[NFBNJ] Fwd: NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 06/12/2023
NFB New Jersey
nfb.newjersey at gmail.com
Tue Jun 13 07:59:55 UTC 2023
*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 you will note by the many items below related to the national
convention, it is the most pressing concern at the moment. The 2023
National Convention brings with it a degree of excitement but also a high
level of wonder about what our community will be talking about. I derive a
lot of understanding and strength from the wisdom of our community and the
sharing of lived experiences.
I encourage you to continue to promote the Virtual Convention Experience to
those members who will not be with us in Houston. We have a great virtual
convention lineup planned.
Most importantly, I ask you to carve out some time to truly think about and
act on the many pre-convention items listed below.
I anticipate our work together in Texas.
*Critical Actions:*
*June Presidential Release Chapter Version Available:*
The National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release #528 chapter
version
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases> is
available. Additional formats are also available. Please mark your
calendars for the next Presidential Release scheduled for August 1, 2023,
at 8:00 p.m., eastern.
*News:*
*Legislative Update:*
The House and the Senate are both in session this week and next week, which
makes the days leading up to our 2023 National Convention a perfect time to
call or email your representative and senators to urge them to cosponsor
two of our legislative priorities: the Access Technology Affordability Act
and the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act. The Access Technology
Affordability Act (H.R. 3702 in the House and S. 1467 in the Senate) is a
$2,000 refundable tax credit that can be used to purchase qualified access
technology. The Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R. 1328)
authorizes the FDA to establish a minimum nonvisual access standard for
Class II and Class III medical devices with digital interfaces so that
blind people can operate them safely and independently. The passage of
these two bills will significantly improve economic opportunities and
independence for blind Americans. Be sure to call or email your elected
officials in Congress and ask them to cosponsor the Access Technology
Affordability Act (H.R. 3702/S. 1467) and the Medical Device Nonvisual
Accessibility Act (H.R. 1328).
*Where the Blind Work **"Government Contracting”:*
Join the National Federation of the Blind on Thursday, June 15, at 8:00
p.m., eastern, for a panel discussion featuring blind government contract
professionals. *Where the Blind Work* is a webinar series to highlight
employment options and experiences that inspire and inform our community
that blind and low-vision people are living the lives they want. Register
now for *Where the Blind Work* webinar.
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?id=585&reset=1>
*Request for Information Regarding Automated Workplace Surveillance and
Screening Tools:*
Has an automated screening tool deemed you ineligible for work based on
blindness? Do you have concerns about how your disability will be assessed,
tracked, or used by artificial intelligence at work? Then we need your
story! The federal government is asking for feedback regarding how
automated technologies have affected our ability to get and keep our jobs.
Responses will be used to inform new policy, share relevant research data,
and influence best practices. Responses are due no later than Thursday,
June 29, at 5:00 p.m., eastern. Comments can be entered anonymously and all
emails will be merged with the official record. You can submit your
response on the web
<https://www.regulations.gov/document/OSTP_FRDOC_0001-0004> or by email at
workersurveillance at ostp.eop.gov.
Click here for more information about the project.
<https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2023/05/01/hearing-from-the-american-people-how-are-automated-tools-being-used-to-surveil-monitor-and-manage-workers/>
*NFB EQ for Teachers: A Nonvisual & Accessible Engineering Curriculum:*
The National Federation of the Blind has always been an innovator when it
comes to education, technology, and access. We believe that STEM learning
should be accessible for all, including blind and low-vision youth. As our
world is evolving to become more and more digital, we discovered a need to
create a version of our popular NFB EQ curriculum that is digitally
accessible, free, and publicly available. In other words, an online, Open
Educational Resource (OER) that allows educators to access the NFB EQ
curriculum remotely—from anywhere. This is a great resource to point
teachers to when they get questions about how to make STEM accessible.
https://nfb.org/programs-services/education/national-center-blind-youth-science/nfb-eq/nfb-eq-teachers
*Smart Cities Seminar: *
Join the National Federation of the Blind Center of Excellence in Nonvisual
Access on Wednesday, June 14, from 1:00-5:00 p.m., eastern, to learn about
the work we have done in making cities accessible. We will discuss indoor
wayfinding apps, our work with the Maryland Transit Administration,
accessible public kiosks, and developments in autonomous vehicles. Register
today for this seminar
<https://u32452178.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=mTCu8dGvOkl-2BXqaCK8sZ2XZsIV-2FIHwCJ1wu82RzQMT-2BYPFY1W898jzlXsLk2Gsfbw41qKNhx0tARVD3moGhWWZBAhLojQznE3nv5lRttBnc-3D3bzo_52D9s2nwllmoAQY4zLge-2FCwVj1aI4Be3ffu1hQwXMclhkdRZmVH13-2BfmjCZ4bddoui1logjfl3jVr6usb1oT2cqQN1rdgkyQ2FOw-2FvkqfN-2B4ZkfMlWazTKh9EDKmEyEZfYwbtYlB54IpYzB0kJ93x2Ur8RLjaACuZ1gNiC80wsYm4Y0DTPk4afr4gkVTcSoS6A8e7ArSgtJMOo826RNthA-3D-3D>
to receive the Zoom link.
*Give $20 and Aira Matching Gift:*
Each year, thousands of Federation members contribute during national
convention to various funds that support blind people. In 2023, your
generosity is still needed to fund our great programs. When you give $20 or
more between May 1 and July 6, 3:00 p.m. central time, you will be entered
into the Give $20 Convention Drawing to win the following:
· Round-trip transportation for two for the 2024 NFB National
Convention
· Hotel at the convention
· Registration and banquet tickets for two
· $1,000 in walking-around cash
This drawing will be to support the following funds:
· *Kenneth Jernigan Fund:* Funds donated to the Kenneth Jernigan Fund
are designated by our board of directors for special projects such as
getting first-timers to our national convention. The fund is named for Dr.
Jernigan, whose contributions to our movement are incalculable.
· *SUN Fund: *These funds are being set aside in the event that they
are needed to support the Federation during difficult times.
· *White Cane Fund: *These dollars go directly to the general
treasury of the Federation.
· *t**enBroek Fund**: *These dollars go to the tenBroek Memorial Fund
that owns the property at 200 East Wells in Baltimore for the benefit of
blind people.
*Give $20 and Aira Matching Gift:*
Each year, thousands of Federation members contribute during national
convention to various funds that support blind people. In 2023, your
generosity is still needed to fund our great programs. When you give $20 or
more between May 1 and July 6, 3:00 p.m. central time, you will be entered
into the Give $20 Convention Drawing to win the following:
· Round-trip transportation for two for the 2024 NFB National
Convention
· Hotel at the convention
· Registration and banquet tickets for two
· $1,000 in walking-around cash
This drawing will be to support the following funds:
· *Kenneth Jernigan Fund:* Funds donated to the Kenneth Jernigan Fund
are designated by our board of directors for special projects such as
getting first-timers to our national convention. The fund is named for Dr.
Jernigan, whose contributions to our movement are incalculable.
· *SUN Fund: *These funds are being set aside in the event that they
are needed to support the Federation during difficult times.
· *White Cane Fund: *These dollars go directly to the general
treasury of the Federation.
· *t**enBroek Fund**: *These dollars go to the tenBroek Memorial Fund
that owns the property at 200 East Wells in Baltimore for the benefit of
blind people.
Each $20 donation is a chance to win! Your name will be placed in the
drawing for each increment of $20 you give. Give $100 and you will be
entered into the drawing five times.
Aira has generously issued a challenge grant. Aira will match up to $25,000
during our Give $20 campaign.
You must specify a fund in order to be entered into the drawing. You can do
this by using our Give $20 online donation form or in the memo if giving by
check. Choose one of the following funds: Kenneth Jernigan Fund, SUN Fund,
White Cane Fund, or the tenBroek Fund. Your contribution will be counted
for the drawing regardless of which fund you designate.
· Give online now
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=45>.
· Give via phone by calling our donation line at 410-659-9314,
extension 2430.
· Send a check to National Federation of the Blind Jernigan
Institute, 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230. Be sure to have
#Give20 and the fund you are giving to in the memo. If you are not sure,
please choose the White Cane Fund as it affords the greatest flexibility.
*Note: The drawing is for individuals and is not intended for contributions
by divisions, state affiliates, or chapters.*
The winner of the drawing will be announced July 6, 2023, at the banquet.
Help us share the Federation with others. Thank you for your generosity.
*Access and Share Our Publications:*
The National Federation of the Blind creates and distributes several
publications. These materials inform both our membership and our friends
about the true nature of blindness, issues of interest to the blind, NFB
news and action items, and the many important stories we share.
- June *Braille Monitor*
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor>
- *Nation’s Blind Podcast*
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast>
- *Voice of the Nation’s Blind Blog* <https://nfb.org/blog>
*Dates to Keep in Mind: *(all times eastern)
- July 1-6, 2023: National Convention; Houston, Texas
- August 9: Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement, 8:00 p.m.
- November 8: Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement, 8:00 p.m.
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