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<BODY lang=EN-US dir=ltr link=blue vLink=purple>
<DIV dir=ltr>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">
<DIV>Greetings to all!</DIV>
<DIV>I have pasted several items of interest from the President’s Notebook
for
week April 27, 2020.</DIV>
<DIV>Please read through,act where requested and keep raising expectations
to
live the life you want!</DIV>
<DIV>Warmly,</DIV>
<DIV>Joe Ruffalo </DIV>
<DIV> </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'><B>From:</B>
<A title=OfficeOfThePresident@nfb.org
href="mailto:OfficeOfThePresident@nfb.org">President, National Federation of
the
Blind</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt tahoma">
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #f5f5f5">
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Monday, April 27, 2020 4:20 PM</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> NFB President’s Notebook - week of
04/27/2020</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><A name=OLE_LINK7></A><A name=OLE_LINK9></A><A
name=OLE_LINK8></A>President’s Notebook<SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></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">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</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,<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>It is hard to believe that April is coming to a close. I
know
that all of you must feel the same way. I continue to appreciate all that
you
are doing to connect and protect blind people through our
affiliates.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>As I urged all of you on Sunday evening, please help us
spread the word about supporting the National Federation of the Blind on
Giving
Tuesday Now (May 5). We need your help amplifying the messaging in advance,
but
we definitely need your active engagement on May 5 to help the Federation
get
noticed and maximize the funds being generously offered to us by the Gibney
Family Foundation. Stay tuned for more details.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Critical Actions:<o:p></o:p></P>
<H3><B>This Friday, May 1—Presidential Release LIVE: </B><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></H3>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in">Attend the <A
href="https://www.nfb.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=367">May
Presidential Release (Zoom details available)</A> of the National Federation
of
the Blind on May 1, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. eastern. After the remarks, the
organization's first vice president, Pam Allen, will moderate questions.
Members
of the Federation are encouraged to attend, and non-members are warmly
welcomed.
Send your questions in advance to <A
href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</A> and put PR494 in the
subject line or call 410-659-9314, extension 2473. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<H2>News:<o:p></o:p></H2>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><B>Hotel Room
Credits:<BR></B>If
you booked a hotel room in Houston, Texas, for the national convention, a
full
refund will be issued, so please do not call the hotel to cancel at this
time.
Both the Hilton and Marriott reservations staff are working to cancel
reservations and providing full refunds to the credit card used to secure
the
room. Because both hotels are working reduced hours with limited staff, it
may
take up to two weeks for your refund to be issued. If you have not seen a
credit
to your account by May 8, please send an email to Susan Skaarer at <A
href="mailto:sskaarer@nfb.org">sskaarer@nfb.org</A> with your confirmation
number, so we can confirm the cancellation of your reservation with the
hotel.
For those of you who may have made a separate reservation for room nights
before
or after our convention, you will need to contact the central reservations
line
at 800-236-2905.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<H3><B>Accessibility of State COVID-19 Websites:<o:p></o:p></B></H3>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in">A <A
href="https://themarkup.org/2020/04/21/blind-users-struggle-with-state-coronavirus-websites">recent
article</A> alerted us to a comprehensive study by <A
href="https://webaim.org/">Web AIM</A> finding that most state websites that
provide information about the coronavirus pandemic have accessibility
barriers.
Affiliates who have not done so already should reach out to state
governments to
alert them to accessibility issues. If your state’s website is flagged in
the
study or if you find accessibility issues, please share through social media
channels or by sending an email to <A
href="mailto:accessiblenow@nfb.org">accessiblenow@nfb.org</A>, especially if
a
point of contact or information about the responsible government office
cannot
be found. If you can identify a point of contact, consider sending a
statement
to the website administrator, or to the department responsible for the site
(often the governor’s office or health department) such as the
following:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in"><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in">I am writing to you on behalf
of
the National Federation of the Blind of [state or territory name] to advise
that
your dedicated website [or web pages] intended to provide coronavirus
information is not accessible to blind users. [Provide details or examples
here.] Blind residents of our state need accurate and timely information
about
this pandemic just like all other residents, and state and federal laws
require
that we have equal access to all information provided by our government. We
therefore strongly urge you to rectify these accessibility barriers as soon
as
possible. We are happy to provide expertise and to connect you with blind
people
who can conduct user testing. We will appreciate your immediate attention to
this critically important matter.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><o:p></o:p> </P>
<H3><B>Advocacy and Policy Update:<o:p></o:p></B></H3>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><SPAN style="COLOR: black">I
wanted to start out with a quick update regarding Economic Impact Payments.
For
recipients of Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability insurance
benefits (SSDI) automatic payments of $1,200 are scheduled to begin arriving
this week. If you are a recipient of one of these federal benefits and
entered
your eligible dependent information into the IRS system by April 22, you
will
also receive an additional $500 for each eligible dependent. If you were
unable
to enter your eligible dependent information into the IRS system by the
above
deadline, you will still be able to receive the additional $500, but you
will
need to file a tax return for year 2020.</SPAN><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><SPAN style="COLOR:
black">For
SSI and VA benefits recipients, the IRS announced a deadline of May 5 to
enter
your eligible dependent information into the </SPAN><A
title=https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here
href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here">Non-Filers
Tool</A><SPAN style="COLOR: black">. If you are unable to enter your
eligible
dependent information into the IRS system by the May 5 deadline, you will
still
receive your $1,200 payment and you can apply to receive the additional
$500,
but you will need to file a tax return for year 2020.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><SPAN style="COLOR:
black">The
Treasury Department will make these automatic payments to Social Security
retirement, SSDI, SSI, and VA recipients. Recipients will generally receive
the
automatic $1,200 payments by direct deposit, Direct Express debit card, or
by
paper check, just as they would normally receive their benefits. A special
note
for Direct Express account holders, you may use the Non-Filers tool, but you
cannot receive your and your children’s payment on your Direct Express
account.
You may only select a bank account for direct deposit or leave bank
information
blank and receive the money by mail.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><SPAN style="COLOR: black">In
legislative news, we continue to advocate for the inclusion of the Access
Technology Affordability Act into upcoming COVID-19 relief legislation. We
are
also working to include a waiver to eliminate the waiting periods for SSDI
and
Medicare during the COVID-19 emergency. Congress is scheduled to reconvene
as
early as next week, and your calls and emails on these topics are sure to
make a
difference. Our Advocacy and Policy team will be sending out a legislative
alert
with further instructions in the next few days. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><o:p></o:p> </P>
<H3><B>Celebrate #GivingTuesdayNow with Us:</B><BR>#GivingTuesdayNow is a
global
day of giving and unity, set to take place on May 5, 2020, as an emergency
response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. Our partner, the
Gibney
Family Foundation, is generously matching all donations made. If you are
able,
please help us continue to advocate and provide essential services by
contributing on #GivingTuesdayNow.<o:p></o:p></H3>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><o:p></o:p> </P>
<H2
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in;
mso-margin-top-alt: 0in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Seeking Those Applying for SSDI
Benefits:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></H2>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in">We are seeking blind persons
who
have recently been in the process of applying for SSDI benefits and have had
to
sign various forms for Social Security. Additionally, we wish to speak
with those blind persons who recently have had to fill out the SSA Form
1696. This is the form which allows you to appoint someone else to
represent you before SSA. This is time sensitive. Please contact
Valerie Yingling at <A href="mailto:vyingling@nfb.org">vyingling@nfb.org</A>
or
410-659-9314, extension 2440.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<H3><B>Requesting Information about Inaccessible State Unemployment
Websites:<o:p></o:p></B></H3>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in">We are investigating access
barriers on state unemployment websites. If you have recently attempted to
file
for unemployment benefits via your state’s website and encountered access
barriers, please contact Valerie Yingling at <A
href="mailto:vyingling@nfb.org">vyingling@nfb.org</A> or 410-659-9314,
extension
2440.<SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<H3><B>Virtual Background for Federation Zoom Meetings:<o:p></o:p></B></H3>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in">Zoom offers the option to
display
virtual backgrounds during a Zoom video call. For Federation virtual
meetings
hosted on Zoom, please consider using a branded background that contains our
logo if video is being used. If interested in the branded background, please
send a request to Suzanne Shaffer at <A
href="mailto:sshaffer@nfb.org">sshaffer@nfb.org</A>. The background we will
send
you is a repeating pattern of the National Federation of the Blind logo in
white
over a faded green to blue backdrop.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in">Here are some tips on setting
up
the virtual background: position your camera so you have a solid,
single-color
background behind you. Although using a green screen gives the best results,
a
plain wall or curtain is fine. Open your Zoom client, and in the settings
menu,
select Virtual Backgrounds. Click Add Image and then select the image you
want
from your computer (or choose to add a video). There is an option to mirror
image that you want to be sure is unselected or the logo will be backwards.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><B>Veterans’
Celebration
of Freedom:<BR></B>Vernon Humphrey, president of the National Association of
Blind Veterans, is reaching out to all veterans that will be taking part in
the
national convention so they can participate in the annual Celebration of
Freedom. Please contact him at <A
href="mailto:mr_president@nabv.org">mr_president@nabv.org</A> or
706-329-7960 if
you are, or you know of, a military veteran that will be at convention this
year.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<H2>Dates to Keep in Mind:<SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY:
"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></SPAN></H2>
<P class=MsoListParagraph
style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l4 level1
lfo10"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: ignore">·<SPAN
style='FONT: 7pt "Times New Roman"'>
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>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></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph
style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l4 level1
lfo10"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: ignore">·<SPAN
style='FONT: 7pt "Times New Roman"'>
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>May 1: Live Presidential Release<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph
style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l4 level1
lfo10"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: ignore">·<SPAN
style='FONT: 7pt "Times New Roman"'>
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>May 5: Giving Tuesday Now<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph
style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l4 level1
lfo10"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: ignore">·<SPAN
style='FONT: 7pt "Times New Roman"'>
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>June 1-12: NFB BELL® In-Home Edition <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph
style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l4 level1
lfo10"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: ignore">·<SPAN
style='FONT: 7pt "Times New Roman"'>
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>June 10: Membership Open House<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph
style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l4 level1
lfo10"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: ignore">·<SPAN
style='FONT: 7pt "Times New Roman"'>
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>June 22-July 3: NFB BELL® In-Home Edition<B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph
style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l4 level1
lfo10"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: ignore">·<SPAN
style='FONT: 7pt "Times New Roman"'>
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>July 27-August 7: NFB BELL® In-Home
Edition<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph
style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l4 level1
lfo10"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: ignore">·<SPAN
style='FONT: 7pt "Times New Roman"'>
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>July 14-19: <A
href="https://www.nfb.org/convention">NFB
National Convention</A>, Everywhere<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </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-FAMILY: "Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<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 style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><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
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 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 border=0
alt=Twitter src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/twitter.png"
width=24
height=24></SPAN></A> <A
href="https://wwwyoutube.com/NationsBlind"><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none; COLOR: #0563c1"><IMG id=_x0000_i1025 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><FONT
face=Calibri></FONT></o:p> </P></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>