<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style=""><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><br></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></b><b style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:large">President’s
Notebook</b></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="arial, sans-serif" size="4"><b>National
Federation of the Blind</b><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="arial, sans-serif" size="4"><b>Mark A.
Riccobono</b><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="arial, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:black"><a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org" target="_blank"><b>officeofthepresident@nfb.org</b></a></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"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"><b>410-659-9314</b><span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"> <span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">Dear Federation Family,<span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:large">Spring has arrived, and there are so many things happening
across the Federation at all levels. Last Saturday I attended my first
in-person chapter meeting in two years, and I have to say it was really good to
be back in the same space with Federation members. We have the Jacobus tenBroek
Disability Law Symposium, Dan Parker's world record attempt through our Blind
Driver Challenge, many affiliate conventions, a growing number of cosponsors
for our legislative priorities, our NFB BELL Academies, and of course our
national convention in New Orleans—just to name a few things on our horizon.
Things are coming into full bloom and hope is in the air.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">Here's hoping that you get a little more sun this week and find
opportunities to build the Federation in new ways at the same time.<span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">Thank you for all you do.<span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"> <span></span></font></p>

<h1 style=""><b><span style="line-height:107%"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">Critical
Actions:<span></span></font></span></b></h1>

<h1 style=""><b><span style="line-height:107%"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">Scholarship
Program Deadline March 31:<span></span></font></span></b></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">There are less than two weeks left to apply. The
National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program helps blind college
students reach their educational and employment goals and so much more.
Building on its strong foundation, we are enhancing the awards and making the
experience even more inclusive, engaging, and meaningful for the thirty
finalists.</span> <span style="color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Each scholarship winner will receive $8,000.
Encourage students to </span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-enhances-largest-scholarship-program-blind-scholars" target="_blank"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">apply for the 2022 scholarship program</span></a><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">. The deadline is March 31.</span></span><span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"> <span></span></font></p>

<h1 style=""><b><span style="line-height:107%"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">Upcoming
April Presidential Release:<span></span></font></span></b></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">The next Presidential Release will take place Monday, April 4,
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 <span style="color:black"><a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org" target="_blank">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a></span> and
put PR515 in the subject line, or call 410-659-9314, extension 2473. Zoom
details coming soon.<span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"> <span></span></font></p>

<h1 style=""><b><span style="line-height:107%"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">News:<span></span></font></span></b></h1>

<h1 style=""><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="line-height:107%;color:windowtext">We’re With U! A Benefit Concert to Help Blind Ukrainian
Refugees: <span style="font-weight:normal">Many in the Federation family have been asking if <a name="m_8890256453778973980__Hlk98769618">there is something we can
specifically do to help blind people affected by the horrific invasion
happening in Ukraine. The</a></span></span><span style="font-weight:normal"><span style="line-height:107%"> <a href="https://worldblindunion.org/blog/news/wbu-stands-united-with-ukraine-and-is-taking-action-to-help/" target="_blank">World Blind Union has established the Ukrainian Unity Fund</a></span><span style="line-height:107%;color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">. While the National Federation of the Blind
operates in the United States, we want to use our extensive network of love and
support at this important time. On Saturday, April 16, at 2 p.m., eastern, the
global online blind community is joining for a benefit concert to help blind
Ukrainian refugees.</span><span style="line-height:107%;color:rgb(31,73,125);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in"> </span></span><span style="line-height:107%"><a href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/we-are-with-u-benefit-concert" target="_blank"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-weight:normal">Learn more about We're With U!</span></a><span></span></span></font></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"><b> </b><span></span></font></p>

<h1 style=""><b><span style="line-height:107%"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">Join
Blind Driver Challenge Twitter Chat this Week:<span></span></font></span></b></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">During the week of March 28, Federationist Dan
Parker, who is a blind race-car driver and machinist, will attempt to break the
Guinness World Record for fastest blind driver. Join us on Thursday, March 24,
at 2:00 p.m., eastern, to chat on Twitter about the Blind Driver Challenge and
autonomous vehicle technology. </span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/twitter" target="_blank"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Access the questions now to prepare for the chat</span></a><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">. #CruisinWithNFB</span></span><span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="background:yellow"> </span><span></span></font></p>

<h1 style=""><b><span style="line-height:107%"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">RAINN
Training:<span></span></font></span></b></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">Please share the below <span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/form/safety-and-support-rainn-request" target="_blank">link</a></span> with
your members to gauge interest in attending upcoming RAINN trainings
tentatively offered in June 2022. This interest form will close on April
15. <span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/form/safety-and-support-rainn-request" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/form/safety-and-support-rainn-request</a></span><span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"> <span></span></font></p>

<h1 style=""><b><span style="line-height:107%"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">National
Association of Blind Veterans Grant:<span></span></font></span></b></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">The NABV Board of Directors has approved a grant for first-time
(in-person) veteran participants to the 2022 NFB National Convention. The grant
will be awarded for eligible veterans in an amount up to $1,000 to attend and
participate in the sessions, division meeting, and banquet. If you know of a
veteran that would be interested, contact Vernon Humphrey at<b> </b><span style="color:black"><a href="mailto:mr_president@nabv.org" target="_blank">mr_president@nabv.org</a></span><b>.</b><span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"> <span></span></font></p>

<h1 style=""><b><span style="line-height:107%"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">Medical
Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act:<span></span></font></span></b></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">Last week, the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R.
4853) gained four new cosponsors: Don Bacon (R-NE-2), Debbie Wasserman Schultz
(D-FL-23), Peter DeFazio (D-OR-4), and Stephen Lynch (D-MA-8). The bill now has
a total of forty-four cosponsors, including two Republican cosponsors, making
it bipartisan. This is great progress, and we need to keep up our advocacy to
ensure the success of this bill, as well as all of our other legislation.<span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"> <span></span></font></p>

<h1 style=""><b><span style="line-height:107%"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">Website
Accessibility Regulations:<span></span></font></span></b></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">As you may remember, on February 28, 2022, the National
Federation of the Blind and more than 180 other organizations sent <span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/letter-assistant-attorney-general-regarding-website" target="_blank">a letter to the US Department of Justice regarding website
accessibility regulations</a></span>. On Friday, the Department of Justice
published <span style="color:black"><a href="https://beta.ada.gov/web-guidance/" target="_blank">guidance on website
accessibility</a></span>. There is little doubt that this letter, along with our
continued advocacy on this topic, has caused the administration to take action.
This guidance is a good first step, but we must continue to advocate for the
website accessibility regulations described in our letter.<span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"> </span><span></span></font></p>

<h1 style=""><b><span style="line-height:107%"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">Upcoming
Event: Accessible Excel and PowerPoint Creation:<span></span></font></span></b></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="arial, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="line-height:107%;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">Learn how to create accessible
Excel documents and PowerPoint presentations. Join us on March 29 from 2:00 to
3:30 p.m., eastern, to discuss the powerful tools you can use in either
program. </span><span style="line-height:107%"><span></span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="line-height:107%"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"> <span></span></font></span></p>

<h1 style=""><b><span style="line-height:107%"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">Upcoming
Event: Comparison of Collaboration Tools:<span></span></font></span></b></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:107%"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">[Boutique
rescheduled from March 16]<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"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"><a name="m_8890256453778973980__Hlk98762585"><span style="line-height:107%">As the Covid
pandemic continued on, businesses and teams of all types adapted to
collaborating and working together online. </span></a><span style="line-height:107%">To facilitate this, a number of apps and services have sprung up
to enable teams in widely distributed areas to seamlessly work with each other.
Come join the National Federation of the Blind Center of Excellence in
Nonvisual Access on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, from 1:00-5:00 p.m., eastern, via
Zoom where we will compare the accessibility of several of the top
collaboration services. <span></span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="line-height:107%"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"> <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"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="line-height:107%;color:rgb(32,31,30);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Take advantage
of these free opportunities and </span><span style="line-height:107%;color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/accessibility-boutiques/accessibility-boutique-registration" target="_blank"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">register for the accessibility boutique</span>s</a></span><span style="line-height:107%;color:rgb(32,31,30);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"> today!</span><span style="line-height:107%"><span></span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"> <span></span></font></p>

<h1 style=""><b><span style="line-height:107%"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">Opportunity
for First-Time National Convention Attendees:<span></span></font></span></b></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">The Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship
provides funding support to National Federation of the Blind members who want
to attend the national convention in person for the first time. Applications
close April 15. </span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship" target="_blank"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Learn more about the Kenneth Jernigan Convention
Scholarship</span></a><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">.</span></span><span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"> </span><span></span></font></p>

<h1 style=""><b><span style="line-height:107%"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">Video
Programming Accessibility Forum with the FCC:<span></span></font></span></b></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">The FCC’s Media Bureau and Consumer and Governmental
Affairs Bureau will co-host this accessibility-related forum focused on issues
surrounding audio description. This is not a National Federation of the
Blind-affiliated event, but it may be of interest. </span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://www.fcc.gov/news-events/events/2022/03/video-programming-accessibility-forum-online-audio-description" target="_blank"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Learn more about this FCC forum</span></a><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">.</span></span><span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"> </span><span></span></font></p>

<h1 style=""><b><span style="line-height:107%"><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">Dates
to Keep in Mind: (all times eastern)<span></span></font></span></b></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"></p><ul><li><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">March 29: Accessible Excel and PowerPoint Creation <span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/accessibility-boutiques/accessibility-boutique-registration" target="_blank">accessibility boutique</a></span></font></li><li><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">March 31: Deadline to submit <span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-enhances-largest-scholarship-program-blind-scholars" target="_blank">scholarship application</a></span></font></li><li><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">April 6: Comparison of Collaboration Tools <span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/accessibility-boutiques/accessibility-boutique-registration" target="_blank">accessibility boutique</a></span></font></li><li><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">April 15: Deadline for <span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship" target="_blank">Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship</a></span> application</font></li><li><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">April 15: Deadline for <span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/bolotin" target="_blank">Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award
nominations</a></span></font></li><li><font face="arial, sans-serif" size="4">July 5-10: <span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention" target="_blank">National
Convention</a></span>, New Orleans</font></li></ul><p></p>











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