[NFBNJ] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 11/17/2025

Sun Nov 23 16:59:09 UTC 2025

President’s NotebookNational Federation of the BlindMark A. Riccobono
officeofthepresident at nfb.org410-659-9314

*Walking Alone and Marching Together**:*

The *Walking Alone and Marching Together* podcast launched on November 16,
the eighty-fifth Federation anniversary. This podcast shares the history of
the National Federation of the Blind's fight for equality and inclusion
from 1940 to 1990.

The first three episodes are now available. We will be releasing a new
episode every Sunday. You can listen, subscribe, or share on:

   - *Walking Alone and Marching Together* webpage
   <https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/walking-alone-and-marching-together>
(includes
   episode transcripts)
   - Apple Podcasts
   <https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/walking-alone-and-marching-together-podcast/id1849913820>
   - Spotify <https://open.spotify.com/show/6TMfseujdBqtecMXyj3DSO>
   - Amazon Music
   <https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/702e141c-675d-4df5-b5e3-c7fda1a73414/walking-alone-and-marching-together-podcast>
   - Podbean <https://walkingaloneandmarchingtogether.podbean.com/>

*Department of Education OSERS and OCR Update:*

Since the announcement of reduction in force (RIF) notices in the
Department of Education, specifically in the Office of Special Education
and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR),
on October 10, the members of the National Federation of the Blind have
been engaging with our members in Congress to let them know just how big of
an impact this action will have on us. We asked you to call or email your
senators and representatives, and you did. Then we asked some of you to
come to Washington, DC, in person to meet with your senators on the Senate
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and you did. I am happy
to report that in the most recent Continuing Resolution to fund the
government, Congress agreed that the RIF notices would be rescinded.
However, that does not mean that this battle is won. We need to keep
advocating to ensure that the government knows just how important the
programs that are administered by OSERS and OCR are to us. If you didn’t
get to meet with your members in Congress, please still try to get those
meetings so that we can make sure our message is heard from one corner of
the Capitol to the other.

*Medicare Telehealth Benefits Extended:*

With the passage of the most recent Continuing Resolution on November 13 to
fund the federal government, a provision was included to extend Medicare
telehealth benefits once again. However, this is again a temporary
extension and will expire on January 30, 2026. We need to continue our
advocacy on this effort to ensure that these benefits are made permanent.
The most effective way to do that is to call or email your members in
Congress and ask them to cosponsor the CONNECT for Health Act (H.R. 4206/S.
1261). For more information on the bill, please refer to our legislative
alert from September
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-priorities/legislative-alerts/pass-connect-health-act>
.

*Independence Market Upcoming Holiday Schedule:*

The Independence Market will be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday,
November 27, and Friday, November 28. The market will reopen for regular
business on Monday, December 1. Additionally, for best holiday gift
results, customers should order by Thursday, December 11, for delivery
before Christmas Day. Please be mindful that deliveries around the holiday
may take longer than usual. Customers are welcome to reach out to the
market staff for tracking information and updates. Keep in mind that the
Independence Market online store will remain open and will accept orders
twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, at nfb.org/ecommerce.

*Career Quest Program at the Washington Seminar:*

Share this opportunity with blind students, early professionals, or
emerging leaders:

Blind students are invited to join us at the National Federation of the
Blind (NFB) Career Quest Program, held during the NFB Washington Seminar,
from January 25 to January 28. This program empowers blind and low-vision
students and early professionals to become confident advocates and future
leaders.

Participants will have the opportunity to advocate on Capitol Hill, learn
advocacy skills that will become valuable in college and in their careers,
connect with peers at the NABS Winter Meeting, meet employers at the NFB
Career Fair, and network with Federation mentors and professionals.

Participants must complete the Career Quest Interest Application
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/career-quest/application> by
December 12 to secure their spot. Please direct all questions to Nikki
Jackson at 410-659-9314, extension 2404.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

   - January 26-29, 2026: Washington Seminar
   - July 3-8, 2026: National Convention; Austin, Texas

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
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/>

                         [image: Facebook]
<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.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbnj_nfbnet.org/attachments/20251123/3ad71375/attachment.htm>