<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,176,80)"><span></span></span></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:14pt">Greetings all,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:14pt"><br></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">To help stay connected with our National Office and with
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></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Warmly,<br>
Linda Melendez, President<br>
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<br>
732-421-7063<br>
Email: </span><a href="mailto:president@nfbnj.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">president@nfbnj.org</span></a><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

<h1><a name="m_-3918590843127836222_OLE_LINK9"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">President’s
Notebook</span></a><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
Mark A. Riccobono<br>
410-659-9314<br>
</span><a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</span></a><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:black"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:17.05pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">Dear
Federation Family,</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:17.05pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:17.05pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">May
the Fourth be with you! Approaching quickly our national convention is. Yet,
still to be accomplished, much other work is. Don’t worry; I am far too busy to
write this entire letter in the syntax of a Jedi Master.</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:17.05pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:17.05pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">Please
take some time to encourage all members to complete our RAINN Climate
Assessment Survey (details below). We want the broadest participation possible
and the timelines are short. If you or other members utilize the new telephone
survey option we have built, we want your feedback. We believe this system has
many possibilities for us in the future, especially to expand participation.
Send your feedback to Stacie Dubnow at </span><a href="mailto:sdubnow@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">sdubnow@nfb.org</span></a><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">.</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:17.05pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:17.05pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">I
anticipate a number of advocacy efforts ramping up in the coming weeks, so stay
tuned and get ready to rally the troops. We have some opportunities to move
some legislative and policy priorities, but we will need to keep the pressure
on.</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:17.05pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:17.05pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">Meanwhile,
in Baltimore we await the arrival of the seventeen-year cicadas, which are
nothing like cute little Ewoks. However, like the Federation, these bugs are
determined and play the long game. They may also be just as noisy as a
convention full of Federationists. I would rather have the room full of. For
now, stay safe and avoid the cicadas.</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:17.05pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:17.05pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">The
great work you should keep up; for all you do, thank you.</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

<h1><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Critical
Actions:</span><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></h1>

<h1><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Register
for the 2021 NFB National Convention:<span></span></span></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">The 2021 National Federation of the Blind National
Convention is July 6 through July 10. Registration is open and free. By
registering, you will get access to the latest information as it is made
available, the opportunity to win door prizes, and more! </span><a href="https://www.nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=432" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Register for the 2021 NFB National Convention online
now.</span></a><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">
Or, if someone you know needs help with registration or would prefer to email
or mail in a registration, please use the </span><a href="https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/files-pdf/2021-national-convention-registration-form-fillable-web.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">2021 National Convention Registration Form (fillable
PDF)</span></a><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">.<span></span></span></p>

<h1><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Please
Share Feedback by Completing the Climate Assessment Survey:</span><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">RAINN, the nation's largest anti-sexual violence
organization, is partnering with the National Federation of the Blind to gather
feedback from the blind community, including NFB members and nonmembers, in an
anonymous climate assessment survey to help inform recommendations for further
sexual misconduct prevention and response programming. It may take
approximately thirty to forty-five minutes. </span><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/rainn-nfb2021" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Participate
in the assessment survey via SurveyMonkey</span></a><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">or take the survey via phone by calling
229-632-7878 or toll free 833-632-7878.</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

<h1><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">News:</span><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></h1>

<h1><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">LYFT
Offering Free Rides to Federation Members:</span><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">Our
rideshare partners at LYFT, through their LyftUp Vaccine Access program; will
be providing access to free and donated rides. The code is being made available
for use through June 30. It should be used to travel to and from COVID-19
vaccination appointments. There will be a code for dose one and a separate code
for dose two. Members will need to contact affiliate presidents to receive a
code. Please do not share or post on social media.</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

<h1><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Summer
Program for High School Students: Deadline Approaching for NFB EQ:</span><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">The National
Federation of the Blind Engineering Quotient (NFB EQ) applications is open. NFB
EQ is going virtual July 5-30. High school students can join us on a month-long
adventure into engineering and problem-solving activities. No specific level of
engineering experience is required. Engage in activities designed to strengthen
knowledge and grow interests. The deadline to apply is May 10. Learn more and
apply now at </span><a href="http://www.nfb.org/eq" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">www.nfb.org/eq</span></a><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">.</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

<h1><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">NFB
BELL^®Academy Deadlines:</span><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:17.05pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">The
deadline for our first NFB BELL Academy In-Home session is quickly approaching.
If you wish to participate in the session starting June 7, the application
deadline is Friday, May 7, 2021. This year options are available for beginning
Braille readers, intermediate Braille readers, and those who know the whole code.
Please visit </span><a href="http://nfb.org/bell" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">nfb.org/bell</span></a><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)"> for
more information or to apply.</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

<h1><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Calling
All Veterans:</span><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">Vernon
Humphries, the president of the National Association of Blind Veterans, is
looking for all veterans to include in the convention’s Celebration of Freedom.
This year he is asking to receive a ten-second audio recording of each of
veterans introducing themselves and providing a short glimpse of their service.
He is requesting that you all spread the word and to assist veterans who might
have difficulty in creating an audio recording. He would like to receive these
at </span><a href="mailto:mr_president@nabv.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">mr_president@nabv.org</span></a><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)"> before
June 6.</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

<h1><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Legislative
Update:</span><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">We
continue to build cosponsor support on the Access Technology Affordability Act.
We are up to seventy-four cosponsors in the House and seventeen in the Senate.
Please continue to call your representative and senators and urge them to
cosponsor H.R. 431 and S. 212.</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><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 style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">Regarding
voting, we are expecting Senators Merkley and Klobuchar to release text for a
proposed amendment to S. 1, the For the People Act, in the near future. We
expect this amendment to address many of our concerns with the bill.
Specifically, we are hoping it preserves the right of states to allow for the
electronic delivery, marking, and return of ballots for voters with
disabilities. In addition, we are hoping it mandates that ballot-marking
devices used with in-person voting be available to people with and without
disabilities, that there is more than one ballot-marking device per polling
location, and that voters are specifically and actively offered to use these
machines.</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><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 style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">With
regard to a national framework for testing autonomous vehicles, Senators Thune
and Peters are planning to offer an amendment to the Endless Frontier Act
sponsored by Senator Schumer. This amendment specifically creates a new
exemption for testing vehicles that “provide transportation access for people
with disabilities including non-visual access for individuals who are blind or
visually impaired.” The final amendment text will be released late this week or
next. It is likely the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation will vote on the amendment next week.</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><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 style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">With
regard to both voting and autonomous vehicles, please keep on the lookout for
legislative alerts in the near future. Once the final amendment text is
released, both of these items are likely to move quickly.</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

<h1><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Independence
Market:</span><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">There
are two products of the month: the standard click rule (AID01R, $95.00) and the
metric click rule (AID01M, $120.00). And there are several sale and close-out
items: Nine Men’s Morris (AIG74N $10.00); stereo earbuds with volume control
(AIA47H, $5.00); NCB stoneware mug (with NFB in tactile Braille) (LSMXX1N, $5.00);
and a set of four playing card holders (AIG25P, $4.00).</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

<h1><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Dates
to Keep in Mind: </span><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">(all times eastern)</span><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></h1>

<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><a name="m_-7445323411887198886__Hlk67308853"></a><a name="m_-7445323411887198886__Hlk67308830"></a><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">       </span></span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">May 7:
</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-bell-academy" target="_blank">NFB
BELL Academy application</a> </span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">deadline (for session one)</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">       </span></span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">May
10: </span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"> </span><a href="http://www.nfb.org/eq" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">NFB EQ application</span></a><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">deadline</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">       </span></span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">June
1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">       </span></span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(33,29,30)">July
6-10: NFB National Convention, anywhere and everywhere</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

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