[NFBNJ] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 05/05/202

Tue May 6 13:58:31 UTC 2025

*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,

Welcome to the busy month of May. There are many things in front of us this
month, including opportunities to celebrate the moms out there as well as
our military veterans. In the midst of all the activity, final details will
be coming together for the Federation’s annual convention in New Orleans.
John Berggren will be visiting the hotel this week and he reports that the
rooms continue to go fast, although there will still be plenty of room
availability at our overflow hotel. I encourage you not to delay reserving
your room.

I wanted to let you know that two things are happening this week. First,
the Kenneth Jernigan Committee is starting to send out letters to people
being offered first-timer support. Second, our scholarship committee is
meeting this weekend, and finalists will start receiving notifications next
week. The scholarship committee is meeting a little later than usual due to
schedules, so we wanted you to know.

I hope you are enjoying spring in your part of the country.

*Critical Actions:*

*Presidential Release Live on May 15:*

The next Presidential Release Live will be Thursday, May 15, at 8:00 p.m.,
Eastern, in honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day. Zoom details are
below. Attend to get the latest updates on the movement, ask questions, and
hear important perspectives on the organized blind movement. Submit
questions or suggestions to communications at nfb.org.

Presidential Release Live Zoom: https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/96380567586

One Tap Mobile: +13017158592,,96380567586# US

Zoom ID: 96380567586

Note: The Presidential Release chapter recordings
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases> are
available by the first Friday of each month. Please share the chapter
recording as part of your chapter meeting agenda and discuss among members.

*National C onvention:*

*Convention Resolutions:*

The national convention is coming soon! Our Resolutions Committee, chaired
by Donald Porterfield, is currently accepting proposed resolutions for the
convention to consider. Proposed resolutions should be emailed to the
committee at resolutions at nfb.org. Don’t forget, the deadline for submitting
a resolution is Sunday, June 8, at midnight, eastern. Donald published a blog
post on the topic of writing resolutions
<https://nfb.org/blog/resolutions-101-way-drive-external-change> last year,
so be sure to check it out as you prepare to submit yours.

*Reminder: Register and Book Hotel for National Convention:*

Promote registration for the 2025 National Federation of the Blind National
Convention <https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention>, July 8-13,
in New Orleans. Let members know to register early because prices go up if
you register on site in New Orleans. Registration includes the biggest
event of the year, access to the event app, and communications on the
latest news and events. Reserve your room by calling 888-236-2427 for the
Marriott or 855-516-1090 for the Sheraton New Orleans. Ask for the
“National Federation of the Blind 2025 Convention” block.

*Volunteers Needed for NFB25:*

National Convention is the largest gathering of blind people in the nation
and relies on hundreds of volunteers—which include members, supporters, and
friends. We need your help to make our convention successful, enjoyable,
and accessible for all participants. Seek volunteers to get involved. Review
the descriptions and complete the volunteer form
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/volunteer-opportunities>.

*Seminar for Families of Blind Children at NFB25:*

Promote the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC)
Annual Seminar to families in your affiliate. The NOPBC Seminar is held
during the National Federation of the Blind National Convention, July 8 to
13 in New Orleans, Louisiana, where we will talk about everything from how
to help your child learn how to play, how to get the most from the IEP at
school, how blind children can help with chores, how technology can help
blind children, and so much more. NOPBC Seminar registration is open and is
separate from convention <https://nopbc.org/conference>.

*National Federation of the Blind National Convention Career Fair:*

Join us for the National Federation of the Blind National Convention Career
Fair on July 9, 1:00–4:00 p.m., Central. Hosted by the National Employment
Committee, this event is an opportunity for blind and low-vision people
seeking jobs to connect with employers and is an opportunity for employers
to seek more talent for their teams.

National Convention Jobseeker Registration
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/career-fair-jobseeker-registration>

National Convention Employer Registration
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&action=preview&id=621>

To prepare jobseekers and employers, the Employment Committee will be
hosting “Getting Career-Fair Ready: For Jobseekers and Employers,” virtual
seminars designed to provide strategies for creating the most positive
experience while attending the fair. Individuals will automatically be
registered for these events once they have registered for the career fair.
For more information on the career fair or virtual seminars, please contact
Charles Bennett, jobseeker liaison, at cbennett at cocenter.org*, or *Kris
Colcock, employer liaison, at Kris at colcok.com.

*Career Quest at National Convention:*

Join us for the National Federation of the Blind Career Quest Program, an
exclusive weeklong program held during the NFB National Convention. This
dynamic program is designed for blind and low-vision students eager to
explore career opportunities, gain hands-on experience with access
technology, and develop valuable professional connections.

If you're ready to take charge of your future, connect with mentors, and
expand your career horizons, this program is for you! Learn more about Career
Quest
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/career-quest/application> and
complete the Career Quest Interest Application
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=38142&qid=11127342> to learn more
and secure your spot today.

Please direct all questions to Employment Program Coordinator, Nikki
Jackson at njackson at nfb.org, or 410-659-9314, extension 2404.

*News:*

*DAN “Knowledge Is Sweet” Seminar:*

We are excited to invite you or your designee to the second annual
“Knowledge Is Sweet” Seminar, hosted by the National Federation of the
Blind Diabetes Action Network (DAN), taking place May 16–17, 2025, at the
NFB Jernigan Institute. We are also streaming for those who cannot attend
in person. You can find full details and register here:
Knowledge Is Sweet Seminar Registration
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=622> (
https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=622).

*Access Technology Affordability Act – Legislative Alert:*

On Friday, John Paré sent out a legislative alert regarding the Access
Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 1529). The intention of the alert was to
initiate a wave of advocacy for the Access Technology Affordability Act so
that it can gain a significant amount of cosponsor support, with the
ultimate goal being to include it in the upcoming tax package. Time is
somewhat limited for this endeavor, as the House is reportedly starting
discussions and beginning to mark up the new tax bill sometime this week.
It is imperative that we all call or email our representatives in the House
and urge them to cosponsor the Access Technology Affordability Act as soon
as possible. We encourage you to mention that Mathematica, an independent
and respected economic forecasting company, estimates that the Access
Technology Affordability Act will save the federal government $315 million
dollars over a five-year period if it is enacted. So please, don’t wait.
Call or email your representative in the House today!

*Presidential Release Recording for Chapters:*

The May Presidential Release chapter recording
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases> is
available. Please share the chapter recording as part of your chapter
meeting agenda and discuss the topics among members. The topics this month
include National Convention; the importance of chapter-level input in
shaping national policies, specifically through the resolution process; the
upcoming Give $25 in '25 campaign; Federation family news; and customary
closing remarks.

*May Accessibility Boutique—Indoor Navigation Software:*

Join the National Federation of the Blind Center of Excellence in Nonvisual
Accessibility on May 27 from 2:00-3:30 p.m., Eastern, via Zoom to learn
about different types of indoor navigation, smart-phone applications, and
the future of indoor navigation. Register today.
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/events/accessibility-boutique-reg>

*Reminders:*

*Help the National Federation of the Blind in Three Easy Ways—Everyday
Giving Just Got Better:*

You already make a difference by supporting the National Federation of the
Blind. But did you know there are simple, everyday ways to give that can
help power our movement even further? Whether these options are new to you
or worth another look, they’re easy, effective, and impactful.

• *Shop with purpose using iGive, visit* *-*
https://igive.com/nationalfederationoftheblind.
Over two thousand online retailers will donate a percentage of your
purchase to the NFB—at no extra cost to you. Just sign up once and start
shopping with impact. The iGive app makes it even easier to give while on
the go.

• *Round up with Walmart and Lyft*
Small change creates big possibilities. When you support us with Walmart
Spark Good <https://www.walmart.com/sparkgood> or ride with Lyft, you can
round your total to the nearest dollar and donate the difference to the NFB
automatically. It’s a simple way to support our work with every purchase or
ride.

• *Give with cryptocurrency through* Crypto for Charity
<https://www.cryptoforcharity.io/nfb>
Crypto donations are fast, secure, and may offer tax benefits. Support our
mission with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more through a platform built for
charitable giving.

Learn more about these opportunities and explore other giving options on
our Ways to Give Page
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/gift-acceptance-and-recognition-policies>.
Please share these opportunities. Promote them in your chapter, throughout
your affiliate, and with your family, friends, and wider networks. Everyday
giving, shared widely, helps us raise more support and build a stronger
future.

*Federal Employees with Disabilities:*

We know that federal employees with disabilities have been
disproportionally affected by recent reductions in the federal employment
workforce, and we are doing all we can to help our blind colleagues. If you
are aware of blind federal workers impacted by the government layoffs,
please encourage them to submit the Employment Interest Form
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/general-interest-form> to
receive announcements about career opportunities. Thanks to our partners at
the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults, these individuals
can also apply for support
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/federal-workers/convention-support-application>
to
participate in career activities at the national convention in New Orleans.

*Give $25 in ’25 Campaign:*

Let’s keep pushing forward together. The Give $25 in ’25 campaign is about
making an impact—one gift, one story, one act of leadership at a time.
Every $25 donation helps power the programs and advocacy that move us
closer to equality and opportunity for all blind people. Here’s how it
works:

   - Every $25 you give enters you into a drawing for a chance to win a
   trip to our next national convention or a cash prize.
   - We’re encouraging some friendly competition through the Federation
   Challenger opportunity:
      - Ask others to give and tell them to list you as their challenger on
      the donation form.
      - The challenger with the most named donors will get to announce the
      drawing winner at our national banquet.
   - The first one hundred people who give $100 or more will receive a pair
   of AfterShokz headphones.

Whether you give, encourage others to give, or both—this is a chance to
lead by example. Share your story. When people understand why this matters
to you, they’ll want to be part of it, too.

Three ways to give:

   - Call 410-659-9314, extension 2430
   - Mail a check to: 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
   - Donate online at nfb.org/give25donate

*Dates to Keep in Mind:*

(all times eastern)

   - May 16-17: Diabetes Action Network; Baltimore, Maryland
   - June 8, 2025: Deadline to submit resolutions <resolutions at nfb.org> for
   the 2025 National Convention.
   - July 8-13: National Convention; New Orleans, Louisiana

Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement

   - Wednesday, August 6
   - Wednesday, November 5
   - Wedday, December 14

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.
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