<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style=""><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="" size="4"><b style="">President’s Notebook</b><br></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;margin:0in 0in 8pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
Mark A. Riccobono<br>
</b><span style="color:black"><a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org" target="_blank" style="color:blue"><b><span style="color:rgb(17,85,204)">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</span></b></a></span><b><u><span style="color:rgb(17,85,204)"><br>
</span></u></b><b>410-659-9314</b></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;margin:0in 0in 8pt"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></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;margin:0in 0in 8pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Dear
Federation Family,</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;margin:0in 0in 8pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p>
<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">As the end of the 2022 Federation year draws to a close, I want
to extend my gratitude for each of you for your service. Our leadership and
staff are some of the most thoughtful, dedicated, innovative, and dynamic
people I have ever met. This year has been a very good one for us but also a
difficult one with a number of losses to our community.</font></p>
<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">I want to ask for your patience as we regroup on some of our
work both because of the end-of-the-year holidays and because of the shuffling
we need to do after losing our friend and colleague Scott LaBarre. I hope that
each of you will take the time to relax, reflect, and re-energize. I am
anticipating the opportunity to enjoy the family time fully.</font></p>
<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">We have many things we want to accomplish together for NFB in
2023. It is going to be an important time of opportunity and growth for the
next generation of leaders in our movement. I am anticipating all that will
come from our work together.</font></p>
<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">This will be our last notebook for 2022. The national office
will be on limited staffing during the next week, but we will be up to full
speed again on January 3, 2023. Please note that our offices are completely
closed on December 26 and January 2.</font></p>
<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Happy holiday wishes to you, and may your 2023 be personally
rewarding.</font></p>
<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Cheers to building NFB in '23!</font><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"> </span></p>
<h1 style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0in;color:rgb(0,112,192)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Critical Actions:</font></h1>
<h1 style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0in;color:rgb(0,112,192)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Accessible COVID-19 Tests:</font></h1>
<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The federal government is once again making COVID-19 tests
available to the public at no cost. Blind people can place one order (which
will include twelve tests) for the accessible Ellume tests. Go to <span style="color:black"><a href="http://acl.gov/COVIDtests/accessible" target="_blank" style="color:blue"><span style="color:rgb(17,85,204)">ACL.gov/COVIDtests/accessible</span></a></span> to
access the ordering page. If you need to order these tests over the phone, call
the Disability Information and Access Line at 888-677-1199. </font></p>
<h1 style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0in;color:rgb(0,112,192)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">January Presidential Release:</font></h1>
<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Mark your calendars for the first Presidential Release of 2023:
Wednesday, January 4, at 8:00 p.m., eastern.</font></p>
<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:black"><a href="https://zoom.us/j/99278902407" style="color:blue">https://zoom.us/j/99278902407</a></span></font></p>
<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Webinar ID: 992 7890 2407 </font></p>
<h1 style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0in;color:rgb(0,112,192)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">News:</font></h1>
<h1 style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0in;color:rgb(0,112,192)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Scott LaBarre Celebration of Life:</font></h1>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">A Celebration of Life to honor
Scott will be held January 21, 2023, in Denver, Colorado, at 4:30 p.m.,
mountain time. Those wishing to participate in-person are asked to RSVP for
planning purposes. Location details will be shared once the RSVP form is
completed. Details on how to join virtually are coming soon.</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:15pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=28251&qid=8162718" target="_blank" style="color:blue"><span style="color:rgb(17,85,204)">RSVP for the Celebration of Life</span></a></span> </font></p>
<h1 style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0in;color:rgb(0,112,192)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Help Us Meet Our End-of-Year Goals:</font></h1>
<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">If you have already contributed, thank you so very much for your
generosity. It is not too late. If you have not supported us financially yet,
please consider an end-of-year gift. You can give in one of three ways:</font></p>
<p style="margin-left:0.5in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">1.<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal">
</span>Visit our <span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/donate" target="_blank" style="color:blue"><span style="color:rgb(17,85,204)">donate</span></a></span> page.</font></p>
<p style="margin-left:0.5in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">2.<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal">
</span>Call 410-659-9314, extension 2430, and contribute by phone.</font></p>
<p style="margin-left:0.5in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">3.<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal">
</span>Mail a check to 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230.</font></p>
<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">If you are not in a position to support us financially, please
consider sharing our messaging and asking friends and family to do so.</font></p>
<h1 style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0in;color:rgb(0,112,192)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> US Senate Special Committee on Aging Report Regarding the
Accessibility of Federal Technology:</font></h1>
<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">On Tuesday, December 14, Senator Bob Casey (PA), the Chairman of
the US Senate Special Committee on Aging, published a report authored by the
committee titled <i>Unlocking the Virtual Front Door</i>. The report
details the findings of an eleven-month investigation detailing “widespread
failure across the federal government to ensure that federal technology is
accessible for people with disabilities, older adults, and veterans.” The full
report can be read on <span style="color:black"><a href="https://www.aging.senate.gov/press-releases/casey-investigation-details-widespread-failure-by-federal-government-to-ensure-web-accessibility-for-people-with-disabilities-older-adults-and-veterans" target="_blank" style="color:blue"><span style="color:rgb(17,85,204)">Senator Casey’s website</span></a></span>. </font></p>
<h1 style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0in;color:rgb(0,112,192)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Where the Blind Work:</font></h1>
<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Please join us on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at 8:00 p.m.,
eastern, to celebrate the work and accomplishments of blind and low-vision
people with experience in the medical and healthcare field.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt 47.25pt;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">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal"> </span>Hear
about what their typical day looks like.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt 47.25pt;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">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal"> </span>Hear how
attitudinal and accessibility barriers are overcome at work.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt 47.25pt;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">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal"> </span>Learn
about alternative techniques and strategies used to do these jobs.</font></p>
<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Register at <span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/where-the-blind-work-webinars-registration" target="_blank" style="color:blue"><span style="color:rgb(17,85,204)">https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/where-the-blind-work-webinars-registration</span></a></span>.</font></p>
<h1 style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0in;color:rgb(0,112,192)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Reminders:</font></h1>
<h1 style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0in;color:rgb(0,112,192)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Upcoming Deadline for Member Data Corrections:</font></h1>
<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">If you have member information that needs correcting, you can
send it to Danielle McCann (<span style="color:black"><a href="mailto:dmccann@nfb.org" target="_blank" style="color:blue"><span style="color:rgb(17,85,204)">dmccann@nfb.org</span></a></span>) by
December 31 for updating. This does not include adding new members; they should
be entered in the <span style="color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/new_member_form" target="_blank" style="color:blue"><span style="color:rgb(17,85,204)">new member form.</span></a></span> This
process is for existing members whose information is either incorrect in the
portal or needs updating.</font></p>
<h1 style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0in;color:rgb(0,112,192)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Dates to Keep in Mind: (all times eastern)</font></h1>
<ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">December
31: Deadline for assistance with updating member data</font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">January
4: <span style="color:black"><a href="https://braille.day/" target="_blank" style="color:blue"><span style="color:rgb(17,85,204)">World Braille Day</span></a></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">January
30: Great Gathering-In</font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">February
8: Open House, 8:00 p.m.</font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">March
2 and 5: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Scholarships)</font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">March
23: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium</font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">May
10: Open House, 8:00 p.m.</font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">June
1 and 4: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Member Engagement and
National Convention)</font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">July
1-6, 2023: National Convention; Houston, Texas</font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">August
9: Open House, 8:00 p.m.</font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">September
7 and 10: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Blind Equality Achievement
Month)</font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">November
8: Open House, 8:00 p.m.</font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">December
7 and 10: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Planning the Year Ahead)</font></li>
</ul>
<p style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in"><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;margin:0in 0in 8pt"><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;margin:0in 0in 8pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="" size="4"> </font></p></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div></div><div></div></div><div dir="auto"></div><font color="#888888"></font></div></div></div></div>