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<DIV>Greetings to all!</DIV>
<DIV>I decided to forward the entire notebook for this week.</DIV>
<DIV>Please pay attention to many items of interest pertaining to those
attending and not attending the national convention, important advocacy
efforts
to assist those with diabetes and a shoutout to Andrew Reese and the Vehicle
Donation program.</DIV>
<DIV>Keep well </DIV>
<DIV>Warmly,</DIV>
<DIV>Joe </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">We
care. We
share. We grow. We make a difference<BR>Joe Ruffalo, President <BR>National
Federation of the Blind of New Jersey <BR>973 743
0075<BR>nfbnj1@verizon.net<BR><A
href="http://www.nfbnj.org">www.nfbnj.org</A></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Raising
Expectations To Live The Life We Want!</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Your
old
car keys can be keys to literacy for the blind.<BR>Donate your unwanted
vehicle
to us by clicking <BR>www.carshelpingtheblind.org <BR>or call 855 659
9314<BR></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>**** </FONT></DIV>
<DIV>President’s Notebook</DIV>
<DIV>National Federation of the Blind</DIV>
<DIV>Mark A. Riccobono</DIV>
<DIV>officeofthepresident@nfb.org<mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org></DIV>
<DIV>410-659-9314</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Dear Fellow Federationists,</DIV>
<DIV>The clock is ticking… exactly six days from the moment I am writing
this I
will be sitting at the Baltimore Washington International Airport with my
family
(call us the Riccobono Five) waiting to board a plane to head to Orlando for
our
2018 National Convention. Even as we make the final preparations, our work
continues. Today is the anniversary of the Fair Labor Standards Act and, as
you
know, this eighty-year-old civil rights bill for workers does not include
equal
treatment for people who are blind. Nevertheless, we are making tremendous
progress and all of those Federationists who have come before us must
certainly
be proud of our continued success.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Going into the national convention, I am well aware that our movement
thrives because of our combined effort. I am excited to be with you again,
to
rekindle relationships, enjoy some good stories, and plan for our work
ahead.
Please note a number of pre-convention items below.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Please travel safely to Orlando and be sure to drop in to the
Presidential
Suite.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Critical Actions This Week:</DIV>
<DIV>Join the Pre-Convention Excitement!:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> * Listen to our newest Nation’s Blind Podcast
mini-episode on “How to Dress for Convention<<A
href="https://nfb.org/nations-blind/nations-blind-podcast-bonus-episode-5">https://nfb.org/nations-blind/nations-blind-podcast-bonus-episode-5</A>>”
and share your thoughts and advice on social media.</DIV>
<DIV> * Read about hosting a banquet listening party<<A
href="https://nfb.org/blog/article/3607">https://nfb.org/blog/article/3607</A>>
in the Voice of the Nation’s Blind Blog if you can’t make it this
year.</DIV>
<DIV> * Get easy-to-find links to all the latest
convention
information at www.nfb.org<<A
href="http://www.nfb.org">http://www.nfb.org</A>>.</DIV>
<DIV> * Follow along and chime in on social media with
#nfb18.</DIV>
<DIV> * For your friends and family that are not able to
attend this year’s convention, we will be streaming part of it, including
the
board of directors meeting, general sessions, and the banquet. More
information
can be found at nfb.org/convention/2018/stream<<A
href="https://nfb.org/convention/2018/stream">https://nfb.org/convention/2018/stream</A>>,
including how to access the Spanish streaming. This year, we are partnering
with
195 The Globe, an internet radio station run by blind Federationists, for
our
English stream.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Raffles and Drawings–Posting:</DIV>
<DIV>Because of the myriad regulations around raffles, drawings, and gaming
we
will not advertise raffles, drawings, and other gaming on our webpage. If
your
state submitted information to post to <A
href="https://nfb.org/convention/exhibit-hall-announcements">https://nfb.org/convention/exhibit-hall-announcements</A>,
it will be edited to exclude raffles and drawings. We do apologize for the
inconvenience.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>News:</DIV>
<DIV>CMS Reversal:</DIV>
<DIV>Thanks to the advocacy of the Federation and our Diabetes Action
Network, a
Medicare coverage decision<<A
href="https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/article-details.aspx?articleid=52464+">https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/article-details.aspx?articleid=52464+</A>>
regarding continuous glucose monitors (CGM) was reversed, effective as of
June
7, 2018. There will be a blog post out later this week with more details.
The
original coverage policy denied Medicare beneficiaries reimbursement for
their
CGM if they used a mobile application in conjunction with the device, which
was
in practical terms the only way that blind CGM users could effectively use
the
device. The new coverage policy<<A
href="https://med.noridianmedicare.com/web/jadme/policies/dmd-articles/continuous-glucose-monitors-use-of-smart-devices">https://med.noridianmedicare.com/web/jadme/policies/dmd-articles/continuous-glucose-monitors-use-of-smart-devices</A>>
was posted last week and we can now inform our members with diabetes who are
also Medicare beneficiaries that they now have access to this important
innovation in diabetes management technology.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Assistance Line and Quiet Room for Convention Attendees:</DIV>
<DIV>As you know, convention is both an exciting and busy time for all of
us.
For some of our members and new attendees it can also be overwhelming and
potentially anxiety provoking. In order to assist convention attendees who
may
be experiencing feelings of anxiety or of being overwhelmed, several
measures
have been put in place for this year’s convention. We need your help in
making
sure that convention attendees who are feeling this way do not fall through
the
cracks as this is a super busy time for everyone. To that end, please make
sure
to put the following into your affiliate action plan before and during
convention:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>1. Please make sure that everyone
you
know of who is attending convention from your affiliate knows how to get in
touch with you and with other leaders from your affiliate.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>2. Encourage attendees to contact
you
or another leader within your affiliate if they need your help.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>3. If you are contacted by someone
feeling anxious or obviously overwhelmed, try to help from your end first.
Let
them know that it is quite normal to feel this way and that they will be
okay.
Taking time to speak in person, in a quiet place usually helps. Please do
so, if
at all possible.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>4. Rather than direct those in need
of
a quiet place to wind down to the Host Affiliates Suite we have established
a
“Quiet Room.” The Ambassadors will be on alert for anyone needing assistance
particularly during those times when the majority of convention goers will
be
out and about. They will direct those in need of a place to ground
themselves and regroup to the Quiet Room. There will be someone on
hand to
help those in mild distress or in need of a quiet place for a few minutes.
The
Quiet Room is not intended to be used as a hangout or meeting room. Please
help
make sure that this room is reserved for its intended use.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>5. If you feel that you are not
equipped to help, for those who are experiencing moderate to severe anxiety,
please contact the assistance number for help: 443-457-3401. The number will
be
staffed by someone who can help develop a plan of action with you.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>6. If there are reports of
harassment
of any kind or of events that need to be reported such as unwanted sexual
advances or physical violence from anyone attending our convention, please
stay
with the person who has confided in you and immediately call the assistance
line
at 443-457-3401.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Your help in making certain that everyone attending our convention is
safe
and that any issues are taken care of appropriately is greatly appreciated.
While we don’t expect for issues to arise, we want to be prepared in case
they
do.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Vehicle Donations Up for May:</DIV>
<DIV>May vehicle donations were up. A special shout-out to New Jersey for a
vehicle that netted the Federation more than $5,000. Thanks to all who help
solicit cars, trucks, and the like. Please keep working toward obtaining
vehicle
donations. If you want ideas, you can visit <A
href="https://nfb.org/vehicle-donation-materials">https://nfb.org/vehicle-donation-materials</A>.
If someone wants to gift a car, please ask them to visit <A
href="https://nfb.org/vehicledonations">https://nfb.org/vehicledonations</A>
or
call 855-659-9314. This program is especially helpful as it brings in
unrestricted funds to help us build the Federation.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Reminders:</DIV>
<DIV>Portrait Studio at Convention:</DIV>
<DIV>This year we have a new backdrop for our portrait studio. We would like
to
get current photos of all board members and state and chapter leaders in
front
of it for 2018. These photos will be used on our new website, in the Braille
Monitor, etc., and can make great profile photos anywhere you need one.
Anyone
is welcome to take advantage of this opportunity, but we are requesting
leaders
make it a priority. Please plan to drop by the portrait studio at one of the
following times to have your photo taken:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>July 3 Seminar Day: Portrait Studio Open: 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.</DIV>
<DIV>July 5 Board Meeting Day: Portrait Studio Open: 8:00 a.m.-12:00
p.m.</DIV>
<DIV>July 6 Opening Session: Portrait Studio Open: One hour before general
session starts.</DIV>
<DIV>July 8 Banquet Day: Portrait Studio Open: One hour before
banquet.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Dates to Keep in Mind:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> * July 3-8, 2018: National Federation of the Blind
National Convention<<A
href="https://nfb.org/convention">https://nfb.org/convention</A>>,
Orlando,
Florida</DIV>
<DIV> * July 29-August 4, 2018: NFB EQ<<A
href="http://www.blindscience.org/nfbeq">http://www.blindscience.org/nfbeq</A>></DIV>
<DIV> * October 11-12, 2018: Tactile Graphics
Symposium</DIV>
<DIV> * March 28-29, 2019: Jacobus tenBroek Law
Symposium</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The National Federation of the Blind knows 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. You can live the life you want; blindness is
not
what holds you back.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Mark A. Riccobono</DIV>
<DIV>President</DIV>
<DIV>200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230</DIV>
<DIV>(410) 659-9314 |
officeofthepresident@nfb.org<mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>[National Federation of the Blind]<<A
href="https://nfb.org/">https://nfb.org/</A>></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
[Facebook] <<A
href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind">http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind</A>>
[Twitter] <<A
href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice">https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice</A>>
[Youtube] <<A
href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind">https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind</A>></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Disclaimer</DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>