<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Greetings all,</span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="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="line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="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="line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">president@nfbnj.org</span></a><span style="line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p><h1><font size="2"><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></font></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-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Federation
Family,</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-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><br></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-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">It is
hard to believe that the end of May is upon us. It is also hard to believe how
the past year has flown by. I approach this week with a mix of feelings
remembering the emotions of a year ago as our nation experienced the killing of
George Floyd and the tremendous wave of pain, action, and reflection that
followed in that first week. Obviously, the effects are still being experienced
today. I want to mark this anniversary by calling upon this leadership group
to </span><a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-stands-solidarity-all-those-impacted-racial-injustice" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">review
our statement of solidarity</span></a><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"> to remind us about the careful work we
need to do to intentionally build the Federation to reflect the deep and broad
diversity we want among our members.<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-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><br></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-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">It is
also the twentieth anniversary of Erik Weihenmayer summiting Mt. Everest with
the support of the National Federation of the Blind. It is always fun to look
back upon the achievements that we have helped transform into reality through
this movement. What is our next Mt. Everest moment? Might it be Dan Parker's
world record attempt under our Blind Driver Challenge or something else? While
we should remember the big moments, we should also keep in mind that the
heartbeats of our movement are the small, personal, day-to-day connections and
actions that drive the power of our public work. <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-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><br></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-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">As you
already know, this is the final week to register people for the convention
if they wish to vote during the business portions. Please give this your
attention this week. People will be able to register after May 31, but will not
be able to participate in voting.<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-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"> </span></p><h1><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><font size="2">Critical Actions:<span></span></font></span></h1><h1><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><font size="2">Register for the 2021
National Convention Before May 31:<span></span></font></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-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">The
National Federation of the Blind National Convention is July 6 through July 10,
2021, from anywhere and everywhere. A member toolkit was sent via email last
week to encourage members to promote registration—please share registration
promotions in your local area. Early registration, by May 31, provides voting
eligibility for members, enters registrants’ names for door prizes during
convention, and enables registrants to receive pre-convention emails.
Additionally, the registration process provides the opportunity to make access
support requests. We are committed to making our meetings a safe, welcoming,
and inclusive space for everyone. Register now at </span><a href="https://nfb.org/registration" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">https://nfb.org/registration</span></a><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">.<span></span></span></p><h1><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><font size="2">News:<span></span></font></span></h1><h1><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><font size="2">Plan to Attend the June
Presidential Release—Captioning and Spanish Available:<span></span></font></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-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">The
next Presidential Release of the National Federation of the Blind will be
delivered on Tuesday, June 1, at 8:00 p.m. eastern. After the remarks there
will be an opportunity for questions. Submit questions in advance to </span><a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">cdanielsen@nfb.org</span></a><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"> and
put PR506 in the subject line, or call 410-659-9314, extension 2473. Closed
captions and Spanish interpretation will be available. Mark your calendars! The
link to join is </span><a href="https://zoom.us/j/91778192252" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">https://zoom.us/j/91778192252</span></a><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"> and
other Zoom details will be available soon.<span></span></span></p><h1><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><font size="2">Amendment to the Endless
Frontier Act from Senator John Thune:<span></span></font></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-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Update:
Last week we told you about the Endless Frontier Act in the Senate and how
Senator John Thune of South Dakota introduced an amendment that contained two
important provisions to ensure that people with disabilities would be included
in the design and utilization of highly automated vehicles. The first would
create an exemption classification for manufacturers who “provide
transportation access for individuals with disabilities (as defined in section
3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102)), including
non-visual access for individuals who are blind or visually impaired,” as long
as the vehicle was equivalently safe to a non-exempt vehicle. The second would
prohibit a state from issuing a “motor vehicle operator’s license for the
operation or use of a highly automated vehicle in a manner that discriminates
on the basis of disability.” For a more detailed summary of these provisions,
please read the recent </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/letter-chair-cantwell-thune-amendment-endless-frontier-act" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">letter
to Senators Cantwell and Wicker</span></a><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"> that I wrote in support
of the amendment. The Endless Frontier Act is still being debated in the Senate
this week, so you still have a chance to make an important impact through your
calls and emails. Please contact your senators and ask them to support Senator
Thune’s automated vehicles amendment.<span></span></span></p><h1><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><font size="2">We Reached Our Goal! Thank
You for Your Support:<span></span></font></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-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">We did
it! Thanks to everyone who contributed last week, we reached our goal of
$25,000. Because of the generosity of Deque Systems and an anonymous donor,
that amount will be doubled in honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
That means that every dollar you gave will go twice as far in advocacy,
education, and helping blind people live the lives we want. Thank you!<span></span></span></p><h1><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><font size="2">Recent Blog: “Lack of
Awareness Makes Accessibility Inaccessible”:<span></span></font></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-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Many
people have their lives needlessly disrupted due to the lack of knowledge of
the tools that would make it possible for them to maintain their quality of
life despite the onset of blindness. We must promote awareness of the
availability and need for accessibility. Read Anil Lewis’s story in our
recent </span><a href="https://nfb.org/blog/lack-awareness-makes-accessibility-inaccessible" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Voice
of the Nation’s Blind Blog</span></i></a><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">.<span></span></span></p><h1><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><font size="2">Career Opportunities at the
National Federation of the Blind:<span></span></font></span></h1><h1><font size="2"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:windowtext;font-weight:normal">The National Federation of the Blind is
seeking flexible, hard-working individuals who will work with us to ensure
independence and equality for all blind Americans. Currently we have several
opportunities to include: Braille proofing and production specialist, program
assistant NFB Independence Market, operations specialist for NFB-NEWSLINE,
outreach program coordinator. Learn more about </span><a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/career-opportunities" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:windowtext;font-weight:normal">our career opportunities</span></a><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:windowtext;font-weight:normal">.<span></span></span></font></h1><h1><font size="2">Dates to Keep in Mind: (all times eastern)</font></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:43.15pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><a name="m_5448134174631798311__Hlk67308830"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">June 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.</span></a><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:43.15pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">June 9: App Development Seminar, </span><a href="http://www.nfb.org/cena" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">www.nfb.org/cena</span></a><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:43.15pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">June 29: Rookie Roundup, 8:30 p.m.<span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:43.15pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">July 6-10: NFB National Convention, anywhere and everywhere<span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><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 style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"> </span></p>
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