<div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">President’s
Notebook<br></font></b></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<br>
Mark A. Riccobono<br>
<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:black"><a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</a></span><u style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(17,85,204)"><br>
</span></u>410-659-9314<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></b></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"><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"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">As hard as it is to
believe, this Saturday will kick off Blind Equality Achievement Month 2022. I
look forward to the great outreach that you all will be undertaking to spread
the word about our work and to change public attitudes about blindness.<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Enjoy the first full week
of fall.</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)">Critical Actions:<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)">October 1: Presidential Release LIVE in Mississippi:<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)">Brought to you live from the
home of the Jackson Chapter of the NFB of Mississippi, next month’s
Presidential Release LIVE will be this Saturday, October 1, 5:00 p.m., eastern.
Zoom ID: 960 0225 8139. <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=540" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(5,99,193)">Access details available.</span></a></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)">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)">Submit Activities including White Cane Awareness Day Proclamations:<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)">On White Cane Awareness Day, and
throughout October, members of the National Federation of the Blind conduct
activities in our local communities such as white cane walks, film screenings,
and social events. Please submit your affiliate or chapter-related #BlindMonth
activities, including the white cane proclamations, with a brief description
to <a href="mailto:web@nfb.org" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(5,99,193)">web@nfb.org</span></a>.
They will be posted on the Blind Equality Achievement Month page at <a href="http://nfb.org/blind-month" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(5,99,193)">nfb.org/blind-month</span></a>. There is also still time
to <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/blind-equality-achievement-month/white-cane-awareness-day" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(5,99,193)">encourage your local government to issue a proclamation</span></a>.</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)">It’s the Fourth Quarter for Our Legislative Priorities:<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)">Three months left in the 117th
Congress. The House and Senate will be in session later this week on Wednesday,
Thursday, and Friday. The House is then scheduled to adjourn until
mid-November. The Senate will return on November 14 as well, but they may also
be in session from Monday, October 10, through Friday, October 21. Once they
return in November, they will only be in session a total of four weeks before
the end of the year and the start of the next Congress. As you can tell, things
are coming down to the wire, but it’s not over yet. This is the time to surge
to give our legislation the best opportunity to pass. Please continue to urge
your members of Congress to support our bills by signing up as a cosponsor.</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)">Career Fair—Registration Deadline Approaching:<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)">Attention job seekers and
employers: Please register for the Blind Equality Achievement Month VIRTUAL
Career Fair that will be held October 26, 2022, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.,
eastern. Registration is required by October 14, 2022. Fearless Job Interview
Seminar Parts 1 (October 4) and Part 2 (October 13) will offer valuable
information that job seekers can apply to any job search strategy. <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=522" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(5,99,193)">Learn more, get access details, and register now for the
Career Fair.</span></a></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)">Fall Open House for Prospective Members:<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)">We will be holding an open house
for prospective members on Wednesday, November 2, at 8:00 p.m., eastern. If you
know people who are interested but may have questions about the Federation, our
philosophy, or what it means to be a member, they are welcome to attend this
event via Zoom. To register and receive the invite information, they can
email <a href="mailto:membership@nfb.org" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(5,99,193)">membership@nfb.org</span></a>.</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)">Catch Up on Content:<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)">Highlights and the convention
round up are available in the most recent <i style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Braille Monitor </i>and
more. The following are National Federation of the Blind publications for you
to access and share with Federationists:<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)"><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm22/bm2208/bm2208tc.htm" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(5,99,193)">August/September <i style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Braille Monitor</i></span></a></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><i style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Voice of the Nation’s Blind Blog</i> post,
“<a href="https://nfb.org/blog/together-again-family-reunion-nola" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(5,99,193)">Together Again - A Family Reunion In NOLA” by Liz
Wisecarver</span></a></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(5,99,193)">Recent <i style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Nation’s Blind Podcast</i> episodes
interviewing Bolotin Award winners, Caroline Karbowski, and Netflix</span></a></font></li></ul><h1><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></h1><h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Upcoming Event Next Week: Office 365 Suite Accessibility Boutique:<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 National Federation of the
Blind, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Disabilities, invites you
to attend the Office 360 Suite Accessibility Boutique. Learn about the features
of Microsoft’s online Office 365 Suite <a name="m_-1118796172756491187_m_4653038416123151487__Hlk115085965" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">and its accessibility for blind and
low-vision users.</a> The boutique, scheduled for October 4 from 2:00-3:30
p.m., eastern, via Zoom, will focus on Office 365’s Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
applications. <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/events" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(5,99,193)">Register for the October 4 Accessibility Boutique</span></a>.</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)">NFB-NEWSLINE<sup style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">®</sup>:<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)">We encourage our members to
subscribe to NFB-NEWSLINE<sup style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">®</sup>. Our leaders in the movement set the
strongest example through everyday actions. What answer would you give if a
member asked you if you use NFB-NEWSLINE? Would you say that you love
NFB-NEWSLINE and use it every day, or might you say some members love NFB-NEWSLINE,
it is a great service, but I do not use it to get my information? How can we
talk genuinely about the benefits of the service if the service does not
benefit us? How can it become a more valuable resource for our members? We ask
you and every leader in our movement to subscribe to NFB-NEWSLINE and explore
our valuable service. Please let your members observe you using the service, so
they can follow your lead. To register or to receive a reminder of your
identification and security codes, call 866-504-7300.<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)">NFB-NEWSLINE can help you and
our members strengthen Federation philosophy by reading the <i style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Braille
Monitor</i> and <i style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Walking Alone and Marching Together,</i> along
with other sources of Federation information. You could even venture outside of
the Federation each month and read <i style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Toastmasters </i>magazine<i style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"> </i>and
gather the information you need to boost your public speaking skills. Learn
more about NFB-NEWSLINE at <a href="https://nfbnewsline.org/" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(5,99,193)">https://nfbnewsline.org</span></a><u style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">.</u> And
remember, affiliate and chapter presidents can certify people for NFB-NEWSLINE,
so you can give the gift of information. Contact Jesse Shirek for further
details on extension 2348 or via email at<a href="mailto:jshirek@nfb.org" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(5,99,193)">jshirek@nfb.org</span></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)"><br></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Chapter and affiliate
training sessions on NFB-NEWSLINE are available for your members; please
contact Scott White for scheduling. Scott can be reached at extension 2231 or
by sending an email to<a href="mailto:swhite@nfb.org" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(5,99,193)">swhite@nfb.org</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)">Dates to Keep in Mind: (all times eastern)<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></h1>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">October 4: <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/events" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(5,99,193)">Office 365 Suite Accessibility Boutique</span></a><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">October
15: White Cane Awareness Day<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">October 21: Where
the Blind Work Webinar<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">October 25: <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/events" target="_blank" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(5,99,193)">Education Technology Accessibility Boutique</span></a><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">January 30, 2023:
Great Gathering-In<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">March
23, 2023: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">July
1-6, 2023: National Convention; Houston, Texas<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></span></font></li>
</ul>
<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>
<h1><span style="font-weight:normal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"> </font></span></h1></div><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><div></div><div></div></div><div dir="auto"></div><font style="color:rgb(136,136,136)"></font></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
</div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature">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><br>To schedule a 30 minute meeting about the National Federation of the Blind of NJ click on the link below <br><a href="https://calendly.com/d/dzt-82s-fwj/30-minute-meeting">https://calendly.com/d/dzt-82s-fwj/30-minute-meeting</a><br></div>