<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b><span style="font-size:12pt">President’s Notebook</span></b><br></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b><span style="font-size:12pt">National Federation of the Blind</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b><span style="font-size:12pt">Mark A. Riccobono</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt"><a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org" target="_blank"><b><span style="color:blue">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</span></b></a><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b><span style="font-size:12pt">410-659-9314</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt">Dear Federation Family,<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt">Thanks to each of you for a very
successful time on the Hill. I encourage you to send any feedback about the
2024 Washington Seminar to <a href="mailto:jpare@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">John Paré</span></a> so we can use it in our debriefing
and planning for 2025. In the meantime, do not lose track of the fact that we
have to keep the pressure on Congress. Please assign members to follow up and
continue the work to secure cosponsors. We have plenty of time to get bills
passed before the November elections take over decision making in Washington,
DC.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b><span style="font-size:12pt">Critical Actions:</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b><span style="font-size:12pt">February Presidential Release:</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">The </span><span style="font-size:12pt"><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">February
Presidential Release</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"> recording
and transcript are available for chapter meetings. Please note that we are
currently experiencing technical difficulties with our presidential release
podcast format. Please use </span><span style="font-size:12pt"><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">the release
webpage</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"> or
NFB-NEWSLINE^® to access the presidential release. The next live
presidential release is scheduled for February 29, 2024, at 8:00 p.m., eastern.
Zoom TBD.</span><span style="font-size:12pt"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b><span style="font-size:12pt">Washington Seminar:</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b><span style="font-size:12pt">2024 Washington Seminar Recap:</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt">Last week we held our annual Washington Seminar.
Federation members conducted over four hundred meetings with their senators and
representatives in Congress. The week began with our traditional Great
Gathering-In on Monday, January 29, where Representative Pete Aguilar (CA-33),
Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, delivered remarks. Representative
Aguilar’s grandfather was a Randolph-Sheppard Vendor in the San Bernardino
County Courthouse, so he is very familiar with that program, as well as some of
the other issues blind Americans face.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt">On Tuesday, January 30, we had our annual Congressional
Reception in the Cannon Caucus Room of the Cannon House Office Building. This
year’s reception was sponsored by Waymo. Fifteen members of Congress attended
the reception, and most of them delivered remarks.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt">Thank you to everyone who traveled to Washington, DC, for
this year’s event, and we look forward to making next year’s Washington Seminar
even better.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b><span style="font-size:12pt">Washington Seminar Great Gathering-In:</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black">The Great Gathering-In is the very exciting opening session
of the Washington Seminar. You can access the remarks, watch the live stream,
or read the transcript.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="color:black;font-size:12pt">Read </span><a href="https://nfb.org/blog/significance-2024-washington-seminar" target="_blank" style="font-size:12pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,62,112)">Presidential Remarks about the Significance of Washington
Seminar</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="color:black;font-size:12pt">Watch the </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/tUzrJ7w0aOU?si=P7Tonn5_vxRvGDlS&t=66" target="_blank" style="font-size:12pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,90,163)">Great Gathering-In live stream on
YouTube</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="color:black;font-size:12pt">Read the </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/2024-great-gathering-transcript" target="_blank" style="font-size:12pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,90,163)">Great Gathering-In Transcript</span></a></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b><span style="font-size:12pt">Share Stories from Washington Seminar—Write an Article:</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">We are looking to hear about your experiences
during the 2024 Washington Seminar. Who was at Washington Seminar for the first
time? What stories did members share with their representatives that can be
shared more? If you or someone in your affiliate is interested in writing an
article about being in DC, please send an email to </span><span style="font-size:12pt"><a href="mailto:story@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">story@nfb.org</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">. If you are not sure about writing, we can help!
We are excited to help share your stories in future communications.</span><span style="font-size:12pt"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b><span style="font-size:12pt">News:</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b><span style="font-size:12pt">Legislative Update:</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt">In the week following the 2024 Washington Seminar we
gained seventeen new cosponsors on our legislation between the House and the
Senate. In the House, the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act
gained eight new cosponsors to bring the total number up to twelve. Also in the
House, the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act gained eight new
cosponsors to bring the total number up to sixty-one. In the Senate, the Access
Technology Affordability Act gained one new cosponsor to bring the total number
up to eighteen. We may all be back home now that our time in the nation’s
capital is over, but that doesn’t mean that the work stops. Please continue to
follow up with your members of Congress and urge them to cosponsor our
legislation.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b><span style="font-size:12pt">#NFB24 Book Your Hotel:</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Join us for the 2024 National Convention of the
National Federation of the Blind, July 3 through July 8, in Orlando, Florida,
at the Rosen Centre. Our 2024 room rate for singles and doubles is $129; for
triples and quads, the rate is $139. Occupancy taxes and surcharges are an
additional 13.5 percent. To book your room, call the hotel at 800-204-7234. Ask
for the “NFB Convention” block. At the time you make a reservation, a $146
deposit is required for each room reserved. If you use a credit card, the deposit
will be charged against your card immediately, just as would be the case with a
$146 check. If a reservation is canceled before Saturday, June 1, 2024, half of
the deposit will be returned. Otherwise, refunds will not be made.</span><span style="font-size:12pt"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;break-after:avoid;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b><span style="font-size:12pt">Submit Nominations for the 2024 Bolotin Awards:</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;break-after:avoid;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt">The National Federation of the Blind is accepting nominations of
individuals or organizations who are a positive force in the lives of blind
people and help us transform dreams into reality. Each application must include
a letter of recommendation. <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">Learn more and submit a nomination for
the 2024 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards</span></a>.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b><span style="font-size:12pt">Catch Up on Content and Share on Social Media:</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Highlights, news, and stories are available in
the most recent <i>Braille Monitor</i>, <i>Future Reflections</i>, <i>Nation’s
Blind Podcast</i>, and <i>Voice of the Nation’s Blind Blog</i>. The
following are National Federation of the Blind publications for you to access
and share with Federationists. These articles and episodes are great to share
on affiliate and division social media to create discussions on various topics.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm24/bm2402/bm2402tc.htm" target="_blank" style="font-size:12pt"><span style="color:blue;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">February <i>Braille
Monitor</i></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr42/4/fr4204tc.htm" target="_blank" style="font-size:12pt"><i><span style="color:blue;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Future
Reflections</span></i><span style="color:blue;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">, Fall 2023</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast" target="_blank" style="font-size:12pt"><i><span style="color:blue;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Nation’s Blind
Podcast</span></i></a><i style="color:black;font-size:12pt"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"> </span></i><span style="color:black;font-size:12pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">episode<i>,</i> “Washington Seminar”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:12pt;color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">Blog article<i>,
“</i></span><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/blog/coming-full-circle-investing-myself-and-our-community-mentors-training-and-scholarships" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Coming Full
Circle: Investing in Myself and Our Community with Mentors, Training, and
Scholarships</span></a></span><u><span style="font-size:12pt;color:blue;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">”</span></u></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b><span style="font-size:12pt">Dates to Keep in Mind:</span></b><br></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt">(all times eastern)<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 47.25pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><a name="m_-93377369431092223__Hlk150162423"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt">April 15, 2024: Deadline for </span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information" target="_blank"><span style="color:black">Bolotin Award</span></a> nominations<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 47.25pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black">July 3-8, 2024: National Convention; Orlando, Florida<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p></div></div></div><br clear="all"><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Warmly,<br></font></div><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Linda Melendez, President<br>National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<br><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49);word-spacing:1px"></span><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49);word-spacing:1px">908-590-1747</span><br><a href="mailto:president@nfbnj.org" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">president@nfbnj.org</a><br><a href="http://www.nfbnj.org/" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank"><i><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">www.nfbnj.org</span></i></a><i><br><br></i></font></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>