<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Greetings all,<span></span></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><br></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">To stay connected with our
National Office and the work of our organization I am sharing some of President
Riccobono's weekly notebook, National Items of Interest and Dates to Keep in
Mind.<span></span></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Please read and save for
future reference.<span></span></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Warmly, <br>Linda Melendez, President<br>National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<br>732-421-7063<br>Email: <a href="mailto:president@nfbnj.org" target="_blank">president@nfbnj.org</a><br></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">****<span></span></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><a name="m_-6700331734741107275_m_1412506259006487073_m_-3970051439756770132_m_-4320014376400026882_m_-6286285618737615801_m_7892981250808199502_m_8029846466980229807_m_7232051016257431187_m_-212004602448482749_m_-1553329516353739716_m_-12425793718160"><span style="line-height:115%">President’s Notebook</span></a><span style="line-height:115%"> <br>
Week of January 11, 2021<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
Mark A. Riccobono <span></span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="line-height:115%"><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Dear Fellow
Federationists,<span></span></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><br></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span><span><span style="line-height:115%"><span><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">This time of year, in the weeks leading up to our
Washington Seminar, the District of Columbia is always on our minds. For many
years, we have visited the House and Senate to further our legislative goals.
Though we will gather on the Hill virtually next month, we are holding
Congress, first responders and others who walk the halls of the Capitol close
in our hearts and minds after last week’s attack. It is unfortunate that we
will not have the opportunity to walk the halls of Congress this year to bring
the positive spirit of the Federation to those quarters. However, we will have
the opportunity to visit with the offices of every member of Congress
virtually. </font></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span><span><span style="line-height:115%"><span><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><br></font></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span><span><span style="line-height:115%"><span><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">In those meetings we will bring the spirit of a common purpose and
working together. Our issues are not of one party or another; they do not
reflect the priorities of an incoming or outgoing administration. They are
issues for every elected official to support. They are driven by a diverse set
of blind people from around the country. They are issues that seek to make
America a country where we achieve the ideals set forth in our democracy.
Together, through our 2021 Washington Seminar, we will contribute to bringing
the nation together, moving forward, and raising expectations.<span></span></font></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span><span><span style="line-height:115%"><span><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><br></font></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span><span><span style="line-height:115%"><span><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">We want to highlight an update on
our efforts to make the Federation a safe and healthy place for all. <span></span></font></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span><span><span style="line-height:115%"><span><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="color:windowtext">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal"> </span></span>Follow your state
and local legal requirements concerning mandatory reporting, if the victim or
survivor is interested in this path to healing.<span></span></font></p><p><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span> </span><span style="color:windowtext">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal"> </span></span>To report a sexual
misconduct issue, follow the procedures outlined in NFB’s code of conduct at <a href="https://www.nfb.org/about-us/history-and-governance/code-conduct" target="_blank"><span>https://www.nfb.org/about-us/history-and-governance/code-conduct</span></a>, or contact <a href="mailto:code@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span>code@nfb.org</span></a> or 410-659-9314,
extension 2475. </font></p><p><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span> </span><span style="color:windowtext">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal"> </span></span>To get information
about NFB’s Survivor Task Force, contact <a href="mailto:survivors@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span>survivors@nfb.org</span></a> or 410-659-9314,
extension 2238.</font></p><p><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span> </span><span style="color:windowtext">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal"> </span></span>To access
professional support and resources, contact RAINN. The <a href="https://www.rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline" target="_blank"><span>National
Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline</span></a> is at 800-656-HOPE (4673). Callers will be
contacted by a trained staff member from a service provider in their area.</font></p><p><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span> </span>Below
are the links to the NFB’s statements:</font></p><p style="margin-left:0.75in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="color:windowtext">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal">
</span></span><a href="https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-announces-partnership-rainn" target="_blank"><span>Partnership
with RAINN</span></a><span></span></font></p><p style="margin-left:0.75in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="color:windowtext">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal">
</span></span><a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/safety-support-marchingtogether" target="_blank"><span>Introducing
Our Survivor Task Force</span></a><span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">FAQs</font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Q: How long has this been going on? What did
you know and when? Were there any incidents at your office/center/facility?</font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> A: Out of respect for survivors, we are not
commenting on any specific incidents. The National Federation of the Blind
announced a partnership with RAINN, the nation's largest anti-sexual violence
organization. RAINN will assist us in furthering a safe, inclusive, and
welcoming culture free of sexual misconduct as part of all NFB programs and
activities. We are committed to a safe, healthy environment.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Q: What exactly will RAINN be doing?</font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">A: We are entering a committed long-term
partnership with RAINN to ensure a safe and healthy environment. </font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Q: What is the role of the Survivor Task
Force?</font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> A: The Survivor Task Force will serve as an
advisor during this process to ensure we build a safe, healthy environment.
More details can be found in the Introducing Our Survivor Task Force section to
<a href="http://nfb.org/survivor" target="_blank">nfb.org/survivor</a>. The Task Force will provide monthly updates on our efforts.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><b>Critical
Actions:</b></font></p>
<h3 style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span><span><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2">Washington
Seminar Fact Sheets</font></span></span></span></h3><h3 style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2"><span style="font-weight:normal"><span style="line-height:115%">The fact sheets for this year’s Washington
Seminar issues (<a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/washington-seminar-agenda/fact-sheet-access" target="_blank"></a></span><a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/washington-seminar-agenda/fact-sheet-access" target="_blank">Access Technology Affordability Act</a></span><span style="font-weight:normal">, <a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/washington-seminar-agenda/fact-sheet-medical-device" target="_blank">Medical Devices Nonvisual Accessibility Act</a>, <a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/washington-seminar-agenda/fact-sheet-accessible-websites-act" target="_blank">Accessible Websites Act</a>, <a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/washington-seminar-agenda/fact-sheet-accessible" target="_blank">Accessible Voting Act</a>) are now
posted to our website. Please note that we have made an adjustment in the 2021
Washington Seminar training schedule.</span></font></h3><h3 style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2">News</font></h3><h3 style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span><span><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2">NFB-NEWSLINE<sup>®</sup>—Breaking
News Sources Available:</font></span></span></span></h3><h3 style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-weight:normal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2">NFB-NEWSLINE is a free audio news service for
anyone who is blind, low-vision, deafblind, or otherwise print-disabled that
offers access to more than five hundred publications, emergency weather alerts,
job listings, and more. There are more than forty breaking news sources. Stay
informed of the current events happening in our country. Learn more about <a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-newsline" target="_blank">nfbnewsline.org</a>.</font></span></h3>
<h3 style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2">New
Partnership with Getty Images and Tactile Images—Take the Quick Poll:<span></span></font></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span><span><span style="line-height:115%"><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span>Getty Images, a world leader in visual
communications, and the National Federation of the Blind, America’s civil
rights and membership organization of the blind, have partnered with Tactile
Images to deliver more than twenty-five million images to the world's blind
population at museums, science centers, libraries, schools, and government
agencies. Read the <a href="https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/getty-images-partners-national-federation-blind-and-tactile-images-deliver-25" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>new partnership press release</span></span></span></span></a></span><span><span><span><span>. As a start
to this initiative, please share and complete the three-question poll: <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/tactileimages" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/tactileimages</span></span></span></span></a></span><span><span><span><span>.</span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></font></span></span></span></span></p>
<h3 style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span><span><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2">Scholarship
Program–Submit Application Today:<span></span></font></span></span></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span><span><span style="line-height:115%"><span><span>Share this opportunity that invests in the future
of blind people. Every year, the National Federation of the Blind awards more
than $120,000 to blind scholars across the fifty states, the District of
Columbia, and Puerto Rico in recognition of their achievements and professional
aspirations. The application process is open and we encourage students to start
the process early. Review the </span><a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program/scholarship-program-application-checklist" target="_blank"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program/scholarship-program-application-checklist" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>scholarship application checklist</span></span></span></span></a></span><span><span> and the </span><a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program/scholarship-program-faqs" target="_blank"></a></span><a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program/scholarship-program-faqs" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>scholarship program FAQs</span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span>. Learn about
the eligibility criteria and requirements of the <a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>2021 scholarship program</span></span></span></span></a></span><span><span><span><span> and start
the application process now. The deadline to submit is March 31, 2021.<span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></font></p>
<h3 style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2"><i><span><span><span>Walking
Alone and Marching Together</span></span></span></i><span><span><span> has been added to NFB-NEWSLINE:</span><span></span></span></span></font></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span><span><span style="line-height:115%"><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span>You can now access this book detailing the
history of the organized blind movement from 1940 to 1990 on NFB-NEWSLINE. If
you are using the telephone access method, off the main menu, press 1 followed
by 1 for the NFB National Channel, then follow the prompts to read the book.
For those using the NFB-NEWSLINE Mobile app for iOS, select “All Publications”
from the “Information Sources” page and search for <i>Walking Alone and
Marching Together </i>to read the book.</span><span></span></font></span></span></span></span></p>
<h3 style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span><span><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2">Filing a
Complaint with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights:<span></span></font></span></span></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span><span><span style="line-height:115%"><span><span>The US Department of Education’s Office for Civil
Rights (OCR) recently released a short video, </span><a href="https://youtu.be/dvxa5dYNKK8" target="_blank"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://youtu.be/dvxa5dYNKK8" target="_blank"><i><span><span><span><span>How to File a Complaint</span></span></span></span></i></a></span><a href="https://youtu.be/dvxa5dYNKK8" target="_blank"><span></span></a><i>, </i>as a resource for anyone seeking to file a discrimination
complaint with OCR. Please share this link with students, parents, and other
stakeholders in your network.<span></span></font></p>
<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><b>National Dates to Keep in Mind:<br></b><b>(all times eastern)</b></font></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">January 18: <a href="https://actionfund.org/programs/braille-readers-are-leaders" target="_blank">Braille Readers Are Leaders</a>
registration (and page count) deadline<span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">January 28: <a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/smart-cities-summit" target="_blank">Smart Cities Summit</a>,
12:00-8:00 p.m.<span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">February 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.<span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">February 8: <a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar" target="_blank">Washington Seminar</a> Great
Gathering-In<span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">March 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.<span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">March 24-26: Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium<span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">March 31: <a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program/scholarship-program-application-checklist" target="_blank">Scholarship application</a>
deadline<span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">April 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.<span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">April 15: <a href="https://www.nfb.org/bolotin" target="_blank">Bolotin Awards</a> nominations
deadline<span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">May 2: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.<span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">June 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.<span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">July 6-11: NFB National Convention, New Orleans,
Louisiana<span></span></font></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> <span></span></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="line-height:115%">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><span></span></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></p></div><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="auto"></div><font color="#888888"></font></div></div></div></div></div></div>