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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Greetings all,</font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" dir="auto"><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">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></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">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><span></span></font></span></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a name="m_8611374717695767227_m_-3918590843127836222_OLE_LINK9">President’s
Notebook</a><br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
Mark A. Riccobono<br>
410-659-9314<br>
<a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org" target="_blank">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</a><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="color:black"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </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" size="4">Dear
Federation Family,<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"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><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" dir="auto"><span><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Thank
you for making our 2021 National Convention an outstanding success. I was
inspired by the commitment and work of our leadership group that made the
convention a success. I hope you came away with the same feeling.<span></span></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><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </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"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Congratulations
to these states for making the top ten in new members between the 2020
Convention and May 31, 2021:<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"></p><ol><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Georgia: 139</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Texas: 116</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">North Carolina: 60</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Pennsylvania: 57</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">New Jersey: 56</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Colorado: 40</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal"> </span>Maryland: 32</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">California: 28</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Arkansas: 23</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Indiana: 23</font></li></ol><p></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Critical Actions:<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><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b><span><span>NFB21
Convention Highlights and Congratulations:</span></span></b><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><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span><span>The
2021 NFB National Convention highlights will be available at <a href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/past-conventions/2021-national-convention" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>nfb.org/nfb21</span></span></span></span></a></span></span><span><span><span><span>. Access the presidential
report, resolutions, banquet speech, and more. During convention, the National Federation
of the Blind presents several scholarships and awards. Congratulations to the
winners:<span></span></span></span></span></span></font></span></span></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">News:<span></span></font></h1>
<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"></p><ul><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span><span><span style="color:black"><span>Jordana M. Engebretsen of Idaho was named the </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=22214&qid=" target="_blank"></a></span><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=22214&qid=" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>2021
Distinguished Educator of Blind Students</span></span></span></span></a></span><span><span> </span><span style="color:black">at the
board of directors meeting on Wednesday, July 7.</span><span></span></span></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span><span><span style="color:black">Thirty
outstanding scholars received their </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/celebrate-outstanding-blind-students-0" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/celebrate-outstanding-blind-students-0" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>NFB
scholarships</span></span></span></span></a></span><span style="color:black"><span> at the convention banquet, with Lizzy
Muhammad-Park of Maryland winning the top $12,000 Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship.</span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"></span><span></span></span></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span><span><span style="color:black">Six
outstanding innovators were presented with the </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=22216&qid=" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=22216&qid=" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>Dr. Jacob
Bolotin Awards</span></span></span></span></a></span><span style="color:black"><span><span><span><span> at the banquet, with the
top award of $20,000 going to Eye Learn of Detroit, Michigan.</span></span></span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><span></span></span></span></span></font></li></ul><p></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Federation at the US Senate
Committee on Appropriations Regarding USPS:<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><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span><span><span>National
Federation of the Blind member Rania Dima testified on July 13 at the<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?513353-1/us-postal-service-fiscal-year-2022-budget-request" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>Hearing to Review the FY 2022 Budget Request for the USPS Office of
Inspector General and USPS Service Issues</span></span></span></span></a></span></span><span><span><span><span> before
the US Senate Committee on Appropriations. Rania is introduced by Senator Chris
Van Hollen (MD), the chair of the subcommittee, at approximately one hour and
eleven minutes into the video. She testified on the importance of the
timely delivery of “free matter for the blind” materials that are supposed to
be processed as first-class mail, and how the current delays are impacting her
ability to access Braille. </span><a href="https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Dima%20Testimony2.pdf" target="_blank"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Dima%20Testimony2.pdf" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>Read Rania’s
story</span></span></span></span></a></span><span><span><span><span>.<span></span></span></span></span></span></font></span></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Plan to Attend the June
Presidential Release—Captioning and Spanish Available:<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"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span><span><span><span>Mark
your calendars! The next Presidential Release of the National Federation of the
Blind will be Monday, August 2, 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"></a></span></span><a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>cdanielsen@nfb.org</span></span></span></span></a></span><span> and put
PR507 in the subject line, or call 410-659-9314, extension 2473. Closed
captions and Spanish interpretation will be available. Zoom details coming soon.<span></span></span></font></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span>Upcoming Hearing on Phasing Out
Subminimum Wages</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"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span><span><span><span>On
Wednesday, July 21, at 10:15 a.m., eastern, Anil Lewis, our executive director
for Blindness Initiatives, will be testifying in a joint hearing before the
Subcommittee on Workforce Protections and the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and
Human Services. Both of these are subcommittees of the House Education and
Labor Committee. More information on this hearing can be found at </span><a href="https://edlabor.house.gov/hearings/phasing-out-subminimum-wages-supporting-the-transition-to-competitive-integrated-employment-for-workers-with-disabilities" target="_blank"></a></span></span><a href="https://edlabor.house.gov/hearings/phasing-out-subminimum-wages-supporting-the-transition-to-competitive-integrated-employment-for-workers-with-disabilities" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>https://edlabor.house.gov/hearings/phasing-out-subminimum-wages-supporting-the-transition-to-competitive-integrated-employment-for-workers-with-disabilities</span></span></span></span></a></span><span>.<span></span></span></font></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">2021 Blind Driver Challenge
Update: Meet Dan Parker:<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"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span><span><span><span>Earlier
this year, the National Federation of the Blind announced our partnership with
Cruise for the continued initiatives to accelerate accessibility with regard to
autonomous vehicles and to sponsor Dan Parker in breaking a world record this
fall. We are racing to the record and more. </span><a href="https://youtu.be/S4WRQMc0ryY" target="_blank"></a></span></span><a href="https://youtu.be/S4WRQMc0ryY" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>Meet Dan
Parker in this two-minute video</span></span></span></span></a></span><span>.<span></span></span></font></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">NFB Surveys:<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><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span><span>Please
visit the <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>NFB’s legal webpage</span></span></span></span></a></span></span><span><span><span><span> to participate in our
many important surveys:<span></span></span></span></span></span></font></span></span></p>
<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"></p><ul><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/rideshare-discrimination-survey" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>Rideshare
Discrimination Survey</span></span></span></span></a></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/access_to_digital_library_service" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>Access to
Digital Library Services Survey</span></span></span></span></a></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/education-technology-survey" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>Education
Technology Survey</span></span></span></span></a></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://nfb.org/form/unemployment-benefits-survey?q=form%2Funemployment-benefits-survey" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>Unemployment
Benefits Survey</span></span></span></span></a></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/access-covid-19-vaccine-and-testing-survey?q=programs-services%2Flegal-program%2Faccess-covid-19-vaccine-and-testing-survey" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>Access to
COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing Survey</span></span></span></span></a></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NFBTravelSurvey" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>Travel Survey</span></span></span></span></a></font></li></ul><p></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">National Parents Day Is July 25:<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"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span><span><span><span>The
National Federation of the Blind knows that </span><a href="https://nfb.org/our-community/blind-parents" target="_blank"></a></span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/our-community/blind-parents" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span>blind parents</span></span></span></span></a></span><span><span> are
fully capable and have been successfully raising children for generations. We
strive to build a strong network for blind parents. As a way to celebrate
National Parents Day, which is every year on the fourth Sunday of July, access
the </span><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast/blind-parents-connection-podcast" target="_blank"></a></span><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast/blind-parents-connection-podcast" target="_blank"><i>Blind Parents
Connection Podcast</i></a><span>, a Blind Parent Education
Initiative supported by the Gibney Family Foundation. We are excited to bring
you episodes that provide tips and support for blind parents, by blind parents.<span></span></span></font></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">NFB Apparel Is Now Available
from the Independence Market!<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><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The
Independence Market is now carrying men’s and ladies’ apparel consisting of
NFB-logo polo shirts and jackets! The descriptions are as follows:<span></span></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><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Men’s
cotton performance polo shirts: sizes small to 5XL (black, navy, red) ($24.00)<span></span></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><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Ladies’
cotton performance polo shirts: sizes extra small to 2XL (black, navy, and
red); 3XL in black and navy only ($24.00)<span></span></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><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Men’s
nylon, lined jackets: sizes small to 5XL (black, navy, red) ($30.00)<span></span></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><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Ladies’
nylon, lined jackets: sizes extra small to 2XL (black, navy, red); 3XL black
only ($30.00)<span></span></font></span></span></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span>Thanks to the Missouri
Affiliate:</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><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Thanks
to the NFB of Missouri for a recent contribution to our NFB BELL educational
endeavors. We continue to build our movement together.<span></span></font></span></span></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span>Dates to Keep in Mind:</span> (all
times eastern)<span></span></font></h1>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"></p><ul><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">July 19-30: BELL Session 2</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">August 2: Presidential Release, 8:00 p.m.</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">August 9-20: BELL Session 3</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">September 1: Presidential Release, 8:00 p.m.</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">October 1: Presidential Release, 12:00 p.m.</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">November 1: Presidential Release, 8:00 p.m.</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span>December 2: Presidential Release, 8:00 p.m.</span> </font></li></ul><p></p>
</div><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><br></span></font><div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><span></span></span></font></div><div></div></div><div dir="auto"></div><font color="#888888"></font></div></div></div></div></div>
</div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><br></span></font><div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><span></span>Warmly, <br>Linda Melendez, President<br>National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<br>732-421-7063<br></span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)">Email: </span><a href="mailto:president@nfbnj.org" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">president@nfbnj.org</a><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"></span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><br><i>Website: </i></span><a href="http://www.nfbnj.org/" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank"><i><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">www.nfbnj.org</span></i></a><i style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><br>Facebook: </i><a href="https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank"><i><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238</span></i></a><i style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><br>Twitter: </i><a href="https://twitter.com/nfbnewjersey" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank"><i><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">@NFBNewJersey</span></i></a><i style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><br>YouTube: </i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKEDbjGsCYHMlwd4gqpBPjg" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank"><i><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">NFBNJTransformDreams</span></i></a><i style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><br>Live the life you want.<br></i><br style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><i><font size="1">The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Everyday we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.</font></i></span></font><br></div><div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><i><font size="1"><br></font></i></span></font></div><div></div></div><div dir="auto"></div><font color="#888888"></font></div></div>