<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default"><p class="MsoNormal" dir="auto"><b style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"><span style="line-height:115%">National Federation of the Blind</span></b><br></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"><b><span style="line-height:115%">
Mark A. Riccobono<br>
</span></b><span style="color:black"><a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org" target="_blank"><b><span style="line-height:115%">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</span></b></a></span><span style="line-height:115%"><br>
<b>410-659-9314</b><span></span></span></font></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Critical Actions:<br>
NFB.org Website Maintenance this Weekend:<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"><span style="line-height:115%">Please note
that </span><span style="color:black"><a href="http://nfb.org/" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:115%">nfb.org</span></a></span><span style="line-height:115%"> and subdomains of </span><span style="color:black"><a href="http://nfb.org/" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:115%">nfb.org</span></a></span><span style="line-height:115%"> will be
undergoing a scheduled maintenance and upgrade to Drupal 9 Saturday, August 20,
and Saturday, August 27. If there is content you need for a weekend chapter
meeting, it may be helpful to download prior to Saturday. Thank you for your
understanding.<span></span></span></font></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Prospective Member Open House:<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"><span lang="EN" style="line-height:115%">The National Federation of the Blind invites blind people
to an open house for prospective members on August 31 from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m.,
eastern, via Zoom. Please recommend this opportunity to those who have
questions about who we are, our philosophy, and how to join. Please email </span><span style="color:black"><a href="mailto:membership@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span lang="EN" style="line-height:115%">membership@nfb.org</span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="line-height:115%"> to sign up. </span><span style="line-height:115%"><span></span></span></font></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Host the October <i>Presidential Release</i> LIVE:<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">President
Riccobono is taking his monthly message on the road. By chapter, affiliate, or
even region, submit a brief proposal to have the October <i>Presidential
Release</i> broadcasted live in your area. We will come to you! Submit
your pitch:<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">In
addition to letting us know why it would be important to your chapter or group
for us to come to you, please be sure to include the following logistical
details.<span></span></font></p>
<p 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">Who – Who will be organizing the release? Will it be your
chapter, affiliate, group of chapters or affiliate divisions?</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Where – Would the release be hosted at a community center,
restaurant, gym, or at a different sort of location?</font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">What – What are some unique stories or reasons that set your
group apart from the rest?</font></li></ul><p></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">Remember
that this opportunity is available to all chapters and affiliates no matter the
size of the group or where you’re located. Send in your pitches to <span style="color:black"><a href="mailto:membership@nfb.org" target="_blank">membership@nfb.org</a></span> no later than Sunday,
August 28. We will announce the site on the September release.<span></span></font></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">News:<br>
Center for Employment Opportunities:<span></span></font></h1>
<p 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"><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Please
join us on Friday, September 9, at 8:00 p.m., eastern, for the next in
our <i>Where the Blind Work</i> webinar series, highlighting blind
workers in blue-collar jobs in our upcoming segment. Remember that we are
always looking for a range of blind people working in all sorts of interesting
jobs and careers. If you have suggestions, please contact Maurice Peret,
coordinator of career mentoring and employment programs, at </span><span style="color:black"><a href="mailto:mperet@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">mperet@nfb.org</span></a></span><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"> or at 410-659-9314, extension 2350.</span> <span></span></font></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Self-Employment Opportunities—From Getting Started to Securing the Funds:<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"><span style="line-height:115%">The National
Federation of the Blind works to bridge the gaps leading to unemployment and
underemployment among the nation’s blind through our Center for Employment
Opportunities initiative. And this year, we were a founding ambassador in the
global launch of SmartJob, LLC. As part of that partnership, we are excited to
share the following August business opportunities through Include, LLC. There
are two upcoming learning tracks. Track 1: <i>From Idea to Business</i> is
a webinar series to focus on the process of how to evaluate whether your idea
is ready to become a business and how to make it happen. Track 2: Raising
Venture Capital is a one-on-one coaching program regarding the process of
fundraising. The registration and application deadline is approaching. Learn
more at </span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://www.includellc.org/" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:115%">https://www.includellc.org/</span></a></span><span style="line-height:115%">.<span></span></span></font></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><i>Mosen At Large Podcast</i> Episode 191 with President Riccobono:<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"><span style="line-height:115%">Hosted by
Jonathan Mosen, <i>Mosen At Large</i> is the “global podcast that’s
got the blind community talking.” </span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://mosen.org/episode-191-national-federation-of-the-blind-president-mark-riccobono/" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:115%">Listen to the <i>Mosen At Large</i> episode
that features President Riccobono where they cover many topics from membership,
advocacy, and philosophy today</span></a></span><span style="line-height:115%">.<span></span></span></font></p>
<h1><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">Accessibility of Federal Technology and Websites:</span><br></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"><span style="line-height:115%">On Thursday,
August 11, Senate Aging Committee Chairman Bob Casey (Pennsylvania) sent a
letter requesting a Government Accountability Office investigation into the
accessibility of federal technology, including websites, for people with
disabilities. Additional signatories on the letter include Senators Patty
Murray (Washington), Richard Burr (North Carolina), Kirsten Gillibrand (New
York), and Mike Braun (Indiana). We believe this letter is in response to the
recent hearing on this topic, at which Anil Lewis testified in person. You can
read </span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/anil-lewiss-testimony-senate-special-committee-aging" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:115%">Anil’s testimony</span></a></span><span style="line-height:115%"> on the </span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:115%">Policy Statements page</span></a></span><span style="line-height:115%"> of our website. <span></span></span></font></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Federation Comments on the Findings for the 2022 Twenty-First Century
Communications and Video Accessibility Act Biennial Report:<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"><span style="line-height:115%">On Monday, August
8, we submitted comments in response to the Federal Communications Commission’s
(FCC) tentative findings for the 2022 Twenty-First Century Communications and
Video Accessibility Act Biennial Report to Congress. The </span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/national-federation-blind-comments-tentative-findings" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:115%">full text of our comments to the FCC</span></a></span><span style="line-height:115%"> can be read on the Policy Statements page of our website.<span></span></span></font></p>
<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> Dates to Keep in Mind: (all times eastern)<span></span></font></h1>
<ul type="disc">
<li 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">August
31: Deadline for affiliates to request Action Fund Braille calendars<span></span></font></li>
<li 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">September
1: Presidential Release<span></span></font></li>
<li 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">January
30, 2023: Great Gathering-In<span></span></font></li>
<li 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">March
23, 2023: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium<span></span></font></li>
<li 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"><a name="m_3716196682676739080_m_2832453303866131036__Hlk111453702">July 1-6, 2023:
National Convention; Houston, Texas</a><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"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></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>
-- <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>