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<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">
<DIV>Greetings to all!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Each week, President Riccobono forwards the Presidents Notebook.</DIV>
<DIV>At times, I provide items for all , at times I paste several items and
at
times, I do not forward as the items are for presidents of the
affiliates.</DIV>
<DIV>With this said, I have provided the notebook for February 24,
2020.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Warmly,</DIV>
<DIV>Joe </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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>Raising Expectations To Live The Life You Want!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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>
<DIV
style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri";
FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt tahoma">
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #f5f5f5">
<DIV style="font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=OfficeOfThePresident@nfb.org
href="mailto:OfficeOfThePresident@nfb.org">President, National Federation of
the
Blind</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, February 25, 2020 8:53 AM</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=OfficeOfThePresident@nfb.org
href="mailto:OfficeOfThePresident@nfb.org">President, National Federation of
the
Blind</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> NFB President’s Notebook - week of
02/24/2020</DIV></DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
<DIV
style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri";
FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'>
<DIV class=WordSection1>
<H1>President’s Notebook<o:p></o:p></H1>
<H1>National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></H1>
<H1>Mark A. Riccobono<o:p></o:p></H1>
<H1><A href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org"><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none; COLOR:
windowtext">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</SPAN></A><o:p></o:p></H1>
<H1>410-659-9314<o:p></o:p></H1>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Dear Fellow Federationists,<SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Hey look, we get one extra day this year to spread the
love
and positive message of the National Federation of the Blind, and it is a
good
month to do so. You will find below a collection of links to a number of
outstanding pieces featuring Federation members who share the additional
common
characteristic of being black. These folks are great friends and mentors of
mine, and I am so pleased that they have spread our message through their
stories. You should share these far and wide to promote the diversity we
want in
our movement. As Ever Lee says, let's grow and go!<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>This week I will be welcoming the eighty-ninth leadership
seminar to the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute. I expect
that this year we will have a seminar in the fall as well—we did not have
one
last year because of the construction. Some of you continue to believe that
recommendations should only come when there is a seminar planned. Keep in
mind,
there will always be another seminar someday. Send your recommendations, and
they can be for people outside your state. Also keep in mind that we should
continue to seek diversity in our leadership pool. If you recommend someone
and
they have additional qualities that would add to the diversity of our
leadership
seminar, please let me know that. This data is only for my use. Often the
only
thing I know about a person is who recommended them and when. If I happen to
have met them, it helps me know more about them. Since I cannot meet
everyone,
the data you share with me is useful. We should be intentional about
developing
a diversity of leaders in our organization. You should know this is
important to
me personally and it is critical to our organization's advancement. Thank
you in
advance for your recommendations.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>As I am sure you are aware, March 1 is the opening for
our
2020 National Convention online registration (The link, once it is live,
will be
<A href="https://www.nfb.org/registration">nfb.org/registration</A>.) Please
be
sure to spread the word and help make this our best-attended convention
ever.
Come on, even Louisiana is cheering for this to be our biggest convention
ever—even if they think Houston cannot top New Orleans! I am really excited
for
this year's convention, and I continue to welcome your ideas for speakers
and
program items.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Finally, committee appointments are in the works; you
should
find those hitting your email boxes soon. Thank you for your work to keep
the
Federation moving forward in all areas by serving on national
committees.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<H2>News:<o:p></o:p></H2>
<H3><B>Federationists Featured in #DisabilityRightsInBlack
Series:<o:p></o:p></B></H3>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in">The National Disability
Rights
Network is recognizing remarkable contributions of past and present black
disability rights advocates and attorneys by presenting a different profile
each
day in February. We are proud of the following National Federation of the
Blind
leaders to be featured and hope you watch their brief videos of their
stories:
<A href="https://www.ndrn.org/resource/drib2020-anil-lewis/">Anil Lewis</A>,
executive director of Blindness Initiatives; <A
href="https://www.ndrn.org/resource/drib2020-ever-lee-hairston/">Ever Lee
Hairston</A>, member of the NFB Board of Directors and 2019 Jacobus tenBroek
Award winner; <A
href="https://www.ndrn.org/resource/drib2020-sam-gleese/">Sam
Gleese</A>, 2014 Jacobus tenBroek Award winner, past affiliate president,
and
past member of the NFB Board of Directors. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in"><o:p></o:p> </P>
<H3><B><I>Nation’s Blind Podcast</I></B><B>: Celebrating Black
History:<o:p></o:p></B></H3>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in">The newest episode of the
<I>Nation’s Blind Podcast</I> celebrates Black History Month with a
contemporary
discussion with Denise Avant, Ron Brown, and Shawn Callaway, all affiliate
presidents and members of the NFB Board of Directors. They talk about the
intersectionality of being African-American and blind. Listen to the <A
href="https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast"><I>Nation’s
Blind Podcast</I></A>.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in"><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><B>Partnership with Aira:
<BR></B>Federation leaders will remember that a number of years ago we
secured a
special membership deal through our partnership with Aira granting that
every
Federation state convention would be a free Aira access site. Thanks to our
partnership, the Federation conventions were the first free Aira accessible
meetings in the nation. That agreement we had with Aira expired in January
2020,
but we continue to have a strong partnership with them. As you likely know,
the
company has been going through a number of changes. I understand that many
of
our affiliates with spring conventions have reached out to Aira asking about
free site access. Our conventions no longer have that benefit as a right
through
an existing agreement. We continue to talk with the company about what the
future partnership with the organized blind movement will include and how we
will execute on that relationship. If you reach out to them, and they tell
you
that they cannot provide free access, do not be surprised. We will be
posting an
update about Aira to the <I>Voice of the Nation’s Blind Blog</I> later
today. If
you have questions, please let me know.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in"><o:p></o:p> </P>
<H3><B>Take the <I>Braille Monitor</I> Survey:<o:p></o:p></B></H3>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in">The <I>Braille Monitor</I> is
our
flagship publication and contains critical content as we continue to build
the
Federation. It reflects many of our traditions, but it also must evolve
enough
to clearly be relevant in this decade and those to come. Please help us by
telling us what you want, what you need, and what you will read. Please
complete
the quick, five-minute <A
href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BrailleMonitor"><I>Braille Monitor
</I>survey</A>. Your participation is greatly appreciated.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in"><o:p></o:p> </P>
<H3><B>Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium:<o:p></o:p></B></H3>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in">Registration is still open
for
the Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium, scheduled March 26-27 at the
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute. It is a two-day
conference
that continues Dr. tenBroek’s lifelong pursuit of dignity, equality, and
full
participation in society by the disabled by bringing together attorneys,
advocates, and those with lived experiences. The agenda includes roundtable
discussions, presentations, workshops, plenary sessions, and an evening
networking reception. This year’s theme is Race, Diversity, Inclusion, and
the
Right to Live in the World. <A
href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/jacobus-tenbroek-disability-law-symposium">Review
the agenda and register today</A>! <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in"><o:p></o:p> </P>
<H3><B>#ReadAcrossAmerica #WithBraille:<o:p></o:p></B></H3>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in">National Read Across America
Day
is Monday, March 2. Although we promote the importance of Braille literacy
year-round, let’s make sure our voices are included on this national day.
The
goal of Read Across America is to help motivate kids to read, bring the joys
of
reading to students of all ages, and make all children feel valued and
welcome.
This must include blind and low-vision children. Let’s promote reading with
Braille by sharing videos of children reading Braille or posting about the
importance of Braille on Monday, March 2, on social media platforms and use
the
hashtags #ReadAcrossAmerica #WithBraille. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph><o:p></o:p> </P>
<H2>Dates to Keep in Mind:<SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY:
"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></SPAN></H2>
<UL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=disc>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6">March 26-27: <A
href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/jacobus-tenbroek-disability-law-symposium">Jacobus
tenBroek Disability Law Symposium</A>, Baltimore, Maryland<SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6">March 31: Deadline
for <A
href="https://wwwnfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program">scholarship
applications</A><o:p></o:p>
<LI class=MsoListParagraph style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6">April 15: <A
href="https://www.nfb.org/bolotin">Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award</A> application
deadline <B><o:p></o:p></B></LI></UL>
<UL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=disc>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo9">May 1: <A
href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award">Distinguished
Educator Award</A> nomination deadline<o:p></o:p></LI></UL>
<UL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=disc>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6">April 14-17: <A
href="http://www.blindmerchants.org">NABM BLAST</A>, Chicago,
Illinois<o:p></o:p>
<LI class=MsoListParagraph style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6">April 14-16:
<A
href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/nonvisual-access-conference">Nonvisual
Access Conference</A>, Baltimore, Maryland<o:p></o:p>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6">June 21-27: <A
href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/national-center-blind-youth-science/nfb-eq">NFB
EQ</A>; St. Paul, Minnesota <o:p></o:p>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6">July 14-19: <A
href="https://www.nfb.org/convention">NFB National Convention</A>,
Houston,
Texas<o:p></o:p></LI></UL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ">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.<SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY:
"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Mark A. Riccobono, President<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>(410) 659-9314 | <A
href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</A>
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal><A href="https://nfb.org/"><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none; COLOR: windowtext"><IMG id=_x0000_i1028
style="HEIGHT: 0.791in; WIDTH: 2.187in" border=0
alt="National Federation of the Blind"
src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/nfblogo.png" width=210
height=76></SPAN></A><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P
class=MsoNormal>
<A href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind"><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none; COLOR: #0563c1"><IMG id=_x0000_i1027
style="HEIGHT: 0.25in; WIDTH: 0.25in" border=0 alt=Facebook
src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/facebook.png" width=24
height=24></SPAN></A> <A
href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice"><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none; COLOR: #0563c1"><IMG id=_x0000_i1026
style="HEIGHT: 0.25in; WIDTH: 0.25in" border=0 alt=Twitter
src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/twitter.png" width=24
height=24></SPAN></A> <A
href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind"><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none; COLOR: #0563c1"><IMG id=_x0000_i1025
style="HEIGHT: 0.25in; WIDTH: 0.25in" border=0 alt=Youtube
src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/youtube.png" width=24
height=24></SPAN></A><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>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.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P><o:p></o:p> </P></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>