[NFBNJ] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 05/08/2023

[NFB New Jersey]

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



Dear Federation Family,

We continue to seek new and more effective methods for building and
connecting the Federation community. In the last notebook I wrote a little
about our need to be strategic. I believe one of our next strategic
decisions is to frame how the blind of the nation build a social network
that builds our movement.

As you heard on last month’s Presidential Release Live, we have moved to
Mastodon in order to establish a more robust and blind-driven social media
network. Through the nfb.social server, we intend to bring the voice of the
nation’s blind to social media in a coordinated fashion. For those
unfamiliar with Mastodon, a simple Google search will tell you what you
need to know. Exploring Mastodon
<https://martinfowler.com/articles/exploring-mastodon.html> is just one of
the many resources you will find out there.

We are now seeking feedback from Federation members about how we might best
leverage this network beyond our establishment of an NFB primary account:
@NationsBlind at nfb.social <https://nfb.social/@nationsblind>.

National Convention:


*2023 National Convention Resolutions:*

It seems like we just left New Orleans yesterday, but it’s already that
time of year again. As we really kick into high gear with our convention
preparations, we are asking you, the members of the National Federation of
the Blind, to submit your completed resolutions by emailing them to
resolutions at nfb.org. The deadline for resolution submissions is Thursday,
June 1, 2023, so make sure you start writing as soon as possible.
*Volunteers Still Needed:*

Volunteers are what makes the Independence Market operate smoothly at our
national convention each year. If your affiliate has members planning to be
in Houston this July and willing to serve as demonstrators, storekeepers,
pay-station representatives, and line marshals during all four days the
market is open, we’d be pleased to have their names. The dates for the
market are Wednesday, July 6, through Saturday, July 9. We will be open on
July 6 and 7 for the entire day and July 8 and 9 during the lunch period
only.

Please ensure that those whose names you are submitting have agreed to
pitch in. Share your affiliate volunteer names with Jen White at
410-659-9314, extension 2236, or email her at jwhite at nfb.org today.
*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 (closing deadline 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.
   - *tenBroek Fund:* These dollars go to the tenBroek Memorial Fund, which
   owns the property at 200 East Wells
   <https://www.google.com/maps/search/200+East+Wells?entry=gmail&source=g>
   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.

You must specify a fund in order to be entered into the drawing.. 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
   <https://www.google.com/maps/search/200+East+Wells+Street,+Baltimore,+MD+21230?entry=gmail&source=g>.
   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.

The winner of the drawing will be announced July 6 at the banquet. *Note:
The drawing is for individuals and is not intended for contributions by
divisions, state affiliates, or chapters.*

Aira has generously issued a challenge grant. Aira will match up to $25,000
during our Give $20 campaign.

·       Aira has generously offered to double your dollars by matching up
to $25,000.

·       We look for synergies with our partners and the National Federation
of the Blind and AIRA, the leading provider of visual interpreting, are
both focused on access to information.


News: *Traveling by Air with Guide Dogs:*

Lizzie Schoen, a member of the National Federation of the Blind, was
recently denied flying on JetBlue because she was traveling with a guide
dog.  We know that other blind travelers have experienced similar
discrimination. Recently, Al Elia and Lizzie Schoen, along with members of
our government affairs group, met with senior officials at the US
Department of Transportation to brief them on these issues. If you have
experienced discrimination on airlines while traveling with guide dogs,
please contact Al Elia at aelia at nagdu.org, and be sure to immediately file
a complaint with the Department of Transportation by visiting
transportation.gov/airconsumer/file-consumer-complaint
<https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/file-consumer-complaint>.


*Access Technology Affordability Act:*

The Access Technology Affordability Act was reintroduced in the Senate on
Thursday, May 4, by Senator Ben Cardin (Maryland), with Senators John
Boozman (Arkansas), Ron Wyden (Oregon), and Todd Young (Indiana) as
cosponsors. As a reminder, the bill will create a $2,000 refundable tax
credit to help cover the cost of qualified access technology. We anticipate
that the House version of the bill will also be introduced very soon, but
in the meantime please be sure to call your Senators to ask them to
cosponsor the Access Technology Affordability Act (S. 1467).
*USA Hire:*

We are gathering feedback on the Federal government’s use of an assessment
tool called USA Hire. This tool consists of a series of timed assessments
that are administered as part of the Federal government’s employment
application process. It is similar to the civil service exam (prior to its
discontinuation due to discrimination in 1981) in that it attempts to
measure reasoning and analytical skills. USA Hire assessments are applied
to some but not all job applications posted on USAJobs. The purpose of the
assessments is to evaluate an applicant’s “general competencies and soft
skills.”

We are seeking information from those who have experienced challenges with
USA Hire in the following areas:

   - accessibility of the platform using assistive technology
   - insufficient amount of time for the timed assessments
   - difficulty with logic games and vision-centered questions
   - difficulty requesting and receiving reasonable accommodations
   - obstacles related to the requirement to produce medical documentation
   for a reasonable accommodation within the OPM-prescribed deadline (three
   calendar days)
   - obstacles related to the requirement to produce medical documentation
   from only OPM-approved sources (ophthalmologist, etc.)
   - other areas of difficulty


We are asking those who have experienced any of the challenges referenced
to contact our advocacy and legal group at Legal at nfb.org or by calling
410-659-9314, extension 2440.
  *Share Braille:*

The first portion of our Share Braille project is complete. The
contemporary Olivero theme has been launched, the website has a new look,
and the layout is easy to follow. We will be adding new elements throughout
the year.

Share Braille is a great place to get Braille and Braille/print books that
you may be looking for, have had in the past and would like to have again,
or if you are learning Braille and would like to have some books to help
you do that. There are books in every genre, age range, and reading level.
Why not give it a try today? Just go to www.sharebraille.org and create
your account. All of the books are free and yours to keep.


Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

   - 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: 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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