<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Greetings
all,</font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-indent:0.5in"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="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></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">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><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></p><h1 style="margin-top:0in"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"><a name="m_8186423668411796028_m_1937789656958576214_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></font></h1><h1><span style="font-family:Tahoma,"sans-serif""><font size="4">Scholarship Applications
Open—Share with Students Now:</font><span></span></span></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">The National Federation of the Blind's annual scholarship
program is the largest of its kind in the nation. Every year we award thousands
of dollars to blind scholars across the country and provide them with a trip to
national convention (and more!). The full application is due by March 31, 2022.
Learn more and share this opportunity with students and families: <a href="https://nfb.org/scholarships" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/scholarships</a><u><span style="color:blue">.</span></u><span></span></font></p><h1><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Mark Your Calendar for the
January Presidential Release:<span></span></font></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">The January Presidential Release will take place January 4,
2021, at 8:00 p.m., eastern. The monthly Presidential Release provides
important updates and perspectives of the organized blind movement, and the
live event includes a Q&A session. Submit questions in advance to <a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org" target="_blank">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a> and put PR512 in the subject line, or call
410-659-9314, extension 2473. Zoom details coming soon.<span></span></font></p><h1><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">December<i>Braille
Monitor</i> Available:</span><span></span></font></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">The latest issue of the National Federation of the Blind
flagship publication is now available. Read about the 2022 National Convention;
diversity, equity, and inclusion; Blind Equality Achievement Month; and more
stories from members. <a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm21/bm2111/bm2111tc.htm" target="_blank">Access the <i>Braille Monitor</i> now</a><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">.</span><span></span></font></p><h1><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Final Week
to Request Santa or Winter Letter:</span><span></span></font></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">The National Federation of the Blind works to get
more Braille into the hands of blind and low-vision children. We are excited to
provide the option for a Santa or Winter Celebration Braille letter, both in
either English or Spanish. Each letter comes with a fun activity packet and a
print version for the whole family to enjoy. Deadline for requests is December
17. </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/early-childhood-initiatives/santa-letters/english-form" target="_blank"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Request a Santa or a Winter
Celebration letter today</span></a><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">.</span><span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></p><h1><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">More
Braille Books from Our Partners, the American Action Fund:</span><span></span></font></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">The American Action Fund for Blind Children and
Adults Braille Book Program provides blind children with a free Braille book
every month from a popular children's reading series. Sign up for the program
by December 15 to start getting the 2022 selection in January. </span><a href="https://www.actionfund.org/programs/braille-books-program" target="_blank"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Learn about the 2022 Braille Books Program and how to
sign up</span></a><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">.</span><span></span></font></p><h1><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">December
15 Seminar: A Guide to Accessible Devices:</span><span></span></font></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Join the National Federation of the Blind Center
for Excellence in Nonvisual Accessibility and the Maryland Department of
Disabilities on Wednesday, December 15, from 1:00-5:00 p.m., eastern, to learn
about accessible smart speakers, Braille displays, smart-home devices, and
accessible entertainment technology. </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/events" target="_blank"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Register for the December
seminar today</span></a><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">.</span><span></span></font></p><h1><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Independence Market –
Products of the Month and Sale Items:<span></span></font></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"><b>Products of the Month:</b><span></span></font></p><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 size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Kenneth Jernigan Map of the United States – large, take-apart,
topographical puzzle map for learning about various geographical features of
the United States - $250</font></li><li><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Magnetic
Checkers – portable magnetic checkers’ board; easy to play on-the-go - $22</font></li><li><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Phase
10™ Cards (Braille) – popular Phase 10 game with Braille-labeled cards and play
instructions - $15</font></li><li><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">UNO<sup>®</sup> Cards (NFB Braille Edition) – the classic
UNO game with Braille labeled cards - $10</font></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"><b>Sale and Close-out Items:</b><span></span></font></p><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 size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Shut the Box Math game - $10</font></li><li><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Nine
Men Morris game - $10</font></li><li><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Solitaire
and Fox and Geese game - $10</font></li><li><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Cube
clock - $5</font></li><li><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Camera
bag - $1</font></li><li><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Egg separator - $1</font></li></ul><p></p><h1><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">Dates to Keep in Mind: (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 size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">December 17: Deadline to request <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/early-childhood-initiatives/santa-letters/english-form" target="_blank"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Santa or a Winter Celebration
Letter</span></a></font></li><li><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">January
4: Presidential Release, 8:00 p.m.</font></li><li><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">February
1: Presidential Release, 8:00 p.m.</font></li><li><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">February
7: Great Gathering-In, 5:00 p.m.</font></li><li><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">February
7-10: <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/" target="_blank">Washington Seminar</a></font></li><li><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">March
1: Presidential Release, 8:00 p.m.</font></li><li><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">March
31: Deadline to submit <a href="https://nfb.org/scholarships" target="_blank">scholarship application</a></font></li><li><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif">July 5-10: National Convention, New Orleans</font></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="color:black"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"> </font></span></p></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>