[NFBNJ] Important: NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 01/22/2024

Tue Jan 23 18:16:45 UTC 2024

*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 we plan to mobilize our members for Capitol Hill, it presents us with an
opportunity to remind people about the core of our mission. We are a
people’s movement and our role in the nation is to inform and guide the
people’s government. We determined in 1940 that no one shall speak for us
except for the democratically elected blind leaders we choose ourselves.
During this time of year, we demonstrate the true power of that promise in
action. We do not hire lobbyists to represent our interest. We do not
determine our priorities based on the political winds of the time. We
demonstrate in coming together the diverse and unified agenda of a
nationwide movement of blind people when we share our collective voice in
Washington, DC.

I encourage you to use this time to remind our members in local communities
about the significance of the movement we have built together. Remind them
about our power of coordinating our shared agenda. Also remind them that we
must continue to speak and act for ourselves at all levels of government.
Together we move mountains and mount movements.

Safe travels and, by the way, go Ravens!

*Critical Actions:*

*Presidential Release Note:*

The February Presidential Release will not be live. Please encourage
members to attend the Washington Seminar Great Gathering-In
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar> on Monday,
January 29, at 5:00 p.m., eastern. The February Presidential Release
recording will be made available by February 2, 2024.

*Washington Seminar:*

*2024 Washington Seminar:*

We are only days away from the Great Gathering-In and the official start of
the 2024 Washington Seminar on Monday, January 29! Please be sure to visit
our Washington Seminar page at nfb.org/Washington-seminar for all of the
latest updates including the full event agenda, all of our fact sheets in
four formats (Word, HTML, BRF, and audio), a description of the Holiday Inn
Washington Capitol – National Mall, and a description of the United States
Capitol Complex. If you aren’t able to be at the Holiday Inn for the Great
Gathering-In, you can still access it via Zoom or live stream.

Join via Zoom:
Web: https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/98156556455
<https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/98156556455#success>
Or one tap mobile :
US: +13017158592,,98156556455# US (Washington DC) or
+13052241968,,98156556455# US
Webinar ID: 981 5655 6455 <https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/98156556455>

Access our live stream by asking your Amazon device to play "Nation's
Blind."

*News:*

*Promote the Scholarship Program Application:*

The National Federation of the Blind scholarship program helps blind
college students reach their educational and employment goals and so much
more. Building on its strong foundation, we have enhanced the awards granted
—making the experience even more inclusive, engaging, and meaningful for
the thirty finalists. Each scholarship winner will receive $8,000. Please
share the scholarship program flyer
<https://scholarships.nfb.org/sites/scholarships.nfb.org/files/2024-01/Scholarship-Program-2024-Flyer.docx>
and
website (scholarships.nfb.org) to affiliate and chapter listservs, rehab
counsellors, parent groups, schools for the blind, other financial aid
connections in your state, local blind groups on social media, and any
other contacts that connect with blind students. There are more marketing
materials in the Scholarship State President Dashboard
<https://scholarships.nfb.org/marketing-materials>.

*Member Profile Reminder:*

As chapters, affiliates, and divisions refresh information for the year
ahead, remember that the Member Profile is a self-serve place on our
website where members can update their contact information and preferences.
Below is information about the Member Profile that you can provide to
members.

   - To log in to your Member Profile, you must be a current member of the
   NFB with an email address that only you use. If you share an email address,
   only one person’s profile will be created. For example, if John and Sally
   Smith share an email address, only Sally will have a profile created for
   her.
   - Your username for the Member Profile is the email address associated
   with your membership. If you’re unsure of which email address that is, you
   can ask the membership coordinator for your entity.
   - If you did not activate your profile using the link in the email that
   was sent out last September, you will need to set a password by going to
   nfb.org, activating the link called “members,” entering your username,
   but instead of selecting “login,” you would go to the link that says “reset
   password.” There, you will re enter your username, and then you will
   receive an email with instructions on how to change your password.
   - Once logged in to your profile, you will be able to change contact and
   demographic information. You will also have access to member-exclusive
   benefits.

If you have trouble accessing your profile, please send an email to
membership at nfb.org so that we can assist.

*Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act:*

For the first time, the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act has been
introduced in the Senate! On Thursday, January 18, Senator Maggie Hassan of
New Hampshire and Senator Mike Braun of Indiana introduced S. 3621. This
means that two of our Washington Seminar priorities now have legislation in
both the House and the Senate. And we couldn’t have done it without all of
you!

*We Need Your Help with the Museum:*

The museum campaign is still looking to expand its list of prospects and
potential contributors. As you review your contacts, please identify anyone
who would be interested in hearing more about the museum project, or who
has the capability to pledge $10,000 or more. Affiliate presidents can
expect an initial or follow-up call from Rachel Held to discuss your
suggestions in the coming weeks.

*Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest:*

This is the final week for the Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest,
sponsored by the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults. If you
haven’t registered, you still can, if you have registered but haven’t
logged any minutes, you can and should do that as well. For those of you
who have logged minutes, completed activities, and secured some badges,
don’t quit now. The last day to read was this past Friday. The final day
for submitting your minutes will be Friday, January 26. Braille Rocks!

*Update on Resolution 2023-05:*

Per our Resolution 2023-05: Regarding Audio Delays During Live Radio
Play-by-Play Broadcasts, the National Federation of the Blind is submitting
a request for a universal solution for live audio without broadcast delays
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/request-universal-solution-live-audio>
to
all major sports league commissioners. Please share the letter on social
media and to your major league sports contacts. Here is a sample social
media post that you can use to tag your state teams or favorite leagues.

Many blind people enjoy the shared experience of live sports and cheering
on our team from the stands. The radio play-by-play typically provides the
descriptive information that we need, but this experience often falls short
of allowing our equal participation due to the broadcast delay applied to
the radio commentary. We request a universal solution for live audio
without broadcast delays from all major sports leagues. Read President
Riccobono’s letter to the commissioners:
https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/request-universal-solution-live-audio
*.*

*Convention Bulletin 2024**:*

As difficult as it may be to believe that 2023 has slipped by us in the
blink of an eye, we can be assured that a shiny new 2024 will follow on its
heels. As we flip the calendar to January, it will again be time to plan
for the National Federation of the Blind’s National Convention. We were
last at the beautiful Rosen Centre in Orlando, at 9840 International Drive
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/9840+International+Drive?entry=gmail&source=g>,
in 2015 for our 75th anniversary convention. The outstanding Rosen staff
will be rolling out the red carpet to welcome us back this July 3 through 8.

*Book Your Hotel*

Our 2024 convention room rate for singles and doubles is $129; for triples
and quads, the rate is $139. Occupancy taxes and surcharges are an
additional 13.5 percent. There is no charge for children under eighteen as
long as no extra bed is requested. Please note that the hotel is a
no-smoking facility.

For 2024 convention room reservations you should call the hotel at (800)
204-7234 after January 1. Ask for the “NFB Convention” block. At the time
you make a reservation, a $146 deposit is required for each room reserved.
If you use a credit card, the deposit will be charged against your card
immediately, just as would be the case with a $146 check. If a reservation
is cancelled before Saturday, June 1, 2024, half of the deposit will be
returned. Otherwise refunds will not be made.

Guest room amenities include a wall-mounted 50” HDTV with a multi-outlet
connectivity bar beneath to keep your devices charged and ready for the
complimentary in-room Wi-Fi. Each room also offers an in-room safe,
coffeemaker, mini-fridge, and hairdryer. Guests can enjoy a swimming pool,
fitness center, and on-site spa. Those of you who have attended past
conventions at the Rosen Centre may remember Café Gaugin buffet and the
award-winning Everglades Restaurant. In addition to these favorites, we
will have an array of dining options from sushi and tapas to
Caribbean-Cuban poolside dining to a 24-hour deli.

*Dates to Keep in Mind: *(all times eastern)

   - 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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