[NFBNJ] ​ Week of October17, 2022 President Riccobono's Notebook, National Items of Interest and Dates to Keep in MindPresident’s Notebook

[Linda Melendez]

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



Dear Federation Family,


I hope everyone had a great White Cane Awareness Day. It is heartwarming to
witness so many outstanding events to promote the Federation in the public
again. Check out this clip of our Baltimore Running Festival water stop
<https://news.yahoo.com/national-federation-blind-mans-baltimore-125809041.html?guccounter=1>
hosted
by the Greater Baltimore Chapter. If you have not shared activities from
your affiliates with our communications group, I hope you do so very soon.
Critical Actions: October 18 Oral Argument for *Orozco v. Merrick* in
Washington, DC:

We invite and encourage NFB members to attend the in-person oral argument
for the NFB-supported case, *Orozco v. Merrick,* on October 18 in
Washington, DC. NFB member Joe Orozco is appealing a federal district court
decision finding that blind federal employees do not have a private right
of action to directly enforce Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act against
their federal employers. The impact of the decision could extend to members
of the public seeking to access federal electronic information technology
as well as other disabled federal employees using technology at work.
Please contact Valerie Yingling at 410-659-9314, extension 2440, or
legal at nfb.org for more information about attending in person. For those who
cannot attend in person, we encourage you to listen to the oral argument
live via the court’s YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/USCourtsCADC
<https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fprotect-us.mimecast.com%2Fs%2F_0JvCkROzYcOrygQfz7Q0z%3Fdomain%3Dnam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com&data=05%7C01%7Cvyingling%40nfb.org%7C274b4c3e152b40c6eba308da9a43b25a%7C538f3d4b739545cf93fa8dfc2b4a7f62%7C1%7C0%7C637991912808755875%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=F5SassaNrzm5JOExwTw7f0p03cKUo0Ql5Cz6MMt3djE%3D&reserved=0>
.
Upcoming Event: Information Session with Tonya Baña:

As part of our safety and support work, the National Federation of the
Blind Code of Conduct Feedback Committee has been gathering information for
improving the participant experience, socializing the code itself and
associated procedures, and any barriers to understanding the policies and
standards established for our community. There is an upcoming information
session on Sunday, October 23, at 8:00 p.m., eastern, with Tonya Baña, our
external investigator.

 Zoom and details are available on the nfb.org event page for the
information session <https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/info?id=537&reset=1>*.*
News: Blind Voter Survey:

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires that voters with
disabilities must be afforded an opportunity to vote privately and
independently that is equivalent to the opportunity afforded to voters
without disabilities. This requirement applies to both in-person voting and
voting by mail for the upcoming general election on November 8, 2022.

After exercising the fundamental right to vote, all blind and low-vision
voters are encouraged to complete our 2022 Blind and Low-Vision Voter
Experience Survey! The 2022 survey consists of two separate surveys: one
survey for those who voted in person at an early voting center or their
local polling place, and a second survey for blind and low-vision voters
who voted by mail. Both surveys can be accessed from our Voting Resources
webpage. <https://nfb.org/resources/voting-resources>
Help Us Meet the Match: Vispero Is Matching Donations through December 31,
2022:


   - Give online at nfb.org/donate
   - Mail a check to National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells
   Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
   - Contribute by phone using a credit card by calling 410-659-9314,
   extension 2430. Share this information with family and friends!

Thank you for contributing to our mission and helping blind people live the
lives they want.
Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act (S. 4998/H.R. 9021):

Since the introduction of the Websites and Software Applications
Accessibility Act in both the House and the Senate, we have been copied on
a number of your emails urging members of Congress to cosponsor the bills.
This is fantastic, and really demonstrates the power we have when we all
set out to accomplish one goal. Please keep up this great work and continue
to email and call your members of Congress to urge them to cosponsor the
Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act (S. 4998/H.R. 9021).
It's Still Blind Equality Achievement Month!:

Let’s keep engaging on social media using the hashtag #BlindMonth. Members
of the National Federation of the Blind are still conducting activities in
local communities such as white cane walks, film screenings, and social
events. If you still have events or have had one, please share a
description of your affiliate- or chapter-related #BlindMonth activities,
including the white cane proclamations, to web at nfb.org so they can be
posted on the Blind Equality Achievement Month page.
<https://nfb.org/blind-month>
Social Security Administration Announces 2023 Cost-of-Living Adjustment:

On Thursday, October 13, 2022, the Social Security Administration (SSA)
announced the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for the 2023 benefit
amounts. The increase for 2023 is 8.7 percent and will have the following
impact on benefit amounts beginning in January of next year:


Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

2022 benefit: $841

2023 benefit: $914

 Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Average 2022 benefit: $1,364

Average 2023 benefit: $1,483

 SSDI Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Threshold for Blind People

2022: $2,260

2023: $2,460
NIH RADx COVID-19 At-Home-Test-Experience Survey:

The National Institutes of Health Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (NIH
RADx) has extended the closing date for its COVID-19
At-Home-Test-Experience survey. If you haven’t already, please take time to
complete this important  survey:

https://gatech.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bdqaz5GtByY4H1I
<https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fprotect-us.mimecast.com%2Fs%2FG08iCn5ND2f7xNz9S9VZdJ%3Fdomain%3Dgatech.co1.qualtrics.com&data=05%7C01%7Cvyingling%40nfb.org%7Ce86041fd47d24dd4b9d108daab13fe89%7C538f3d4b739545cf93fa8dfc2b4a7f62%7C1%7C0%7C638010399780995579%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=8%2BbjZYZQF7%2BDFNcQBKvFksqzFntf%2FpHJgjKDwCiU%2FT8%3D&reserved=0>

Where the Blind Work:

Join us on Friday, October 21, at 8:00 p.m., eastern, as we celebrate the
work and accomplishments of successfully employed blind professionals.
Register at

https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/where-the-blind-work-webinars-registration
*.*

Fearless Job Interview Part 2: the Dos and Don’ts of Business
Communication, October 13, 2022, at 7:00 p.m., eastern. Join Zoom:

https://zoom.us/j/93698466990


Fall virtual career fair on Wednesday, October 26, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.,
eastern. The deadline to register is Friday, October 14, at noon, eastern.


Registration for Job Seekers
<https://nfb.org/form/career-fair-jobseeker-registration>

Registration for Employers
<https://nfb.org/form/career-fair-employer-registration>
Dates to Keep in Mind: (all times eastern)


   - October 21: Where the Blind Work Webinar
   - October 25: Education Technology Accessibility Boutique
   <https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/events>
   - January 30, 2023: Great Gathering-In
   - March 23, 2023: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium
   - July 1-6, 2023: National Convention; Houston, Texas
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