[NFBNJ] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 12/18/2023

[Linda Melendez]

*President’s Notebook*

*National Federation of the Blind*

*Mark A. Riccobono*

officeofthepresident at nfb.org

*410-659-9314*



Dear Federation Family,

It is hard to believe the year of 2023 is coming to an end. I have just a
couple more days in the office before going into a winter break. I will be
on family time starting on Thursday evening through the first of the New
Year. We will be ramping up quickly in January with the continued work of
our movement. I have already thanked you all for your work this year, but I
cannot help reflecting upon the many quiet ways we have worked together to
do good for our fellow blind this year. The stories that are most
compelling to me are not the ones that make the Presidential Report. The
quiet ways that each of you assist blind people, take late night calls,
help blind people overcome barriers, and open doors of opportunity are the
true blessings of our movement. These are the moments that only a small
circle of people around you know about, but I know they happen because they
are the signature of Federation leadership. Thank you for the quiet acts of
kindness you undertake every day.

As we close the year, I need to share one piece of news that is really hard
to deliver. The board of directors at Blindness Learning in New Dimensions,
Incorporated, (our affiliated training center in Minnesota) announced
yesterday its intention to suspend operations in order to reimagine and
rebuild the programming in Minnesota. Having sat with the board, I know the
gravity of their decision and the commitment of these leaders to building
better opportunities for the blind across the country. I want to assure all
Federation leaders that we will continue to work with our affiliate leaders
in Minnesota and the leadership team at BLIND, Incorporated, to determine
how to transition to new and stronger programming in the future. this
message.

As we close the year, I hope you will take a few minutes to reflect upon
our success together. I also hope you will take note of the things we can
do to strengthen our work and our personal relationships in 2024. I plan to
do the same and I anticipate the opportunities to synergize my reflections
and yours.

Wishing you and yours a healthy, joyous, safe, and rejuvenating holiday
break!
Independence Market Holiday Hours:

The Independence Market will be closed from Friday, December 22 through
Monday, December 25, 2023, and then again from Friday, December 29, 2023
through Monday, January 1, 2024.
January Presidential Release:

The National Federation of the Blind *Presidential Release #534*
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases> is
scheduled for January 4, 2024, at 8:00 p.m., eastern. Zoom ID 943 1629
4822. Each presidential release live includes a question and answer
session. Please submit questions early to *cdanielsen at nfb.org*
<cdanielsen at nfb.org>.
Access Technology Affordability Act:

The cold winter weather has brought with it a flurry of cosponsor activity
on the Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 3702/S. 1467). In the
House, H.R. 3702 has gained twenty-eight new cosponsors since the beginning
of December to bring the total number of cosponsors up to seventy-two. In
the Senate, Senators Booker (NJ), Ernst (IA), and Tillis (NC), all added
their names to the cosponsors of S. 1467 to bring the total number of
cosponsors on the Senate bill up to seventeen. This is fantastic progress
to finish out the year. Even though the ATAA was not included in the
National Defense Authorization Act, we have to keep working in order to
make sure we give it the best possible chance of being included in a larger
tax package now scheduled for debate in January or February. Be sure to
call or email your representatives and senators to urge them to cosponsor
the Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 3702/S. 1467).

News and Opportunity for Community Services Division:
Our board of directors has initiated the reorganization of the National
Federation of the Blind Community Services Division. This division aims to
use and improve service as a means to show that blind people have the
talent and desire to better the world we live in by promoting equal access
and participation in related activities. Federation members who are
interested in participating in the consideration of a reorganized Community
Services Division should contact Barbara Manuel, president of the NFB of
Alabama, at nfbal.president at gmail.com.
Submit and Share Consumer Feedback Survey:

The National Federation of the Blind is working with one of the world’s
largest consumer products companies to improve everyday shopping and
product experiences. This survey is designed to get the experience of blind
and low-vision consumers. Completing the survey will ensure your voice is
included and you will also be entered into a drawing for a chance to win
one of five $200 Amazon gift cards. *Consumer Feedback Survey*
<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2VSPT5N>
National Federation of the Blind Washington Seminar Career Fair:

Join us on Monday, January 29, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., eastern, for our
Washington Seminar in-person career fair. The National Federation of the
Blind career fairs are events for blind people seeking jobs to connect with
employers and are an opportunity for employers to seek more talent for
their teams. Registration is required by Friday, January 12, 2024.

*Career Fair – Job Seeker Registration*
<https://nfb.org/form/career-fair-jobseeker-registration>

*Career Fair – Employer Registration *
<https://nfb.org/form/career-fair-employer-registration>

To prepare job seekers, the Employment Committee will be hosting
“Maximizing Your In-person Career Fair Experience,” an online seminar
designed to provide tips and techniques for creating the most positive
experience while attending the fair. Members will automatically be
registered for the online seminar once they have registered for the career
fair. For more information on the career fair or webinar, please
contact Jennifer
Wenzel, Employment Committee chair and employer liaison, at
*jenwen319 at gmail.com* <jenwen319 at gmail.com>*,* or Rachel Kuntz, jobseeker
liaison, at *rkuntz at saavi.us*
<https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/h/1x9qu3194t9sc/?&cs=wh&v=b&to=rkuntz@saavi.us>
.
Five New Publications Available on NFB-NEWSLINE®:

NFB-NEWSLINE recently added five new publications to our lineup:

*State Newspapers:*

Illinois, *Chicago Defender* - The *Chicago Defender* is a Chicago-based
online African American newspaper. It was founded in 1905 by Robert S.
Abbott and was once considered the "most important" newspaper of its kind.

New York, *Post-Journal* - The *Post-Journal* is a daily newspaper, serving
the area around Jamestown, New York.  It is owned by Ogden Newspapers Inc.
and is billed as "southwestern New York's leading newspaper" with a
circulation of over ten thousand newspapers.

*International Newspaper:*

*Asahi Shimbun* - Founded in 1879, it is also one of the oldest newspapers
in Japan and Asia and is considered a newspaper of record for Japan.

*Breaking News Online:*

*19th news* – Our goal is to empower women and LGBTQ+ people—particularly
those from underrepresented communities—with the information, resources,
and tools they need to be equal participants in our democracy. (from the
paper’s website)

*Magazine:*

*Inc* - An American business magazine founded in 1979 and based in New York
City. The magazine publishes six issues per year, along with surrounding
online and social media content.
Consider Gifting Your IRA Distribution Directly to the Federation and Avoid
Taxes:

If you are in a position to do so, you may be able to avoid taxes on your
required minimum distribution from an IRA by giving directly to charity.
This is a great way to avoid taxes and give a little more to the Federation
and less to Uncle Sam for those who have retirement savings and must take
minimum distributions. For more information, contact *outreach at nfb.org*
<outreach at nfb.org>.
Where the Blind Work Webinar:

This January, join the National Federation of the Blind as we celebrate the
work and accomplishments of blind people with a panel discussion. This
online webinar will take place on Wednesday January 24, from 8:00–9:00
p.m., eastern, via Zoom. Unemployment and under-employment persist as among
the most stubborn factors affecting blind people’s pursuit of cultural and
economic equity in society. Below are our panel participants:


   - Tracey Hall Hennigan, Braille Technician, Maryland
   - Ronza Othman, Director, EEO Compliance, Centers for Medicare &
   Medicaid Services, US Department of Health and Human Services, Maryland
   - Christopher Kuczynski, General Counsel, US Access Board, Washington DC



*Register for the Where the Blind Work Webinar*
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/where-the-blind-work-webinars-registration>
for Zoom details. We look forward to your participation!
Reminders: Round-Up with Lyft:

Since this is the holiday season many of our friends and family will be
using Lyft. Please ask your friends to round up their fares to the nearest
dollar and donate their change from each Lyft ride to the National
Federation of the Blind. It is easy: Hit Menu, hit donate, and then choose
the National Federation of the Blind.
Dates to Keep in Mind: (all times eastern)


   - Thursday, December 4, at 8:00 p.m.: Presidential Release
   - Monday, January 29, 2024: Great Gathering-In
   - Tuesday, January 30, 2024: Congressional Reception (Washington Seminar)
   - January 29 -February 1, 2024: *Washington Seminar*
   <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar>
   - April 15, 2024: Deadline for *Bolotin Award*
   <https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information>
   nominations
   - July 3-8, 2024: National Convention; Orlando, Florida



Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement


   -  Wednesday, February 7, 8:00 p.m.
   - Wednesday, May 8, 8:00 p.m.
   - Wednesday, August 7, 8:00 p.m.
   - Wednesday, November 6, 8:00 p.m.
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