[NFBNJ] Fwd: NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 10/28/2025

[NFBNJ President]

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



Dear Federation Family,



Thank you for the efforts you all are making to secure meetings with
members of Congress. I recognize that for some of you it feels pointless as
your Congressional representatives are messaging that there is nothing they
can do. It is more important than ever that we let them know today that
blind people are concerned about the future of services and programs that
affect our self-determination and independence.
*ICYMI: Recent Announcements:*

In case you haven’t shared in your affiliate, here are October
advocacy-related announcements and statements.

·         “National Federation of the Blind Denounces Devastating Job Cuts
Within the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
<https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-denounces-devastating-job-cuts-within-office-special>
”

·         “National Federation of the Blind Commends House Introduction of
Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act”
<https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-commends-house-introduction-medical-device-nonvisual>

·         Letter to the Secretary of Education Regarding the Discontinuance
of Funding for Blind and Deafblind Training Programs
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/letter-secretary-education-regarding-discontinuance>

·         Letter to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees
Regarding an Amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/letter-senate-and-house-armed-services-committees>
*NFB Coast-to-Coast Movement Challenge:*

Tune into our Coast-to-Coast Facebook Live on November 4 at 3:00 p.m.,
Eastern, to learn about movement, milestones, and landmarks with our
partners at HumanWare. Mark your calendar and access the live feed through
our National Federation of the Blind Facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/NationalFederationoftheBlind> page. If you don’t
have Facebook, join on NFBRN. We will also share the recording via email to
members.
*Bay Bridge Run/Walk Approaching: Sign Up Today!:*

November 9 in Maryland

Virtual or on site
Contribute to the Bay Bridge Run <https://nfb.org/contribute/BayBridge>

Lace up and join the NFB National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
for a 10k walk/run across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. This is your chance to
forge connections with your community, empower others to get active, and
support education, independence, and opportunities for blind people.

If you cannot attend on site, you can still participate virtually. Our
chapters, divisions, and affiliates can even complete the challenge as a
White Cane Awareness Day activity during Blind Equality Achievement Month.

Registration:

·         On site: Complete the On-Site Coast-to-Coast Movement Challenge
form
<https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/?raceId=113571&multi_use_reservation_code=XBOvlZWuXOORbx4Nn6RtuwhnCLAZIsrk>.
A RunSignUp account is required; select the National Federation of the
Blind Dreamers as your social team and use the team password DREAMERS25
(all caps).

·         Virtual: Complete the Virtual Coast-to-Coast Movement Challenge
form <https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=625>.

There are multiple goals for your participation. In addition to raising
public perception of blind people, you will be raising much-needed funds.

·         On-site participants: Raise at least $500. We will waive the
registration fee for the Bay Bridge Run.

·         Virtual participants: Raise at least $250.

·         To help you reach this goal, use the Bay Bridge Participant
Toolkit
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/run-and-walk-events/bay-bridge-run/bay-bridge-run-participant-toolkit>,
which includes sample emails, social media posts, and scripts.

Contribute to the Bay Bridge Run <https://nfb.org/contribute/BayBridge>. To
support a specific runner, write their name in the "In Honor Of" field.

If you missed our rally for chapters and affiliates, check back on
https://nfb.org/movers for the recording or reach out to Rachel Held at
extension 2423 or rheld at nfb.org.
*NFBnet Status:*

The National Federation of the Blind is actively engaged in resolving
delivery issues with NFBnet, our longstanding communication and hosting
platform. As previously shared, users whose email accounts are hosted by
providers such as Yahoo, AOL, Verizon, and Bellsouth may not be getting
messages from NFBnet discussion lists. If you know of someone who is not
receiving list emails but ought to be, please send their contact
information to communications at nfb.org regardless of their email domain, so
we may investigate further. Members may also check to be sure they have
marked any nfb.org emails as safe senders in their email settings. We will
continue to share updates. We apologize for any inconvenience members are
experiencing.
*Catch up on Content and Share on Social Media:*

Highlights, news, and stories are available in our most recent
publications. Access and share articles and episodes with Federationists on
affiliate and division social media to create discussions on various
topics.

·         November *Braille Monitor*
<https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm25/bm2510/bm2510tc.htm>

·         *Nation’s Blind Podcast*
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast>
episodes
with transcripts available

·         *Access On* podcast
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/access-on-podcast>
episodes with transcripts available

·         Reminder: the Presidential Release Chapter Recording will be
available on November 1.

·         If you have been tuning into NFBRN, our always-on audio
experience designed to transform, motivate, and invite you to raise
expectations of blind people, please share your feedback and suggestions to
communications at nfb.org. Thank you!
Dates to Keep in Mind:

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