[NFBNJ] December 21, 2022 President Riccobono's National Items of Interest and Dates to Keep in Mind

[Linda Melendez]

*President’s Notebook*



* National Federation of the Blind Mark A. Riccobono *
*officeofthepresident at nfb.org* <officeofthepresident at nfb.org>
*410-659-9314*


Dear Federation Family,


As the end of the 2022 Federation year draws to a close, I want to extend
my gratitude for each of you for your service. Our leadership and staff are
some of the most thoughtful, dedicated, innovative, and dynamic people I
have ever met. This year has been a very good one for us but also a
difficult one with a number of losses to our community.

I want to ask for your patience as we regroup on some of our work both
because of the end-of-the-year holidays and because of the shuffling we
need to do after losing our friend and colleague Scott LaBarre. I hope that
each of you will take the time to relax, reflect, and re-energize. I am
anticipating the opportunity to enjoy the family time fully.

We have many things we want to accomplish together for NFB in 2023. It is
going to be an important time of opportunity and growth for the next
generation of leaders in our movement. I am anticipating all that will come
from our work together.

This will be our last notebook for 2022. The national office will be on
limited staffing during the next week, but we will be up to full speed
again on January 3, 2023. Please note that our offices are completely
closed on December 26 and January 2.

Happy holiday wishes to you, and may your 2023 be personally rewarding.

Cheers to building NFB in '23!
Critical Actions: Accessible COVID-19 Tests:

The federal government is once again making COVID-19 tests available to the
public at no cost. Blind people can place one order (which will include
twelve tests) for the accessible Ellume tests. Go to
ACL.gov/COVIDtests/accessible <http://acl.gov/COVIDtests/accessible> to
access the ordering page. If you need to order these tests over the phone,
call the Disability Information and Access Line at 888-677-1199.
January Presidential Release:

Mark your calendars for the first Presidential Release of 2023: Wednesday,
January 4, at 8:00 p.m., eastern.

https://zoom.us/j/99278902407

Webinar ID: 992 7890 2407
News: Scott LaBarre Celebration of Life:

A Celebration of Life to honor Scott will be held January 21, 2023, in
Denver, Colorado, at 4:30 p.m., mountain time. Those wishing to participate
in-person are asked to RSVP for planning purposes. Location details will be
shared once the RSVP form is completed. Details on how to join virtually
are coming soon.

RSVP for the Celebration of Life
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=28251&qid=8162718>
Help Us Meet Our End-of-Year Goals:

If you have already contributed, thank you so very much for your
generosity. It is not too late. If you have not supported us financially
yet, please consider an end-of-year gift. You can give in one of three ways:

1.   Visit our donate <https://nfb.org/donate> page.

2.   Call 410-659-9314, extension 2430, and contribute by phone.

3.   Mail a check to 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230.

If you are not in a position to support us financially, please consider
sharing our messaging and asking friends and family to do so.
 US Senate Special Committee on Aging Report Regarding the Accessibility of
Federal Technology:

On Tuesday, December 14, Senator Bob Casey (PA), the Chairman of the US
Senate Special Committee on Aging, published a report authored by the
committee titled *Unlocking the Virtual Front Door*. The report details the
findings of an eleven-month investigation detailing “widespread failure
across the federal government to ensure that federal technology is
accessible for people with disabilities, older adults, and veterans.” The
full report can be read on Senator Casey’s website
<https://www.aging.senate.gov/press-releases/casey-investigation-details-widespread-failure-by-federal-government-to-ensure-web-accessibility-for-people-with-disabilities-older-adults-and-veterans>
.
Where the Blind Work:

Please join us on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at 8:00 p.m., eastern, to
celebrate the work and accomplishments of blind and low-vision people with
experience in the medical and healthcare field.

·  Hear about what their typical day looks like.

·  Hear how attitudinal and accessibility barriers are overcome at work.

·  Learn about alternative techniques and strategies used to do these jobs.

Register at
https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/where-the-blind-work-webinars-registration
.
Reminders: Upcoming Deadline for Member Data Corrections:

If you have member information that needs correcting, you can send it to
Danielle McCann (dmccann at nfb.org) by December 31 for updating. This does
not include adding new members; they should be entered in the new member
form. <https://nfb.org/new_member_form> This process is for existing
members whose information is either incorrect in the portal or needs
updating.
Dates to Keep in Mind: (all times eastern)

   - December 31: Deadline for assistance with updating member data
   - January 4: World Braille Day <https://braille.day/>
   - January 30: Great Gathering-In
   - February 8: Open House, 8:00 p.m.
   - March 2 and 5: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Scholarships)
   - March 23: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium
   - May 10: Open House, 8:00 p.m.
   - June 1 and 4: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Member Engagement
   and National Convention)
   - July 1-6, 2023: National Convention; Houston, Texas
   - August 9: Open House, 8:00 p.m.
   - September 7 and 10: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Blind Equality
   Achievement Month)
   - November 8: Open House, 8:00 p.m.
   - December 7 and 10: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Planning the
   Year Ahead)
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