[NFBNJ] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 06/02/2026

Sun Jun 7 12:27:49 UTC 2026

*President’s Notebook*

*National Federation of the Blind*
*Mark A. Riccobono**officeofthepresident at nfb.org*
<officeofthepresident at nfb.org>
*410-659-931402*

*Independence Market Hours:*

The Independence Market will be closed from July 1 through July 14. In
addition, leading up to the convention, the showroom will be closed from
June 22 through June 30. Our eCommerce system will not close and items will
ship while we are at convention.

Note that while the showroom is closed from June 22 through June 30,
customers can still stop by in person and place or pick up orders; however,
there will be nothing on display. We have one set of display items, and
these items will be packed during this timeframe. Thank you for your
understanding!

*UPS Shipping for Independence Market Items:*

Customers can now purchase items that are not eligible to be shipped via
Free Matter directly through our eCommerce site with UPS shipping. Some
notable products that fit this description include NFB-branded merchandise,
tumblers, Meta glasses, and other featured items.

*Volunteers Needed for Independence Market During National Convention:*

If you are interested in volunteering at the Independence Market during the
2026 National Convention, please contact Danielle McCann at dmccann at nfb.org for
more information. Opportunities are available for demonstrators and
storekeepers, and all assistance is greatly appreciated.

*Federation Sues Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human
Services Regarding Delay of Website Accessibility Rule:*

On Thursday, May 21, the National Federation of the Blind filed a lawsuit
challenging the administration’s abrupt delay of critical website
accessibility features designed to ensure blind people and people with
other disabilities can access essential government and healthcare services
online. The lawsuit challenges actions by the US Department of Justice
(DOJ) and the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that
postponed long-anticipated compliance deadlines under federal disability
rights laws, without public notice or input. Regulations finalized by DOJ
and HHS in April and May 2024, after years of public engagement and
rulemaking, required state and local governments and those who receive
federal funding from HHS to make their websites and mobile applications
accessible to people with disabilities, including those who are blind and
rely on screen readers and other assistive technology. However, on April
20, 2026, and May 11, 2026, respectively, DOJ and HHS issued interim final
rules delaying the compliance deadlines by a year. You can read our full
press release regarding the DOJ and HHS lawsuit
<https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-sues-government-over-delay-accessibility-rules>
in
our Press Room <https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room>.

*Department of Health and Human Services Section 504 Interim Final Rule
Response:*

On May 11, the Department of Health and Human Services published an interim
final rule delaying the implementation of website and mobile application
accessibility regulations for Rehabilitation Act Section 504 covered
entities. Much like our response to the ADA Title II website rule delay, we
believe this postponement for implementation is completely unwarranted. I
encourage you to read our official response to the Health and Human
Services interim final rule
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/comments-response-department-health-and-human-services>
that
we submitted on Friday, May 29.

*ADA Title II Digital Accessibility Interim Final Rule – Submit Your
Comments:*

This is a quick reminder that there is still time for you to submit your
individual comments in response to the Department of Justice’s interim
final rule on website and mobile application accessibility for ADA Title
II-covered entities. As a reminder, we sent out an advocacy alert
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-priorities/legislative-alerts/department-justice-delays>
on
this topic on May 17, and we encourage you to read it and submit comments
so that the DOJ understands how critical digital accessibility is to us.

*Dates to Keep in Mind:*

   - July 3-8: National Convention; Austin, Texas
   - July 2-7, 2027: National Convention; Austin, Texas
   - July 3-8, 2028: National Convention; Chicago, Illinois
   - July 2-7, 2029: National Convention; Chicago, Illinois

Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement Calls

   - Wednesday, August 5
   - Wednesday, November 4

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.
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