<div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"></span><a name="m_-2337295408274989436_m_2814439371951702618_m_-2488477183052390261_OLE_LINK9" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"><b style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">President’s Notebook</b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><b style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">National Federation of the Blind</b><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><b style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Mark A. Riccobono</b><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><b style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</b></a><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><b style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">410-659-9314</b><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"> <span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Dear
Federation Family,<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><br></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" dir="auto"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">It
feels like I have been writing a notebook entry on an airplane for each of the
last four or five weeks. It shows the pace of activity is up again in the
movement. I am headed back from New Orleans where we were working on convention
details with the hotel. I know you are all going to love our first in-person
convention in three years, happening right in the French Quarter in New
Orleans. It was so heartwarming to be with members of the Greater New Orleans
Chapter as well as our first vice president, Pam Allen, and her husband Roland
for the Presidential Release. These folks are not just excited for
the convention, they are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to welcome you to
their state and the beauty of the New Orleans community.<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><br></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" dir="auto"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">You
have heard me say many times over the past few months that our 2022 National
Convention, like previous conventions, is going to take the efforts of all of
us to be a success. I am calling all affiliates to motivate members to the call
to be part of our 2022 NFB National Convention Ambassador Corps. Convention
ambassadors are members of the Federation who give their time and attention to
making the convention experience welcoming and empowering for all participants.
Ambassadors take assignments in all parts of the convention, doing what is
needed. Duties may range from ensuring that lines do not get too crowded in
hallways, serving as talking signs at key points, helping to keep the spirits
high and respectful while crowds flock to the elevators, to assisting
first-timers with navigating the complexities of activities such as banquet
exchange. This year we are taking a new approach to coordinating our convention
ambassadors. Our ambassadors committee will be comprised of a planning group of
leaders who will coordinate assignments for convention ambassadors. Where do
the ambassadors come from? That is where you come in.<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Critical Information<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><b style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">Joseph J.
Ruffalo, Jr.</span></b><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">July
6, 1949 – May 3, 2022</span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:black">Visitation:
Saturday, May 07; 2:00-5:00 p.m.</span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:black">Service:
Saturday, May 07; 4:00 p.m.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">O'Boyle
Funeral Home<span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><br>
309 Broad Street<br>
Bloomfield, NJ 07003</span></span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:black">For
those who are unable to attend, you are invited to join the Zoom livestream beginning at 3 PM</span><br></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><a href="https://zoom.us/j/6477660103?pwd=MUl1dnZQU1JxMkhUemdCSHZUM21HUT09" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">https://zoom.us/j/6477660103?pwd=MUl1dnZQU1JxMkhUemdCSHZUM21HUT09</a><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:black">One
tap mobile:</span><br></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">+16468769923,,6477660103#,,,,*460994#
US (New York)</span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">+13017158592,,6477660103#,,,,*460994#
US (Washington DC)</span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:black">Meeting
ID: 647 766 0103</span><br></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">Passcode:
460994</span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:black">In
lieu of flowers, donations can be made by check, PayPal, or debit/credit card
to Joe's favorite organization, the National Federation of the Blind of New
Jersey (NFBNJ). To donate by check please make payable to NFBNJ, write Ruffalo
in the memo and mail to:</span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:black">NFBNJ</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:black">7
Mayfair Road</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">Southampton,
NJ 08088</span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" dir="auto"><span style="color:black"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"> </font></span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:black">To donate by
PayPal, Debit/Credit use secure link:</span><a href="https://www.nfbnj.org/contribution-opportunities/online-donations" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">https://www.nfbnj.org/contribution-opportunities/online-donations</span></a><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:black"> </span></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">News:<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></h1>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Important
Upcoming Dates Regarding #NFB22:<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">National
convention is two months away. Here are some attendee reminders for upcoming
deadlines:</span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p>
<p></p><ul><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Last day of registration is May 31.</span></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Submissions for resolutions in final form are due to the committee
chair by June 6. Details in the May <i style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Braille Monitor</i>.</span></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Convention career fair registration is opening May 10 and will
close June 21.</span></font></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Learn
more at </span><a href="https://nfb.org/convention" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">https://nfb.org/convention</span></a><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">.</span></font><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"> </span></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">“We’re With U!” Global
Benefit Concert for Ukraine Update:<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">Congratulations to the global blind community for making a
huge difference to support the blind of Ukraine. The “We’re With U!” concert
was April 16 and had over one hundred blind performers. With the active
participation of the National Federation of the Blind, World Blind Union, and
Mushroom FM we raised over $100,000. The concert is available on demand at </span><a href="https://mushroomfm.com/" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">MushroomFM.com</span></a><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:black"> or you can find it at </span><a href="https://nfb.org/blindwithu" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">https://nfb.org/blindwithu</span></a><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">.</span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">May <i style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Braille Monitor</i> Available:<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">The latest issue of the National Federation of the Blind
flagship publication is now available. Read about the 2022 Jacobus tenBroek Law
Symposium, the Blind Driver Challenge, the quest for an accessible COVID-19
test, and stories from members. </span><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm22/bm2205/bm2205tc.htm" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Access the <i style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Braille Monitor</i> now</span></a><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">.</span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Upcoming Event: Reprise of
the Workplace/Employment:<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Learn
about the technologies blind and low-vision professionals use in the workplace
on a daily basis. Join us on May 31, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. eastern. </span><a href="https://nfb.org/form/accessibility-boutique-reg" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Register for the May accessibility boutique.</span></a><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Give $20 Convention Drawing
Now Open:<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">The Give $20 Campaign is a way for individuals to support the
three major funds of the National Federation of the Blind and the Jacobus
tenBroek Memorial Fund and potentially win the grand prize. Individual donors
are eligible for the drawing; donations from affiliates, affiliate divisions,
and national divisions, and local chapters are not eligible for the Give $20
Campaign. This drawing will support:</span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p>
<p></p><ul><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">White Cane Fund</span></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">KJ Fund (Kenneth Jernigan Fund)</span></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">SUN Fund</span></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">tenBroek Fund </span></font></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">And that is not all. Thanks to a generous donation from
HumanWare, each dollar donated will be matched up to $50,000! </span><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=45" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Donate online on the dedicated Give $20
contribution Form</span></a><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:black"> or call 410-659-9314,
extension 2430; please be sure to indicate that it is a Give $20 contribution
and which fund you select. You can select multiple funds. </span></font><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"> </span></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Social Security
Administration Kiosks:<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">The
NFB continues to monitor the Social Security Administration’s (SSA)
implementation of our 2020 settlement agreement regarding
visitor-intake-processing kiosks. With SSA field offices recently reopening, we
are gathering information about the accessibility of SSA’s current
visitor-intake-processing methods. If you have visited an SSA field office
since their reopening in April 2022, please contact Valerie Yingling at 410-659-9314,
extension 2440, or <a href="mailto:vyingling@nfb.org" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">vyingling@nfb.org</a> to
share your experience. We are specifically gathering information on whether the
field offices are using kiosk, web-based, or human check-in processes, and
whether these processes are accessible to blind individuals.<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">At-Home COVID-19 Test Template Letter:<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">The
NFB has created a sample letter members can use or modify when advocating at
the state level for distribution of accessible, at-home COVID-19 tests. The
template letter is available at <a href="https://nfb.org/resources/covid-19-resources/covid-19-home-test-information" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">https://nfb.org/resources/covid-19-resources/covid-19-home-test-information</a>.
Please coordinate with your affiliate and chapter president if you intend to
send a letter to your local government officials. <span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Dates to Keep in Mind: (all times eastern)<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in"></p><ul><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">May 31: <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=479" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Convention
registration</a> closes</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">June 6: Resolutions are due to the committee chair</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">June 21: Convention career fair registration closes</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">July 5-10: 2022 <a href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">National
Convention</a>, New Orleans</font></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"> </font></p></div><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><div></div></div><div dir="auto"></div><font style="color:rgb(136,136,136)"></font></div></div></div></div></div>
</div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><br>Warmly, <br>Linda Melendez, President<br>National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<br>732-421-7063<br><a href="mailto:president@nfbnj.org">president@nfbnj.org</a><br><a href="http://www.nfbnj.org">www.nfbnj.org</a><br>Facebook: <a href="https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238">https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238</a><br></div>