[NFBNJ] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 10/01/2024

Tue Oct 1 17:24:31 UTC 2024

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

Dear Federation Family,

Happy Blind Equality Achievement Month. I am looking forward to the
interesting things that we put together for outreach this month and to the
National Federation of the Blind #RideshareRally in San Francisco. Today we
have launched a new Presidential Release format
<https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/08-2024/presidential_release_september_2024_chapter_version_final.mp3>,
and I am hoping that you all will give feedback on it and how it works in
your chapters.

Some of you have asked about Glidance and their outreach to local chapters
and affiliates. I want you to know that although they exhibited at our
national convention, we have not had a substantive meeting with them yet at
an executive or technical level. Certainly their product is interesting but
we have not tested the concept and raised the hard questions with the
company. Some believe that because a company reaches out that you are
obligated to include them in your meetings. Some have taken this from the
fact that they exhibited at the convention. Exhibiting at the convention is
not an endorsement by the Federation, and you should always feel free to
circle back with our national organization to determine what we know about
a company. In short, we hope to meet with this company and others, but you
are not obligated to include them in Federation meetings.

Finally, I would love your feedback on what you would love to have offered
as part of our Federation podcast that we are not currently offering. Since
I have not specifically asked about this previously, I thought I would flag
it as a topic I would like your thoughts on.

Critical Actions:

*Rideshare Rally—Information Call on October 1*

Our Rideshare Rally to protest Uber and Lyft’s discriminatory treatment of
blind passengers is going to take place on Tuesday, October 15, in front of
both Uber and Lyft’s corporate offices in San Francisco, California. Please
share stories on social media about the discrimination and use the hashtag
#RightToRide—share stories on affiliate and chapter accounts. If you are
planning to attend the rally in person, please join the upcoming
information call to learn more details and expectations:

Rideshare Rally Participant Briefing
Tuesday, October 1, at 8:00 p.m., eastern
Via Zoom Meeting ID is 961 3339 5184 <https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/96133395184>
One tap mobile: +13017158592,,96133395184
Captions will be available.

*Presidential Release—New Format*

The National Federation of the Blind presidential release chapter version
will be available on October 1—the audio, transcript, and Spanish
translation. The chapter version is intended to be played during each
chapter meeting throughout the month. Access the chapter version and live
details
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases>.

The next Presidential Release Live will be Tuesday, October 15, at 8:30
p.m., eastern, from San Francisco. Zoom details are below.

Presidential Release Live Zoom:

Via Zoom Meeting ID is 947 5821 8808 <https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/94758218808>

One tap mobile: +13017158592,,94758218808#

News:

*Blind Equality Achievement Month Planning:*

October is here! Welcome to Blind Equality Achievement Month. Please submit
your events, activities, and celebrations to web at nfb.org so they can be
posted on https://nfb.org/blind-month. That includes your white cane day
proclamations. If you need items or ideas, check out the free literature
resources and White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/view?id=2378&reset=1>. Reminder: please
only use Blind Equality Achievement Month, Blind Month, or #BlindMonth when
referring to and promoting activities.

*Bay Bridge Run:*

The National Organization of Parents of Blind Children invites you to
participate in the Bay Bridge Run this fall! On November 10, 2024, join
team National Federation of the Blind Dreamers, led by the NOPBC Board of
Directors. Whether you’re running or walking, participating in person or
virtually, this is your chance to help bridge the gap between blind people
and our dreams. Want to get your chapter or affiliate involved? NFB
chapters can sponsor a participant (or a group!) by helping them register
and fundraise.

*Look for the Launch of the End-of-Year Campaign:*

Later this week, we will be launching our end-of-year HumanWare Gift
Matching Campaign. HumanWare and anonymous donors will match up to $100,000
in contributions made between October 1 and midnight December 31. Support
of our runners and walkers in the Bay Bridge Run also counts towards the
match. Please look for our launch video and email announcement later this
week.

*House and Senate Members in their Districts:*

The U.S. House and Senate will both be in a district work period until
November. This is a fantastic time to try to meet with your federal elected
officials in their local office. We encourage you to contact your local
office and try to schedule a meeting so that you can advocate for our
legislative priorities in the district, where your senators and
representatives will be able to see the impact of their support.

Reminders: *Virtual Career Fair:*

The deadline to register for the National Federation of the Blind Virtual
Career Fair is October 4 by 5:00 p.m., eastern. This event will be held
October 22, 1:00–4:00 p.m., eastern, via Zoom. Jobseekers, this is an
opportunity to find your occupational passion. Employers, this is a chance
to connect with great talent.

Career Fair – Jobseeker Registration
<https://nfb.org/form/career-fair-jobseeker-registration>
Career Fair – Employer Registration
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=606>

Jobseekers, please direct all questions to jobseeker liaison Lia Stone at
evangeliastone at gmail.com.

Employers, please direct all questions to employer liaison Charles Bennett
at cbennett at cocenter.org.

*Dare To Be Remarkable Conference:*

The deadline for early registration for the National Federation of the
Blind 2024 Dare to Be Remarkable
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/dare-be-remarkable>
conference is October 5. The conference will be held from November 11-13 at
the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute.

Registration is $400 until October 5 and $500 after October 6.

Register for Dare to Be Remarkable Conference
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/dare-be-remarkable>

Please direct all inquiries to the conference organizers Edward Bell, at
ebell at latech.edu or 318-257-4554, or Anil Lewis, at alewis at nfb.org or
410-659-9314, extension 2374.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

   - October: Blind Equality Achievement Month
   - October 15: Rideshare Rally
   - November 10: Bay Bridge Run
   - February 3, 2025: Great Gathering-In
   - February 3-6, 2025: Washington Seminar
   - July 8-13, 2025: National Convention; New Orleans, Louisiana

Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement

   - Wednesday, November 6, 8:00 p.m.

 The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and
all blind people in the United States. We know that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. Our collective power, determination,
and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.

Mark A. Riccobono, President
National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/200+East+Wells+Street,+Baltimore,+MD+21230?entry=gmail&source=g>
410-659-9314 | Officeofthepresident at nfb.org

Please engage with me through Riccobono Personal AI
<https://riccobono.personal.ai/messaging/profile>
Mastodon: @President at nfb.social
Pronouns: he, him, his

[image: National Federation of the Blind] <https://nfb.org/>

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<http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind>    [image: Twitter]
<https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice>    [image: Youtube]
<https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind>

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we
work together to help blind people live the lives they want.
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