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

<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:small;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><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" style="font-size:small;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:small;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><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><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:small;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><br></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><h1 style="font-size:small;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">

<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></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:small;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;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">Dear
Federation Family,<span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:small;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;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"><br></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:small;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;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">It
feels like we are moving quickly toward the fourth quarter of the year.
Affiliate conventions are ramping up and this always brings new excitement and
new ideas to the movement. I want to call out the #BlindMonth minute-message
video appeal below. Let’s use this October to bring strong attention to us in
social media and get our stories shared more widely than ever before. <span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:small;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;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"><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"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="line-height:18.4px;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Remember history. Advance equality. Celebrate accomplishments. Previously known as Meet the Blind Month, the National Federation of the Blind celebrates the organized blind movement during October. Chapters across the country organize local outreach events. Submit your events, activities, celebrations to </span><a href="mailto:web@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:18.4px;color:blue;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">web@nfb.org</span></a><span style="line-height:18.4px;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">, so they can be posted on </span><a href="https://nfb.org/blind-month" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:18.4px;color:blue;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">nfb.org/blind-month</span></a><span style="line-height:18.4px;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">. If you still need items or ideas, check out </span><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/view?id=2378&reset=1" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:18.4px;color:blue;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">the free literature and White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation</span></a><span style="line-height:18.4px;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">.</span></font></p><div><h1><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Critical Actions:<br>
<span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">New Time for Next Presidential Release Is at
Noon:</span><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">The October Presidential Release of the National Federation
of the Blind will be Friday, October 1, at 12:00 p.m. (noon), eastern. It’ll
kick off Blind Equality Achievement Month! There will be an opportunity for
questions after President Riccobono’s remarks. What employment questions do you
have? Submit questions in advance to </span><a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org" 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">cdanielsen@nfb.org</span></a><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"> and put PR509
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 style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

<h1><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">News:<br>
<span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Blind Equality Achievement Month: Send in Your
Events:</span><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">Remember history. Advance equality. Celebrate
accomplishments. Previously known as Meet the Blind Month, the National
Federation of the Blind celebrates the organized blind movement during October.
Chapters across the country organize local outreach events. Submit your events,
activities, celebrations to </span><a href="mailto:web@nfb.org" 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">web@nfb.org</span></a><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">, so they can be posted on </span><a href="https://nfb.org/blind-month" 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">nfb.org/blind-month</span></a><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">. </span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

<h1><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Jacobus tenBroek Disability
Law Symposium:<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">Join
nationally renowned disability rights advocates at the 2022 Jacobus tenBroek
Disability Law Symposium, the United States’ leading disability law symposium.
The symposium will take place at the Jernigan Institute on March 24–March 25,
2022, as we examine the right of people with disabilities to live in a world of
pandemics, political polarization, and natural disasters. Please visit the <br>
</span><a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/jacobus-tenbroek-disability-law-symposium" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">law
symposium webpage</span></a><u><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:blue"> for additional information as it becomes available</span></u><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">.<span></span></span></p>

<h1><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Total Permanent Disability
(TPD) Student Loan Discharge Program:<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">On August
19, 2021, the US Department of Education announced new rules to simplify and
facilitate student loan discharge due to disability. We have prepared an </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/advocacy-resources/general-summary-and-faqs-total-permanent-disability" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">FAQ
document</span></a> <span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">that contains the answers to many of the questions we have
received.<span></span></span></p>

<h1><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Access Technology
Affordability Act:<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">The
provisions of the Access Technology Affordability Act (ATAA) have been included
in the reconciliation package currently moving through the House. This is
fantastic news. It is critical that we continue to build cosponsor support for
the ATAA in the Senate (S. 212) in order to ensure that we have the greatest
chance of keeping these provisions in the final reconciliation package. We will
be issuing a legislative alert with more details in the very near future.<span></span></span></p>

<h1><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Labcorp Kiosk:<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">The
National Federation of the Blind is investigating access barriers with Labcorp
patient check-in kiosks. If you have visited a Labcorp location within the last
year and were directed to use an inaccessible kiosk for check-in, and if there
was no Labcorp employee available to immediately assist you with check-in, or
if you otherwise had to rely on another customer to assist you, please contact
Valerie Yingling at </span><a href="mailto:vyingling@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">vyingling@nfb.org</span></a>
<span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">to
share your experience.<span></span></span></p>

<h1><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Spanish
Interest Form for Braille Books:</span><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">Our
partners at the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults provide free
Braille books to thousands of blind children each year and are seeking
interested participants for Braille books in Spanish. If you know someone who
could benefit from Spanish Braille books, please </span><a href="https://www.actionfund.org/form/en-espanol-formulario-de-interes" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,90,163)">share this Spanish Braille Interest form for them to fill out.</span></a><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

<h1><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">August/September
<i>Braille Monitor </i>Available:</span><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">The
latest issue of the National Federation of the Blind flagship publication is
now available. Read about the 2021 Convention roundup, stories from members,
raising expectations, and more. </span><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm21/bm2108/bm2108tc.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Access
the <i>Braille Monitor</i> now</span></a><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">.</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>

<h1><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Career Opportunities at the
National Federation of the Blind:<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">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, Independence Market program assistant, operations
specialist for NFB-NEWSLINE^®, digital communications coordinator,
and executive assistant for the Operations department. Learn more about </span><a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/career-opportunities" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">our career
opportunities</span></a><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">.<span></span></span></p>

<h1><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Upcoming Event to Learn
about Manual Accessibility Testing with NVDA:<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">Tuesday,
September 28, 2:00–3:30 p.m., eastern, via Zoom: The National Federation of the
Blind is hosting a webinar on getting started with manual accessibility testing
using the NVDA screen reader. We will cover recommended settings, useful
keystrokes, and strategies for effectively testing webpages. Register for the </span><a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/accessibility-boutiques/accessibility-boutique-registration" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">accessibility
boutique</span></a> <span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">today!<span></span></span></p>

<h1><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Independence Market –
Highlighted Products of the Month for September:<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">Pocket-size
Talking Calculator - $15.00<br>
White plastic calculator with a female voice that can perform basic math
operations and percentage calculations. It has an eight-digit output and
requires two AAA batteries, which are included.<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">Square
Sock Lock - $2.50<br>
Package of twenty, square, plastic sock locks that measure 1.5 inches on each
side.<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">Round
and Assorted Sock Locks - $3.25<br>
Package of sixteen single, and four double, round plastic sock locks.<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">Sale
and Close-out Items (Supplies Limited):<br>
Shut-the-Box Game - $10.00<br>
Tactile Low-Vision Timer - $12.00 <span></span></span></p>

<h1><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">Dates to Keep in Mind: (all
times eastern)<span></span></span></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 46pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:10pt;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">October
1: Presidential Release, 12:00 p.m.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 46pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:10pt;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">November
1: Presidential Release, 8:00 p.m.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 46pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:10pt;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">December
2: Presidential Release, 8:00 p.m.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%"> </span></p></div></div><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><div></div></div><div dir="auto"></div><font color="#888888"></font></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>