[NFBNJ] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 05/15/2023

[NFB New Jersey]

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



Dear Federation Family:



With the convention coming up, I am sure all of us are thinking about the
policy advancement work of the organized blind movement. It is important
for each of us as leaders to be involved in understanding and shaping the
programs and services that affect blind people. As an example, about this
time two years ago members started raising concerns with national leaders
about the marketing practices of AccessiBe. The national board took action
and the Convention further took action by passing a number of resolutions.



Recently, the Braille Monitor published an apology authored by the CEO of
accessiBe. Please refer to “A Heart-felt Apology and a Chance to Start
Again” (HTML)
<https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm23/bm2305/bm230503.htm> from
the May 2023 issue. We accepted the writing as it was offered by accessiBe
and we now want to hear what our members think about the apology. How does
the community feel about it? How do we advance digital access and hold
companies accountable for their marketing practices? These and other
questions need to continue to receive debate and attention in our quest for
equality. This is the level of engagement that we need throughout the
organization. Sharing your thoughts on this and other topics will help to
shape where we go.



With that in mind, do not forget that the deadline for submission of
resolutions for our 2023 Convention is June 1, 2023. Please reach out to
our new resolutions chairman, Donald Porterfield, at resolutions at nfb.org to
make your submission or get assistance with crafting a resolution.



Let’s go build the Federation.


*June Presidential Release Is May 31:*

The National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release #528
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases> is
scheduled for Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at 8:00 p.m., eastern. Mark your
calendar. Zoom details coming soon.
Convention: *2023 Convention Resolutions:*

The deadline to submit resolutions for the 2023 National Convention is just
over two weeks away. Make sure that if you have a topic that deserves the
recognition of the Convention that you craft a resolution and send it to
resolutions at nfb.org before Thursday, June 1, 2023.
News: *Section 508 Webinar This Week:*

Join the National Federation of the Blind and the US Access Board on Global
Accessibility Awareness Day, Thursday, May 18, for a one-hour seminar about
Section 508 for government employees with disabilities, their supervisors,
human resource professionals, contractors, and anyone else interested.
Learn about what it is supposed to do and how people with disabilities can
work together to leverage the new ruling. Register for the #GAAD Section
508 Webinar. <https://nfb.org/form/gaad-section-508-webinar>
*Share and Forward Teachers of Tomorrow Opportunity:*

Applications are open for the 2023-2024 National Federation of the Blind
Teachers of Tomorrow cohort. NFB Teachers of Tomorrow is an immersive
professional-development program that connects teachers of blind and
low-vision students to the lived experiences of blind people. The program
will equip the participants with knowledge of the skills and attitudes that
can help blind students thrive in school and beyond. Please encourage
teachers of blind students in your affiliate to apply for this opportunity
and help circulate the application information to any university programs
that prepare teachers of blind students where you have contacts. For more
information, visit
https://nfb.org/programs-services/education/teachers-tomorrow.


*Help with Ride for Literacy – Ideas and Introductions:*

As part of our Ride for Literacy we are seeking sponsors and hope you all
can help by making suggestions or providing introductions. There are
marketing opportunities for sponsors during the ride. We are especially
interested in potential supporters with ties to sports or local sponsors
whose businesses are along Route 66. Please reach out to Rachel Held at
rheld at nfb.org with your ideas. Thanks in advance for making this a
successful public awareness and fundraising endeavor.


*Upcoming Event: Accessibility of Virtual Meeting Platforms Boutique:*

On Tuesday, May 30, the Center of Excellence in Nonvisual Access will
present an Accessibility Boutique on recent accessibility improvements in
Virtual Meeting Platforms. Come learn about the accessibility of Zoom,
WebEx, and Microsoft Teams meetings, and how they have changed over the
last few years! Register for the Virtual Meeting Platforms Boutique
<https://nfb.org/form/accessibility-boutique-reg>.


*Access Technology Affordability Act (S. 1467):*

Now that the Access Technology Affordability Act has been introduced in the
118th Congress, it’s all hands on deck to build cosponsor support. We have
a strong start with Senators Boozman (AR), Wyden (OR), and Young (IN)
stepping in as original cosponsors, but it’s going to take a lot more than
the three of them to get the bill passed. The Senate will be in session all
this week before they take a week break ahead of Memorial Day, so we need
you to contact your state’s two senators and urge them to cosponsor S.
1467, the Access Technology Affordability Act.


*Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R. 1328):*

Since the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R. 1328) was
introduced on March 1 with thirty-two original cosponsors, we have seen a
relatively steady flow of cosponsors sign on throughout the month of April
and the beginning of May. We know that the House will be in session for the
next two weeks before the Memorial Day holiday, so we need your help to
turn that steady flow into a surge of cosponsors. Please call your
representative and urge them to cosponsor H.R. 1328, the Medical Device
Nonvisual Accessibility Act.


*Mondelēz** Global LLC Settlement:*

On May 13, 2023, a class action settlement agreement regarding Mondelēz
Global LLC and its related entities was reached. The suit alleged that
Mondelēz Global LLC violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing
to take the necessary steps to ensure its websites do not discriminate
against blind or visually disabled consumers who use screen-reader
auxiliary aids to access digital content. Under the settlement, Mondelēz
Global LLC agrees to take additional steps to make its websites, mobile
apps, and any new website or mobile app it develops or acquires accessible
to screen-reader users. For a more complete summary of the terms of the
proposed settlement and to review other documents and information related
to this matter, please visit: https://www.mondelezADAsettlement.com.


Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

   - May 18: Global Accessibility Awareness Day
   - 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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