blind invites blind people to an open house
for prospective members on August 31 from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m., eastern, via
Zoom. Please recommend this opportunity to those who have questions about
who we are, our philosophy, and how to join. Please email membership at nfb.org to
sign up.
Host the October *Presidential Release* LIVE:

President Riccobono is taking his monthly message on the road. By chapter,
affiliate, or even region, submit a brief proposal to have the October
*Presidential
Release* broadcasted live in your area. We will come to you! Submit your
pitch:

In addition to letting us know why it would be important to your chapter or
group for us to come to you, please be sure to include the following
logistical details.


   - Who – Who will be organizing the release? Will it be your chapter,
   affiliate, group of chapters or affiliate divisions?
   - Where – Would the release be hosted at a community center, restaurant,
   gym, or at a different sort of location?
   - What – What are some unique stories or reasons that set your group
   apart from the rest?

Remember that this opportunity is available to all chapters and affiliates
no matter the size of the group or where you’re located. Send in your
pitches to membership at nfb.org no later than Sunday, August 28. We will
announce the site on the September release.
News:
Center for Employment Opportunities:

Please join us on Friday, September 9, at 8:00 p.m., eastern, for the next
in our *Where the Blind Work* webinar series, highlighting blind workers in
blue-collar jobs in our upcoming segment. Remember that we are always
looking for a range of blind people working in all sorts of interesting
jobs and careers. If you have suggestions, please contact Maurice Peret,
coordinator of career mentoring and employment programs, at mperet at nfb.org or
at 410-659-9314, extension 2350.
Self-Employment Opportunities—From Getting Started to Securing the Funds:

The National Federation of the Blind works to bridge the gaps leading to
unemployment and underemployment among the nation’s blind through our
Center for Employment Opportunities initiative. And this year, we were a
founding ambassador in the global launch of SmartJob, LLC. As part of that
partnership, we are excited to share the following August business
opportunities through Include, LLC. There are two upcoming learning tracks.
Track 1: *From Idea to Business* is a webinar series to focus on the
process of how to evaluate whether your idea is ready to become a business
and how to make it happen. Track 2: Raising Venture Capital is a one-on-one
coaching program regarding the process of fundraising. The registration and
application deadline is approaching. Learn more at
https://www.includellc.org/.
*Mosen At Large Podcast* Episode 191 with President Riccobono:

Hosted by Jonathan Mosen, *Mosen At Large* is the “global podcast that’s
got the blind community talking.” Listen to the *Mosen At Large* episode
that features President Riccobono where they cover many topics from
membership, advocacy, and philosophy today
<https://mosen.org/episode-191-national-federation-of-the-blind-president-mark-riccobono/>
.
Accessibility of Federal Technology and Websites:

On Thursday, August 11, Senate Aging Committee Chairman Bob Casey
(Pennsylvania) sent a letter requesting a Government Accountability Office
investigation into the accessibility of federal technology, including
websites, for people with disabilities. Additional signatories on the
letter include Senators Patty Murray (Washington), Richard Burr (North
Carolina), Kirsten Gillibrand (New York), and Mike Braun (Indiana). We
believe this letter is in response to the recent hearing on this topic, at
which Anil Lewis testified in person. You can read Anil’s testimony
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/anil-lewiss-testimony-senate-special-committee-aging>
on
the Policy Statements page
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements> of our
website.
Federation Comments on the Findings for the 2022 Twenty-First Century
Communications and Video Accessibility Act Biennial Report:

On Monday, August 8, we submitted comments in response to the Federal
Communications Commission’s (FCC) tentative findings for the 2022
Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act Biennial
Report to Congress. The full text of our comments to the FCC
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/national-federation-blind-comments-tentative-findings>
can
be read on the Policy Statements page of our website.
 Dates to Keep in Mind: (all times eastern)

   - August 31: Deadline for affiliates to request Action Fund Braille
   calendars
   - September 1: Presidential Release
   - January 30, 2023: Great Gathering-In
   - March 23, 2023: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium
   - July 1-6, 2023: National Convention; Houston, Texas


-- 

Warmly,
Linda Melendez, President
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
732-421-7063
president at nfbnj.org
www.nfbnj.org
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238
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