<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal" dir="auto"><b style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">President’s Notebook</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal" dir="auto"><b style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">National Federation of the Blind</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal" dir="auto"><b style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">Mark A. Riccobono </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal" dir="auto"><b style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org" target="_blank">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</a> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal" dir="auto"><b style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">410-659-9314</b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;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="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial" dir="auto"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Dear
Federation Family,<span></span></font></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Happy
American Education Week and Federation anniversary week as well. We are on the downslope
of fall affiliate conventions and quickly heading into the Thanksgiving season.
This will likely be our last notebook before the holiday. I look forward to the
opportunity on Wednesday to say this to you live, but let this be my written
thank you for your role in our movement.<span></span></font></span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Our
success is due to the collective wisdom of our gathered community. The hearts
and hands of our leaders, who have made personal sacrifices for the greater
good, make all of the difference. I thank each and every one of you for pouring
your energy and imagination into our organization. Your efforts make a huge
difference, and I cannot thank you enough.<span></span></font></span></p>

<h1 style="break-after:avoid"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Critical
Actions:<span></span></font></h1>

<h1 style="break-after:avoid"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Last
Chance for a Legislative Surge:<span></span></font></h1>

<p style="break-after:avoid;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Congress is back in session. This is a perfect time to contact
your members of Congress to urge them to cosponsor our legislation: Access
Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 431/S. 212), Medical Device Nonvisual
Accessibility Act (H.R. 4853), Transformation to Competitive Integrated
Employment Act (H.R. 2373/S. 3238), and Websites and Software Applications
Accessibility Act (H.R. 9021/S. 4998). If we gain support for our legislation
in these final few weeks of the 117th Congress, it might be just enough to push
it over the top for a late vote before they adjourn for the year. This is our
last chance in this Congress, and we have to make it count! Your calls and
emails absolutely make a difference!</font></span></p>

<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> News:<span></span></font></h1>

<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Giving Tuesday:<span></span></font></h1>

<p style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Giving
Tuesday happens on November 29 this year. If you missed giving on White Cane
Awareness Day, please consider giving on Giving Tuesday. You can celebrate and
you can still double your dollars thanks to a challenge grant from Vispero, the
maker of JAWS for Windows. If you are not in a position to give yourself,
please share this opportunity with colleagues, friends, and family. </font></span></p><p style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:rgb(49,49,49)">Give online at </span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/donate" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://nfb.org/donate&source=gmail&ust=1668995034242000&usg=AOvVaw1NAy-Hy4UZLslkQbfiMKqA">nfb.org/donate</a></span></li><li><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">Mail a check to National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells
Street, Baltimore, MD 21230</span></li><li><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">Contribute by phone using a credit card by calling 410-659-9314,
extension 2430</span></li></ul><p></p>

<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Share this information
with family and friends!<span></span></font></span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:10pt;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:rgb(49,49,49)">Thank
you for contributing to our mission and helping</span><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"> blind
people live the lives they want</span><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49)">. For more information visit </span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/challenging-expectations-partnership-vispero" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/challenging-expectations-partnership-vispero&source=gmail&ust=1668995034242000&usg=AOvVaw2vsIiG1Bmn2lRM9ICircRI">the
Vispero matching-gift landing page</a></span><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49)"><span></span></span></font></p>

<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest:<span></span></font></h1>

<p style="margin-bottom:10pt;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:rgb(49,49,49)">The
National Federation of the Blind, in partnership with the American Action Fund
for Blind Children and Adults, brings you the 2022-2023 Braille Readers Are
Leaders Contest. The registration for the contest officially opens today.
Registration and logging will be done through Beanstack. You can reach
registration by visiting </span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://actionfund.beanstack.org/reader365" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://actionfund.beanstack.org/reader365&source=gmail&ust=1668995034242000&usg=AOvVaw2YbB3fIhzwBYOz4ivt2IsQ">https://actionfund.beanstack.<wbr>org/reader365</a></span><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49)">. <br>
You can register now and prepare for all of the Braille reading you will do
during the contest.<span></span></span></font></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The
contest runs from December 5, 2022, through January 23, 2023, and all of the
minutes you read will be logged into Beanstack. You can use the app or web to
log your minutes. There will be badges and activities for all age groups,
including adults. Sign up today and happy reading! </font></span></p>

<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Dream Makers Circle:<span></span></font></h1>

<p style="margin-bottom:10pt;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:rgb(49,49,49)">You can
help build a future of opportunity for the blind by becoming a member of our
Dream Makers Circle. It is easier than you think. You can visit your bank and
convert an account to a P.O.D. (payable on death) bank account that is payable
after your passing to the National Federation of the Blind or one of our
affiliates. Your legacy gift to the National Federation of the Blind or your
state affiliate can be made in the form of a will or living trust; an income
generating gift; or by naming us as the beneficiary of a retirement plan, IRA,
pension, or a life insurance policy. You can designate a specific amount, a
percentage, or list the NFB as one of several beneficiaries. For additional
information, please contact Patti Chang at 410-659-9314, extension 2422, or
at </span><span style="color:black"><a href="mailto:pchang@nfb.org" target="_blank">pchang@nfb.org</a></span><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49)">.</span></font></p>

<h1 style="break-after:avoid"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Reminders:<span></span></font></h1>

<h1 style="break-after:avoid"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Upcoming
Early Childhood Initiatives: Santa Letters and Winter Celebration Program:<span></span></font></h1>

<p style="margin-bottom:10pt;break-after:avoid;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Again, this year, the National
Federation of the Blind is not only helping Santa out with Braille letters to
blind children but our program also has a winter-themed Braille letter for
those who do not celebrate the Christmas holiday. We are excited to provide both
of these letters in English and Spanish. Parents of children under the age of
ten can select one of the options that best fits their family. <span></span></font></span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:10pt;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:rgb(49,49,49)">Starting
November 7, parents can request the Braille activity packet online, via fax, or
email. The celebration packets will start going out to blind children around
the country on December 6. The Braille letter will also be accompanied by
a print copy for the whole family to participate in the fun activities that
accompany the celebration letters. The deadline for letter requests is December
16 to ensure that a return letter in Braille is received before the winter
season ends.</span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/early-childhood-initiatives/santa-letters" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://nfb.org/programs-services/early-childhood-initiatives/santa-letters&source=gmail&ust=1668995034242000&usg=AOvVaw1l9ChJ6aIv6dq1xHmZlbwj">Learn
more about the Santa Letters and Winter Celebration Program</a></span><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49)">.</span></font><span style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: large; color: rgb(49, 49, 49);"> </span></p>

<h1><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Dates to Keep in Mind: <span style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-weight:normal">(all times eastern)<span></span></span></font></h1>

<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"></p><ul><li><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">November 29: Giving Tuesday</span></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49)">December 1: Presidential Release, 8:00 p.m.</span></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49)">December 16: Deadline for</span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/early-childhood-initiatives/santa-letters" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://nfb.org/programs-services/early-childhood-initiatives/santa-letters&source=gmail&ust=1668995034242000&usg=AOvVaw1l9ChJ6aIv6dq1xHmZlbwj">Santa
Letters and Winter Celebration</a></span></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49)">December 31: Deadline for assistance with updating member
dataJanuary 4, 2023: </span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://braille.day/" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://braille.day/&source=gmail&ust=1668995034242000&usg=AOvVaw1HgCW_v5tLjx6VcaQatYZz">Braille Day</a></span></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49)">January 30, 2023: Great Gathering-In</span></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49)">March 23, 2023: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium</span></font></li><li><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49)">July 1-6, 2023: National Convention; Houston, Texas</span></font></li></ul><p></p>













</div></div></div>
-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature">Linda Melendez, President<br>National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<br>www.nfbnj.org<br>Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238<br></div>