<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style=""><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="" size="4">Greetings all,<br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><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" style=""><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><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 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a name="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"><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Dear
Federation Family,<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;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="line-height:115%"><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;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="line-height:115%;color:rgb(50,49,48)">Do you know what is really scary? Well
yes, that creepy mask you have for this weekend is pretty frightening. However,
it is also scary how many barriers we still face despite our progress. I feel
like it is this time of year when I realize how thin the line is between
progress and feeling too comfortable settling for where we are. The thing that
gives me hope and urges we go further is the level of activity happening across
the movement. While it could be easy to get overwhelmed by how far we still
have to go (scary if you think about it), the amount of activity happening
throughout the Federation to build opportunity and advance the organized blind
movement is energizing and empowers us with the collective strength to move
forward. Check out the wicked updates below.</span><span style="line-height:115%"><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;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="line-height:115%"><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;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="line-height:115%;color:rgb(50,49,48)">Since I am going to miss the Halloween
hunt for candy in South Baltimore due to my trip to Colorado for the affiliate
convention, I pulled out the attached list of most popular Halloween candy in
every state that my friend Everette Bacon sent me some time ago. I thought you
might enjoy the article as well to determine if the reporting is accurate for
your state.</span><span style="line-height:115%"><span></span></span></font></p>
<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Critical Actions:<span></span></font></h1>
<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">UPDATE: We Need Your Help!<span></span></font></h1>
<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Double Your
Dollars—Matching Gift Opportunity:<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="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">So far we have $30,000 in general donations
towards our $50,000 matching gift campaign. Please reach out to friends and
family to help reach our goal of $50,000.<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" size="4">Contributions will be matched if made
during Blind Equality Achievement Month. Double your dollars and help turn
dreams into reality with employment and beyond. Thank you for helping us
continue our important work to raise expectations.<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" size="4"><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" size="4">Three ways to give:</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"></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">Donate online at <br></span><a href="https://nfb.org/donate" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">nfb.org/donate</a></li><li><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">Mail a check to National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells
Street, Baltimore, MD 21230. Checks dated in October will count towards the
match even if received in November by mail.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">Contribute by phone using a credit card by calling 410-659-9314,
extension 2282.</span></li></ul><p></p>
<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">News:<span></span></font></h1>
<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">New Federation Group:
Survivors Group:<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="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Welcome to
our newest National Federation of the Blind group, the Survivors Group, chaired
by Kathryn Webster and Danielle Montour. The purpose of the Survivors Group is
to create an intentional space for blind survivors of sexual misconduct and
other forms of trauma and/or abuse, along with their allies, to share support
and resources leveraging the positive philosophy of the Federation. An
announcement regarding this group and upcoming activities will be sent out this
week.<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" size="4"><a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/divisions-committees-and-groups/groups" target="_blank">Learn more about all of our
Federation groups</a>.<span></span></font></span></p>
<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Lawsuit Challenges
Inaccessibility of the California Insurance Exam:<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="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">On October 12, TRE Legal Practice and
Disability Rights Advocates filed a disability rights lawsuit in California
State Court against the California Department of Insurance for its failure to
ensure the accessibility of its licensing exam for insurance agents to blind
applicants. The National Federation of the Blind, the transformative civil
rights and membership organization of blind Americans, is supporting its
members in the litigation. <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" size="4"><a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/lawsuit-challenges-inaccessibility-california-insurance-exam" target="_blank">Read the press release and the
complaint to learn more</a>.<span></span></font></span></p>
<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Self-Advocacy in Employment
Toolkit:<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="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The National Federation of the Blind’s <i>Self-Advocacy
in Employment Toolkit</i> is now available at<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" size="4"><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/advocacy-resources/self-advocacy-employment-toolkit" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/advocacy-resources/self-advocacy-employment-toolkit</a>.
Please share this resource throughout your network.<span></span></font></span></p>
<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Access Technology
Affordability Act in the Build Back Better Act:<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="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Through our determined advocacy, we were
successful in getting the Access Technology Affordability Act added as a
provision of the Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376) as Section 138516. Last week
we sent a <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/letter-speaker-pelosi-regarding-ataa-build-back-better" target="_blank">letter to Speaker Pelosi</a>
and a <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/letter-majority-leader-schumer-regarding-ataa-build" target="_blank">letter to Senate Majority Leader
Schumer</a> to encourage them to keep this critical provision in the
legislation as it moves through Congress. You can read both of these letters,
and many others, on our <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/letter-majority-leader-schumer-regarding-ataa-build" target="_blank">Policy Statements page</a>.<span></span></font></span></p>
<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Senator Tammy Duckworth on <i>The
Daily Show</i> Discussing Subminimum Wages:<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="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">On Thursday, October 21, Senator Tammy
Duckworth (IL) appeared in a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT1zpABhq0U" target="_blank">segment of Comedy Central’s <i>The Daily Show with
Trevor Noah</i></a> where she and Trevor discussed the issue of
subminimum wages for people with disabilities. As many of you may remember,
Senator Duckworth was also a guest at our 2021 National Convention. In an <a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm21/bm2108/bm210815.htm" target="_blank">interview for the convention</a>,
we discussed the topic of subminimum wages and the unfair treatment of people
with disabilities. We commend our friend Senator Duckworth for continuing to
stand with us on this issue and Trevor Noah and <i>The Daily Show</i> for
covering it.<span></span></font></span></p>
<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">A Conversation on
Accessible Insulin Pumps on October 28:<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="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">As part of our nonvisual accessibility
initiatives, the National Federation of the Blind will be hosting a
conversation on Thursday, October 28, 2021, at 7:00 p.m., eastern with representatives
from the Insulet Corporation, the makers of Omnipod. We request feedback from
blind and low-vision individuals about the challenges they face, the solutions
they may have developed, and the features they would like to see in the future.
Email to Pat Miller, <a href="mailto:pmiller@nfb.org" target="_blank">pmiller@nfb.org</a>, in order to receive the Zoom
information. Please let us know if you are blind, if you are a diabetic, and
which insulin pump you use, if any.<span></span></font></span></p>
<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Upcoming Braille Readers Are
Leaders Contest: Registration Opening in November:<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="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">It’s time, once again, for the Braille
Readers Are Leaders (BRAL) contest, sponsored by the American Action Fund for
Blind Children and Adults, in partnership with the National Federation of the
Blind. This contest is for both children and adults. We are pleased to announce
exciting changes to the contest this year including using an online platform
called Beanstack. More details coming soon. Get ready to share the registration
as the contest kicks off December 1.<span></span></font></span></p>
<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Read and Share Latest Voice
of the Nation’s Blind Blog:<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="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">As part of Blind Equality Achievement
Month, read and share the following blog posts:</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"></p><ul><li><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:large;line-height:normal;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">“</span><a href="https://nfb.org/blog/blindness-equality-and-achievement-who-defines-us" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">On Blindness, Equality, and Achievement: Who Defines Us</a><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">”</span></li><li><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">“</span><a href="https://nfb.org/blog/finding-my-way-equality-coming-home-federation" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">Finding My Way to Equality: Coming ‘Home’ to the
Federation</a><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">”</span></li><li><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:large;line-height:normal;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">“</span><a href="https://nfb.org/blog/celebrating-our-milestone-achievements" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">Celebrating Our Milestone Achievements</a><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">”</span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">“</span><a href="https://nfb.org/blog/magic-month-and-should-we-be-celebrating" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">The Magic of a Month and Should We be Celebrating</a><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">”</span></li></ul><p></p>
<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Independence
Market–Highlighted Items for November:<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="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Products of the Month:<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" size="4"><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"></p><ul><li><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Men/Ladies Three-button Polo Shirts –
available in black, navy, or red - $24</font></span></li><li><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Men/Ladies Lined Nylon Jackets – available
in black, navy, or red - $30</font></span></li><li><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Tumbler – Hot/cold 16 oz. tumbler in black
with white NFB logo - $8</font></span></li><li><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Talking kitchen scale – Weighs items up to
6.6 lbs. with 0.1 ounce precision - $35</font></span></li><li><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Talking kitchen and multipurpose scale –
Weighs items up to 11 lbs., speaks four different languages - $40</font></span></li></ul><p></p>
<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Sale and Close-Out Products<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"></p><ul><li><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Nine Men Morris Game - $10</font></span></li><li><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Cube Clock - $5</font></span></li><li><span style="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Camera Bag - $1</font></span></li></ul><p></p>
<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Dates to Keep in Mind:<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="line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">(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" size="4">November
1: Presidential Release, 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" size="4">November
18: NFB Training Centers Meeting, 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" size="4">December
1: <a href="https://nfb.org/scholarships" target="_blank">NFB Scholarship Program</a> applications
open<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" size="4">December
1: BRAL contest starts<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" size="4">December
2: Presidential Release, 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" size="4">July
5-10, 2022: National Convention, New Orleans<span></span></font></li>
</ul>
<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" size="4"> </font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="" size="4"> </font></p></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div></div></div><div dir="auto"></div><font color="#888888"></font></div></div></div></div></div>