<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style=""><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" style="" size="4">Dear
Federation Family,</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" style="" 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"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">As we come to the end of the year, I reflect upon the many
members of this movement who have made a contribution to our work in the past
twelve months. Many of you receiving this come to mind because of the heart and
quiet actions you put into improving people’s lives. Mostly, my heart is filled
with a great optimism for our future together. This past year has tested and
transformed our movement. The next year will be a period of hope, building, and
renewal for all of us. Even as we face another surge in the coronavirus, we
have the confidence and experience of the past two years to guide our decisions
and our actions—experience that we did not have two years ago. This is what we
do in our movement: we learn as we go and build upon our experience. Sometimes
we face uncertain circumstances but we face them together. Often, we can use
our history, our experience, and our expertise to guide us through. In 2022, we
will do all of these things to bring our movement to even greater heights for
the blind of America.<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"> </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">In the Riccobono household we celebrate Christmas, and we are
looking forward to the family being together for a week of relaxation,
reflection, and refreshment. We continue to be thankful that we have the
opportunity to be part of a community of leaders and extended family within the
Federation. I regret that time does not permit us to call each of you
personally to share our gratitude and well wishes. Instead, please accept this
as our wish that you have a safe, happy, and rejuvenating holiday and that 2022
brings you many great things. In addition, we want to express our great
anticipation for being with each of you in New Orleans next summer.<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"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Happy holidays!<span></span></font></p>

<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Critical Actions:<br>
Legal Update—Spread the Word #BackOffLACCD:<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">In a case filed by the National Federation of the Blind; the
National Federation of the Blind of California; and two blind students, Roy
Payan and Portia Mason, the Federal District Court for the Central District of
California found that Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) violated
the students’ rights under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. However, LACCD is planning to
petition the US Supreme Court regarding this case—putting disability rights at
risk. Please follow and engage with the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BackOffLACCD&src=typed_query&f=live" target="_blank">hashtag
#BackOffLACCD on Twitter</a> to demand that LACCD stop this intentional
effort that threatens our rights. More information will be shared in an
upcoming email.<span></span></font></p>

<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">News:<br>
Start the New Year at the January Presidential Release:<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">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 are <a href="https://zoom.us/j/96155839686" target="_blank">https://zoom.us/j/96155839686</a> or
the Meeting ID is 961 5583 9686.<span></span></font></p>

<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Thank You for Your Support of the National Federation of the Blind:<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">The National Federation of the Blind relies on the generosity of
our supporters to help us raise the expectations of blind people. Please share
our thank you video to supporters you connected with this year and to new
supporters we look forward to working with in the future. <a href="https://youtu.be/XwgClsONKgY" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/XwgClsONKgY</a><span></span></font></p>

<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Lawsuit against Duke University:<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">The NFB and member Mary Fernandez recently resolved our lawsuit
against Duke University. As a part of the settlement, Duke will revise its
policies and guidelines regarding accessible materials for blind students and
will retain a consultant with expertise in accessible materials. For more
information, please visit <a href="https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/files-pdf/Exhibit%201.pdf" target="_blank">Fernandez
v. Duke University Agreement Exhibit 1</a>.<span></span></font></p>

<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Read and Share the Kernel Books:<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">The National Federation of the Blind's Kernel Book series
highlights the stories of blind people and goes beyond sentimentality and
misconceptions—to the very "kernel" of blindness. The text and audio
of every Kernel Book is available online at <a href="https://nfb.org/resources/jacobus-tenbroek-library/collections/kernel-books" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/resources/jacobus-tenbroek-library/collections/kernel-books</a>.
Please note: this link is an updated page, please update any bookmarks you may
have of a previous link.<span></span></font></p>

<h1 style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Dates to Keep in Mind: (all times eastern)<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><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a name="m_1646757412674066476__Hlk90998610">January 4: Presidential
Release, 8:00 p.m.</a></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">February
1: Presidential Release, 8:00 p.m.</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">February
7: Great Gathering-In, 5:00 p.m.</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">February
7-10: <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/" target="_blank">Washington
Seminar</a></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">March
1: Presidential Release, 8:00 p.m.</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">March
31: Deadline to submit <a href="https://nfb.org/scholarships" target="_blank">scholarship
application</a></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">July
5-10: National Convention, New Orleans</font></li></ul><p></p>













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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><i><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The National Federation of the
Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your
future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low
expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live
the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.<span></span></font></i></p>

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