<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style=""><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style=""><span style="line-height:115%"></span><span style="line-height:115%"><span></span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Greetings
all,<span></span></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="line-height:115%"><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">To help
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" style=""><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"><span style="line-height:115%"><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Warmly,<br></span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Linda Melendez, President<br></span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<br></span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">732-421-7063<br></span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Email: </span><a href="mailto:president@nfbnj.org" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">president@nfbnj.org</a><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">****<span></span></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><a name="m_1412506259006487073_m_-397005143975677"><span style="line-height:115%">President’s Notebook</span></a><span style="line-height:115%"> <br>
Week of January 25, 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%"><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 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">It is particularly chilly in Baltimore
now, so I thought it was worth noting that there are only twenty-one days until
pitchers and catchers report. So baseball is right around the corner. No reason
I can think of to bring that up except to warm the chilly air around us.<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>
<h2 style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;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:<span></span></font></h2>
<h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;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">Attend the February Presidential Release on February
1—Captioning and Spanish Available:<span></span></font></h3>
<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">The February Presidential Release of the
National Federation of the Blind will be delivered on Monday, February 1, at
8:00 p.m. eastern. After the remarks there is an opportunity for questions.
Submit questions in advance to <a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org" target="_blank">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a> and
put PR502 in the subject line, or call 410-659-9314, extension 2473. Closed
captions and Spanish interpretation will be available. Mark your calendars.
Zoom details will be available soon. Learn about the many <a href="https://www.nfb.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=430" target="_blank">ways to participate</a>.<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>
<h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;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">Access Technology Affordability Act Introduced in the House:<span></span></font></h3>
<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">Introduced in the House on January 21, the
Access Technology Affordability Act legislation removes an employment barrier
commonly experienced by blind Americans who cannot afford the high cost of
access technology by creating a refundable tax credit in the amount of $2,000
to be used over a three-year period to offset the cost of these technologies. <a href="https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-applauds-introduction-access-technology-2" target="_blank">Read the full press release now</a>.<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>
<h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;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">Scholarship Program–Start Applications Now:<span></span></font></h3>
<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">The National Federation of the Blind
awards more than $120,000 to blind scholars across the country. The application
process is open and we encourage students to start the process now. Review the <a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program/scholarship-program-application-checklist" target="_blank">scholarship application checklist</a>
and the <a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program/scholarship-program-faqs" target="_blank">scholarship program FAQs</a>.
Share this opportunity that invests in the future of blind people. Learn about
the eligibility and requirements of the <a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program" target="_blank">2021 NFB Scholarship Program</a>
and start the application process now.<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>
<h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;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>Toastmaster </i>Magazine Added to NFB-NEWSLINE:<span></span></font></h3>
<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">We are pleased to announce the addition of
<i>Toastmaster </i>magazine to the NFB-NEWSLINE<sup>® </sup>service.
Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches
public speaking and leadership through a worldwide network of clubs. Since
1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds
become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders. <i>Toastmaster </i>is
published monthly and is located under the General Interest category of
Magazines.<span></span></font></span></p>
<h2 style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;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">Reminders:<span></span></font></h2>
<h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;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">Last Chance to Get Your 2021 Braille Calendar from Independence
Market:<span></span></font></h3>
<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">This is the last week we will be taking
orders for 2021 Braille calendars. Effective February 1, the Independence
Market will no longer accept orders for the 2021 Braille calendars. All orders
received prior to the close of business on Friday, January 29, will be
processed. If interested in ordering a 2021 Braille calendar, please contact
our Independence Market at 410-659-9314, extension 2216, or <a href="mailto:Independencemarket@nfb.org" target="_blank">Independencemarket@nfb.org</a> as soon as
possible.<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>
<h2 style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;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">Dates
to Keep in Mind:<span></span></font></h2>
<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">(all times eastern)<span></span></font></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li 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">February
1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.<span></span></font></li>
<li 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">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="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">March
1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.<span></span></font></li>
<li 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">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="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">April
1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.<span></span></font></li>
<li 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">April
15: <a href="https://www.nfb.org/bolotin" target="_blank">Bolotin Awards</a> nominations deadline<span></span></font></li>
<li 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">May
2: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.<span></span></font></li>
<li 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">June
1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.<span></span></font></li>
<li 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" style="">July
6-11: NFB National Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana</font><font face="Tahoma, sans-serif" style="font-size:14pt"><span></span></font></li>
</ul></div><div><div dir="ltr"></div></div></div></div>