[NFBNJ] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 09/15/2026

[NFB of NJ President]

*President’s Notebook*

*National Federation of the Blind*

*Mark A. Riccobono*

*officeofthepresident at nfb.org* <officeofthepresident at nfb.org>

*410-659-9314 <(410)%20659-9314>*





*Have You Faced Barriers Because of Smart Glasses?:*

The National Federation of the Blind wants to hear from blind people who
have faced discrimination or been denied access because they use smart
glasses as access technology. As discussed in the recent Presidential
Release Live, some public conversations about Meta and other smart glasses
do not yet recognize that these devices can perform legitimate
accessibility functions for blind people. They may help with reading
printed information, understanding surroundings, getting visual
interpretation, or completing everyday tasks more independently.

If a business, workplace, venue, school, transportation provider, or other
entity has told you that you cannot enter, participate, or receive service
while wearing smart glasses, please share your experience with us. Include
where it happened, what device you were using, what explanation you
received, whether you identified the glasses as access technology, and how
the incident affected your ability to participate. Your reports will help
us educate the public, document emerging barriers, and advocate for
policies that protect blind people's access to the technology we use to
live the lives we want.

Send any feedback to Jonathan Mosen, Executive Director for Accessibility
Excellence: jmosen at nfb.org



*Your Free Information and Entertainment Hub:*

Stay connected to the world around you through NFB-NEWSLINE ®, the National
Federation of the Blind (NFB)’s free audio and Braille service!

Subscribers have access to hundreds of magazines and newspapers, along with
localized weather reports, TV listings, blindness-related publications, and
more. You do not have to be an NFB member to subscribe: anyone blind or
print-disabled is eligible. If you’re already on NFB-NEWSLINE, share what
you love about the service with members and nonmembers alike.

Visit nfb.org/nl to sign up. Learn more at that website or by calling
866-504-7300 <(866)%20504-7300>.



*Access On Webinar: Apple Accessibility Updates in iOS 27 and macOS:*

Join the National Federation of the Blind Center of Excellence in Nonvisual
Accessibility for an *Access On* webinar on Tuesday, September 29, from
2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Eastern, focused on Apple accessibility updates in iOS 27
and macOS. We will review the features most relevant to blind users,
discuss what our testing has shown so far, and talk honestly about where
the new releases show promise and where work remains.

Whether you use VoiceOver on iPhone, iPad, or Mac every day, support blind
technology users, or simply want to understand how Apple's latest operating
systems may affect accessibility, this session will offer practical
information in plain language. Register through the CENA events and
training page,
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/accessibility-webinar-registration>
and
plan to bring your questions.



*Dates to Keep in Mind:*

   - 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, 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
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/200+East+Wells+Street,+Baltimore,+MD+21230?entry=gmail&source=g>
410-659-9314 <(410)%20659-9314> | Officeofthepresident at nfb.org

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